ABU DHABI: The smart system of applying for and getting entry permits and visas through the UAE Ministry of Interior e-channels went online on Wednesday.
Now, all residents in the country can apply for and print the residence permits for their immediate family members and visit visas for their blood relatives from home or anywhere else. They don’t need to visit typing centres and immigration offices for the purpose anymore.
As announced by the Ministry of Interior on Tuesday, all individuals — citizens or residents— establishments and typing centres can register with the ministry’s new smart visa issuance system on https://echannels.moi.gov.ae.
Speaking with Gulf News, a ministry official said on Wednesday, “Any individual resident can register under the new system from today [Wednesday] and print all types of entry visas/permits.”
Once registered, one can get entry permits (visit or residence purposes) for immediate family members and blood relatives. It will take only 10 minutes for the permits to be issued, even for companies and typing centres, the official, who did not want to be named, said.
He clarified that entry visas mean residence, visit and tourist visas. Visit visas could be of short or long-term.
The applicant can also pay on the system using e-dirham or credit or debit cards. In case of any rejection or cancellation of the application, the money will be reimbursed through the same mode of payment.
“Apart from immediate family members like spouse, son and daughter, an individual can also apply for entry permits for his blood relatives such as his parents, brothers and sisters. But he can’t apply for [entry permits for] his uncle and cousin. It has to be applied through other channels such as travel agencies, companies and tourism and hospitality firms.”
Though the system for obtaining entry permits [visit and work visas/permits] and residence visas is not new for companies — many big companies already obtain them through their system authorised by the MoI. But the service is now being expanded, particularly to individuals and other establishments who wish to get registered and obtain the MoI services, the official said.
However, he said, “All companies and typing centres who register with the system can apply and print all kinds of visas.”
These visas include visit, tourist visas, multiple-entry visas, transit visas for 96 hours [these are all referred to as entry permits] and [work permit or employment visa, both of which mean the same) and residence visa.
Where medical and student visas are concerned, none of the above conditions apply.
The ministry has warned typing centres not to apply and obtain medical and student visas through the system. The channel for the same will be announced later.
Having entered the country with an entry/work permit, to get the residence visa stamped on the passport, the individual, company PRO or typing centre representative will have to visit the immigration department. This is compulsory for all new residence visas and renewals, he said.
All approvals, notifications and alerts of readiness to print visas will be sent to the registered person’s email ID.
For registration
The official said once all required documents are readied, they need to be scanned and uploaded on the system, after which one can register within a few minutes. These documents include colour copies of the passport, Emirates ID, health card and relevant education birth and marriage certificates, photos, salary certificate, tenancy and employment contract etc. Till now, individuals, companies and typing centres have been presenting these documents physically at the immigration department.
Instructions for typing centres
The Ministry of Interior has warned typing centres registered under the system that fines will be imposed on all offices if wrong information is furnsihed, starting from August 6. The fines will range from Dh25 to Dh5,000. Must not submit applications for visas for foreign students studying in the country, regardless of their nationality — the application shall be submitted through the educational institution at which the student applies.
All applications and attachments must be clear and in colour and in the right alignment (when uploading).
Make sure that the attachments are identical to the description in the application system and enter the name of the facility clearly and in colour.
The new labour contract form [not the old one] should be attached starting from August 2.
Applications that contain an unclear or non-identical images/photos will be rejected; images must be attached in jpeg format only.
Emirates ID reader devices need to be installed and configured.
Criteria for individuals
UAE nationals: Allowed to apply for their sponsored individuals.
Residents in UAE: Allowed to apply for new visas or renew or cancel old ones. GCC nationals: Allowed to apply for sponsored individuals.
GCC residents: Allowed to apply for new visa permits.
Who all can register
Establishments
Typing centres
Citizens of the UAE and GCC countries who are over the age of 18 years
Residents of the UAE and the GCC who are over the age of 18 years and under corporate sponsorship or VIP.
Documents for applying for a visa
Private sector: Sponsor’s passport copy, salary certificate, photocopy of employment contract
Public sector: Salary certificate, photocopy of tenancy contract
Children’s visa: Birth certificate attested at the UAE Embassy (in home country) and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Spouse’s visa: Marriage contract attested at the UAE Embassy (in home country) and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Documents for the newborn’s visa
Colour photograph of the sponsored child
Duly attested birth certificate
Sponsor’s passport copy with a minimum validity of six months
Emirates ID of the sponsor
Salary certificate of the sponsor [minimum salary of Dh3,000 + accommodation; or Dh4,000]
Health insurance card of the sponsor
Overstay fines
People who overstay in the country after the expiry of their residence visas need to pay Dh100 per day, plus Dh100 service fee paid at the border crossing point
