Dubai: The move to include passport-sized photographs with every visa application will enhance the safety and security of the country, said a senior official.
Residents applying for any kind of entry permit to the UAE will have to provide passport photographs of the people they want to bring in with the application, Brigadier Mohammad Salem Bin Owaida Al Khaili, Director General of the Naturalisation and Residency Department, said.
According to a decision issued by the department, which took effect on August 21, three passport photographs must be provided with every visa transaction. Brig Al Khaili told Gulf News: "All those who are applying for any kind of visa must include recent colour passport size photographs, which must be clear. The move has been taken to enhance safety and security. We want to prevent forgery."
Brig Al Khaili said some people try to enter the country using forged visas. Some others try to enter the country using others' passports. A visa is issued in a specific person's name but another person attempts to enter the country using that visa.
"There are people who try to abuse the entry permits in one way or another. This will help in curbing the problem," Brig Al Khaili said. "The photo is a must now and it is a kind of assurance that the person in the passport is the same as the person who has been issued the visa."
He said that in Abu Dhabi and in some other emirates the facility of applying for a visa online is not available yet. "We are working under the directions of Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior, who is keen on offering the best services to all residents in the country," he said.
SPECIFICATIONS
Photographs needed for every visa transaction
Those who want to apply for visas in person must include with the application three recent colour passport-sized photos of the person being brought into the country. People applying for visas on line (through Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department) must attach a picture for every visa transaction. Picture specifications: Dimensions: 4.3 cm x 5.5 cm; File Size: should be 40 KB; File Type: jpeg; Coloured and clear.
Many are not aware of the rule
Nihal Ahmad who runs a typing centre said many people applying for visas are not aware of the new rules. "They come from distant emirates to Dubai to apply for a visa here. We ask them for three passport photos for a visit visa application, but they say they do not have them. They return angry with us because they come from far away and they were not able to apply for the visa," he said. "The public should have been informed before the decision was implemented." Amal Ali, a residents, said earlier they used to be asked to include a passport photo with the visa transaction but it was not compulsory.
