Want to know if you have a travel ban in Dubai? Find out how

 People who are facing criminal charges in Dubai are now notified through a text message, allowing them to come forward and promptly settle their case. The service is part of the Dubai Police's new smart reporting initiative.
Anyone will also be able to check if there is a travel ban or any case filed against them - such as dud cheques, rent disputes and non-payment issues, among others.
Residents just have to log on to the Dubai Police's smart application; choose the service; provide their Emirates ID number and other details; and enter an authorisation code they would receive via SMS, which ensures the confidentiality of the information. Details of a travel ban or a case will then be shown.  
Launched on September 13, the new smart reporting service of the Dubai Police have already benefitted 7,062 people by the end of October.
Major-General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, assistant commander-in-chief for criminal investigation affairs at the Dubai Police, said the smart reporting project saves the police time and effort in the search and investigation, while also protecting the dignity of the person involved. The response rate for the new programme was notably high, he said.
If a person changes his number, he can first update his data at the nearest smart police station and then inquire about his status.
The smart reporting programme - which was based on the directives of Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police - is implemented across all police stations.  

Electronic system to finalise cases

Colonel Saeed Al Ayali, director for the wanted department of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, said new technologies were also used to finalise the cases.
A hall at the general command was designated to receive people who come to settle their case. Instead of referring them to a court, they will be questioned via a video conference in a smart room. This electronic system applies to those who are facing minor complaints such as financial cases of less than Dh200,000, Al Ayali said, adding that some 3,667 people have already benefitted from the programme.
With this system, the police will no longer have to keep about 50,000 passports a year to hold people with minor cases accountable and prevent them from leaving the country, he said.
amira@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai

Amira Agarib

amira@khaleejtimes.com