Emirates ID Tracking Complete Guide How To Track Application Online 2026
If you’ve just submitted your application or renewal, Emirates ID tracking is the only way to know exactly where your card is — whether it’s still being processed by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), or already on its way to you with the courier. This guide walks you through every tracking method available in 2026, what each status actually means, and what to do if your card seems stuck.
Two Tracking Stages You Need to Understand
Most confusion around emirates id tracking comes from not realizing it happens in two separate stages, run by two different systems:
ICP processing stage — your application is reviewed, biometrics confirmed, and your card is printed. You track this with your Application Number (PRAN) on the ICP Smart Services portal.
Courier delivery stage — once your card is printed, ICP hands it to Zajel, the authorized courier, for emirates id tracking emirates post style delivery. You track this stage with a separate 10-digit AWB (Air Waybill) number, not your ICP application number.
You cannot use your ICP application number on the Zajel website — they are two different tracking systems for two different stages, and mixing them up is the most common reason people think their emirates id tracking online search has “failed.”
Who Needs to Track Their Emirates ID
First-time applicants who just completed biometrics after a new residence visa
Renewal applicants whose card is expiring or expired
Replacement applicants who lost or damaged their card
GCC nationals completing their mandatory Emirates ID registration
UAE citizens renewing under the simplified citizen renewal process
Required Information Before You Start
Before you check emirates id status check ica, gather these details:
Your Application Number (PRAN) or Unified Number (UID), found on your application receipt
Your passport number, since many portals support how to check emirates id status with passport number as an alternative lookup method
The last 4 digits of the mobile number linked to your original application — this is used as a security check on the Zajel site
Your 10-digit AWB tracking number, sent by SMS once your card moves to the courier stage
Stage 1: Tracking Application Status with ICP
Visit the official ICP Smart Services website or open the UAEICP smart app.
Locate the “Check Emirates ID Application Status” section.
Enter your Application Number (PRAN) or your existing Emirates ID number.
Submit the request to view your current stage.
You’ll typically see one of these status messages:
Under Process — still with ICP, being reviewed or printed
Card Printed — ready to be handed to the courier
Card Dispatched — now in Zajel’s system, ready for AWB-based tracking
This icp smart services emirates id tracking lookup is the most reliable first step, since it tells you whether you should even be checking Zajel yet.
Stage 2: Zajel Emirates ID Tracking
Once ICP marks your card as dispatched, you’ll receive an SMS — sometimes from Zajel directly, sometimes from a masked ICP number — containing your AWB number. This is your zajel emirates id tracking number, and it’s the only way to follow your card from this point forward.
Steps for zajel emirates id tracking:
Go to the official Zajel tracking page.
Enter your 10-digit AWB number.
Verify your identity using the last 4 digits of your registered mobile number.
Click Track to view live delivery status.
Your delivery status will show as one of the following:
Manifested — your shipment has been logged into Zajel’s system
Dispatched — it has left the sorting facility
Out for Delivery — a courier is actively delivering it that day
Delivered — your Emirates ID has reached its destination
If you can’t find your AWB SMS, you can also contact zajel emirates id tracking contact number 800 21111, or check zajel emirates id tracking by mobile number through their customer service line, which can look up your shipment using your registered phone number instead of the AWB code.
Tracking via Emirates Post
In some emirates and for some application channels, your card may be routed through Emirates Post instead of, or in addition to, Zajel. For emirates post uae id tracking:
Visit the official Emirates Post website or download the Emirates Post app.
Enter your tracking reference, which functions the same way as the Zajel AWB number.
View live shipment status, including expected delivery date.
If you’re unsure which courier is handling your card, your Card Dispatched confirmation message from ICP usually names the courier — check that SMS or email before searching the wrong tracking system.
