Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: 9 of 2006
- Issued Date: 07 May 2006
- Effective Date: 16 May 2006
- Official Gazette: No. 447
- Sector: Labour, Residency and Professions
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 72
- Chapters/Parts: 6
- Amendments: 2
Summary
This Federal Law establishes a Population Register System for the registration of personal data and civil events of UAE nationals and expatriates residing in the UAE. It mandates the issuance of national identification (ID) cards to all individuals entered in the Population Register. The law outlines the obligations of individuals and government authorities in maintaining and updating the register, as well as the penalties for non-compliance. It also regulates the extraction and use of data from the Population Register. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006) The law is significant for businesses and individuals in the UAE, as the national ID card is required for a wide range of transactions and activities. Proper registration and updating of personal data in the Population Register is crucial for compliance with UAE laws and regulations. Violations can result in fines and other penalties. The law also empowers the Emirates ID Authority to oversee and enforce the population registration and ID card system across the country. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The law establishes a Population Register System for the registration of personal data and civil events of UAE nationals and expatriates residing in the UAE. It applies to all individuals present in the UAE, both citizens and expatriates. The purpose is to maintain a comprehensive database of the UAE's population and their personal information, which can be used for various administrative, statistical, and security purposes. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- State: The United Arab Emirates
- Authority: Emirates ID Authority
- Board: The Authority's Board of Directors
- Director General: The Authority Director General
- Authorities Concerned: The federal and local government and other authorities determined by the Council of Ministers
- Population Register: The register of the State's population containing personal data and civil events
- Personal Data: Data that characterize an individual, including fingerprints, blood group, name, address, date and place of birth, sex, religion, nationality, and other details
- Civil Events: Elements of an individual's civil status, such as birth, marriage, divorce, nationality, residence, and death
- Collected Statistics: Total figures of population data from which social, economic, security, cultural or other indicators can be inferred
- Card: The identification (ID) card issued under the law
- ID Number: The unified number provided for each individual in the Population Register
(Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes the following key obligations: 1. Individuals must apply to register their names in the Residential Register System within the time limits and stages determined by the Board. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 4) 2. Individuals must notify the Authority of any changes or amendments to their personal data or civil events within the time limits and procedures determined by the Board. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 6) 3. Authorities Concerned must notify the Authority of any personal data, civil events, and changes or amendments to such data or events within the time limits and procedures determined by the Board. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 5) 4. Individuals and artificial persons must provide any data or information requested by the Authority that is necessary for the Population Register System or the Authority's other registers. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 7)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements. It focuses on the establishment and maintenance of the Population Register System and the issuance of national ID cards.
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law provides the following rights and protections: 1. Individuals can obtain an official copy of their personal data, as well as the data of their ancestors, descendants, or spouses. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 12) 2. The Authorities Concerned can obtain official copies of data from the Population Register if necessary for their functions. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 13) 3. The Director General can provide comprehensive statistical data for scientific research, community, and demographic studies, subject to certain conditions. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 14)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for the enforcement of this law are: 1. The Emirates ID Authority, which is responsible for establishing and maintaining the Population Register System, issuing ID cards, and overseeing the implementation of the law. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Arts. 2-3, 9) 2. The Board of Directors of the Emirates ID Authority, which is responsible for issuing decisions related to the implementation of the law, such as determining the form and details of the ID card, procedures for data registration and extraction, and penalties for non-compliance. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Arts. 9, 16, 23, 30) 3. The Council of Ministers, which is responsible for determining the fees for procedures related to the law and forming a national committee to review personal data before entry into the Population Register. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Arts. 24, 25)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law specifies the following penalties for non-compliance: 1. A fine of up to AED 1,000 for violating the requirements to notify the Authority of changes to personal data or civil events, or the requirement to have an ID card. The fine is multiplied by the number of persons against whom the violation was committed. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 16) 2. A fine of up to AED 5,000 for violating the requirement to provide data or information requested by the Authority. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 17) 3. Imprisonment for up to 6 months and/or a fine of up to AED 5,000 for providing incorrect information for the Population Register System. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 18) 4. Imprisonment for up to 6 months and/or a fine of up to AED 5,000 for violating the provisions on the extraction and use of data from the Population Register. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 19) 5. Imprisonment for 3 months to 3 years for disclosing a work secret, data from the Population Register, or other information registered by the Authority. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 21)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law states that the fees for procedures related to the application of its provisions shall be determined by the Council of Ministers on the proposal of the Board of Directors of the Emirates ID Authority. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 24)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not specify any exemptions or exceptions to its requirements.
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms. It only states that the rejection of an application to obtain statistical data from the Population Register can be appealed within the time limits and procedures determined by the Board, with the Chairman's decision being final. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 14)
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law specifies the following key deadlines and time limits: 1. Individuals must apply to register their names in the Residential Register System within the time limits and stages determined by the Board. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 4) 2. Individuals must notify the Authority of changes or amendments to their personal data or civil events within the time limits and procedures determined by the Board. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 6) 3. Authorities Concerned must notify the Authority of changes to personal data or civil events within the time limits and procedures determined by the Board. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 5) 4. Individuals who attain the age of 15 years must apply to extract an ID card within 6 months of reaching that age. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 9)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The law references the following related UAE legislation: - Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 concerning the competencies of ministries and the powers of ministers - Federal Law No. (17) of 1972 concerning nationality and passports - Federal Law No. (6) of 1973 concerning foreigners' entry and residence - Federal Law No. (6) of 1975 concerning the regulation of registration of births and deaths - Federal Law No. (7) of 1976 concerning the establishment of the Audit Bureau - Federal Law No. (8) of 1980 concerning the regulation of labor relations - Federal Law No. (3) of 1982 concerning the establishment of the general information Authority - The penal code promulgated by Federal Law No. (35) of 1992 - Federal Law No. (21) of 2001 concerning the civil service in the federal government - Federal Law No. (2) of 2004 concerning the establishment of the Emirates Identity Authority (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card was issued on 07 May 2006 and came into effect on 16 May 2006, the date of its publication in the Official Gazette No. 447. (Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card, 2006, Art. 32)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law Concerning Residential Register and the Identity Card for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.