The Federal Naturalization and Residency Department of the UAE since August of this year begins to fingerprint all resident visa applicants to prevent people with a criminal past from officially residing in the country. “Starting in August, all resident visa applicants will be required to undergo fingerprinting as part of a new biometric system that allows for more accurate identification and prevents any kind of fraud,” said Major General Nasser Al- Avadi Al-Minkhali.
The new rule applies to all applicants, including those who apply for a resident visa renewal. Applicants will be fingerprinted before a medical examination. A referral for a medical examination will be issued only to those applicants whose identity will not arouse suspicion in the department. "The petitioners, for whom there are any offenses, will be referred to law enforcement agencies. Today, even without a biometric system, we periodically identify offenders," the Major General told the press.
He did not indicate exactly how the fingerprints would be taken, saying only that the process would take place in the offices of the Federal Department of Naturalization and Residence of the UAE throughout the UAE.
