National ID cards deadline extended till 2011

The Director General of Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA), Darwish Al Zarouni, when speaking during the Citizens ID Forum, revealed that the although it is still recommended that non-national skilled workers registered for ID cards before the Feb 28th deadline, they would not be denied access to government services, in case they did not register before the stipulated date.

The decision has been taken to make it easier for those who had not registered for National ID Cards, and it was up to the individual when they applied, as long as they had obtained a card by end of 2010.

The expat professionals had earlier been warned that they would be denied access to government services such as opening a bank account, or obtaining a driver’s license or visiting a doctor, if they had missed the deadline. Following this announcement, the registration centres had witnessed chaos with few residents queuing overnight to gain appointments, as they worried about the consequences of not obtaining the ID card on time.

The expat professionals were given time until 31st December to register or face fines and be denied of access to services. This deadline was later pushed back to end of February, with no fines being charged until 2010.

Expat administrative workers, including typists, secretaries, translators, shopkeepers, hotel employees, and employees in tourism industries are due to begin applying from 1st March.

Posted on 16/2/2009

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