Emirates ID to replace residency stickers on expatriates passport

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICA) has issued a circular to the General Civil Aviation Authority stating that residency stickers will no longer be issued for expatriates and that their ID cards will be used as a proof of their valid UAE residency, effective from Monday, April 11.

The ICA has affirmed that a decision to cancel the residency stickers affixed to residents’ passports was issued by the ICA in implementation of the wise leadership’s directives upgrading services for the ultimate goal of achieving customer happiness.

The new procedures will be circulated to airlines to enable them to verify the validity of residences via the Early Inquiry Centre by checking passport number and Emirati ID card, which contains residency information.