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
Date of issue
Date of expiry
Full name (Arabic & English)
Passport data
Sex
Nationality
Date of birth
Mother’s first name (Arabic & English)
Occupation
Marital status
Family number
Town number (for UAE nationals)
Sponsor type
Sponsor number
Sponsor name
Nature/type of residence
Residence number
Personal photo
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.