Dubai Launches Video Conference Service For Visa Applications

Dubai has launched a new video calling service, which will help tourists, residents and its customers to complete their visa applications within minutes from anywhere in the world.

The UAE's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai announced Wednesday that the new service can be used if visa officers discover a document is missing or unclear, or need additional information from the applicant to issue the visa.

GDRFA Director General Mohammed Al Marri also said the service can be used in the issuance and renewal of all kinds of visas, including residency, golden and green, and visit visas.

"Sometimes, there are pending transactions that require the customer to come to the building," he said. "The new service will allow people to see and speak directly to an officer to solve the problem."

"Amar call center is for enquiries before applying, but the video conference service will be for people who have already submitted an application, and there has been a delay," he added.

The video conference allows visa applicants to upload the necessary documents or photos via the chat box, while having an online meeting with the officer, making the process simpler and faster.

"The officer will review the missing or unclear documents to attach them to complete the transaction. This service will cut time and make the process simpler for customers," said Al Marri.

Director of Customer Happiness Department, Lt. Col. Salem Bin Ali, also explained that people can use the added service alongside other existing channels, including the agency's contact centers across the city.

"It's a normal video call like any other video call. The officer that will meet you in our center 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.

Customers can use the video conferencing service seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. It is accessible both by people living in the UAE and those abroad.

Al Marri also revealed there are plans to make the service available 24/7 in the future. "We will have zero visitors after launching the service," he said.