UAE: Expatriates must register for ID card, official says

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/09/05/24/10316356.html
05/23/2009 | By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi: The Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) has dismissed rumours that the new national identity card is no longer mandatory for expatriates.

"It is quite strange that people believe their next-door neighbours rather than the official information," said Thamer Rashid Al Qasimi, Planning Director and Project Management Director at Eida.

He made it clear that all expatriates have to complete the ID card registration process as per the schedule announced by Eida.

"The registration process for category 2 [students and administrative staff in the private sector, translators, secretaries, typists, storekeepers and receptionists] began on March 1 and will continue until June 18. Although the registration period for expatriate professionals ended on February 28, they can still register," he explained.

Eida does not have exact figures for the number of expatriates in each category, but there are estimated to be about 600,000 professionals.

About 3,000 people are registering each day and about 500,000 expatriates have completed the registration process so far, according to the official.

"This 3,000 is just 60 per cent of our capacity and we have attracted this many people a day only after an intensive awareness campaign carried out among private organisations. We approach private companies and prompt them to utilise the special appointments system, which was introduced in March 2009," Al Qasimi explained.

More than 120 companies - more than 40 per cent of which are based in Abu Dhabi - have utilised the system thus far, he said.

Companies can approach the manager of the Eida registration centre in their area to arrange for phased appointments subject to availability, Al Qasimi said.

"No extra fee is levied for this service."

Thus far: The Process

About 99 per cent of Emiratis have been registered although a few are still completing the process despite the fact that the deadline was March 31, Al Qasimi said. A few hundred people who still need to register will be compelled to do so as they will be denied several official transactions, he said.

About 70 government organisations have made it mandatory for Emiratis to present their ID cards in order to access their services. "These include Dubai courts, Dubai Military Hospital, and water and electricity bodies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai," he said.

No shows

About 25 per cent of people who have made an appointment do not show up, Al Qasimi said. "They are spoiling the chance of others and wasting Eida's time," he said.

"Eida does not plan to take any punitive measures such as barring or suspending their registration, but we request people to respect the commitment they have made [in making an appointment]," he said, while hinting that Eida may be compelled to take action if this trend continues.

Expat registration schedule

Category 2: From March 1 to June 18. Students and administrative staff in the private sector (translators, secretaries, typists, storekeepers and receptionists).

Category 3: From June 20 to September 30. Private and public transport drivers and unskilled or semi-skilled workers in the private sector, such as housemaids, cleaners, farmers, fishermen, security guards, watchmen and all other unannounced workers except those in Category 4.

Category 4: From October 1, 2009, to December 31, 2010 Construction workers in the private sector .