As of today (Monday), the federal body for identity, citizenship, customs, and ports security formally announced the commencement of the issuance of UAE passports, which have a 10-year validity period for citizens who are 21 years of age or older.
Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, the authority's director general, emphasized that the updated passport issuance service aims to give the UAE's citizens comfort and a decent standard of living by offering proactive, intelligent services that meet their aspirations and improve their quality of life. He also noted that the authority has been working to ensure that the passport issuance service complies with regulations.
Passport issuance service
it added:"the service of issuing a passport with a validity period of 10 years is based on the strategic goals of the authority approved during the period 2023-2026, especially the seventh goal, which provides for the development of an advanced and proactive system for citizens and Foreigners Affairs, as the authority is committed to achieving the best experience for customers applying for its services through all its channels, in order to achieve a smooth and integrated digital government experience and an innovative model of partnership, in order to achieve the effectiveness and efficiency of services and raise customer happiness.".
Government bureaucratic zeroing program
In support of the government bureaucracy zeroing program, he clarified that passports for UAE citizens aged 21 and over with a 10-year validity period effectively contribute to raising citizens' happiness levels, giving them the freedom to move around and travel comfortably, and improving the community's quality of life in a sustainable way. They also save customers time and effort by nearly halving the procedures and time required for their journey, from two trips per decade to one every ten years.
Validity of the UAE passport
Major General Suhail Juma Al-Khaili, the director general of ID and passports at the authority, for his part, stated that only citizens who are 21 years of age or older may obtain a passport with a 10-year validity period; passports for those under 21 years of age will still be issued with a five-year validity period. He further explained that the new passports will be issued using the same processes, standards, and controls that are currently in place as well as the same service delivery channels.
He went on to say that applications for the new service can be made through the channels authorized by the authority for citizens who fit the requirements and guidelines.
As part of the final phase of the project to develop the new generation of passports and identity cards, which was launched in June 2021, it is noteworthy that the federal authority for identity, citizenship, Customs, and Port Security issued the new generation of the UAE passport. This was done in order to achieve the authority's strategic objectives, as well as to improve national targets and give them international competitiveness.
Strengthening the Emirati identity
The new generation of UAE passports is part of the government's effort to realize its vision, which includes strengthening Emirati identity, staying up to date with passport-issuing technology, and offering cutting-edge services for identifying personal identity in accordance with current international standards.
The latest iteration of the UAE passport boasts unparalleled technical attributes and exceedingly intricate security guidelines to curtail endeavors aimed at counterfeiting or forgery. Additionally, it is distinguished by the utilization of "polycarbonate" material rather than paper for printing the holder's identification page, thereby augmenting the effectiveness of specialized printing bolstered by images and security markings imperceptible to the unaided eye. Its thickness, on the other hand, precludes any potential damage and facilitates easy processing through readers at outlets. Lastly, the new generation of UAE passports is exclusive in that it prints with exceptional quality and speed when employing laser technology and incorporating three-dimensional felt elements.
Enhancing the TRA's efforts to meet various security and safety requirements when traveling or transiting through international travel points and supporting the diplomatic efforts of the UAE, which has been successful in highlighting the strength of the UAE passport over the past years, to become the strongest passport globally, will be made possible by raising the security standards of the UAE passport and providing it with industry-leading technical specifications in the field of travel.
Notably, passport holders can apply for passports while overseas through their nation's embassies and consulates, but they must confirm the validity of their documents for at least six months before to departure.
With a ten-year validity period, the UAE passport gives citizens the freedom to travel and move around freely while also enhancing society's standard of living in a sustainable manner.
