Applying, renewing and cancelling family visas can now be done through the DubaiNow app, the Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has announced.
The announcement came via an SMS alert to residents in Dubai.
Using the app, residents will now be able to check on their visa status or enquire about GDRFA services. Additionally, the app allows users to review and manage family visa applications or get a new visas to bring family members to Dubai.
Cancellations must still be processed through whichever GDRFA centre stamped the residence visa.
The announcement follows a directive from Dubai Crown Prince and Executive Council chairman Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make all government services paperless over the course of the next two years.
The Dubai Paperless Strategy was first launched by Sheikh Hamdan in February 2018.
“I have overseen the progress of the Dubai Paperless Strategy over the past two years, and have now directed all government entities to work with Smart Dubai and ensure all digital government to consumer services are delivered via DubaiNow, gradually eliminating all individual entity applications,” Sheikh Hamdan tweeted on Monday.
From 2021, all Dubai’s government entities will no longer issue or request paper documents. According to the government, the strategy will cut down the amount of paper used by one billion pieces each year, saving 130,000 trees and AED 900 million.
A total of 88 government services are included on the DubaiNow government services app.
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