Now get UAE residence permits on your smartphone

Mohammed Alaa, Staff Reporter

The Federal Authority for Identity and Nationality (ICA) provides the service of issuing residence permits round the clock, through its website “ica.gov.ae” and electronic application, “ica uae smart”, without the need to visit any of its centres.

The service is obtained through 6 steps. First, the applicant has to log in to one of the two digital channels, set up a digital identity account, or access electronic services in case of prior registration.

Then he has to select the service of “Issuing a residence permit”, then he has to ‘submit’ the needed documents, review and update the data. He then has to pay the fees, and finally submit the application for issuing an ID card. He has to deliver his passport to the delivery company, where the residency sticker is stuck on the passport, which is delivered to him through the firm.

ICA also provides the service of issuing a virtual work residence permit, on its website and electronic app, through 5 steps starting with logging in to the personal account or digital identity. Then he has to select the targeted service (Residence) and sub-service (A virtual work resident sponsor) and then select the type of procedure (Residence issuance), and fill in the data, upload the attachments, revise the application, and finally pay the fees.

The ICA updated its electronic application and integrated the identity, citizenship and residency services into a unified application, ICA UAE SMART, which is available on electronic application stores.

An earlier report said the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) announced the closure of Al Karama Happiness Centre effective from Thursday 1st July 2021, and its relocation, including all its services, to the new headquarters at Al Ghazal Shopping Center located in 2nd December Street at Al Bada`a area, Dubai.

The new headquarters will deliver its services to the public effective from Sunday 4th Jul 2021 from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm.

This decision is pursuant to ICA endeavour to enhance the continuity of improving and developing its services delivered via its centres spanned across all Emirates in a way that will positively promote the customer experience.

In March 2021, the Cabinet approved initiatives and decisions in the context of enhancing the business environment in the UAE, attracting minds and achievements, increasing the competitiveness of the tourism sector and supporting the national economy by creating the first virtual work residence permit of its kind in the region.