Immigration transactions in Dubai see 8.88% increase

The Dubai immigration authorities have seen a quantum leap in transactions and projects over the first half of this year.

Major-General Mohammed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFAD) made the announcement in a Press conference on Tuesday morning.

“The immigration staffers have processed 31,032,662 transactions this year so far as compared to 21,865,088 over the same period last year.”

This 8.88 per cent spike is attributed to the ongoing economic boom in the UAE, he added.

Marri said his department has enabled the companies recruiting over 100 employees to renew their residence visas online through the immigration’s official website. “Such type of transactions touched 299,667 in the first six months of the year.”

Major-General Obeid Muhair Bin Suroor, Deputy Director-General – GDRFAD, said they have sent up to 616,170 SMSes to alert Emiratis to renew their passports, and to residents to renew their residence visas and e-gate cards.

“The Immigration department, fully dedicated to boost Emiratisation strategy, has accelerated the process and now 95 per cent of is staff comprises of locals.”

Of the 4,154 immigration workforce, 1,112 are women, he said. “Some 1,825 employees have gone through 155 specialised training courses to boost their skills academically and practically.” Marri said his department is in daily direct communication with its customers through interactive social websites. “As many as 5,137,794 netizens have visited the immigration website.”

The immigration activities and news are being followed by 3,985 on Facebook, 22,270 on Twitter, and 7,005 on Instagram, he added. Meanwhile, the immigration offices are open from 9am to 6pm every day in Ramadan. “The GDRFAD office at the Dubai International Airport is open round the clock,” he said.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com