Mobile immigration office will help expatriates to avoid long queues

DUBAI // Visa applicants can hire a free "mobile office" that will come to their homes or offices to process immigration documents.

It is expected to save expatriates from braving long queues at government facilities.

The vehicle, which processed its first transactions last week, is currently free to hire for the next two months, officials said yesterday. It was launched by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners' Affairs in a bid to improve customer service.

"People can just request the car and it will come to their offices or their homes," said Lt Col Khalid Nasser al Razooqi, the directorate's assistant director for electronic services. "It can do the majority of transactions which are currently done by our head office."

The free-hire period was meant to publicise the service while the project was still in its marketing phase. The costs associated with normal visa processing would still apply. A final price for hiring the vehicle was still under discussion, Lt Col al Razooqi said.

Services currently available through the mobile office include paperwork relating to visa applications, renewals and cancellation as well as Emirates ID card renewals. More services are being considered for the future.

The vehicle, with its staff of one official and one driver, was dispatched for the first time last Monday to process 49 visa renewals and one new visa application.

The service operates from 8am to 8pm, and bookings can be made on 800 5111.

mcroucher@thenational.ae