ABU DHABI: The UAE Ministry of Interior, represented by the Naturalization, Residency and Ports Sector, has launched an online service to allow GCC residents and their escort to get their UAE entry permits (visas) via the various ports across the country, through the “Fawri” portal on the ministry’s website www.moi.gov.ae.
These measures are in line with the Ministerial Decree No. 377 of 2014, and in accordance with the required conditions and procedures.
Major General Khalifa Hareb Al-Khaili, assistant undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Naturalization, Residency and Ports, indicated that the new service comes in line with the Ministry of Interior’s keenness to keep pace with technology advances in order to expedite passenger movement at the various ports and streamline the visa issuance procedure for passengers before arriving to the country, ultimately save time and effort for travelers.
He said: “The Naturalization, Residency and Ports Sector constantly seeks to elaborate an advanced method to further keep pace with the development and progress witnessed by the UAE in all areas. ”
He also said that additional smart solutions will be rolled out in the future, in order to provide distinguished services that exceed customers’ expectations in record time and in accordance with the highest advanced standards.
Major General Al-Khaili added: “Launching the online visa issuance service for GCC residents and their escort is a paradigm shift in upgrading services’ efficiency, within an integrated strategy toward smart transformation of services and ensure their availability through the Ministry of Interior’s website and smart phones.”
He added: “This approach is in line with the vision of the government aimed at upgrading services provided to the public and empowering the concept of fast, high-quality services.”
For his part, Lt. Col. Matar Kharbash, head of E-services Department at the Naturalization, Residency and Ports Affairs sector, head of the team supporting smart e-transition at the Naturalization, Residency and Ports Sector, stressed the the Interior Ministry’s diligent pursuit to develop smart e-services so as to enhance public satisfaction while maintaining a high level of professionalism that exceeds all expectations in various police sectors in the country.
This is in line with the smart government initiative aimed at increasing and boosting awareness of government entities about the benefits of mobile phone services and the need to implement the optimal techniques in the provision of government services to improve performance, based on the creativity and innovation factors and consistent with the need to cater to the requirements of all society segments and achieve their aspirations.
Major General Al-Khaili also pointed out that the visit visa is issued at the various ports in the country, in accordance with Article 42 for GCC expats (not obtaining a prior visa or permission), allows him to enter into the territory of the country if he belongs to any of the following categories:
l Businessmen, investors, partners, and company managers and representatives;
l Accountants, Auditors, doctors, engineers, lawyers and legal advisers;
l Public sector workers other than workers and laborers;
l Family members of the above-mentioned individuals or entities and their escort, namely the helpers, and individuals sponsored by them;
l Foreign family members of GCC nationals, their sponsored helpers and escorts;
l GCC truck drivers transporting goods from any of the GCC countries. They are required to submit a sponsor’s letter of no objection (NOC) from the sponsoring entity in the country of issuance;
l Sponsored of citizens who have residence permits in GCC countries.
Online UAE visa service for GCC residents to boost trade
Online UAE visa service for GCC residents to boost trade
CoMotion Global 2025 in Riyadh discusses trends in electric vehicles
RIYADH: The Global CoMotion Summit, CoMotion Global 2025, in Riyadh, is examining the latest trends in electric vehicles, autonomous mobility, artificial intelligence in transportation, smart city solutions, and future supply chains.
The summit, hosted by the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority, commenced on Dec. 7 in the Saudi capital, highlighting the major transformations witnessed in global cities due to the rapid growth of urban technologies and Saudi Arabia’s role in this sector, according to Al-Eqtisadiah.
This specialized international summit focuses on the future of urban mobility and smart cities, bringing together an elite group of decision-makers, leaders from the public and private sectors, experts, investors, and innovators from around the world.
What are the main objectives of the Global CoMotion Summit?
The summit is being held from Dec. 7 to 9 in Riyadh, further cementing its position as a global center for urban innovation and future technologies.
This is thanks to the extensive transformations it is witnessing, integrating the efforts of the summit’s strategic partners, including multiple ministries and government entities.
Together, they are establishing a national system to push forward the development and on-the-ground application of advanced mobility solutions.
The summit’s work began with an opening session attended by Fahd Al-Rasheed, the chairman of the Board of Directors of SCEGA and the Saudi lead for the Urban 20 initiative, and Rumaih Al-Rumaih, the deputy minister of Transport and Logistic Services, and acting president of Transport General Authority.
They reviewed the features of new transformations in urban transport systems and the future of innovation in the sector.
The founder and CEO of CoMotion, John Rossant, said: “Riyadh hosting this edition of the Global CoMotion Summit makes it an exceptional edition, due to the high-level participation it witnesses, including ministers, city leaders, and prominent creative technologists. This sends a clear message that the next decade of transformation in the mobility sector will be shaped on an unprecedented level to redefine the concept of future cities.”
The summit also features the participation of a number of leading global companies in the mobility sector, including Uber, Door to Door, Budget Saudi Arabia, and Changan Almajdouie. They will showcase the latest technologies and solutions in electric vehicles and smart services, reflecting the Kingdom’s rapid adoption of clean, advanced technologies.
The event’s program also includes a series of interactive mobility labs, the launch of the first edition of the “CoMotion City Pioneers Award,” and the inauguration of the “Mayors in Motion” initiative, aimed at enhancing international cooperation in urban innovation, advanced infrastructure, and sustainable mobility.
Showcasing major development projects in Saudi Arabia
In addition, the gathering will highlight the most prominent development projects in Saudi Arabia, including the Riyadh Metro project, models for developing local electric vehicle manufacturing, and the Kingdom’s preparations to host Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, and their role in enhancing future transport infrastructure.
It will also showcase global experiences from Africa, China, and North America, with discussions on the future of conscious cities and the use of smart technologies in managing urban mobility.
Hosting the Global CoMotion Summit 2025 is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to enhance its position in building smarter and more sustainable future cities and driving innovation in the urban transport sector, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
