What your Emirates ID chip secretly holds
Government & Regulations

What your Emirates ID chip secretly holds

Ever wondered what lies beyond the look and feel of your Emirates ID? With its printed name, photo, signature and Arabic/English text, lies a powerful microchip packed with 20 hidden data points, accessible only via the ICP’s secured “e-link” system.
Here is a list of the data stored on the chip:
Identity number


  1. Date of issue

  2. Date of expiry

  3. Full name (Arabic & English)

  4. Passport data

  5. Sex

  6. Nationality

  7. Date of birth

  8. Mother’s first name (Arabic & English)

  9. Occupation

  10. Marital status

  11. Family number

  12. Town number (for UAE nationals)

  13. Sponsor type

  14. Sponsor number

  15. Sponsor name

  16. Nature/type of residence

  17. Residence number

  18. Personal photo

  19. Two fingerprints


This advanced chip, part of the second-generation Emirates IDs introduced since 2021, boasts nine robust security features, making it extremely resistant to forgery and fraud, comparable to the security of modern bank cards.
The chip is a major upgrade, enabling the storage of much more and deeper data than before. It helps streamline interactions between residents and various service providers; authorised entities equipped with ICP provided card readers, making processes faster and more accurate.
More than just an ID card:
The Emirates ID is far from ordinary, it’s a secure gateway linking you to essential services across the UAE. From visa processing and banking to healthcare and government services, this hidden layer of encrypted, biometric, and personal data ensures efficiency and security in nearly every transaction.
As the UAE continues advancing with digital transformation, this smart ID remains a cornerstone of identity assurance, ensuring that only authorised interactions succeed, while safeguarding your most personal information behind multiple layers of protection.

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