February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) is a UAE federal government entity responsible for managing national identity systems, citizenship and residency affairs, customs regulation, and port security. Originally established as the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) in 2004 to manage the national identity card program, the organization was expanded and rebranded to incorporate customs and ports oversight, reflecting the UAE’s approach to integrated border and identity management.

UAE Context

ICP administers some of the most critical government functions in the UAE, including the issuance of Emirates ID cards, processing of residency visas and entry permits, management of citizenship applications, and oversight of federal customs operations. The Emirates ID card issued by ICP serves as the primary proof of identity for all UAE citizens and residents and is linked to the UAE PASS digital identity platform. ICP also operates smart gates at UAE airports and border crossings, enabling automated passport control for registered travellers.

Key Data

  • Originally established: 2004 (as EIDA)
  • Current mandate: Identity, citizenship, customs, port security
  • Key services: Emirates ID issuance, residency visa processing, citizenship applications, customs regulation
  • Digital integration: Linked to UAE PASS platform
  • Infrastructure: Smart gates at airports and border crossings
  • Headquarters: Abu Dhabi

Significance for Vision 2031

ICP is essential to the UAE’s security, mobility, and digital transformation agendas. The authority’s identity management systems underpin financial services (know-your-customer compliance), digital government access, and border security. Under Vision 2031, ICP’s ongoing digital modernization supports goals around seamless government services, secure borders, efficient customs processing for trade facilitation, and a unified national identity infrastructure that enables the UAE’s ambitions in smart governance and economic openness.

  • UAE PASS - Digital identity platform built on ICP’s identity infrastructure
  • Golden Visa - Long-term residency program processed through ICP systems
  • Smart Government - Governance model ICP’s digital systems support
  • TAMM - Abu Dhabi platform integrating ICP services