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Sanad card in the UAE

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The short answer

The Sanad card is a Dubai card for People of Determination, issued by the Community Development Authority (CDA) under Dubai's disability rights law. The CDA says the service is free, and reports say the card gives access to services and discounts such as parking, Salik exemptions and some health and phone plan reductions. You apply with a medical report and your ID.

Quick facts

Issued by
Community Development Authority (CDA), Dubai (source: Dubai Community Development Authority: Issue Sanad Card)
Emirate
Dubai (source: Dubai Community Development Authority: Issue Sanad Card)
Cost
Free, according to the CDA (source: Dubai Community Development Authority: Issue Sanad Card)
Validity
Five years for citizens and residents (source: Khaleej Times: free Sanad card for People of Determination)
Apply through
CDA website, CDA app or a customer happiness centre (source: Dubai Community Development Authority: Issue Sanad Card)

What the Sanad card is

Sanad is a card for People of Determination in Dubai. The Community Development Authority, known as the CDA, runs it. Property Finder describes it as part of the initiative My Community, A City for Everyone, and as a way to build a database of People of Determination in the emirate.

The CDA says the card gives access to services, facilities and benefits from government and private bodies. It is a Dubai card. Other emirates run their own schemes, so do not assume it works the same way in Abu Dhabi or elsewhere.

Who is eligible

The CDA says citizens, residents and tourists can apply. Khaleej Times describes the groups as Dubai citizens, residents from other emirates and expatriate residents, and also tourists. Everyone has to show a disability with official documents.

Tourists get a shorter card. Property Finder says the tourist card lasts two months, while Khaleej Times says it depends on the length of the visit. Check the CDA for the exact period. We could not open the CDA's own page on eligibility and validity, so the details here come from the news reports.

  • Dubai citizens
  • Residents from other emirates
  • Expatriate residents
  • Tourists, with a shorter validity
  • Proof of disability through official documents for all of them

Documents you need

The list varies by category, so check it on the CDA service page before you start. Khaleej Times lists these common items.

  • Emirates ID and, or, passport
  • A medical report from an accredited diagnostic agency confirming the disability
  • A recent personal photo, 4 by 5 cm
  • Proof of residence in Dubai for most categories

How to apply

The CDA says the service is free. You can apply on the CDA website, in the CDA Dubai or Dubai Now apps, or at a customer happiness centre. After you submit, you wait for an email or SMS about approval.

  1. Open the CDA website or app, or go to a customer happiness centre.
  2. Register a service request for the Sanad card.
  3. Upload or hand in your documents.
  4. Wait for the approval message by email or SMS.

Benefits

Khaleej Times lists free parking in Dubai, Salik fee exemptions, hospital discounts and reductions on monthly phone plans. Property Finder adds free entry to Dubai Municipality parks and some attractions, free accessible parking permits, taxi discounts and 50 percent off driver licensing services.

These benefits come from news and property sites, and they can change. Ask the CDA what applies to your case before you plan around one.

  • Free parking and accessible parking permits
  • Salik exemptions
  • Hospital discounts
  • Monthly phone plan reductions
  • Free entry to some parks and attractions
  • 50 percent off driver licensing services

How to use it and renew it

Show the card where you want the benefit, and keep your Emirates ID with you.

Citizens and residents get a card valid for five years. The reports we read do not describe the renewal steps in detail, so we cannot confirm them here. Contact the CDA or check its app before the card expires.

How to get a Sanad card

  1. Gather your documentsEmirates ID or passport, a medical report from an accredited agency, a 4 by 5 cm photo and proof of Dubai residence if asked.
  2. Apply with the CDAUse the CDA website, the app or a customer happiness centre and register a service request.
  3. Wait for approvalYou are notified by email or SMS.

How Fawz helps

Fawz is not released yet, and you can join the waiting list. When it is out, it will suggest which of your cards or memberships to use at the till, and it can keep your membership cards on your phone, sent to us only if you choose.

Fawz also tracks minimum monthly spend and caps on your cards, so you hit the higher cashback rate, and it compares supermarket flyer prices so you can see where an item is cheapest. Fawz never stores card numbers or bank logins and never reads SMS.

Join the waiting list

Questions people ask

Who issues the Sanad card?

The Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai.

Is the Sanad card free?

Yes. The CDA says the service is free.

Can expats get a Sanad card?

Yes. Khaleej Times says it is open to expatriate residents, with proof of disability from official documents.

How long is the Sanad card valid?

Five years for citizens and residents. The tourist card is shorter.

What documents do I need for the Sanad card?

Commonly an Emirates ID or passport, a medical report from an accredited agency, a photo and proof of Dubai residence. The list varies by category.

How do I renew my Sanad card?

We could not confirm the steps. Contact the CDA or use its app before the five years end.

Sources

  1. Dubai Community Development Authority: Issue Sanad Cardcda.gov.ae
  2. Khaleej Times: free Sanad card for People of Determinationkhaleejtimes.com
  3. Property Finder: Sanad card guidepropertyfinder.ae

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