“The Naturalization, Residency and Ports Sector constantly seeks to elaborate an advanced method to further keep pace with the development and progress witnessed by the UAE in all areas. ”
The Ministry of Interior, represented by the Naturalization, Residency and Ports Sector, recently launched an online service to allow GCC residents and those accompanying them to get their UAE entry permits (visas) via the various ports across the country, through the “Fawri” portal on the ministry’s website www.moi.gov.ae.
A statement issued on Saturday stated that these measures are in line with the Ministerial Decree No. 377 of 2014, and in accordance with the required conditions and procedures. Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Naturalization, Residency and Ports, indicated that the new service comes in line with the Ministry of Interior’s keenness to keep pace with technology advances in order to expedite passenger movement at the various ports and streamline the visa issuance procedure forpassengers before arriving to the country, ultimately saving time and effort for travelers.
“The Naturalization, Residency and Ports Sector constantly seeks to elaborate an advanced method to further keep pace with the development and progress witnessed by the UAE in all areas. “
He also noted that additional smart solutions will be rolled out in the future, in order to improve upon the services adhering to highest standards.
Adding further, Major General Al Khaili said: “Launching the online visa issuance service for GCC residents and those accompanying them, is a paradigm shift in upgrading services’ efficiency, within an integrated strategy towards smart transformation of services and ensure their availability through the Ministry of Interior’s website and smart phones.
“This approach is in line with the vision of the Government aimed at upgrading services provided to the public and empowering the concept of fast, high-quality services.”
For his part, Lt. Colonel Matar Kharbash, Head of E-services Department at the Naturalization, Residency and Ports Affairs sector, Head of the team supporting smart e-transition at the Naturalization, Residency and Ports Sector, stressed the MoI’s diligent pursuit to develop smart e-services so as to enhance public satisfaction.
This is in line with the smart government initiative aimed at increasing and boosting awareness of government entities about the benefits of mobile phone services and the need to implement the optimal techniques in the provision of government services.
Al Khaili further pointed out that the visit visa is issued at the various ports in the country, in accordance with Article 42 for GCC expats (not obtaining a prior visa or permission), allows them to enter into the country if they belong to any of the following categories:
. Businessmen, investors, partners, and company managers and representatives.
. Accountants, Auditors, doctors, engineers, lawyers and legal advisers.
. Public sector workers other than workers and labourers.
. Family members of the abovementioned individuals or entities accompanying them, namely the helpers, and individuals sponsored by them.
. Foreign family members of GCC nationals, their sponsored helpers and accompanying members.
. GCC truck drivers transporting goods from any of the GCC countries. They are required to submit a sponsor’s letter of no objection (NOC) from the sponsoring entity in the country of issuance.
. Sponsored by citizens who have residence permits in GCC countries.
