The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security has announced a change in passport renewal procedures for citizens, allowing renewals up to one year before the expiration date, rather than the previous six-month limit.
According to a statement from Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, the head of the authority, citizens can renew their passports if their current passport is valid for one year or less. This service will be accessible to citizens starting Monday, August 18, 2025, through the smart service platform.
Al Shamsi emphasized that this decision aims to enhance citizens’ quality of life by enabling them to better plan their international travel, facilitate their transactions, and expand the use of digital official documents. Additionally, it will provide proactive and innovative institutional services.
He noted that the UAE passport ranks highly in global standings, recognized for its strength, reliability, and credibility among countries worldwide. This decision further strengthens the UAE passport’s status and aims to model and inspire passport issuance and renewal systems for other nations globally.