UAE- Typing centres turn down applicants 

(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) Several typing centres in Dubai refused to take Emirates ID applications on Tuesday as a last-minute rush burdened service providers.


"We already have a backlog of applications and we can't take any more applications," said a typing centre representative who did not wish to be named.

Khaleej Times tried to contact several typing centres listed on the Emirates ID website but most of the calls were unanswered. One of the typing centres asked for the passport to be kept at the centre for a few hours, which is illegal.

"Sorry, we are not taking any more applications for Emirates ID. You will have to check at other typing centres," said a representative at a typing centre on Shaikh Zayed Road.

While the ID deadline has triggered a rush at the typing centres, processing times have increased as a single application takes anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes.

"There is nothing we can do. We already have a lot of pending applications and it will take at least two to three days to clear the backlog," said a representative at a typing centre in the Jumeirah area.

Mohammed, an expatriate living in Al Barsha, expressed his disappointment as he said, "I have tried going to different typing centres and I can't find any centre that is willing to take new applications."

A fine of Dh20 per day for not registering for the Emirates ID card will apply from June 1.

Lubna Al Zakwani, GCC national, was upset to have wasted a whole day with no outcome, "I'm a GCC citizen, and my requirements are not clear. I've been trying to apply since 9am."

"After a while, typing centres are all claiming that the system is down and there is nothing they can do about it, so we had to leave, and I will be trying again the next day. I've wasted a full day running around," she added.