Plan to deliver ID 'within minutes'

Applicants for the UAE national identity card could see their ordeal of waiting for weeks to get their card come to an end soon when ID authorities enforce a plan to deliver the card in just a few minutes.

The Emirates Identity Authority (Eida), which is overseeing a landmark ID project for all UAE residents, said described the delay in delivering ID cards to thousands of applicants as a major challenge that had to be addressed.

“Eida has gone a long way in addressing this problem,” Eida Ali Mohammed Al  Khoury said after an Authority meeting on Tuesday.

“We are in the process of creating what is termed as decentralised typing centres…four such centres will be set up on a trial basis soon…they will allow applicants to receive their cards within minutes.”

Khoury gave no details of the new project which is part of ongoing plans by Eida to upgrade services and complete the registration of all nationals and expatriates. The plan to expedite the card delivery followed complaints about delays in receiving the card and warnings by Eida that it would destroy the document if applicants fail to receive it within a month after being notified.