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90% of UAE expats still to register for ID cards
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Tuesday, 18 November 2008Posted on Thursday, 20 November 2008
ID Cards
Posted by Mark at 14:14 UAE time
As usual the authorities do not have any clue what they are talking or doing, they give us a date for registration in end march and the newspaper say the deadline is Dec 2008. I think they should use expat knowledge / planning for everything that they do, not only building of metro, bridges, roads etc etc which the expats have done for this country so smoothly.
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Posted on Wednesday, 19 November 2008
registration at airport immigration (inbound)
Posted by landobserver at 12:17 UAE time
Perhaps it would be useful to those expats who travel alot if the ID authority could set up desks at the the arrival queues in the airports for those professionals arriving back in the country after trip.
In this way the time going through an immigration queue or e-gate could aslo double in registering those professionals who have little time to queue at ID centers on the possible chance that they will get an appointment. As they will have their passports with them and other documentation on their person at the time it could help ease the situation.
Be innovative and throw some more resources at this issue rather dig your heads in the sand & given expats a reason to gripe about this issue!
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ID Cards
Posted by Andy Williamson at 11:57 UAE time
Having been working in Bahrain and come to the UAE I have just got my residency visa. I do not have a problem with the ID card system but I have had difficulties in processing the application - even getting the process going - no forms at the post office, etc.
Is there a separate procedure for new visa issues - not that I can find.
I do not understand why the ID card was not processed at the same time I went through the paperwork, medical, etc., etc. for the the visa.
This should be the logical step
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after all , we are expats...;-)
Posted by Abeer at 10:12 UAE time
I understand we are expats, and if we whine alot we have a choice of going back to our country..however, we are legally residing here, we work here and now UAE is home...we celebrate ur indepence day and care for it as if it IS our home...then y are we treated with disrespect at the centers??and God bless those who don't have the advantage of the Arabic lanuage...i mean seriously...
1st...the locals were informed about EID in July, not the expats...
2nd... concentrate on the locals and make sure they are registered and then allow us to do what we are told to do!
3rd...what is this new thing about ID cards? the tolls, increased rents, increased taxi fares from sharjah and possibly VAT wasnt enough that we have to pay for an ID card and renew it everytime its expired?
4th...Atleast improve the cusotmer service so our questions are answered...who needs it?whats the age limit?what punishments are u talking about?
5th...make it compulsory for all companies to make the cards for all their employers..like labor cards...this way we can concentrate on our work and getting home with the drastic traffic and the PRO of the company can manage the ID for us....
6th..the gov can do anything...why cant they extend the deadline..give us another year or so...
please have mercy...
This is our home too..let us love our home...and respect the ppl!
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ID mess
Posted by George at 09:43 UAE time
As it was announced today that the deadline is back at its original Dec 31st 2009 date, at least I don't have to plan my week around getting up at 2AM and queuing. Hopefully.
But ...
What is happening now? Are the appointments being made? Are they honoured? Is the queue still the only way? OK, the Web site "typing" works. Appointments don't. Will EIDA be closed for December (lots of holidays ...)? Will they introduce the third shift, or at least fill the empty booths (five typing in Al Barsha, two ladies working; ten registration booths, three working) What about the families? When and how? Jan 15th onwards for the "other categories"? What "other categories"? Which are the categories?
No, dear EIDA, nothing is "understood". You are to say what is what and to define the procedure that works. This one does not. Then we follow. As simple as that.
You don't want to be talked about badly and work under pressure, and we don't want to waste our days. So let's all do it properly and with dignity. Let's remember what HH Shaikh Mohammad said in 2001:
“We must ease the lives of people and businesses interacting with the government and contribute in establishing Dubai as a leading economic hub”
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Posted on Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Good questions
Posted by Eamonn at 01:05 UAE time
I support Rainigade's request for a more probing approach by the media and less of a blame game by Mr AlQasimi.
My workplace colleagues are all keen to get the card, but it is impossible to get on to the website, get a response after submitting the form via Empost, or to get appointments. A completely half-baked approach to an important initiative. Someone should learn from Hong Kong's approach to doing the same thing: quick and efficient.
What steps are being taken to improve the web site (one of the most poorly designed possible - probably cost millions, with its superfluous flash animations and its lack of help and examples, its timeouts, the inappropriate "famous name" entry, and its unusable save facility)?
When will the opening hours be extended? What about appointments that are honored?
Everyone is willing to get the card, but not to spend days and days in chaos and confusion.
