People of Determination ID Card (POD Card)

Offered by UAE Ministry of Family

Free federal identification card for eligible UAE citizens and residents with a documented disability, including autism, to access participating services and facilities.

Applying for a People of Determination (POD) Card in the UAE

A community resource for families. Government procedures, links and requirements can change — please confirm current details with the relevant authority before applying.

The People of Determination (POD) Card is the UAE-wide identification card for citizens and residents with a recognised disability — including autism, ADHD, intellectual, learning, physical, sensory, communication and multiple disabilities. It is issued free by the Ministry of Family. Tourists are not eligible for the federal card.

The application has the same backbone everywhere: get an accredited report → prepare your documents → set up UAE Pass → apply. Local services in Abu Dhabi and Dubai may add steps or use a different portal.

The federal POD Card application

This is the core process for the national card, and it applies in every emirate. Abu Dhabi and Dubai add a step or use a different portal — see “What's different by emirate” after this.

1. Get an accredited assessment or medical report

This is the most important document, and the one that delays most applications. Start it first. The report type depends on the disability:

The report should clearly state the diagnosis, the type of disability, the severity or functional impact, any support needs or assistive devices, and the name, stamp and details of the issuing specialist or authority.

The Ministry of Family requires a medical or psychological report from an accredited official authority, such as a government hospital. Check with the service team that your report and assessment provider meet the current requirements.

Getting the report through a public hospital

For many families the most accessible route is their emirate's government health provider — Dubai Health / DHA in Dubai, SEHA in Abu Dhabi, and Emirates Health Services in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates. The usual pathway:

  1. Book at a government primary health centre or clinic.

  2. Ask for a referral for a developmental, psychological, psychiatric, paediatric or specialist assessment, as appropriate.

  3. Attend the appointment and complete the assessment.

  4. Ask specifically for a written diagnostic report for the POD Card application.

Important: The written report is not always issued automatically. Request it clearly at the end of the assessment, and ask in advance whether there is a separate fee — the assessment and the report may be charged separately.

2. Prepare your documents

Have clear scans or photos ready before you start. You may need:

Tip: Requirements can change. Check the latest checklist on the official portal before you submit.

3. Set up UAE Pass

POD Card applications require a UAE Pass login. To set it up: download the UAE Pass app, scan your Emirates ID, verify your mobile number and email by OTP, create a PIN, and complete face verification.

4. Apply through the Ministry of Family portal

Open the official Issuance of the People of Determination Card service page on the Ministry of Family website, then click “Apply for service.”

  1. For the UAE People of Determination Card / POD Card, the official service is now shown under the Ministry of Family website. The card is free, for Emirati citizens and UAE residents, and the official service delivery time is listed as 7 working days. (alusra.gov.ae)

    Step 1: Go to the official service page

    Open the official Issuance of the People of Determination Card service page on the Ministry of Family website, then click “Apply for service.” (alusra.gov.ae)

    Step 2: Log in

    You will be taken to the digital services portal. Log in using your account / UAE PASS if requested.

    Step 3: Start a new application

    Choose the service for People of Determination Card issuance and start a new application.

    Step 4: Enter applicant details

    Fill in the details of the person applying for the card. This may be the person with disability or a family member applying on their behalf.

    Step 5: Upload documents

    Upload the required medical/psychological report and passport-size photo. Make sure the documents are clear and readable.

    Step 6: Submit the application

    Review all details carefully, then submit the application online.

    Step 7: Wait for review and approval

    The Ministry will review the application and the supporting report. The official service page states the card is issued within 7 working days after submission, and the service is free of charge. (alusra.gov.ae)

    Link for step by step video tutorial

  2. https://youtu.be/2HHpikpLzcs

    Who can apply?

    The applicant must be:

    • An Emirati citizen, or

    • A legal resident in the UAE, and

    • A person from the People of Determination category with supporting medical or psychological documentation. (alusra.gov.ae)

    Contact for help

    The Ministry of Family contact number shown on the service page is 800 114. Working hours are Monday to Thursday, 7:30 AM–3:30 PM, and Friday, 7:30 AM–12:00 PM. (alusra.gov.ae)

Good to know: The federal POD Card is free, and the service is delivered in around 7 working days. For help, call the Ministry of Family on 800 114.

What's different by emirate

The federal service and local card services may have different requirements. Confirm the route for your emirate before applying.

Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain & Fujairah — federal route

Apply for the federal POD Card through the Ministry of Family service above, checking its current requirements. For the assessment report, families in Sharjah can use Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (check current report-acceptance requirements with the Ministry). In Ajman, RAK, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah, families usually start with Emirates Health Services hospitals and clinics, or another accepted centre. Either way, ask clearly for a written report for the application.

Abu Dhabi — different portal

Abu Dhabi residents can access the local People of Determination Card service through the TAMM portal, with services linked to the Zayed Authority for People of Determination (formerly the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination). The steps mirror the federal process: open the TAMM People of Determination Card service, log in with UAE Pass, complete the form, upload your assessment report and identity documents, submit, and follow any notifications. Once approved, you obtain the electronic POD Card through TAMM. The Zayed Authority can also help with assessments and support.

Dubai — federal + Sanad

Dubai residents can apply for the federal POD Card as above and may also apply for the Sanad Card — Dubai's local People of Determination card, issued by the Community Development Authority (CDA). Check CDA's current Sanad requirements; do not assume that a federal card is required first.

To apply for Sanad: open the CDA Sanad Card service, continue through the CDA digital portal, enter the applicant and beneficiary details, and upload your documents (Emirates ID, passport, residence visa, proof of Dubai residence, a recent photo, the report, and the federal POD Card if you have it). CDA reviews the request and notifies you by SMS or through the portal.

The Sanad Card identifies the holder as a Person of Determination in Dubai and supports local benefits — RTA and Nol services, Dubai Taxi's special-needs service, Salik exemption for eligible vehicles, parking support, and discounts from participating organisations. Several of these need a separate application; the card alone does not activate every benefit.

What the card helps with

Benefits vary by emirate and authority, and many are not automatic — the card confirms your eligibility, but you often apply separately with the relevant provider. Depending on where you live, the card can support:

A separate card: the EHS health card

The POD Card is your disability identification and access card — it is not the same as the health card issued by Emirates Health Services (EHS), which is specifically for treatment at government health facilities. The two work alongside each other: the POD Card proves your status and opens up services, discounts and exemptions broadly, while the EHS health card covers government healthcare. For eligible People of Determination, the EHS card provides access to free EHS medical services after medical-committee approval and payment of the applicable card-service fees.

Check the current health-card and Emirates ID requirements with your emirate's government health provider when you apply.

All official links

Federal — for everyone

Abu Dhabi

Dubai

Assessment centres

Government health providers

A note to parents

This guide is put together to help families navigate the POD Card process in the UAE. Procedures, links, document requirements and benefits can change, so please confirm the latest details with the relevant authority before applying.

Spotted something out of date, or have a centre or tip to add? We'd genuinely welcome it — write to us at support@autismresourcehub.com. Your feedback keeps this accurate for the next family.

Eligibility

UAE citizen or resident with a disability category recognized by the national People of Determination classification, supported by the medical or educational-psychology reports required for that category.

How to apply

Sign in using UAE Pass, complete the online application, attach the required documents, and submit it through the Ministry of Family service.

At a glance

Source and verification

Last source check: July 28, 2026

Check the current program details at the cited source. Eligibility, funding, availability, fees, and application steps can change.

Open the official application or registration page

Find services near you

Browse all autism programs and funding · Report incorrect or outdated program information