Identity card holders get more facilities

Identity card holders get more facilities
By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Last updated: January 01, 2008, 21:54

Abu Dhabi: Holders of identity cards issued by Emirates Identity Authority will get a New Year gift of two electronic services, E-Dirham and E-gate facilities are to be integrated onto the cards, a senior official told Gulf News.

"Technical work has been completed and the E-Dirham will be activated this week and the E-gate in the first quarter of this year," said Thamer Al Kassemi, Planning Division Manager at Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA).

The E-gate card provides a fast-track immigration clearance using smart technology and a fingerprint scan.

This not only takes you through immigration faster but also saves space on a passenger's passport, as it eliminates the need for a manual stamp every time they travel.

Travel document

"The EIDA is working with the Ministry of Interior to activate the E-gate service soon," said the official.

The E-Dirham service includes using the identity card as an e-wallet to pay for different services offered by ministries, government departments, and private companies that use E-dirhams. "Identity card holders can activate it at any E-dirham service point when it is announced."

Discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Labour to integrate labour cards with identity cards, said Al Kassemi. This may enhance electronic transactions in the country as the EIDA starts issuing identity cards to expatriates this year.

Darwish Al Zaraouni, General-Director of the EIDA earlier told Gulf News that registration for expatriate employees in the Government Sector and for large companies would start this month.

Registration for all expatriates will open in May 2008, he added.

The identity card has already enabled holders to use it a travel document to all GCC nations as it works as an e-passport. It will eventually replace driving licences, labour, residency and health cards. It will also act as an ATM card. Registration to get the identity card is just a phone call away as the EIDA launched its mobile registration service last month.

Coming soon: Mandatory for all

The Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) has been issuing identity cards to citizens since 2005 and it is mandatory for Emiratis to have an identity card under federal law No.9, 2006.

It will be mandatory for expatriates over 15-years-old from May (it is voluntary for 15 years and below). Darwish Al Zaraouni, General-Director of the EIDA earlier told Gulf News that registration for expatriate employees in the government sector and large private companies would start in January 2008.

"We are ready to open temporary offices at company premises on request". Registration for all expatriates will be open in May 2008, he added. Registration is just a phone call away as the EIDA launched its mobile registration service last month. For mobile registration services and further information, call the EIDA call centre on (600 523 432).

The EIDA also has seven registration centres located in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Sharjah. Centres in other emirates are under construction, said an official.

Fees

Citizens have to pay Dh 115 for five years. (Dh65 for 15 years or younger). Expatriates have to pay Dh100 per annum. (The fee has to be paid for the duration of the residence visa).

Contact

For mobile registration services and further information phone the EIDA call centre on 600523432.