Abu Dhabi: As the deadline for Dubai residents to apply for their Emirates Identity Cards approaches fast, the Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) has opened up social media channels to answer queries.
Since May 1 the authority has not only been using its Facebook and Twitter accounts to disseminate information but also to answer questions and handle concerns, Dr Ali Al Khoury, director general at Eida, told Gulf News yesterday.
"Social media allows the Eida to reach out to many more people at the same time, and also reduces the volume of queries that must be taken care of by the 24-hour Eida call centre," Dr Al Khoury said.
On average, the Eida call centre receives 5,000 to 7,000 calls daily.
"Most of these calls are to do with application deadlines, or residents call up to find out the location of registration centres. Such simple questions can successfully be handled through social media forums," he said.
The number of queries also tends to become more frequent when deadlines draw close, he added.
Typing centres
Currently, residents in the emirate of Dubai over 15 years of age must apply for an Emirates ID card or renew any expired cards before May 31. This can be done by filling out an application form at a registered typing centre, or via the authority's website. The resident must then visit an Eida registration centre at the appointed time to submit personal identification data, including fingerprints.
"However, people whose residency visas expire before December 31, 2012, can wait when renewing their visas to also apply for their ID cards or renew them," Dr Al Khoury said.
In Dubai, more than 100 typing centres are registered to carry out the application process. In addition, 15 major registration centres across Dubai are fully equipped to record personal identification data, including six that are linked with Preventative Medicine Centres for visa processes.
The director general called upon applicants to submit accurate personal information to ensure timely delivery of ID cards.
"We are currently processing huge volumes of cards on a daily basis, including printing 600,000 cards every month, and information errors in tele-phone or PO box numbers can hold up the verification and delivery procedure unnecessarily. Residents must also be careful when applying on their own via the electronic application form on the Eida website, especially when uploading required documents," he said.
More than 6.5 million people have already been registered and 95 per cent of the population will be on the Eida system by the end of 2012, said Al Khoury.
