If you are qualified to vote for the May 2016 National Elections, you mush register for Absentee Voting first before you can apply for passport renewal. Bring an additional copy of your passport’s data page for Absentee Voting Registration, which will be processed at the same time as your passport renewal request. Requirements Appointment to renew passport Personal appearance (the Consulate entertains requests for passport renewals from Sunday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) Original passport Passport copy and visa copy Requirements for minors (18 years old or younger) Appointment (not required for children ages 5 years old or younger) E-passport Application Form. accomplished by the accompanying parent(s) Copy of child’s passport, data and visa page Copy of accompanying parent(s) passport’s data page Personal appearance of child and parent(s). PROCEDURE How to book an appointment Step 1: Visit dubaipcg.checkappointments.com to set an appointment Step 2: Register using an email address and assign a password to use the service Step 3: Log in and follow instructions on how to proceed with your passport application Step 4: Once you have confirmed your desired appointment, a notification shall be given reconfirming the appointment, along with a detailed guide on requirements, procedures and fees Step 5: Print the confirmation email Renewing your passport Step 1: Get an appointment Step 2: On date of appointment, fill out E-passport Application Form. Step 3: Proceed to Passport Processing Area Step 4: Proceed to Cashier Step 5: Proceed to Passport Encoding Area Step 6: Proceed to Releasing Section on date of release.   To claim your new e-passport, bring your old passport and official receipt. Passports unclaimed after six months from the date of issuance shall be cancelled." byline="staff reporter" caption="Photo for illustrative purposes only." credits="ARCHIVE"]

UAE increases costs of visas and Emirates ID

The fees for issuing Emirates IDs and visas in the UAE have increased. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) acknowledged that its costs had increased by Dh100. According to the agency, the charge hike applies to "all" ICP services. The cost hike applies to Emirates ID, as well as visit and resident permits. Emirates ID will now cost Dh370 rather than Dh270, and a one-month visit visa will cost Dh370 up from Dh270. There have been no modifications to visit visas issued from Dubai, according to travel firms. “We applied for a few visit visas in Dubai today and have not seen any changes yet,” said Bharath Aidasani, managing partner of Pluto Travels. This is the latest in a series of recent reforms to the visa and residency system. Visit visas can no longer be extended within the UAE, forcing holders to leave the country and return on a new visa. In addition, the ICP has reduced the penalties for overstaying visas in the country to Dh50. Overstaying tourists and visitors would be charged Dh50 per day instead of Dh100. Overstaying on a residence visa will cost double – Dh50 per day instead of Dh25. The UAE's most significant entry and residency rules went into force last year. A greatly expanded Golden Visa program, a new five-year Green residence, a multiple-entry tourist visa, and job hunting entrance permits were among the improvements. BKM/ Expat Media
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