Hassle-free registration for ID

Abu Dhabi: Expatriate professionals will get two more months for "hassle free" ID card registration after the December 31 deadline, according to the new schedule which was announced by the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) on Tuesday.

The schedule means that people will not face the inconvenience of long queues in January and February as registration for the next category will begin on March 1.

"It is not an extension of the deadline but we would like to refer it as 'a transition period' to begin with a new category," a senior EIDA official told Gulf News.

Earlier the EIDA granted a reprieve to expatriate professionals, saying no fines would be imposed or bank accounts blocked and they could register even after the December 31 deadline but at the cost of certain inconveniences.

"They will have to bear with the long queues of other categories of professionals and if an ID card is demanded for any official transactions, it will be their responsibility," the EIDA said at that time.

Students and administrative staff in the private sector who fall under Category 2 can register from March 1 to June 18. From June 20 to September 30, Category 3 can register.

Construction workers in the private sector under Category 4 have been allotted the longest timeframe, from October 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010.

The EIDA will hire new staff during the "transition period" to cope with the pressure of the new categories, said Thamer Rashid Al Qasimi, planning director and project management director at the EIDA.

"On reviewing the work so far, we can rectify any mistakes and improve the strategic initiatives."

Plan ahead: Dates to remember

- Category 1
Until February 28, 2009

Expatriates working in the government sector and all professional expatriates

- Category 2
From March 1 to June 18.

Students and administrative staff in the private sector (translators, secretaries, typists, storekeepers, receptionists).

- Category 3
From June 20 to September 30

Private and public transport drivers, and unskilled or semi-skilled workers in the private sector like housemaids, cleaners, farmers, fishermen, security guards, watchmen and all other unannounced workers except Group 4.

- Category 4

From October 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010
Construction workers in the private sector

Print snag: Hennaed hands

The EIDA had to reject the registration of many women who has decorated their hands with henna which prevents smooth fingerprinting, said Al Qasimi.

"We tried our best to do the rest of the process for such women, except fingerprinting and told them to come back again later."

Another problem was coloured contact lenses which prevent proper photographing as per international standards, he said. Ordinary contact lenses are acceptable but not coloured lenses. "We tell them to remove them," he said.