Dubai: More than 860,000 transactions were conducted by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs during the five-day Eid break between July 15 and 20.
Certain branches of the GDRFA remained open during the holidays, and its toll-free Amer service was also available for inquiries and urgent transactions.
Major General Mohammad Ahmad Saeed Al Merri, Director of GDRFA-Dubai, revealed on Monday that more than 147,000 entry permits were issued, including 134,000 new entry permits.
“More than 28,400 residency visas were issued, almost 10,000 of them newly issued while the rest were renewals,” he said.
The GDRFA’s Follow up on Illegal and Foreigners Sector dealt with almost 1,700 transactions during the five-day period. Almost 180 of the transactions were absconding cases, 24 forged documents, and 821 leave permits.
“Almost 1,700 Emirates e-gate cards were issued during the Eid break. Furthermore, a total of 1,850 establishment cards were issued during the holiday, including 142 newly issued and 396 renewed establishment cards,” Maj Gen Al Merri said.
More than 320,000 people visited the emirate through its air, sea and land ports between July 15 and 20, while 353,000 left the emirate within the same time period. A total number of 680,381 people travelled to and from the emirate during Eid Al Fitr.
GDRFA officials also said 728 ships used Dubai’s seaport, with 356 arriving in the emirate and 372 departing.
“The directorate is committed to providing the best services to all its customers,” Maj Gen Al Merri said, “as per the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.”
