ID appointment needs two SMSs

Dubai: It is no longer necessary to take an online appointment to register for the identity card, but if you do, wait for a message that gives you the exact time and location to register, a senior official said on Thursday.

The Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) had introduced the appointment system in July to reduce the waiting time and efforts of Emiratis and expatriates who want to register for the national identity card and the Population Register.

Residents who do not make prior appointments can walk into any registration centre of the EIDA and apply for an ID card.

Clarification

Darwish Ahmad Al Zarouni, Director-General of EIDA, told Gulf News that it is unnecessary to book an appointment because it is an extra service offered by the authority. However, if anyone books an appointment, he or she must wait for an SMS that tells them where to go to register.

"The first SMS is sent when a person books an appointment, but it does not necessarily mean that the appointment is confirmed. The person has to wait for a second SMS which tells him or her the exact time and location for them to go and register," he said.

Al Zarouni said that many people had gone to the centres after receiving only one SMS and were surprised to find that they had not got an appointment. He also asked people not to panic because there is enough time to register for the ID card.

Thamer Rashid Al Qasimi, planning director and project management director at EIDA, said the pressure on their website has eased after a number of government and private organisations posted the pre-registration application software on their websites.

He said about 50 websites now host the pre-registration software and the number will increase soon.

Al Qasimi said the EIDA will distribute free CDs of the software at registration centres. "The CD can be copied and redistributed. But it may take some more days to complete bulk production of CDs."