Dubai launches ‘Salama’ AI platform to ease visa services

Dubai: The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai has unveiled a groundbreaking new artificial intelligence platform, ‘Salama,’ aimed at transforming the efficiency of government services.

The announcement took place at the Fourth Annual Media Council under the theme “Media Vision Shaping the Future.” The event was attended by Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, along with senior officials and media influencers.

Salama

The “Salama” platform is designed to simplify residency services, offering a quick and seamless way for users to manage residency tasks. Through the platform, users can complete transactions, make payments, and perform other residency-related actions without the need for traditional forms or paperwork.

This innovative approach significantly enhances the service delivery of the GDRFA, supporting the UAE’s Vision 2071 and Dubai’s wider Digital Transformation Strategy.

Power of digital technology

Lieutenant General Al Marri highlighted the transformative power of digital technology in creating a future-ready Dubai. “Digital transformation is not just about building services; it’s about redefining customer experiences, improving government performance, and fulfilling the visionary leadership’s goal of providing more accessible, efficient services,” he remarked.

He also stressed that “Salama” is a testament to the GDRFA’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies to improve the quality of life in Dubai.

Simplifying visa processes

The platform’s services are aimed at simplifying residency processes for individuals. Among its features, “Salama” allows users to renew or cancel residency permits, receive quick responses to visa inquiries, and complete transactions without navigating multiple systems or visiting service centres. These enhancements make the platform a highly efficient and user-friendly tool. They service will be extended for companies in future

Major shift

Colonel Khalid bin Madia Al Falasi, Assistant Director General of the Digital Services Affairs Sector at GDRFA Dubai, shared further details on the platform’s capabilities. “The launch of the ‘Salama’ AI platform marks a major shift in how users engage with government services,” he stated.

“Using sophisticated algorithms, the platform tailors responses to individual needs, offering quick, accurate service.

He told Gulf News that the new service is currently available for individuals, primarily to renew or cancel residency permits. In the next phase, it will be extended to include companies.

How to use it

The service can be accessed via the smart channel and through UAE Pass. During the forum, the department demonstrated the transaction live, which was completed in just a few seconds. One applicant used the service to renew the residency permit for a family member.

The customer used the platform to renew the residency permit for his daughter. After logging in, the system automatically recognised the applicant's data and displays the details of any dependents under their sponsorship, showing the duration of each dependent's stay.

The customer then selected the renewal option. The AI retrieved the necessary information and processed the request, after which payment was made. The renewed visa is then sent directly to the customer's registered email.

Colonel Al Falasi said the service is offered in more than 40 lanauages and more will be added in future. He said each transaction takes only 10-20 seconds.

How it works

Through Salama, residents can renew their visas in under 10-20 seconds only by visiting the smart channels and accessing the services through UAE PASS.

The AI-powered system automatically pulls user data and simplifies the process into three easy steps:

Selecting the visa duration

Making the payment

Receiving the renewed residence permit.