UAE’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai has launched a new video calling service to enable tourists, residents and its customers across the world complete visa and other residency-related applications within minutes.
The service, which was announced on Wednesday at the agency’s Annual Media Council in Dubai, is the latest feature on its website and will enable customers interact directly with officers of the GDRFA, complete applications and get issues resolved, all via any mobile device with a front-facing camera. The feature also comes with chat and document upload capabilities.
Chairing the event was Director-General of the GDRFA, Lt Gen. Mohammad Ahmed Al Marri, who praised the effort of the team behind the innovation, emphasised on the agency’s transparency and welcomed customers to use the service in solving any country-specific enquiries.
Also in attendance were other top officials including Maj. Gen. Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Maj. Gen. Talal Ahmed Al Shanqiti, Assistant General Director of Airport Passport Affairs sector.
Speaking to Channels Television, the Director of Customer Happiness Department, Lt. Col. Salem Bin Ali explained that customers can now use this added service, alongside other existing channels including the call centre and the agency’s contact centres across the city.
“It’s a normal video call like any other video call. The officer that will meet you in our centre is on the system, in front of you. He will answer if there’s any problem with the application. He will solve your problem while you are online”, he said.
The launch of the new service which is now operational from morning till 6pm local time, will enable customers to gradually complete all the services provided by GDRFA, thereby reducing physical visits to the GDRFA office.
GDRFA 2022 Successes
The event also saw the agency report on its achievements in the year 2022.
“In 2022, the GDRFA processed 62 million and 244 thousand and 253 transactions, including 46 million, 965 thousand and 715 entry and exit transactions through air, wild and sea ports, up from 37 million and 384 thousands and 28 transactions the previous year,” a statement issued by the GDRFA reads.
A total of 79,617 Golden visas were in 2022, as compared to 47,150 in the previous year.
Additionally, the GDRFA succeeded 99% in its operational plan, with the Customer Happiness Index crossing 96% while the Partner Happiness Index hit 100%.
