UAE Passport — Fees (Standard & Express)

How UAE Passport Fees Are Structured

The UAE typically defines fees by: passport type (Ordinary, Special, Diplomatic), passport validity/duration, and service speed (standard vs express). Re-issues for loss, damage, or change of particulars may attract additional charges and administrative overhead. Official ICP and UAE Government portals should be consulted for current payment details and available payment methods.

Main Fee Drivers

Passport category (Ordinary, Special, Diplomatic)
Validity period (e.g., 5-year vs other options where available)
Service speed: Standard vs Express / Urgent
Re-issue reason: expiry, loss, damage, or change in particulars

Where to Verify

ICP — Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security

Payment & Receipts

Online payments via ICP portal or approved channels
Keep transaction receipts & application reference numbers
Express services require proof of urgency in some cases

Base Matrix — New Issue & Standard Re-issue

The matrix below describes common user scenarios and which combination of type/speed you might choose. Exact AED amounts vary with policy changes and optional courier or admin fees.

Applicant	Service	Validity/Type	Processing	Best For
Adult Emirati	Standard	Ordinary Passport (standard validity)	Normal timeline	Routine renewals/first-time issue
Adult Emirati	Express	Ordinary Passport (standard validity)	Faster processing	Urgent travel plans
Government Official	Standard	Special Passport	Departmental processing	Official duty travel
Diplomat	Standard / Expedited	Diplomatic Passport	Protocol-managed	Diplomatic assignments
Minor	Standard	Child passport (aligned validity)	Standard	Family travel/school abroad

Tip: Express/urgent options are helpful for last-minute travel but expect stricter documentation checks and possible proof of urgency.

Re-issue Scenarios — What Changes the Fee

Re-issue categories usually alter fees and may require extra documentation. Below are typical triggers and what to expect in terms of fee impact and required paperwork.

Reason	Service	Fee Impact	What You Must Carry
Expiry / Renewal	Standard / Express	Base renewal fee (varies by validity)	Old passport, Emirates ID, photos, proof of identity
Lost / Stolen	Standard / Express	Higher – includes administrative & verification cost	Police report, Emirates ID, any copies of old passport
Damaged	Standard	Replacement fee (may be higher depending on damage)	Damaged passport, identity documents, explanation statement
Change of particulars (name, DOB corrections)	Standard	Admin + document processing fees	Legal proof (court order, marriage certificate, updated IDs)
Emergency travel (abroad)	Express / Emergency	Variable – often premium for immediate travel documents	Proof of emergency, police/consular liaison, ID

If you lose your passport while abroad, contact the nearest UAE Mission/Consulate immediately and follow their guidance — this often affects fees for emergency travel documents or re-issue.

Add-ons & Ancillary Costs

Courier/Delivery: Optional secure delivery fees to your address.
Express processing: Additional charge where available.
Administration: Replacement fees for lost/damaged documents, attestations.
Consular services (abroad): Fee variations for services provided at missions/consulates.

Fee Strategy — Plan to Save Time & Money

Use standard renewal if travel isn't immediate; express is for true urgency.
Keep Emirates ID and biometric data current to avoid verification holds.
Choose department-managed routes for Special/Diplomatic passports to ensure correct fee handling.
Always verify the live fee on ICP or UAE Government portal before payment.

Examples (Practical Walkthroughs)

Case 1 — Routine Renewal: Your passport is expiring in 4 months. Use standard renewal, gather Emirates ID and photos, pay the renewal fee, and collect/receive the passport when processed.

Case 2 — Urgent Travel: You must travel urgently for family or official reasons. Use the express option (if available) and be prepared for extra documentary scrutiny and an express fee.

Case 3 — Lost Abroad: Report to local police and the nearest UAE Mission. Expect emergency travel documentation processes and associated fees; once home, file for full re-issue with required proofs.

Case 4 — Change of Name / Correcting DOB: Get the supporting legal proof updated first (e.g., court order or marriage certificate) and then apply for a re-issue with the corrected particulars to avoid repeated trips.

