The GDRFA in Dubai launches a new service of automatic passport renewal for Emirati citizens 6 months before the expiry date

The Identity and Citizenship Division at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai is pursuing its outstanding performance to provide the highest level of government services to the citizens. The latest of these distinguished services is the proactive renewal of the Emirati citizens’ passports which are about to expire, specifically six months before their expiry. Their new passports are then delivered at their doorstep.

Within the implementation framework of this new service, the GDRFA in Dubai uses artificial intelligence techniques to classify passports according to the remaining period of validity in order to notify the staff regarding the passports that are about to expire in order to proceed to the automatic renewal. Then, a staff member contacts the UAE passport holder to make sure that his / her residence address is the same before directly sending the new passport. There is thus no need for the citizen physical presence or the need for him/her to deal with formalities.

His Excellency Lieutenant General Mohamed Ahmed Al Marri, General Director of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, indicated that the new service, which was called “Your Renewed Passport at your doorstep”, has undergone a trial period for over two weeks, during which the department renewed near expired 90 passports, that were all handed over to their owners. The service, like many other services, was very well received by the beneficiaries as it greatly facilitates life of Emirati citizens.

This new governmental service, which was officially launched on November 22, 2021, adds yet another level to the distinguished government services level provided by the United Arab Emirates to citizens, especially those provided by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai. In fact, UAE ranks first in speed of passports issuance worldwide with a time of 8 minutes and 42 seconds. The department also provides many smart and pioneering services and achieves the highest levels of happiness among customers. Thanks to the great efforts of all staff members and officials, the department was recently able to win 4 out of 8 institutional awards granted by the Dubai Government Excellence Program for the year 2021.