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Discuss this article (13 Comments)Fingerprints needed for all UAE residency visas from next month
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 23 July 2009
RESIDENCY VISA: Applicants will be required to give their fingerprints to make sure they have no criminal record. (Getty Images)
People applying for a residency visa in the UAE will be required to give their fingerprints under stricter efforts to prevent fraud and identity theft, officials said.
In a report by Gulf News, Nasser Al Awadi Al Minhali, acting director general of the Federal Naturalisation and Residency Department, said applicants will be required to give their fingerprints to make sure they have no criminal record.
"Starting next month, applicants for residence visa will be fingerprinted under a tighter biometric system to provide more secure identification and prevent fraud," he told the paper.
"Those found to be with criminal records will be denied visa and handed over to the police for further legal action," he said.
"The move will eventually cover all residents in the country, including workers sponsored by their employers, investors, domestic workers and parents of residents," Al Minhali said.
Residents living in the country will be fingerprinted when they apply for renewal of their visa. It is not yet known how much this will cost, but Al Minhali said the fee would be nominal.
A fingerprint database will be set up in Naturalisation and Residency departments across the UAE to ensure only those with "good conduct" or "lack of a criminal record" will be granted residence visa, the paper said.
READERS' COMMENTS
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Fingerprints needed for all UAE residency visas from next month
Posted by Joe Bazooka, Dubai, Uzbekestan on Monday 23 November 2009 at 12:32 UAE time
People - Don't you realize that this is PEOPLE SALIK !!!!!!!!!!! The Authorities have found the Golden Goose. Why should they Kill it?
Posted by Joe Bazooka, Dubai, Uzbekestan on Monday 23 November 2009 at 12:32 UAE time
People - Don't you realize that this is PEOPLE SALIK !!!!!!!!!!! The Authorities have found the Golden Goose. Why should they Kill it?
Overkill?
Posted by The Muppet Queen, Dubai on Sunday 26 July 2009 at 13:35 UAE time
There's seems to be more than a duplication of labour here - our thumb prints are on our egate cards (and we've all paid the fee for the card), our palm prints on our Emirates ID card (and paid the fee for the card) and now our finger prints are required next time our visas are renewed (and there's a fee for the visa) plus of course, there is already access to face and biometric details on passports. There's retina scanning at the airports and some of the land border crossings, isn't that sufficient? What's next? Nose prints?
And what is achieved, a friend told me recently that he provided his EID card as identification but was told it was insufficient, "Show us your passport."
Posted by The Muppet Queen, Dubai on Sunday 26 July 2009 at 13:35 UAE time
There's seems to be more than a duplication of labour here - our thumb prints are on our egate cards (and we've all paid the fee for the card), our palm prints on our Emirates ID card (and paid the fee for the card) and now our finger prints are required next time our visas are renewed (and there's a fee for the visa) plus of course, there is already access to face and biometric details on passports. There's retina scanning at the airports and some of the land border crossings, isn't that sufficient? What's next? Nose prints?
And what is achieved, a friend told me recently that he provided his EID card as identification but was told it was insufficient, "Show us your passport."
Double Trouble for the same Work & Result
Posted by Muslim, dubai, u.a.e. on Sunday 26 July 2009 at 10:50 UAE time
I cannot understand what is the purpose of the Emirates Identity Card. It was stated that it would streamline people according to their professions, visa status and all other cards would be incorporated into one. The main prerequisite was a very advanced fingerprinting and iris scan, thus identifying the criminals. I request the authorities concerned to use the same database and not duplicate the efforts. It would be very helpful to use the same database and make it a prerequisite to have a EIDA card for renewing visa and for new visas have just one stop shop for visa stamping and EIDA Card.
Hope the authorities give due consideration to the request.
Posted by Muslim, dubai, u.a.e. on Sunday 26 July 2009 at 10:50 UAE time
I cannot understand what is the purpose of the Emirates Identity Card. It was stated that it would streamline people according to their professions, visa status and all other cards would be incorporated into one. The main prerequisite was a very advanced fingerprinting and iris scan, thus identifying the criminals. I request the authorities concerned to use the same database and not duplicate the efforts. It would be very helpful to use the same database and make it a prerequisite to have a EIDA card for renewing visa and for new visas have just one stop shop for visa stamping and EIDA Card.
Hope the authorities give due consideration to the request.
Fingerprinting.
Posted by hombil, Muscat, Oman on Sunday 26 July 2009 at 09:21 UAE time
In Oman, this practice was adapted by the government many years back. Oman issues just one common Resident Card or ID Card, which is also used as e-gate card at the airports. Driving license details are also included in the RC and in fact, the RC has the same number as that of the driving license. Those who do not have driving license are issued with RC bearing a different series of numbers.
There has been no additional fees charged by the government as fingerprinting is part of the issue / renewal of the resident visa / card. Needless to say, the total charges for issuance / renewal of RC are much lower than those in UAE.
Posted by hombil, Muscat, Oman on Sunday 26 July 2009 at 09:21 UAE time
In Oman, this practice was adapted by the government many years back. Oman issues just one common Resident Card or ID Card, which is also used as e-gate card at the airports. Driving license details are also included in the RC and in fact, the RC has the same number as that of the driving license. Those who do not have driving license are issued with RC bearing a different series of numbers.
There has been no additional fees charged by the government as fingerprinting is part of the issue / renewal of the resident visa / card. Needless to say, the total charges for issuance / renewal of RC are much lower than those in UAE.
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