UAE Pass Setup Guide 2026 — How to Register and Upgrade to Trusted
Step-by-step guide to setting up UAE Pass — the federal digital identity for 6,000+ UAE government services. Covers registration, Verified vs Trusted tiers, kiosk locations, and what you can do with it.
Signed by: Sarah Al Qasimi (Lead Editor). Fact-checked by the full editorial team.
What Is UAE Pass?
UAE Pass is the official federal digital identity platform for the United Arab Emirates. It replaces the need for in-person Emirates ID verification when accessing government services online. Issued and managed by the UAE Digital Authority (TDRA) in partnership with the Identity and Citizenship Authority (ICP), UAE Pass acts as a single digital identity that works across all UAE federal and emirate-level government portals — more than 6,000 connected services as of 2026.
Think of it as a government-verified digital ID card that lives on your phone. When a government portal asks you to log in, you can authenticate via UAE Pass instead of creating a separate account. For document signing, UAE Pass provides a legally valid electronic signature under UAE law. For high-value transactions like visa renewals and Emirates ID applications, UAE Pass Trusted status is mandatory.
Who Needs UAE Pass?
Every UAE resident aged 18 and over should set up UAE Pass. While it is technically optional in some contexts, the practical reality is that an increasing proportion of UAE government interactions — from paying a traffic fine to signing a tenancy contract to renewing your Emirates ID — now requires or strongly prefers UAE Pass authentication. Setting it up early saves significant friction later.
Tourists generally do not need UAE Pass
UAE Pass is designed for residents and UAE nationals. Tourists can access most direct government interactions (ticket purchases, entrance fees, permit applications for visitors) using their passport without needing UAE Pass. If you are a tourist making a short visit, UAE Pass registration is not necessary.
Set it up within your first week of arrival
The moment you have your Emirates ID and a registered UAE SIM card, set up UAE Pass. Both the DEWA portal and the ICP website will ask you to log in via UAE Pass for routine tasks. Waiting until you actually need it means scrambling through the setup process under pressure.
Verified vs Trusted — Two Tiers Explained
UAE Pass operates on two levels of identity verification. Understanding the difference tells you which services you can access at each stage and why upgrading to Trusted is worth the short trip to a kiosk.
UAE Pass Verified vs Trusted — feature comparison
Government Services Accessible via UAE Pass
Key government services using UAE Pass login
UAE Pass Setup — 6-Step Process
- 1
Download the UAE PASS app
Download from the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). If the app is not available in your country's store, you may need to switch to the UAE regional store or download the official APK from uaepass.ae. The app is developed by the UAE Digital Authority (TDRA) and is free. - 2
Register with your Emirates ID and UAE mobile number
Open the app and tap 'Register'. You will need: your Emirates ID card (to scan or enter the number), a UAE mobile number registered in your name or your sponsor's name (for SMS verification), and a valid email address. Emirates ID number is on the front of the card — 15 digits starting with 784. - 3
Verify your email and mobile number
UAE Pass will send a verification SMS to your mobile number and a confirmation email. Enter both codes in the app within the time window (typically 10 minutes). Once verified, set a strong password for your UAE Pass account. - 4
Complete initial registration — Verified status
After email and mobile verification, your UAE Pass is active at the 'Verified' level. This gives you access to some government services but not the full suite. You can log in to many apps and portals with this tier, but high-security transactions (Emirates ID renewal, visa applications, document signing) require Trusted status. - 5
Upgrade to Trusted status — visit a kiosk or use video call
To unlock the full UAE Pass feature set, you must verify your identity in person or via video call. Option A: Visit any UAE Pass kiosk (1,500+ locations across UAE — at Etisalat/e& shops, Smart Salem centres, ICP offices, and government service centres). Bring your original Emirates ID. The verification takes 5–10 minutes. Option B: Use the in-app video call verification — available via the UAE Pass app directly. A government agent verifies your identity remotely. - 6
Trusted status confirmed — full access unlocked
Once Trusted verification is complete, your account upgrades to 'Trusted' status. You can now sign documents digitally, renew your Emirates ID online via ICP, pay RTA traffic fines, access DEWA portal, sign into banking apps using UAE Pass, and use all 6,000+ connected government services. The UAE Pass app will show 'Trusted' badge on your profile.
Cost of UAE Pass
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
UAE Pass app download iOS and Android | Free |
Verified registration Online self-service | Free |
Trusted upgrade at kiosk Visit any of 1,500+ kiosks; no charge | Free |
Trusted upgrade via video call In-app video verification; no charge | Free |
Replacement if account locked Reset via app or visit a kiosk with Emirates ID | Free |
UAE Pass is completely free — no fees at any stage
Unlike some digital identity schemes globally, UAE Pass has no registration fee, no annual fee, and no charge for the Trusted upgrade at any kiosk location. The only cost is a short trip to a kiosk for the Trusted identity verification, which takes under 10 minutes.
Verified Now vs Trusted Upgrade — Pros and Cons
Reasons to upgrade to Trusted immediately
- Unlock Emirates ID and visa renewal online — saves a trip to an ICP centre.
- Legally valid digital signature on contracts, tenancy agreements, and government documents.
- Full access to DED business filings and MOHRE labour portals.
- Court e-services only available at Trusted level — needed if you ever need to file a civil case.
- Banking app login with UAE Pass requires Trusted on most UAE banks.
- Takes under 10 minutes at a kiosk — extremely low effort for significant benefit.
Staying at Verified only — drawbacks
- Verified is sufficient for basic tasks — DEWA, Salik, school portal, basic RTA functions.
- If you are a short-term resident with simple government interactions, Verified may be adequate.
- Video call option exists if visiting a kiosk is genuinely inconvenient.
