ID applicants get to pick appointment time

Abu Dhabi: ID card applicants around the country will soon be able to choose a convenient appointment to register at Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) centres.

At the moment a centralised system allots appointments to applicants and sends notices of these via SMS after the pre-registration process is completed at a certified typing centre.

"The applicant does not have a choice of appointment at the moment. But we are developing a new system which will allow the applicant to choose a convenient appointment while completing the pre-registration process at the typing centres," Dr Ali Al Khoury, director-general of Eida, told Gulf News.

"The system will be operational soon and then the applicant will not need to wait for an SMS."

Typing centres will have access to the central system which allocates appointments and they can show applicants which times are available at various Eida centres so they can make their choice, Al Khoury said.

Eida transferred the pre-registration process which comprises filling out the e-application form, scanning the passport and paying the fee, to around 700 certified typing centres across the country.

This was to pave the way to stop walk-in registrations at Eida centres.

An applicant can head to an Eida centre to register only after receiving an appointment via SMS within 48 hours of completing the pre-registration process.

During the rush in the past two weeks, many applicants complained about not receiving an appointment notice, or receiving it late.

The official said the authority was developing the new system because hundreds of applicants were not showing up on time at registration centres, while thousands of residents were waiting for appointments.

Don't be late on the day

Applicants who have not yet received an appointment after filling out the e-application form at typing centres should call 04-2376000.

At the moment applicants will be able to change appointments once only. Those who miss the appointment must phone the above number within two weeks to request a new and final appointment. Otherwise, their e-forms will be cancelled and they have to fill out new e-forms, Eida said.

Many Gulf News readers asked if they could wait until their visa expired before registering for an ID card, following the extension of the December 31 deadline.

However, while Eida is linking ID card registration with visa issuance and renewal, only labourers can afford to wait.

It would be best for all white collar employees to get the card which will be mandatory for gaining access to government services.

The ID card is mandatory for traffic services such as driving licences and vehicle registration across the country except in Dubai and Sharjah emirates, which may also follow suit in future.

Several services of the Ministry of Interior, including family visa applications, may also require the card in future. More services are expected to be added to this list. Generally, labourers and household workers do not access these services, so they can wait.

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