UAE doubles passport validity to 10 years for citizens over 20

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) passport authority has officially announced the extension of the validity period for Emirati passports to 10 years, Khaleej Times reports.

According to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP), this new service will be available to citizens aged 21 and above starting Monday, July 8, 2024. Typically, the validity of the passport is five years from the date of issuance.

Notably, the new 10-year passport service will also reduce the customer journey from two trips to just one trip every 10 years, supporting the government's efforts to streamline bureaucracy and save time for citizens.

"This is yet another example of how our leaders always look for ways to improve the lives of its citizens," said Fatima Al Balooshi, a 26-year-old Emirati. "I recently renewed my passport at Dubai Airport in less than 30 minutes."

The Al Ain-based resident explained how the extended 10-year validity will ease her and her family’s lives as she sometimes forgets to renew it. "Due to our busy schedule, we sometimes forget to renew our passports before expiry. The new validity will give us more time between renewals, which will make the process much easier for us."

Ahmed Khalifa, a 34-year-old Dubai-based national, said: "The UAE has a long history of implementing policies that make life more convenient for its people." He noted that this new policy is just another example of the government's efforts to improve the quality of life for its citizens. Khalifa believes the 10-year validity will save UAE citizens' time and effort in the long run.

Major General Suhail Juma Al Khaili, Director General of Identity and Passports at the Authority, clarified that the 10-year validity is limited to citizens aged 21 and above. In contrast, the 5-year passport will continue to be issued for those under 21 years of age.

The new 10-year Emirati passports will be issued through the same established procedures and delivery channels as the current passports. Citizens can apply for the new service when their existing passports expire or until all its pages are fully used, whichever occurs earlier.

UAE citizens have several convenient options to renew their new 10-year passports. Domestically, they can apply through their local passport office run by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

For emergency renewals, citizens can visit dedicated passport offices at the Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah airports, which are open 24/7 to accommodate any urgent needs. For those living overseas, the new 10-year passport service is also available through UAE embassies and consulates in their country of residence.