Instant national ID cards from next year

Applicants would be able to collect the Emirates ID cards instantly after submitting their applications as the Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) is planning a revamp of the system next year.

The announcement comes as the Eida is facing serious delays in printing and dispatching cards due to a centralised system, which requires cards from the entire country to be printed at one place before dispatching them to applicants’ addresses.

The new system would come into place when the process would be decentralised and cards would be printed instantly at every centre across the country, Gulf News reported.

"Currently, [the] Eida prints more than 84,000 cards a week, at a rate of 12,000 cards or more per day. Because the delivery infrastructure in the country is insufficient and does not coincide with the massive volume of cards being issued, their delivery has however faced delays," Dr Al Khoury said.

"Under this new system, there would be no need for residents to wait till the cards are delivered to them, which is especially important because the IDs are poised to soon become smart cards with access to various services," he added.

When the system is introduced, residents will be able to fill out application forms, submit biometric information like fingerprints and iris scans, and leave with their cards that are printed at Eida centres.

Currently, the procedure requires residents to fill out application forms at authorised typing centres and pay the required fee. They then have to visit an Eida centre at a pre-scheduled appointment time to submit biometric data, and finally either pick up the card from a post office or wait for it to be delivered by courier service.

"In the first phase, we will make the service available for those who wish to renew their IDs, and it will be piloted at selected Eida registration centres before the end of this year. Gradually, we will expand this to those applying for new IDs as well," Dr Al Khoury said.

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