UAE residents can now pay all ICP service fees in instalments through credit cards

As part of a wider effort to ease financial commitments and improve access to public services, the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity , Citizenship , Customs and Port Security (ICP) has launched a new initiative allowing residents to pay service fees in instalments. Unveiled at GITEX Global 2025 , this move ties into the national “Year of the Community 2025” campaign and aims to offer flexible, interest-free payment options in collaboration with major local banks and Visa.

New instalment scheme for government service fees

The ICP’s new initiative, titled “The Authority at Your Service,” introduces a payment plan that enables customers to pay ICP-related service fees in instalments using credit cards. The programme was officially announced during the authority’s participation at GITEX Global 2025, a key technology event showcasing innovation in governance and digital services.

In its first phase, the initiative allows UAE residents holding credit cards from 10 participating local banks to split payments of Dh500 or more into instalments over a period of three to 12 months. These payments come with zero per cent interest, depending on the bank's specific terms and conditions and the customer’s preference.

Customers interested in the plan can initiate the instalment request by:

• Contacting their bank’s call centre
• Using digital service channels provided by the bank
• Accessing direct instalment services available to Visa cardholders
  

Participating banks and payment partners

The ICP has collaborated with ten UAE-based banks and Visa International to implement this flexible payment solution. The participating banks are:

• First Abu Dhabi Bank
• Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
• Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
• Emirates Islamic Bank
• Emirates NBD
• Commercial Bank of Dubai
• Sharjah Islamic Bank
• Mashreq Bank
• RAKBANK
• Commercial International Bank

Visa is also offering support through its payment processing network, enabling direct instalment options for Visa credit cardholders.

Strategic objectives and vision behind the initiative

The payment initiative is part of the ICP’s broader mission to integrate innovative financial solutions into public service delivery. According to Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of ICP, the plan is designed to:

• Reduce the financial burden on residents
• Support legal residency maintenance through accessible services
• Promote efficiency and transparency in government operations
• Align with the goals of “Year of the Community 2025”, themed “Hand in Hand”

Al Khaili emphasised that financial flexibility is a critical part of the authority’s efforts to improve customer satisfaction, enhance well-being, and deliver services that keep pace with the country’s digital transformation goals.

Major General Ahmed Mayouf Al Amri, Acting Director General for Support Services at ICP, added that the initiative marks a significant shift in how residents interact with government services. He highlighted that this programme sets new benchmarks for operational efficiency, aiming to make every step of the customer journey simpler, more seamless, and more supportive of financial well-being.

Broader service context and future outlook

The ICP provides a wide range of essential services to UAE residents, including:

• Identity card issuance and renewal
• Visa and residency services
• Family data updates
• Nationality and passport services
• Validation gateway services for authentication and verification

By embedding flexible payment options into these essential services, the ICP aims to redefine its role not just as a regulatory authority but as an enabler of financial inclusion and community support.

This move reflects the UAE’s broader digital and social strategy, where public services are designed to be people-centric, efficient, and accessible. The authority has signalled that this is just the beginning, with more digitally driven, customer-friendly financial tools expected in the future.