Dubai Attorney General tours GDRFA’s document examination center

Dubai: In a strong show of cooperation between Dubai’s judicial and security institutions, Dubai’s Attorney General, Counsellor Essam Issa Al Humaidan, paid an official visit to the Document Examination Center at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.

He was welcomed by Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA, alongside senior officials including Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director General. The visit included key figures from the Public Prosecution, such as Counsellor Yousef Al Mutawa, Assistant Attorney General, and several senior prosecutors.

The center, known for verifying travel and identity documents, plays a critical role in keeping Dubai’s borders safe. The visit aimed to boost cooperation between prosecutors and the team working behind the scenes to stop document fraud.

During the visit, the delegation got a close look at how the center works, including a tour of its advanced systems used to detect fake documents. These include smart tools powered by artificial intelligence that help experts spot even the most convincing forgeries.

Real cases were shown to the visitors, including forged passports and identity fraud attempts that were caught by the center’s trained staff. Attorney General Al Humaidan praised the team's work and pointed out how their progress is thanks to both cutting-edge technology and skilled professionals.

“The center is clearly working to global standards,” he said. “Their efforts help protect our society and support the work of justice by making sure every document is accurate and trustworthy.”

Lt. General Al Marri said the visit reflects how closely Dubai’s judicial and security teams work together. “We are honored by this visit. It shows the importance of teamwork in the fight against fraud and in supporting the justice system,” he added.

He explained that officers working at Dubai’s airports are highly trained in spotting forged documents and regularly attend courses to keep their skills up to date. “We don’t take chances when it comes to document safety,” he said.

Aqeel Al Najjar, Document Examination Advisor at the center, explained that his team checks all travel-related documents — from passports and visas to stamps and IDs — using specialized tools and software. He shared that recent statistics show a clear rise in the number of forged documents being caught, a sign that the center’s systems are becoming even more effective.

In 2024 and the first half of 2025, there was a noticeable increase in cases involving fake foreign passports. To stay ahead, the GDRFA has held 170 training courses to boost staff skills in identifying fraud.

The Document Examination Center has also earned international recognition. It received ISO certification from the Emirates International Accreditation Center, officially naming it as a forensic lab specialized in document checking.

The visit also touched on a new challenge: people altering their appearance through cosmetic surgery, which can cause issues at border checks. Authorities reminded travelers to update their passport photos if their appearance changes significantly to avoid delays or suspicion.

This visit is part of a wider effort to build strong ties between Dubai’s public institutions. It reflects growing confidence in GDRFA’s systems, which continue to focus on innovation, accuracy, and service excellence in protecting the country’s borders and supporting the justice system.