Emiratis can renew passports online while abroad

 Emadeldin Khalil, Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has on Sunday announced through its official account on Twitter, that the UAE nationals while abroad can apply for a passport renewal or emergency passport, if the passport is lost online via “ www.mofa.gov.ae , or contact the call centre at 80044444 without the need to visit the embassy.

The procedures for renewing the passport, through the embassy, include the passport, six personal photographs, and Dhs55 renewal fees, besides a document illustrating the reason for the applicant’s presence abroad. In case of loss of passport, a passport copy will be required, besides the ID card, family book, passport loss certificate certified by the embassy, and Dhs150 or equivalent of foreign currency.

The ministry called on citizens abroad to access the Ministry’s website to identify smart services and the easy procedures.

Last December, in a new historic achievement, the UAE passport became the strongest passport and now ranked first globally.

The exceptional achievement on 1st December, 2018, coincided with the ‘Year of Zayed’ and country’s 47th National Day, and was added to country’s numerous accomplishments in various domains.

The UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has surpassed all expectations after accomplishing this achievement.

This success was achieved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

In his remarks on the occasion, Sheikh Abdullah said, “This achievement is a true reflection of the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father of the UAE. It also underscores what can be achieved through positive diplomacy, reflecting the UAE as a confident and engaged force at the global stage.”

The UAE passport was ranked first by Passport Index, an interactive online tool that provides users with insights on passports with the ability to compare and rank the world’s passports. The ranking is based on freedom of movement and visa-free travel to passport holders.

The UAE passport holder can travel to 167 countries without the need for pre-visa requirements, which is 84 per cent of the number of countries listed in the index.