Dubai: The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) has opened 21 Amer centres for visa transactions, in a step to replace all typing centres from processing residency visa applications after failing to adhere to certain conditions, officials said on Saturday.
The directorate stopped visa-related services at hundreds of typing centres and alternatively provided the facilities at Amer centres which will be 70 in number by the end of the year.
“Residents will be able to complete visa and residency transactions at 21 Amer centres now in Dubai. Already, we have removed our visa services from most typing centres after we gave them one-and-a-half years to comply with the regulations on space and facility requirements,” said Major-General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, director-general of the GDRFA.
The centres simplify transactions and increase efficiency by allowing residents to complete all visa and residency transactions without having to visit the directorate.
Major-General Al Merri inspected six new Amer centres in the presence of a number of senior officials from several government entities.
“The Amer centres will provide services ranging from issuing entry permits, issuing or renewing residency visa, visa cancellation and other related services provided by other government institutions and departments.”
Maj-Gen Al Merri said 200 Emiratis are already working in these centres and the directorate expects to have 1,000 Emiratis working in all 70 Amer centres by the end of the year as part of the plan to develop and expand Amer services in different locations based on the need in each area. The first centre opened in Al Muhaisnah 4 area in Dubai in May 2017.
These centres will also provide a range of services and transactions of a number of other government institutions and departments in Dubai, including the Emirates Identity Authority, Dubai Municipality and Dubai Health Authority.
Maj-Gen Al Merri stressed that GDRFA Dubai is keen to achieve the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai a model and the pioneer in achieving people’s happiness through smart, innovative initiatives and seven-star services.
Major Salem Mohammad Bin Ali, director of Amer Client Happiness Department at GDRFA Dubai, said many people have expressed their satisfaction with the services provided by the Amer centres.
“We want these centres to comply with the UAE laws and uphold the country’s reputation of providing the best services to customers. As many as 91,453 visa transactions were made by Amer centres in the first two months of this year,” Major Bin Ali added.
For queries
The directorate said it welcomes calls on 8005111 to answer all enquiries about Amer centres and it is open to suggestions and complaints from individuals regarding the work at these centres. People can contact the call centre for further details, or visit https://www.amer.ae/contact
