New ruling on children's Emirates ID card

People getting their tokens for ID card at Emirates Identity Authority registration centre in Al Barsha in Dubai.

Youngsters under 15 whose residence visas expire before December 31 this year are exempt from the official registration deadline for children, the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) has announced.

However, even though they do not have to register before the October 1 deadline, they must be registered before the end of the year.

EIDA also called on the parents of national and resident children not to wait until the last minute to register as they may incur charges.

EIDA said its decision will help families whose children's visa expires in 2012 to settle the matter without having to pay the ID card fees twice.

It also pointed out that children do not have to be present when their electronic forms are completed in a typing centre.