UAE: Emiratis can now renew passports one year in advance
As of August 18, 2025, UAE citizens will be able to renew their passports up to a year prior to the expiry date rather than the traditional six months. This was recently disclosed by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
Citizens with a passport containing less than 12 months of validity will be able to conveniently utilize the smart services platform to renew their passports, as described by the authority chairman, Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi.
Al Shamsi stated the purpose of this policy is to assist citizens in the efficient official travel and transaction planning. He also highlighted the expanding use of digital identity services. He also recalled the strong global ranking of the Emirati passport, stating this additional step enhances it further, in addition to streamlining the issuance and renewal processes for the region.
The authority stressed this is part of ongoing efforts to enhance proactive, user-friendly government services that elevate the quality of life for citizens.
As of 2025, the UAE passport is ranked among the 10 strongest in the world, granting visa-free access and visa-on-arrival to 184 countries, a climb of one position from the previous year’s ranking by Henley and Partners. The UAE passport ranking is steadily improving, with the UAE placed 15th in 2022 and 2023, 11th in 2024, and then 8th in 2025.
Additionally, the Emirati passport’s validity has been increased to 10 years for citizens 21 and older, a service that was launched July 8, 2024. Passports were previously only valid for five years from the date of issuance.
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