Applying for a passport or ID card if you live in United Arab Emirates

Due to the coronavirus, the possibilities to apply for a passport or ID card at an embassy or consulate-general are limited. This also applies to applications at an office of an external service provider such as VFS Global.

New ID card

From 2 August 2021, all ID cards issued to Dutch nationals aged 12 and older will include copies of two of their fingerprints and a QR code with their citizen service number (BSN). You should know:

• From 13 July to 1 August 2021 inclusive, for technical reasons, it will not be possible to apply for an ID card at an embassy or consulate-general. If you need to apply for a travel document before 2 August, you can apply for a passport.
• From 2 August 2021, applicants will receive an ID card in the new format. Please note: when you apply, you will have to have your fingerprints taken. This will require you to come to the embassy or consulate-general in person.

Step 1: Create your personal checklist

It is important for your passport or ID card application that you bring the correct documents with you. Therefore, per passport or ID card first create a personal checklist for each application.  Then you’ll know what documents to bring.

Note: step 2 shows you whether there are additional document requirements in the country you live in.

• You must appear in person to apply for your passport. Someone else is not allowed to do this for you. This also applies to someone under the age of 18. He or she must also be present at the application.
• You may need to have the original legalised.
• You may provide documents in Dutch, English, German or French. Abroad and at the passport desk at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, you may also provide documents from the civil registrar in Spanish. If your documents are in another language, you must have them translated by a sworn translator.
• You may be asked to provide additional documents.

Once you have completed your checklist, please continue with step 2.

Step 2: Check the additional requirements for the United Arab Emirates

Your documents may need to meet additional requirements in a given country. Below you can find out about the requirements for the United Arab Emirates.

Proof of legal residence

You must provide proof of legal residence in the country where you live.

United Arab Emirates

In the United Arab Emirates, you can do this by providing one of the following documents:

• a valid visa and supporting documents;
• a valid residence permit;

• if you also hold the UAE nationality: a valid UAE passport or ID card.

Iraq

If you live in Iraq and are applying for a Dutch passport or ID card in the United Arab Emirates, you provide proof of legal residence in Iraq. You can do this by providing one of the following documents:

• a valid visa;
• a valid residence permit;
• if you hold Iraqi nationality as well as Dutch nationality: a valid Iraqi passport or ID card.

First application for a passport or ID card

In the UAE names are listed on the local birth certificate as a so-called 'series of names'. See the page Registering a birth in the UAE for more information.

Minors under 18 of Iraqi-Dutch origin

If you are submitting a passport application on behalf of a minor of Iraqi-Dutch origin the consulate-general will send your documents to the Dutch authorities for assessment. You will be notified of the length of the procedure by letter. You must sign this letter to give your consent. You must also sign a document outlining the terms and conditions of email contact with the consulate-general.

Step 3: Apply at a Dutch border municipality or at Schiphol Airport

If you want to apply for your passport or ID card in the Netherlands, you can do so at one of the Dutch border municipalities or at Schiphol Airport.

Step 4: Apply in the United Arab Emirates

If you want to apply for your passport or ID card in the United Arab Emirates, first make sure you have all the required documents. You can see which documents you need by completing the checklist (step 1). You should also check what additional requirements apply in the United Arab Emirates (step 2). Then you can make an appointment.

How do I make an appointment?

In the United Arab Emirates it is only possible to apply for travel documents at the consulate-general in Dubai. You can make an appointment online.

How much will it cost?

You can find the price of a passport or ID card in the overview of consular fees in the United Arab Emirates. Payments can be made in cash in UAE dirham (AED) or by debit or credit card, in euros (EUR).

How long will it take?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will first determine if you are a Dutch national. If so, you are entitled to a passport or ID card.

Your passport or ID card will be ready in about 3 weeks. You may be asked to provide additional documents to help us assess your application. In that case, the decision period will be extended.

What if I need my passport or ID card in the meantime?

If you need your current passport or ID card while your application is being processed, you can hand it in later, when you come to collect your new one.

How can I track my application?

When you apply for a travel document, you will receive a track & trace code. This allows you to track the status of your application online. You will be informed by email when your document is ready.

Collect your document

You can collect your document from the consulate-general in Dubai. In orderto do so, you will need to make an appointment via the online appointment system. 

What happens to my old passport or ID card?

The consulate-general will cancel your old passport or ID card and then return it to you.

If your old document contains visas or residence permits that are still valid and you want to keep those pages intact, you should make this known beforehand.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact the consulate-general in Dubai.