Avoid relying on third-party screenshots for fees. Always check the ICP or u.ae portals on the day you intend to pay and retain receipts and application references.

Frequently Overlooked Fees & Tips

Passport photos with specific dimensions may require re-shoot if not compliant.
Expedited service during holidays or government shutdowns can carry premium charges.
Minor documentation errors may result in additional verification fees.
Some courier options include optional insurance that increases cost slightly.
Using third-party agents for submission may involve unofficial service charges.

Tip: Double-check your application before submission to avoid hidden administrative or correction fees.

Seasonal or Special Case Scenarios

Holiday travel spikes: Fees can increase for urgent passport services during peak travel periods.
Government employee travel: Certain official exemptions or priority processing may apply.
Special projects abroad: Some projects may allow fee waivers or partial reimbursement.
Multiple passport applications (family or twins): Bulk processing may have separate fee handling.
Passport recovery after confiscation or retention: Admin fees may be charged.

Fee Planning & Budgeting Tips

Set aside a small buffer amount for unforeseen documentation or courier charges.
Use official digital wallets or payment gateways to ensure instant transaction confirmations.
Plan passport renewal 6–8 months before expiry to avoid rush/express fees.
Maintain organized copies of previous receipts and documents to streamline re-issues.
Compare standard vs express service in terms of time vs cost before deciding.

Passport Fee Myths

Myth: Paying express service guarantees immediate approval — reality: documentation must still pass scrutiny.
Myth: Children’s passports are free — reality: they may carry smaller fees but not zero cost.
Myth: Lost passport abroad always incurs fixed fees — reality: fees vary by location and consular rules.
Myth: Online payment errors can be ignored — reality: they can cause delays or duplicate charges.
Myth: Any agent can reduce official fees — reality: only official channels control fees; agents may charge extra service fees.

Historical & Contextual Notes on UAE Passport Fees

UAE passport fees have gradually increased to accommodate biometric systems and digital verification processes.
Past reforms introduced express/urgent options for travelers in emergencies.
Changes in validity (e.g., extending child passport years) influence fee calculations.
Administrative modernization has streamlined fee payment but added optional services like home delivery.
Fee adjustments usually coincide with government budget cycles or inflation adjustments.

User Advice & Reminders

Always double-check personal information before submission to avoid re-issue fees.
Keep a digital copy of fee receipts for at least 12 months for reference or complaints.
Confirm payment is successful before leaving service centers to avoid re-processing delays.
Track passport delivery via official channels for express/courier services.
Be aware of local holidays and weekends that may affect fee processing timelines.

Note: Proper planning and awareness of optional services can help minimize unexpected costs and delays.

Quick Reference Fee Checklist

Renewal fee (standard vs express)
Lost / stolen re-issue fee
Damaged passport replacement fee
Change of particulars / correction fee
Optional courier/delivery charges
Urgent / emergency travel fees
Minor-specific fee adjustments

Tip: Keep this checklist handy before submitting an application to avoid forgetting any possible cost.

Fees — FAQs (UAE Passport)

Confirm exact, up-to-date fees on the ICP portal or the UAE Government portal listed above. These sources publish the current fee schedule and payment channels.

Express (or urgent) processing speeds up completion for an extra fee. It does not waive documentation requirements — in fact, authorities may scrutinize documents more closely when a faster turnaround is chosen.

Fee rules for minors can be different. Check ICP guidance — they outline whether child passports attract a reduced fee or different validity which affects charge amounts.

Re-issue after loss usually requires extra verification and may include additional administrative fees. If you're abroad, consular/emergency document fees may apply immediately.

Delivery/courier may be charged separately as an optional add-on. The ICP portal will list dispatch options and associated charges at checkout.

Payment methods depend on the service channel. ICP usually supports online payments; some mission/consular offices might accept in-person payments — check the specific guidance for the service centre you plan to use.

Express processing accelerates workflow but cannot guarantee results if documents are incomplete or further verification is needed. Prepare flawless documentation to benefit from the faster lane.