75,000 register for ID cards in four weeks

ID RUSH: 75,000 have registered for the new ID card in the past four weeks.

Post offices have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people registering for the National ID cards during the past month, it has been revealed.

In the four weeks since Emirates Post offices started distributing and accepting registration forms, more than 75,000 forms have been collected by members of the public across the UAE, news agency WAM reported.

The government plans to register approximately 400,000 expatriates by the end of 2008, but the system has been hit by problems with many people previously unable to get appointments at Emirates Identity Authority (EID) centres.

People that fail to obtain national ID cards on time will lose the right to use government-related services.

Ibrahim bin Karam, CEO of Emirates Post, said: "We have made arrangements to handle the rush. We urge all customers to start the process early to avoid chaos when the deadline draws near.

"The post offices are fully geared to meet the demand of applicants, and our staff has been specially trained to handle queries from our customers. We are working closely with EID officials to smoothen the whole process."

Members of the public can buy special envelopes (priced at 40 dirhams) from post offices, containing a registration form which can be filled in and submitted to any post office counter.

Emirates Post will then send the completed forms to the applicant through their PO Box, giving the date on which he can go to the EID centre to submit the form.

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READERS' COMMENTS

ID cards fiasco
Posted by 3 times tried applicant, dubai, uae on Thursday 13 November 2008 at 10:15 UAE time


The idea of an identity card is a good one. However the present implementation is extremely poor. Sr executives and professionals are being asked to queue and spend many hours to register. This results in a terrible loss of productive time.

A better web portal is required to fulfill all requirements after which an appointment system which works, should be implemented.

At the present time, the system is just not working.

ID
Posted by Chris J, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 13 November 2008 at 09:15 UAE time

We note that the authorities have failed to get all nationals to register in the two years that the authority has been operating. There are still 200,000 outstanding. Now they expect all foreign managers in the country to register in about an eight week timeframe. There is NO respect for the people who have built this country in the time spans given. We will still need E Gate. We will still need a separate residency visa. We will still need our Salik. If this card initially brought things together, it would be good value, but its purposes are fully covered in existing documentation. This is our country again trying to make a dollar to cover the arrogance of excessive spending.

ID cards
Posted by jachecobain, dubai, United Arab Emirates on Wednesday 12 November 2008 at 12:27 UAE time

first of all 40 dhs for the registration? then 100 per year of residency. what if you left the this country are they gonna refund our money? this country is leeching on everyone but not solving worthy issue like sky rocketed house rents.

Emirates ID
Posted by George, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 12 November 2008 at 11:25 UAE time

Yeah, right ...

I can believe that the post offices will do the "typing" - at least one day - or should I say early morning - less of the queuing. But then you have to show up at the registration office, and wait for the ticket. If you are early enough, you will get it. Then estimate when is your number going to be called, unless you want to just wait there. Oh, a nice day for a picnic in the EIA center ...

But, the Emirates ID Authority does NOT make any appointments. At least not in Dubai until the end of the year.

Whatever was the reason for the deadline to be moved, it is not realistic to expect that it will be honoured.

Good luck to all, we are going to need it, Emarati or expat.

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