Abu Dhabi: Emirates Identity Authority (Emirates ID) has launched online application system for expatriates in the UAE.
“The online application system for expatriates was launched on Wednesday,” a spokesperson of Emirates ID told Gulf News on Thursday.
The online application for Emiratis was already test launched on December 29.
Now all net-savvy residents can apply for and renew their ID cards online (www.emiratesid.ae) without visiting a typing centre.
As Gulf News reported on January 4, residents who apply for national ID cards online using a credit card will be able to save the Dh30 typing fee.
Reprieve announced by Emirates Identity Authority
The reprieve announced by the Emirates Identity Authority on Tuesday for expatriates in three emirates whose visa expires in 2012 is not applicable to those who did not renew their Emirates ID cards, a spokesman of the authority told Gulf News on Wednesday.
"The reprieve is only for those who [expatriates whose visa expires this year] did not register for a new card. Those who did not renew their existing cards have to follow the deadlines in each of those three emirates," the spokesman said.
They can renew their ID cards without fines until January 31 in Sharjah, March 31 in Abu Dhabi, and May 31 in Dubai.
The reprieve is meant for expatriates whose residence permits expire in 2012. "They need not rush to take a card now, but they can wait until the renewal of their visas," the spokesman added.
Exception to rule
The extension given for expatriates in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah is also not applicable to those working in government and semi-government sectors, he clarified. From January 1, 2012, the authority has started levying fines on expatriates working with government and semi-government organisations who have not registered for a card or renewed existing cards.
But, no fine has been imposed till now on the family members of these employees in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, he said. "They can follow the deadlines in each of those three emirates," he said.