- Kiosk queues can be 15–30 minutes at busy locations (avoid peak hours — midday weekdays tend to be faster).
Kiosk Locations and How to Find Them
There are over 1,500 UAE Pass verification kiosks across the UAE as of 2026. Finding the nearest one is straightforward — the UAE Pass app has a built-in kiosk locator under Settings → Find a Kiosk. Common locations include:
- Etisalat / e& retail stores — most major mall branches have a UAE Pass kiosk.
- Smart Salem centres — typically located at major malls (MOE, Dubai Mall, Mirdif City Centre, Ibn Battuta).
- ICP typing and service centres — across all emirates.
- Government service centres — DED, MOHRE, and emirate-level service buildings.
- Select post offices (Emirates Post) — some branches have kiosks installed.
Go during off-peak hours to avoid queues
Smart Salem and Etisalat kiosks at major malls can have 20–30 minute queues on weekday evenings and weekends. Midday on a weekday (12:00–14:00) is usually the fastest. ICP service centres often have shorter queues than mall-based Smart Salem locations.
Children, Parents, and Dependent UAE Pass
UAE Pass accounts are individual and tied to the holder's Emirates ID and biometrics. Children under 18 typically cannot hold their own full UAE Pass account, but parents and legal guardians can manage dependent-linked services through their own UAE Pass account. Some school and healthcare portals allow parent-linked access to children's records via the parent's Trusted UAE Pass.
Dependent linkage for children
The UAE Pass app has a dependent management section under Profile → Manage Dependents. Parents linked as guardians on the ICP system can view and manage certain services on behalf of their children. This is particularly useful for school fee payments and DEWA billing management in family properties.
UAE Pass for Digital Document Signing
One of the most practically useful features of UAE Pass Trusted is the legally valid electronic signature capability. Under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 46 of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services, documents signed via UAE Pass carry the same legal force as wet-ink signatures for most purposes in the UAE.
Common use cases for UAE Pass digital signatures include: tenancy contract signing via Ejari; business licence renewal and amendment applications via DED; employment contract amendments via MOHRE; supplier contracts with government entities; court filing documents; and school registration documents at some KHDA-registered schools. The signature flow is simple — the requesting portal sends a signing request to your UAE Pass app, you review the document, and confirm your identity via PIN or biometrics.
UAE Pass replaces the need for a notary for many common documents
Before UAE Pass, many routine administrative tasks required a trip to a notary public or typing centre for signature witnessing. With Trusted UAE Pass, the same documents can be signed from your phone in minutes. This is particularly valuable for residents who travel frequently or manage properties and businesses remotely.
UAE Pass and Banking — Which Banks Support It?
An increasing number of UAE banks use UAE Pass as a secure login option for their mobile banking apps, replacing the traditional username and password with a government-verified biometric authentication. This offers two benefits: stronger security (the authentication is backed by TDRA's infrastructure) and convenience (no need to remember another password).
UAE banks supporting UAE Pass login (2026)
Troubleshooting — Lost Password and Locked Accounts
Account locked? Visit the nearest kiosk
If your UAE Pass account is locked after multiple failed login attempts, or if you have lost access to your registered mobile number, the only recovery route is to visit a UAE Pass kiosk in person with your original Emirates ID. Remote account recovery without your registered phone number is not available as a security measure.
For forgotten passwords where you still have access to your registered mobile number, use the 'Forgot Password' option in the app — you will receive an SMS code to reset your password. If your UAE SIM card has changed, you must update your registered number via a kiosk visit before attempting password reset.
Keep your registered mobile number active
Your UAE Pass account is bound to your registered UAE mobile number for SMS authentication. If you change your SIM or phone number, update your UAE Pass mobile number via a kiosk immediately — before the old SIM expires. A lapsed SIM with no way to receive SMS codes effectively locks you out of your UAE Pass account remotely.
UAE Pass Privacy and Data Security
UAE Pass is operated by the UAE Digital Authority (TDRA) under the UAE Personal Data Protection Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021). Your personal data — biometrics, Emirates ID number, and linked records — are stored within the UAE federal government's systems. The platform uses TLS encryption for all data transmission and biometric data is stored in TDRA's secure infrastructure, not on the app or your device.
When you authenticate via UAE Pass to a third-party portal, only the minimum required information is shared — typically your name, Emirates ID number, and verified status. The portal does not receive access to your full UAE Pass profile or other linked government records unless explicitly authorised under specific e-services integration agreements.
UAE Pass does not share data with private companies without your consent
UAE Pass acts as an authentication gateway — when a bank or private service asks you to 'login with UAE Pass', they receive only your verified identity confirmation and the specific data fields you approve. Review what data each service is requesting when you see the UAE Pass authorisation screen, and decline if the data request seems excessive for the service being provided.
UAE Pass in the Context of Dubai's Smart City Vision
UAE Pass sits at the centre of the UAE's Smart Government strategy. Dubai's Smart City initiative, led by the Smart Dubai Office, aims to digitise 100% of government services that can be delivered online. UAE Pass is the identity layer that makes this possible — without a verified digital identity, digital services cannot be both secure and user-friendly.
The trajectory is clear: by 2025, the UAE government committed to having UAE Pass integrated into every applicable government touchpoint. Already, new government portals default to UAE Pass login. The direction of travel means that residents without UAE Pass will increasingly find themselves excluded from the most convenient service channels — paper-based and walk-in options are being scaled back as digital alternatives mature.
For expats, this is overwhelmingly positive. A single digital identity that works across ICP, RTA, DEWA, DHA, MOHRE, DED, and hundreds of other portals — without needing to manage separate passwords — represents a genuine quality-of-life improvement. The 10 minutes at a kiosk to upgrade to Trusted pays dividends every time you need to interact with a UAE government service online.