Five per cent of the estimated nationals and foreign residents in the UAE have been issued the mandatory national ID cards, a senior official said.
At the end of 2007, data of about 245,000 Emiratis and 11,000 expatriates had been captured as part of the national population register and ID scheme, first launched in mid- 2005.
Staring May, 2008, expatriates in the UAE must also start signing up under a mass enrolment programme, said Thamer Rashid Al Qasimi, Planning Division Manager and Project Management Office Manager at Eida.
“Our goal is to enrol five million citizens and residents by end of 2010,'' said Al Qasimi.
Speculations of a possible increase in the national ID fee left state workers clocking in more than 13 hours of work a day recently at Emirate Identity Authority's (EIDA) Barsha service centre to accommodate the massive turnout of Emiratis signing up, according to staff there.
While the rumours of a fee hike proved to be untrue, Al Qasimi said Emiratis have until the end of this year to get the card.
“The law has specified an extension and deadline for nationals to register before the end of 2008. Expatriates must register before the end of 2010. After that period, it will be the responsibility of schools, business entities or employers to register people under them. Otherwise, they must not keep a person, student or employee without a national ID card or an ID number. Also no services shall be provided to them.''
Foreign workers and their dependents above age 15 must each pay Dh100 per year for the ID card, he clarified.
“Payment is tied to the expiration date of residency visa,'' explained Al Qasimi. “This means an expatriate working with a new three-year visa must pay a one-time fee of Dh300. Someone who has more than one year but less than two years left in his residence visa will only pay Dh200.'' A delivery fee of Dh15 is also charged.
The multi-purpose smart-card based ID can also be used in future as an e-gate card, which allows quick immigration checks at airports.
Future applications can also turn the same card into an e-passport, e-dirham, e-signature, e-purse, ATM, as well as labour and health cards, among others.
When asked who should pay the fees, Al Qasimi explained: “There have been many entities that paid the registration fees for their employees. However, payment is completely on an individual basis. Every person has to pay for their own and the employers are not obliged to pay for their employees.''
Individuals that receive welfare support are exempt from the registration fees, he added.
BIOMETRICS
A white box emits a red light from a glass top, much like the bar-code scanners in supermarket check-out counters.
This block captures finger, palm and writer's print scans that are then stored onto a smart chip for further identity authentication and verification requirements.
The procedure (which includes picture-taking using a digital camera) is over in a few minutes, but the data will last beyond one's lifetime.
Fingerprints are most convenient to capture, easy to use and are reliable for now, but iris and “facial recognition print'' biometrics are also being considered for future use.
“These technologies are still fairly new compared to the fingerprints. But they are advancing very fast and accuracy is improving,'' said Al Qasimi.
Besides the various registration centres across the country, mobile registration vehicles can be used to reach people, as they can jump into the backseat and register to get the ID Card.
Briefcase-type devices can also be taken from door to door. The service has been launched to reach out to people with special needs mainly and as a VIP type service, Al Qasimi explained.
EIDA is now registering employees in big organisations from January until May, 2008, by opening temporary offices at company premises upon request and mutual agreement based on availability and pre-defined schedule.
It recently finished registering thousands of staff at the Dubai Municipality, Dubai Executive office, Federal council, ESNAAD, and Abu Dhabi Police College.
Registration is just a phone call away (600 52 3432) as EIDA launched six mobile registration vehicles last month in addition to several service centres across the country.
Fast facts
- Emiratis below 15 must register with the National Population Register (registration is free), ID card is optional. Fee for ID card is Dh50 for card plus Dh15 for delivery
- Emiratis age 15 and above must pay Dh100 for five years plus Dh15 delivery charge.
- Residents must pay Dh100 per year plus Dh15 delivery charge (card payment is tied to expiration date of residency).
Mandatory card
Since 2005, smart card-based national ID cards have been issued to citizens. Federal Law No.9, 2006 mandates all Emiratis to have an identity card.
May 2008 - Expatriates in the UAE ages 15 and above must start enrolling for the ID card (it is voluntary for 15 years and below).
January 2008 – Start of registration for expatriate employees in the government sector and large private companies.
Registration can also be done through EIDA's mobile registration service (introduced in December). For mobile registration services and further information, call the EIDA call centre on 600 523 432.
The EIDA also has registration centres in Abu Dhabi, Madinat Zayed, Al Ain, Dubai, Delma, Silaa, Al Ghaithy, Sharjah and Dhaid. Centres in other emirates are under construction.
For mobile registration services and further information, phone EIDA call centre on 600 523 432.
Registration Centres
ABU DHABI
Abu Dhabi Service Centre
Al Mushrif Area (Near ADNEC) Abu Dhabi City,
Tel: 02-4046688; Fax: 02-4493236 (Sunday to Thursday 7.30am to 8.30pm)
DELMA ISLAND
Delma Service Centre, Delma Mall, TAM Centre, 2nd Floor; Tel: 02-8945554; 02-8945571 (Working hours: Sunday to Thursday 7.30am to 2.30pm)
WESTERN REGION
TAM Service Centre
Madinat Zayed City, near Immigration Dept Building, TAM Centre, EIDA Section
Tel. 02-8945427; Fax: 02-8945408 (Working hours: Sunday to Thursday 7.30 to 2.30pm)
AL AIN
Al Ain Service Centre
Post Office, near Etisalat old Building, 3rd Floor
Tel: 03-775 0777; Fax: 03-7550666 (Sunday to Thursday 7.30am to 8.30pm)
DUBAI
Al Karama Service Centre
Dubai Central Post Office
Tel: 04-334 2055; Fax: 04-335 3250
(Sunday to Thursday 7.30am to 8.30pm)
Al Barsha Service Centre
Near Jebel Ali race course (Mall of the Emirates)
Tel. 04-4046666 Ext. 4000 Fax. 04-3419889
(Sunday to Thursday 7.30am to 2pm)
Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department
Trade Centre Road Bur Dubai, near Bur Dubai Police Station
(Sunday to Thursday 7.30am to 2.30pm)
SHARJAH
Al Taawun Service Centre
Al Nahda area, Al Taawun Mall, 3rd Floor
Tel: 06-577 4000; Fax: 06-577 4477 (Sunday to Thursday 7.30am to 2.30pm)
