Residents must collect Emirates ID cards within 90 days

Emirates Identity Authority will destroy cards that are not collected within 90 days of receiving an SMS from Emirates Post.

ABU DHABI // The Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) has reiterated that residents who have applied for an ID cards must collect it within 90 days after receiving an SMS from Emirates Post, otherwise the cards will be rendered invalid.

When Emirates Post receives the card from the authority, it sends a text message to the customer noting that the card is ready and where it can be picked up.

If a customer fails to retrieve the card, he must reapply and repay all charges; the previous card will be destroyed.

In May, the authority has extended the pickup deadline to 90 days, from 30. The time begins once an SMS notification is sent.

The authority said there were more than two million ID cards delivered to residents in the first third of 2012.

An Eida spokesman said cards were being issued without delay.

"People are visiting their specified delivery centres and are collecting [the cards] normally," he said.

Eida has requested that applicants contact the authority if they fail to receive an SMS with collection details within 30 days of application.

Occasionally incorrect mobile numbers are registered with Eida, and text messages are delayed.

Residents can contact the authority at 600 530 003 or online at http://www.eida.gov.ae to check the status of their cards. The authority will notify residents 30 days before the expiration of their cards.

Eida is also working to launch a system that will give residents a choice in the way they receive their identification, be it at the post office, self-service kiosks or by express mail.