Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship Al Qusais: What to Know
If you're heading to the Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship Al Qusais office for an Emirates ID, visa stamping, or a residency matter, here's what actually happens on the ground — hours, services, what to bring, and how to avoid wasting a morning.
Quick answer
The Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship Al Qusais (often called ICP Al Qusais, after the 2021 rebrand to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security — ICP) handles Emirates ID applications, biometrics, residency entry permits, and visa services in Dubai. It sits on Damascus Street, Al Qusais. Most services now run through the ICP smart app or icp.gov.ae — the physical centre is mainly for biometrics, urgent cases, and certain in-person approvals. Walk-ins are limited. Book an appointment.[1][2]
What the Al Qusais centre actually does
The Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship Al Qusais office is one of ICP's main customer happiness centres in Dubai. You'll use it for:
- Emirates ID issuance, renewal, and replacement (biometrics capture)
- Residency entry permits and visa stamping for non-Dubai-issued visas (Dubai-issued residency visas go through GDRFA Dubai, not ICP — this is where people slip up)
- Federal citizenship, passport-related matters for UAE nationals, and family book services
- Status amendments and certain customer service escalations[1]
Most digital-ready services — renewals, address updates, status checks — should be done on the ICP smart app first. The physical visit is usually just for fingerprinting and photo capture.
Location, hours, and booking
The centre is on Damascus Street, Al Qusais, near Al Qusais Metro Station. Standard working hours are roughly 8:00 to 20:00, Monday to Thursday, with shorter Friday and Saturday hours. Hours shift during Ramadan and public holidays, so check icp.gov.ae before you go.[1]
To book:
- Open the ICP app or icp.gov.ae
- Pick your service (Emirates ID, residency, etc.)
- Choose "Al Qusais Customer Happiness Centre"
- Select a time slot
Watch out: showing up without an appointment usually means being turned away or waiting hours. The same applies to bringing the wrong documents — original passport, current Emirates ID (if renewing), and the application reference number are the basics.
Fees and what to bring
Fees depend on the service. As a rough guide for 2024–2025:
- Emirates ID (1-year): AED 170 + service fees
- Emirates ID (2-year): AED 270 + service fees
- Emirates ID urgent service ("Fawri"): AED 150 extra
- Residency entry permit and visa fees vary by category and duration[2]
Typing centre fees and ICP service charges (around AED 30–70) get added on top. Always confirm live pricing on icp.gov.ae — fees change.
Bring originals. Photocopies don't cut it for biometrics day. If a sponsor or PRO is involved, make sure their authorisation is loaded on the application before you arrive.
When to use ICP vs GDRFA
This trips people up constantly. In Dubai, residency visas issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) are handled at GDRFA centres — not ICP Al Qusais. ICP handles federal services and visas issued through the federal system (most other emirates, plus certain Dubai cases like newborns on federal sponsorship).
Emirates ID itself is always ICP, regardless of which authority issued your visa. So you may end up at GDRFA for the visa stamping and ICP Al Qusais for the Emirates ID biometrics — two separate appointments.[1][3]
If you're unsure which authority your file sits with, check the application number prefix or call ICP on 600 522222.
Need this checked for your situation? Talk to a UAE-licensed lawyer →
Citations
- [1] Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security — Customer Happiness Centres: https://icp.gov.ae ⚠
- [2] ICP — Services and Fees: https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/ ⚠
- [3] GDRFA Dubai — Residency Services: https://gdrfad.gov.ae ⚠
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