The Emirates ID — the UAE's identification card system — is continuing to evolve and become more efficient.
In August, officials unveiled a "new generation" Emirates ID that has enhanced protection of non-visible data and increased service life of more than 10 years. It includes a 3D picture using laser-printing technology to show the date of birth of the cardholder.
The latest update on Tuesday from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security will replace residency visa stickers on passports with card — one less process in the application process for expats.
A circular was sent by the authority to departments and airlines who can now verify the residency status through the passport number and Emirates ID.
Here, The National takes a look at what the most recent announcement means for UAE residents.
What's different?
The changes will merge the residence and identity card applications, instead of the previous separate applications.
The new Emirates ID cards will include the details previously stored in the residence sticker.
Once a medical test is passed, residents’ visa status will now be available in the Emirates ID.
The authority also said its smart application provides the possibility to obtain an electronic copy of the identity card.
When will it change?
Authorities said the changeover will happen from April 11.
What are the advantages?
The decision will reduce the paperwork associated with the process of issuing and renewing the residency visa.
The most practical advantage is the visa won't take up a page of your passport.
It will also improve efficiency. Currently, anyone applying for a new residency visa has to submit their passport to have the sticker applied. In some cases, it could take weeks for the process to be completed.
Who does it apply to?
Any foreign resident applying for an Emirates ID.
How will it affect smart gates at the airport?
Smart gates at airports in the UAE now accept biometric passports. If you’re registered for the smart gates, you can pass through by simply looking at the green light on top of the camera to verify your biometrics.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Match info
Who: India v Afghanistan
What: One-off Test match, Bengaluru
When: June 14 to 18
TV: OSN Sports Cricket HD, 8am starts
Online: OSN Play (subscribers only)
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
WWE TLC results
Asuka won the SmackDown Women's title in a TLC triple threat with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
Dean Ambrose won the Intercontinental title against Seth Rollins
Daniel Bryan retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles
Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women's Championship against Nia Jax
Rey Mysterio beat Randy Orton in a chairs match
Finn Balor defeated Drew McIntyre
Natalya beat Ruby Riott in a tables match
Braun Strowman beat Baron Corbin in a TLC match
Sheamus and Cesaro retained the SmackDown Tag Titles against The Usos and New Day
R-Truth and Carmella won the Mixed Match Challenge by beating Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
