Dubai visa: Now, residents can renew permit within minutes as authority launches new platform
Residents can now renew their visa easily as the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) launched a new AI-powered digital platform.
Through the platform Salama, residents can complete their visa renewal within minutes. They can also download the updated document directly from the platform, eliminating paperwork and long wait times.
Once a user logs in, AI automatically recognises their details, displays their dependent’s visa status, and highlights the remaining days before expiration.
The applicant can then select the renewal duration, and the system processes the request instantly.
The platform streamlines the renewal of residency visas for family members with just a few clicks.
Previously, the renewal process would take between one to three hours, depending on document completeness. Ghaleb Abdullah Mohammed Hassan Al-Majid, Director of the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Department, noted, “Now, it has been reduced to just one to two minutes, when all provided documents are in order.”
He also clarified that this service currently applies only to residents’ visa renewals. “The first phase focuses on renewals and cancellations for residents, with plans for the second phase to expand services for visitors, tourists, and other GDRFA services in the future,” he added.
Regarding business renewal processes, Al-Majid mentioned, “The service will eventually be available for companies as well, with the smart channel and the GDRFA DXP application being utilised in future phases. We are constantly evolving to keep pace with AI and technological advancements.”
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, General Director of GDRFA Dubai, emphasised the importance of this digital transformation, stating, “We believe that digital transformation is not merely about developing services; it is about redefining the customer experience to enhance government performance and achieve our visionary leadership’s goal of providing easier and smoother services. The ‘Salama’ AI Platform reflects our ongoing commitment to adopting the latest technologies to enhance the quality of life in Dubai.”
