Beyond routine renewals, UAE passport services cover emergency travel documents, replacements for lost or damaged passports, corrections to personal details, children’s passport transitions, and embassy support for citizens abroad. This guide explains which service you need, the documents to prepare, typical timelines, and how expats and Emirati nationals differ in procedures.
The ICA (Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship) and UAE diplomatic missions provide a set of non-standard passport services designed to help when something goes wrong or when special administration is required. These include emergency travel documents, replacement passports, corrections to the biodata page, issuing passports for minors, and legal nationality confirmations in exceptional cases.
When an Emirati citizen loses a passport abroad or needs urgent return travel, UAE embassies/consulates can issue a temporary travel document. This is usually limited in validity and intended for one-time travel back to the UAE or to the nearest point where a full passport can be processed.
Lost or irreparably damaged passports must usually be replaced. The process differs depending on whether the incident happened inside or outside the UAE and whether you are an Emirati national or a resident using a foreign passport.
Corrections to name spelling, date of birth, or other biodata are processed when supported by official documents. In many cases, you must update the primary record (e.g., Emirates ID or family registry) before ICA will issue a corrected passport.
Passports for minors follow stricter consent and documentation rules. When a child reaches the age defined by ICA for adult status (check current guidance), a new adult passport must be issued.
In specific legal or administrative cases (inheritance, diplomatic status, or complex nationality queries), ICA can provide formal confirmations or additional documentary checks. These are often case-by-case and may require legal support.
| Service | Must-Have Documents | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Travel Document | Police report (if theft), Emirates ID copy, passport photo, embassy application | Short-term one-way travel; embassy issues |
| Replacement (Lost/Damaged) | Emirates ID, proof of nationality, passport photo, local police report (if abroad) | ICA or embassy handles depending on location |
| Correction of details | Birth certificate, marriage/divorce papers, court document | Must synchronise Emirates ID first in many cases |
| Child passport | Child birth certificate, parents’ IDs, consent form, photos | Additional custody documents if required |
| Nationality verification | Family registry, citizenship certificate, legal documents | Case-by-case processing times |
| Service | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Emergency Travel Document | 24–72 hours (mission-dependent) |
| Replacement Passport (within UAE) | 3–10 working days |
| Replacement Passport (abroad) | 3–4 weeks (including embassy coordination) |
| Corrections | 2–6 weeks depending on verification |
| Child → Adult Transfer | 2–4 weeks |
Variable — embassy fees + administrative costs. Expect to pay for processing and courier services.
ICA fees apply; expedited processing usually costs extra. Check ICA portal for current rates.
Minimal administrative fees in many cases; legal documents (translations/apostille) cost extra.
Same base fee as standard passport issues; extra fees possible for express service.
Case-dependent; legalisation, translation and court fees may apply.
If you lose your passport or it is stolen while traveling:
Contact the nearest UAE embassy or consulate. You will typically need to present a police report (if theft/loss), your Emirates ID (or a copy), a passport-sized photo, and travel details so the mission can issue a short-term document for return travel.
Some services can be started online via the ICA portal, but replacements often require in-person verification or embassy involvement, especially for lost or stolen passports.
Family registry (family book), citizenship decision certificates, or ICA-issued documentation are primary proofs. For expatriates, home country documents plus residence records are used for residency-related services — not for UAE nationality.
While not always mandatory for replacement within the UAE, obtaining a police report is recommended and often required by embassies when the loss occurs abroad.
Corrections typically take 2–6 weeks, depending on the documents needed and whether legalisation or translation is required. Complex nationality verifications may take longer.
Yes — UAE missions assist both nationals and residents in emergencies, but procedures differ: residents may often need to contact their home country’s embassy for passport replacement while the UAE mission may help with local coordination for residency matters or safe return support.