UAE citizens can now renew passports up to one year before expiry, ICP announces

Starting August 18, 2025, UAE citizens will be allowed to renew their passports up to one year before the expiry date, a change from the earlier six-month window. The new rule, issued by the ICP, is part of a broader initiative to enhance travel flexibility, streamline official procedures, and strengthen the UAE passport’s global standing.

New timeline for passport renewals
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has revised the policy governing passport renewals for UAE citizens. As per the latest decision by Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, Chairman of the ICP, Emiratis will now be permitted to renew their passports once the remaining validity is one year or less. This is a shift from the previous rule that allowed renewals only when six months or fewer were left before expiration.

The change will be effective Monday, August 18, 2025, and is applicable to all UAE nationals with eligible passports. The aim is to allow for better advance planning, especially for international travel, while reducing disruptions in official transactions and providing extended use of digital documentation.

ICP noted that the new timeline will also support seamless transitions for UAE citizens who travel frequently or are involved in long-term visa procedures abroad.

Digital-First, accessible renewal process
The ICP has confirmed that the renewal process will remain efficient and widely accessible, continuing to focus on digital services to facilitate ease of access. Citizens can complete the entire renewal process online through the ICP smart services platform, accessible via both the official website and mobile application.

The online process allows applicants to:

• Fill out the application form
  
• Upload necessary documentation
  
• Make payments digitally
  
  

For those who prefer or require in-person assistance, customer happiness centers within the UAE will remain available. Additionally, UAE nationals living abroad can submit their applications through UAE embassies and consulates, and they also have the option to initiate the process online and collect the renewed passport from a diplomatic mission.

UAE passport strength and global ranking

This update comes at a time when the UAE passport continues to see a significant rise in its global ranking and travel privileges. As of 2025, the UAE passport:

• Is ranked 8th globally according to the Henley Passport Index
  
• Grants holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 185 countries
  
  

This is a marked improvement over previous years:

• 2022 & 2023: Ranked 15th
  
• 2024: Advanced to 11th
  
• 2025: Entered the Top 10, securing 8th place
  
  

Since the Henley Passport Index’s inception in 2006, the UAE passport has added 152 countries to its visa-free or visa-on-arrival list, reflecting the UAE's growing diplomatic ties and international mobility for its citizens.

Chairman Al Shamsi highlighted that the UAE passport continues to rank as the world’s most powerful, trusted, and widely recognised travel document. The new decision, he added, is a strong boost to its global standing and further establishes the UAE’s passport issuance and renewal system as a leading model for the region and beyond.

In terms of operations, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai has processed 7,425 passport renewals during the first half of 2025 alone. Since the opening of its center in 2008, over 139,000 passports have been issued to Emiratis through that facility.