Renew or cancel visa by phone

Anu Warrier / 22 October 2013

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai (DNRD), launched its mobile application on Monday at Gitex. 

Major-General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director-general of the directorate, said the new application will offer many of its services on the mobile in its first phase, including visa renewal, cancellation of visa before arrival, and extension of visa. Maj-Gen Al Marri visited the stalls of the directorate and its technology provider Emaratech at Gitex.
According to Col. Khalid Nasser Al Razouqi, Assistant Director-General of e-Services at the directorate, during the second phase of the app which will be upgraded by the end of 2014, sponsors will be able to apply for visas through the mobile. This will help customers save time as they can avoid typing centres and the long queues at the directorate office.
“The typing centres will be there. That is one channel for transactions with the directorate. Our website is another channel and now this app will be another,” said Al Razouqi.
The directorate also showcased its new Smartgate system which will be introduced at Terminal 1 and 2 of Dubai Airport by next year. “All the e-gates at Dubai Airports will be replaced with the new Smartgate, said Col. Al Razouqi, adding that it will make the e-gate cards obsolete.
Smartgate allows a once-registered passenger to pass through the gate freely without any queue or other hassles. For the first time, passengers will have to register their passport. It is an automated self-service system for border control process which is currently done by immigration officers. Built by Emaratech, the smartgate works with ‘iris on the move’ technology, said Col. Al Razouqi.

In coordination with the DNRD, Emaratech has provided a counter for visitors to register for Smartgate at its Gitex stall. UAE citizens and residents, GCC nationals and residents from 33 pre-approved countries who receive visa on arrival can register their biometrics for Smartgate at the stall. They need to carry their passport for registration.