Processing UAE visa application to take just 10 minutes

Abu Dhabi - People will no longer need to visit typing centres.

A new visa system launched in 2017 means people now need not visit centers to obtain their entry permits and visas, announced the Ministry of Interior.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs of the Ministry of Interior has launched a new system for smart services, 'E-Channels', as part of the UAE 2021 Vision, which allows UAE nationals and residents to obtain entry permits and visas in only 10 minutes.

The Ministry of Interior said the new system will allow customers to have their applications completed without having to visit visa centers, adding: "This is a pioneering step to ensure speedy process and accuracy in the visa and residency services."

Experts estimated the process to not exceed 10 minutes, according to tests and trials of the new system. However, if the applicant does visit a typing center, the process is estimated to only take five minutes.

The new system goes under the slogan: 'Smart Services, Future Vision.'

Brigadier Mansour Ahmad Al Daheri, Director of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Abu Dhabi, said the new system will be effective for all customers and aims to cut the number of customers visiting visa centers by a whopping 80 per cent in 2018.

He added that through the modern system, customers will not have to provide hardcopy documents, and can simply provide all the required documents and information through the application process online.

"Some entry visas may be issued within a few minutes," added the ministry.

jasmine@khaleejtimes.com