UAE to roll out an alternative digital identification system to access key services

To access essential services, the UAE plans to implement a substitute digital identification system that will do away with the requirement to show actual Emirates ID cards. Using biometric identity and facial recognition, the system will expedite service access across many industries and is anticipated to launch within a year.

Current efforts are being made by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) to increase the use of e-Emirates IDs in industries like banking, healthcare, hotels, and telecommunications.

While banks require physical ID cards for financial transactions, patients will still need to present them in order to receive healthcare services. Furthermore, it is frequently impossible for hotel visitors to check in without presenting their genuine Emirates ID.