Smart services make visa renewal faster, smoother

The Dubai immigration authorities on Thursday unveiled a package of new smart services which Emiratis, residents and companies can access on their smartphones and tablets.

“The move is aimed to make government services available on smartphones and tablets (so) that customers can manage their applications round the clock anywhere,” said Major-General Mohammed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai.

The new smart services help customers submit their applications and follow up as conveniently and as fast as possible; yet security or privacy rules have not been compromised. The initiative is in line with the smart government drive initiated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in May 2013.

Captain Salem bin Ali, manager of AMER customer care section at the directorate, said Emiratis may access smart services for the renewal of residence visas for their non-Emirati wives and domestic help.

Residents can also apply for the renewal or extension of the residence visas of their families through the smart services.

Companies can follow their transactions through the smart services, have their entry permits renewed or cancelled, apply to the Ministry of Labour, and avail of other services.

Captain Bin Ali said the faster and easily accessible services are aimed to save time, money and effort, expedite procedures, and win customers’ satisfaction.

More than 100 e-Gates have been installed at Terminal 1 and 2 of Dubai International Airport while 14 smart gates have been created at Terminal 3 for residents over 17.

The smart gates can read electronic passports and accept Emirates ID. The gates use facial and eye recognition technology to identify and verify the user. Once the checks are made, the gate opens automatically for travellers to pass through.

The smart gates are meant to enhance passenger flow and comfort, particularly as the number of passengers expected to use the Dubai International Airport is over 78 million in 2015 and 103 million in 2020.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE