Abu DhabiI: Due to technical issues, the new smart visa system application system is yet to be made operational for Dubai residents.
The Ministry of Interior said on Monday: “Initially, we announced that the new visa system is going to be gradually implemented across the United Arab Emirates. We are still in the process of linking different government departments in Dubai.”
However, the services will soon be resumed for all residents and nationals in Dubai, too, the MoI official said.
On August 1, the ministry launched a new system of smart services for nationals and residents where they can obtain entry permits and residency visa permits online within 10 minutes.
Expatriates can also apply for tourist visa and entry permits for their relatives and families from home without having to queue up at typing centres and immigration offices.
Linking of these services together is underway, the official said.
The ministry said that there could be some technical glitches reported from other emirates but gradually all problems will be sorted out.
“It’s a beginning stage of the new system and so many government departments and private entities as well as applications are to be linked in. It’s a big task.”
The system is working fine in Abu Dhabi and other emirates, the official said.
He also clarified that both systems go hand in hand — the old and new ones. If the new smart system doesn’t work for them, they can approach the residency and naturalisation departments in their respective emirates.
The new system includes visa and residency permits, launched under the slogan of ‘Smart Services, Future Vision’.
The new service is to further smoothen and speed up the entry permit and residency services in the country.
Those wishing to avail the services have to register with the system first at https://echannels.moi.gov.ae
They need to open the link and select the services they want — individual, establishment or typing centre.
An email and password are required to log into the system.
