UAE will soon launch smart app for visas

Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai has said that expatriates residing in any GCC country will soon be able to use smart applications to apply for a visa to enter the UAE. According to a press release issued by the GDRFA-Dubai, Major General Al Marri said that a total of 2,628 online visas were applied for by GCC residents in only one month, 2,512 for expatriate residents and 116 for domestic helpers, adding that the online visa service which started in April has helped in simplifying the procedures and swift completion of the transactions at the airport. Al Marri said the online visa process allows expatriates residing in any GCC nation to enter the UAE through any of its borders. He added that online visa service comes within the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transfer to Smart Government, and to work on providing all the government services around the clock via mobile phones and smart devices. Lt. Col. Talal Shanqeeti, Assistant Director-General for Ports Affairs at the GDRFA-Dubai, said that the GDRFA is encouraging the public to use the on-line visa portal. He said that from October, all visa application processes for expatriates who have valid residence visas in any Gulf country, irrespective of their nationalities, must be completed online or via smart apps where they can register, fill in the form and pay the fees online as well. He said that applicants receive immediate notification on their mobile phones when the visa is ready. Major Abdullah Omar Al Bannai, Head of Services Section, said that expatriate residents of any Gulf country can come on a 30-day visit visa which can be renewed for another 30 days. The cost of the visa is Dh220 and the same is applied to family members, while the visa for domestic helpers accompanying GCC citizens is valid for 60 days and can be renewed twice for another 60 days. Amna Abdullah Ali, Head of Relations and Protocol Department at GDRFA-Dubai at Dubai Airport, said that passport control officers are distributing brochures in Arabic and English to all visitors to Dubai from any of the GCC countries in order to raise awareness on how to use the new service. http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-will-soon-launch-smart-app-for-visas-2015-05-31-1.592392