UAE passports can now be renewed one year in advance instead of six months
Starting Monday August 18, Emirati citizens will now be able to renew their UAE passports up to a year in advance of the expiry date.
This important update means that UAE citizens will no longer have to wait until six months before their passport is due to expire to renew.
The change was announced on Thursday August 14, by the Federal Authority for Identity, Nationality, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
It will allow Emirati citizens greater freedom when it comes to planning trips abroad, completing transactions and broadening the use of official digital documents, as currently many services are restricted if your passport is due to expire in six months.
The ICP says that the extension of the renewal period will be a significant boost to the passport issuance and renewal system and serve as a pioneering model for other countries in the region and across the world.
The change in policy is part of the UAE's Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, which aims to cut red tape and save people time.
The UAE passport is considered one of the world's most powerful as it allows holders to jet off to 184 countries and territories without the hassle of pre-arranging a visa.
A UAE passport is not an easy one to get, however, as you need to be an Emirati national.
While it is possible for foreigners to acquire Emirati nationality, only a very select few will qualify.
Categories of foreigners who can be nominated for UAE citizenship include:
Investors
Doctors
Specialists
Inventors
Scientists
Intellectuals
Individuals with creative talents
These categories were outlined in the UAE Government's 2001 amendment to the Executive Regulation of the Citizenship and Passports Law.
If you are a dependent wife of an Emirati citizen, you may also qualify for a UAE passport.
And, finally, if you are a newborn baby (and what newborn baby isn't reading this?) of UAE citizens, then you can also get a UAE passport.
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Time Out Dubai
3 days ago
- Time Out Dubai
UAE passports can now be renewed one year in advance instead of six months
The United Arab Emirates has issued an important update to its passport rules. Starting Monday August 18, Emirati citizens will now be able to renew their UAE passports up to a year in advance of the expiry date. This important update means that UAE citizens will no longer have to wait until six months before their passport is due to expire to renew. The change was announced on Thursday August 14, by the Federal Authority for Identity, Nationality, Customs and Port Security (ICP). It will allow Emirati citizens greater freedom when it comes to planning trips abroad, completing transactions and broadening the use of official digital documents, as currently many services are restricted if your passport is due to expire in six months. The ICP says that the extension of the renewal period will be a significant boost to the passport issuance and renewal system and serve as a pioneering model for other countries in the region and across the world. The change in policy is part of the UAE's Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, which aims to cut red tape and save people time. The UAE passport is considered one of the world's most powerful as it allows holders to jet off to 184 countries and territories without the hassle of pre-arranging a visa. A UAE passport is not an easy one to get, however, as you need to be an Emirati national. While it is possible for foreigners to acquire Emirati nationality, only a very select few will qualify. Categories of foreigners who can be nominated for UAE citizenship include: Investors Doctors Specialists Inventors Scientists Intellectuals Individuals with creative talents These categories were outlined in the UAE Government's 2001 amendment to the Executive Regulation of the Citizenship and Passports Law. If you are a dependent wife of an Emirati citizen, you may also qualify for a UAE passport. And, finally, if you are a newborn baby (and what newborn baby isn't reading this?) of UAE citizens, then you can also get a UAE passport. You might also like: UAE public holidays: Every long weekend to look forward to in 2025 The dates to know 22 pictures that show how much Dubai has changed from the 1950s to today Take a look at these unrecognisable photos of the city 112 best things to do in Dubai in 2025 Everything to tick off your Dubai bucket list
Time Out Dubai
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- Time Out Dubai
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Time Out Dubai
08-08-2025
- Time Out Dubai
Now arriving at DXB Terminal 3: Emirati coffee shop Saddle
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