Emirates ID Fees
Knowing the fee structure helps confirm you’re on the right application before tracking begins:
Card fee: AED 100 per year of validity (so a 2-year residence visa means a 2-year card at AED 200)
Online smart services fee: AED 100
Typing centre / Amer processing fee: AED 30–70
Express (Fawri) service: an additional AED 150 for faster turnaround
Replacement card (lost or damaged): AED 300, plus a police report is required before applying
Late renewal fine: AED 20 per day after the 30-day grace period, up to a maximum of AED 1,000
Processing & Delivery Timelines
Realistic timelines for emirates id tracking status to move from application to delivery:
Standard processing: roughly 3–7 working days from biometrics submission to card printing
Express/Fawri processing: as fast as 24–48 hours in straightforward cases
Courier delivery (Zajel or Emirates Post): typically 1–3 working days after dispatch
So in a normal scenario, expect your full new emirates id tracking journey — from application to your doorstep — to take roughly one to two weeks, longer if biometrics need to be redone or your sponsor’s records need verification.
Example scenario: If you’re a Pakistani national who just received a 2-year employment visa in Dubai, your Emirates ID application is usually submitted alongside your visa stamping at a typing centre. Once biometrics are captured, expect ICP processing within about a week, followed by 1–3 days for Zajel delivery to your registered UAE address.
Emirate Specific Notes
Dubai: Applications are commonly processed through Amer Centres alongside visa services, and you can also check status through the Dubai Now app for an integrated view of your visa and Emirates ID.
Abu Dhabi: Applications go through Abu Dhabi Government-affiliated typing centres in addition to ICP channels, though the underlying ICP tracking process is identical.
Sharjah: Residents typically apply through Sharjah eServices-affiliated centres, with the same ICP and Zajel tracking flow as the other emirates.
Regardless of emirate, the underlying federal system — ICP for processing, Zajel or Emirates Post for delivery — stays the same nationwide.
Using your ICP application number on the Zajel site — it won’t work; you need the separate AWB number.
Tracking too early — if ICP still shows “Under Process,” there’s no AWB yet, so Zajel tracking will show nothing.
Ignoring the dispatch SMS — if you delete it before saving the AWB number, you’ll need to call customer service to retrieve your tracking details.
Letting your card sit unclaimed — repeated failed delivery attempts can delay your card further or require a second delivery request.
Forgetting to update your mobile number with ICP after a SIM change — this breaks the SMS notification chain entirely.
What to Do If Tracking Shows No Update
If your emirates id tracking status hasn’t changed in several days:
Re-check the ICP status first to confirm whether your card has actually been dispatched yet.
Call Zajel customer service at 800 21111 if you have an AWB number but no movement.
Contact the ICP helpline if your application is stuck “Under Process” for longer than the standard window — this can flag missing biometric data or sponsor verification issues.
Verify your delivery address is current, since outdated addresses are a frequent cause of stalled “Out for Delivery” statuses.
FAQ’s
You receive your AWB tracking number by SMS once ICP marks your card as dispatched. If you didn’t receive it, check your registered mobile number with ICP or call Zajel directly to retrieve it.
Some ICP lookup tools accept a passport number as an alternative identifier, but the most reliable method remains your Application Number (PRAN) or existing Emirates ID number.
It means ICP has finished printing your card and handed it to the courier. At this point, you should receive an AWB number to begin Zajel emirates id tracking.
Once your card is marked “Delivered,” your Emirates ID validity and details typically reflect instantly across ICP’s linked systems, including banking and government service portals.
No — both new applications and renewals follow the same two-stage process: ICP processing first, then Zajel or Emirates Post delivery tracking using an AWB number.
Double-check you’re using the 10-digit AWB number, not your ICP application number. If the AWB is correct and still shows nothing, your card may not be fully dispatched yet — recheck ICP status.
In some cases, especially with express processing, pickup from a designated centre may be available instead of courier delivery — check your application confirmation for pickup options.
Yes — a digital Emirates ID is typically available through the UAEICP app immediately after biometric enrollment, so you can use it for many services even before the physical card is delivered.
Conclusion
Successful Emirates ID tracking comes down to understanding the two-stage system: check your application status with ICP first, then switch to your AWB number for Zajel or Emirates Post delivery tracking once your card is dispatched. Keep your dispatch SMS, verify your mobile number stays current with ICP, and use the official ICP Smart Services and Zajel portals rather than third party trackers. With this guide and the right tracking number at each stage, following your Emirates ID from application to your doorstep should be quick and stress-free.
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