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Haunting
Posted by KK at 17:21 UAE time
This has started haunting me, as i will be leaving Dubai by 15Dec for my marriage, and hope on my arrival back in dubai airport i dont have to face any kind objection to enter dubai, or wont be able to do bank transactions. Also heard from Hit 96.7FM on 16NOV that a PIN no will be provided with the EID which will be required to use in the ATM for any transactions.
God knows how things are going to end up.
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No appointment - No walk-in
Posted by Den at 15:30 UAE time
I am willing to register to get my Emirates ID card... but make it possible!
I've been trying any ways possible to complete the registration form (1st nightmare) and get an appointment (2nd nightmare):
The EIDA Web site is one of the most unprofessional sites I've ever seen - which is strange for this country that supports one of the best eGovernment system in the world!
Anyway, completing their form online took me a week before being able to reach to the last page (barcodes)... only that the barcodes were not appearing!
A week later (up to 4 hours a day trying to complete the same form again and again - the system' not saving the completed pages properly!), I finally was able to print my registration form!
By the way, try to get the CD-ROM that contains the registration form: still not available 3 days after being announced!
Once the registration finally completed, I tried to get an appointment. Another nightmare!
No way to get one by calling... and online is simply a joke!
Again after over a week trying online, up to 5 to 6 hours a day, I finaly got one for 5:00 on a Sunday!
I went at 5pm on said day... to be told that my appointment was for 5AM, that it was a mistake from the system and that I should get a new appointment.
Can I get an appointment now as I'm the victim of a poorly programed software?
No! Call or apply online.
Back to square one.
I tried today to go to Sharjah, Dubai being overloaded.
There it's worst: the door of the EIDA centre is closed and opens only for those with an appoitment.
How can I get an appointment? Go online!
Can I wait for my turn (walk-in)? No! Get an appointment!
EIDA, get your act together and we'll glady comply with your 31st December deadline.
Don't ask us to comply with a deadline that your organization cannot even support!
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You just have to laugh!
Posted by Terry Dane at 14:40 UAE time
Yet another true reflection of the inefficient processes that we endure here in the UAE> No more registration forms are available; and to download from the website is simply impossible, unless you don't have anything else to do and can wait all day for this to happen!! We have quite a number of public holidays coming up in December which will mean even less availability for anyone to get this process completed!!! - As I am writing this, I am actually laughing as this is so typical .... Enjoy the process
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ID Deadline = Dead End
Posted by Moe Issa at 12:40 UAE time
I totally agree with Lee.
Out of nowhere the government moved the deadline to this december when it was to december '09 earlier !
and to register the locals they were given almost two years to do that and they consist about 8% of the population.... how can they expect to register the 90% remaining in such a short notice?
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not in other emirates
Posted by jenny at 11:51 UAE time
lee, i've tried getting appointments in sharjah, ajman, and abu dhabi ... no luck ...
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Clarify
Posted by Rainigade at 11:38 UAE time
Can Arabian Business and other media please request Mr. Qasimi and the EIDA to clarify the following:
1. Is it true that the freezing of bank accounts applies only to locals and not expats?
2. What do they mean by "government services" that we wont have access to without the card? Does that mean the police, ambulances, registering our cars, etc?
3. What will be the closing days of the EID Centres for Eid and how will this affect the appointments made?
4. Was the media campaign launched by the government/EID department a stealth one? And didnt it initially say that the deadline was 2010?
5. Why has the deadline been changed? And why is not possible to extend this unrealistic deadline?
6. What measures are they taking to streamline the process and make it easier for half a million expats to be registered in a month's time?
Honestly, is it too much to ask to have some clarity surrounding a government drive that affects all the population of the UAE? Please can someone give us answers?
Mr. Al Qasimi's words just added salt to our wounds. Correct me if I"m wrong, but a summary of what he's said in the article above is "We know its not working, but deal with it. Or you will be punished".
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90 pct yet to register
Posted by Raj at 11:33 UAE time
does that mean 90 pct of the expat population is going to have illegal residential status?
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Limitation on daily appointments
Posted by Anu at 11:33 UAE time
I went to Karama centre at 5 am and joined a q of 60 people in front of me. 7.15 we were told that only 20 people, the first 20 people are taken and that is the limit on each day.. that is it..we are free to come tomorrow and try again if we are in lucky 20..
I am told another centre take 30 men and 30 women in a day.
so authorities will need almost 10 years to finish UAE existing population in the current situation..
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Emirates ID card
Posted by UK at 09:04 UAE time
What about those who have registered and waiting for the appointment ?? I registered on 13 November and have been told no appointments till December 1, 2008. Since the number of people registering will only compound as we near the deadline, the Authority would do well to open few more registration centers and clear the waiting list backlog quickly.
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