The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) announced on Wednesday significant changes to the application process for passports for Emiratis, and Emirates ID and residency permits for expatriates. The streamlined process now reduces previously required four steps to a single step. This enhancement is part of the UAE’s ongoing Zero Government Bureaucracy program aimed at simplifying government interactions for the public.
“The aspirations and needs of customers come at the forefront of the Authority’s priorities,” Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, ICP Director General, emphasized. He noted that the simplified processes are not only more efficient but also elevate customer satisfaction levels.
In the revamped system, the number of fields required in service requests has been significantly cut. For passport services, only six fields remain from the original ten. For ID and residence services, only four fields are necessary, with the system automatically populating them based on previously provided data. Furthermore, the need for certain attachments like personal photos has been eliminated, streamlining the submission process even more.
The ICP has also upgraded its payment system by integrating smart payment options such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, reducing the time spent on payment data entries.
The changes, which also include automatic retrieval of necessary documents like health insurance for residents through institutional links, reflect the UAE’s commitment to reducing bureaucratic hurdles and improving the efficiency of its governmental services.