Your UAE passport validity affects visas, residency renewals, and travel plans. This page explains typical validity for UAE nationals, when to renew or re-issue, the documents you should have ready, common edge cases (lost/stolen/damaged), and practical timing tips to avoid last-minute travel disruption. Use the official links below to confirm the current rules that apply to your situation.
For most UAE citizens, a standard passport validity is typically five (5) years or sometimes ten (10) years depending on the passport type issued and government policy. Child passports may have shorter validity tied to age. Rules and available durations can change by policy—always verify the exact validity for your passport type on the official ICA or government portal.
A valid passport does not automatically guarantee entry—destination rules and airline checks determine admissibility. Ensure you have the minimum remaining validity required by your destination and sufficient blank pages for visas and stamps. Check visa rules early and renew if your passport is close to the stated thresholds.
In UAE practice, re-issue or renewal covers expiry/near-expiry, replacement for lost/stolen passports, damaged passports, and cases where particulars (name change, civil status) must be updated. Choose the correct application type online or at the service counter to avoid unnecessary follow-ups or requirement gaps.
| Scenario | Bring These | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Expiry / Near Expiry | Current passport, Emirates ID, civil ID details | Ensure Emirates ID and personal records are up-to-date before application |
| Exhausted Pages | Current passport, Emirates ID | Consider requesting a longer-validity booklet if policy allows |
| Damaged | Damaged passport, Emirates ID, police/official explanation if required | Severe damage may require additional checks at the issuing authority |
| Lost / Stolen | Police report, Emirates ID, any supporting ID copies | Report immediately to local police and start replacement via ICA or consulate if abroad |
| Change in Particulars | Civil status documents (e.g., marriage certificate) and updated civil records | Make sure civil records and Emirates ID are updated before re-issue |
The safest approach is to apply for re-issue six to nine months before planned international travel. Some embassies require passports with a fixed minimum remaining validity at the time of visa application—so renew well ahead.
If you travel often, request the longer-validity booklet or the option that provides more pages when renewing—this reduces repeated re-issues.
Light wear is usually acceptable, but water damage, torn or unreadable machine-readable zones (MRZ) require replacement. Do not travel with a borderline passport—renew first to avoid being denied boarding.
Report loss/theft to local police immediately. If abroad, contact the nearest UAE embassy/consulate for emergency travel documents or guidance. Keep digital copies of your passport and visa pages securely stored to speed up recovery procedures.
Update civil records and Emirates ID first (if applicable), then apply for passport re-issue with the supporting official documents (e.g., marriage certificate, updated civil registry). Consistency across records prevents delays.
Apply 6–9 months before planned international travel. Many airlines and embassies expect at least six months of validity, and some visa procedures require even longer remaining validity at the time of application.
No—children’s passports are often issued with shorter validity and are age-linked. Always check the validity period shown at issue and consider timing around travel and schooling.
Many countries require a full blank page for visa stickers. If you have only a few pages left and multiple trips ahead, re-issue sooner to avoid problems when applying for visas or at immigration.
Light wear might be acceptable, but significant damage that affects readability, photo, or MRZ should be replaced. Contact ICA or the consulate for guidance and apply for re-issue if advised.
Report loss/theft immediately to local police and to ICA (or nearest UAE mission if abroad). Ask about emergency travel documents if you have imminent travel, and begin re-issue procedures as soon as possible.
Update your civil records and Emirates ID first so the official trail matches. Then apply for passport re-issue using the relevant certified documents (marriage certificate, court order). Consistency across systems avoids delays.