Dubai: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced the issuance of residence visas through UAE Identity Cards (EIDs) from April 11 instead of paper stickers in passports.
According to Gulf News, the Federal Authority for Identity, Nationality, Customs and Port Security officials confirmed the change, saying the new system would make it easier to apply for a visa.
The new ID card will contain all the information previously listed on the Visa passport stickers, which can be read electronically.
The report states that Maj. Gen. Saeed Rakan al-Rashidi, acting director general of residence and foreign affairs, said the new identity card visas are part of a broader process of change to improve government services.
This change will apply to visas issued after April 11, but information on older visas will also be available through the Citizenship Authority's Smart Application.
The UAE ID card was made legally mandatory in 2011 for all citizens except foreign diplomats. These cards have multiple uses. These include access to government services, housing, prescriptions, banking and legal action.
