DIFC highlights biometrics service to cut residency visa wait

The UAE residency visa process is being given a boost via collaboration between the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and biometric and medical fitness results provider Smart Salem, who are seeking to cut three weeks off the waiting time to obtain the mandatory Emirates Identity card.

Located in a facility at Index Tower, DIFC, the collaboration is guaranteeing same or next-day biometric appointments to expedite the residency visa process.

The service aims to cut the time it takes to process the Emirates ID by up to three weeks. Using automation, robotics and smart technologies, the service also aims to provide medical fitness results within 30 minutes of screening.

Alya Al Zarouni, chief operating officer at DIFC Authority, said: "At DIFC, we are passionate about providing seamless services to enhance convenience of our visitors and the more than 39,000 professionals that work here. Smart Salem services which can be accessed through DIFC Services, plays a pivotal role in improving the DIFC experience for our growing community as it utilises the latest in tech and healthcare to streamline UAE residency visa processes."

Sanjay Verma, CEO of Smart Salem, said: "We are proud to collaborate with DIFC and the GDRFA in delivering a seamless and digital visa journey for residents in the Emirate. A Medical Fitness test is an essential step for anyone wishing to get residency, and we are significantly enriching that end-to-end experience for all residents and property investors."

Smart Salem has facilities at DIFC, Dubai Knowledge Park and City Walk, Dubai, and states that more than 100,000 customers have availed residency services and completed medical tests across its three centres over the past 12 months. The centres are fully digital and paperless.