UAE citizens inside the country can renew an expired passport or one with no more than one year of validity through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security. The official ICP passport-renewal service states that citizens abroad should use the separate passport-renewal-abroad service instead.
Renewal is easier when the photo and personal records are prepared before payment. The official page lists a 10-year passport for citizens aged 21 and over and a five-year passport for those under 21. Eligibility, fees and completion time should be reconfirmed on the service page when applying.
Check whether renewal is the right service
The inside-UAE service applies when the passport has expired or has one year or less remaining. A lost or damaged passport may require a different replacement process, and an applicant outside the UAE needs the overseas service. Choosing the wrong service can delay the application even if the personal details are correct.
Travellers planning a trip should not wait until the airport to discover a validity problem. The UAE flight-status planning guide helps organise pre-departure checks, while the Dubai airport family guide covers documents for groups travelling with children.
| Official item | ICP listing | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | AED10 | Part of the official fee breakdown |
| Five-year passport | AED40 | Listed for citizens under 21 |
| Ten-year passport | AED90 | Listed for citizens aged 21 or over |
| Delivery | AED15 | Confirm address and contact details |
| Completion time | Two days | Official estimate, not a travel guarantee |
| Required file | Recent personal photo | Must meet stated ICAO conditions |
Prepare a compliant recent photo
ICP states that the personal photo should be recent, compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization standards and not identical to the current passport photo. Use a clear image with a neutral expression, even lighting and no filter. Do not crop a casual photograph or upload a screenshot compressed by a messaging app.
If a studio prepares the image, tell it the photo is for a UAE passport and still check the file before submission. The applicant remains responsible for providing an acceptable image.
Complete the application carefully
- Sign in with UAE Pass through ICP smart services.
- Select the correct passport-renewal service for your location.
- Review the linked identity and contact details.
- Upload the recent compliant personal photo.
- Confirm the requested passport duration based on eligibility.
- Check the delivery address and mobile number.
- Pay only through the official channel and save the receipt.
Plan delivery before booking travel
The official page lists a two-day completion time and 24/7 access to smart services. Treat this as the stated service time, not permission to schedule a flight immediately. Photo rejection, record updates, courier timing, weekends or a request for fingerprints and signature at a service centre may extend the real process.
The Dubai airport mobile passport-check guide explains how a renewed document differs from digital border tools. Travellers carrying medication should review the UAE travel-with-medicine guide separately; passport renewal does not replace medicine documentation.
Check the passport when it arrives
Confirm the name, date of birth, passport number, issue date and expiry date as soon as the document is delivered. If any detail appears incorrect or the booklet is damaged, contact ICP before travelling. Update airline or visa records that were created with the previous passport number where required.
For a road journey to Oman, the Dubai–Oman border guide helps identify separate vehicle and entry checks. Keep the UAE emergency numbers guide available, but use ICP support rather than emergency services for an ordinary application question.
Protect personal information
Apply only through the official ICP site or app, and never send the full passport image or UAE Pass code to an unknown intermediary. Keep the application number and receipt in secure storage. If help is needed at a service centre, take only the requested documents and retain copies.
A careful application is simple: choose the right service, prepare a compliant new photo, verify the linked data, confirm delivery and wait until the new passport is received and checked before relying on it for travel.
Questions people often ask
When can a UAE citizen renew a passport inside the country?
ICP lists the service for an expired passport or one with no more than one year of validity remaining.
How long is a renewed UAE passport valid?
The official service lists ten years for citizens aged 21 or over and five years for citizens under 21.
How much does UAE passport renewal cost?
ICP lists AED10 application, AED40 for a five-year passport or AED90 for a ten-year passport, plus AED15 delivery.
Can I reuse my current passport photo?
No. ICP asks for a recent photo that is not identical to the current passport photo and meets ICAO requirements.
Can I use this service while outside the UAE?
No. Citizens abroad should use ICP’s separate passport-renewal-abroad service.
