UAE onboarding, explained from both sides.

Emirates ID for new employees: what UAE employers need to know

Every new employee who takes up UAE residence must hold an Emirates ID, issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP). It is captured as part of the residence-visa file: the applicant submits documents through ICP or an accredited typing centre, then gives biometrics (fingerprints and signature for anyone aged 15+) at an ICP service centre. The card gates banking and payroll, because a resident needs a valid Emirates ID plus residence visa to open the salary account that MOHRE's Wage Protection System (WPS) pays into.

1. 1Start the Emirates ID application with the residence visa. The Emirates ID is issued as part of the residency file, not as a standalone errand. Apply through the ICP website (login via UAE Pass) or an accredited typing centre once the residence-visa application is underway. ICP is the sole issuing authority (source: u.ae Emirates ID page; icp.gov.ae New Identity Card Issuance service).
2. 2Submit documents and pay ICP fees. Required: a passport valid for the residency, an ICAO-standard personal photo, and category proof - for employees, the work contract. Fees are paid at this stage (see cost note).
3. 3Complete biometrics at an ICP service centre. Anyone aged 15 or over must complete fingerprint and signature capture at an ICP Customer Happiness / service centre. This is typically combined with the medical fitness test in the residency process, so the employee attends once. (source: icp.gov.ae; u.ae)
4. 4ICP processes and issues the card. Standard processing is stated as 5 days on the ICP service page. ICP's urgent (Fawri) 24-hour service is not available for a new expatriate employee's first Emirates ID - per u.ae it applies to UAE and GCC nationals, and to expat residents only for replacing a lost or damaged card - so budget for standard processing on a first issuance. The physical card is delivered by the approved courier to the address given, or collected at a centre. (source: icp.gov.ae; u.ae)
5. 5Use the Emirates ID to open the WPS salary account. The employee opens a UAE bank account using the Emirates ID and residence visa; the employer then registers/pays them through the Wage Protection System, which routes salaries to that account via a Central Bank-authorised agent. No valid Emirates ID means no compliant salary account, which blocks clean WPS payroll for that hire. (source: MOHRE Wages Protection System; icp.gov.ae)

Fees and timelines vary by emirate, free zone and nationality - confirm the current figure with the regulator before you rely on it.