Latest news with #UAEPass
Hi Dubai
28-05-2025
- Health
- Hi Dubai
MoHAP Launches Digital Sick Leave Attestation to Streamline Healthcare Services
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has rolled out a fully digital system for issuing and attesting sick leave and medical reports, marking a key step in the UAE's Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme. The move is designed to cut transaction times, boost efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction by allowing individuals to manage sick leave attestations through MoHAP's website or smart app using the UAE Pass. Fees are paid electronically, and the process has been tailored to reduce delays and paperwork. Under the new system, sick leaves of up to five days are attested automatically. Requests for longer periods are reviewed by a medical committee, with decisions issued within one working day. Leaves extending beyond one month require approval from the Supreme Medical Committee, while those between six and thirty days are assessed by a subcommittee. All attestation requests must be submitted within one month of the sick leave being issued. The service covers both private and government healthcare providers and applies to sick leaves issued inside or outside the UAE. For documents from abroad, prior attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is mandatory. Abdullah Ahli, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services, said the platform reflects the Ministry's push toward smart, customer-centric healthcare solutions. 'We aim to eliminate procedural complexities and deliver credible, fast-track services,' he said. Amal Al Marzooqi, Director of the Customer Happiness Department, highlighted that the system is built for speed, flexibility, and transparency. 'Our priority is to build trust in digital healthcare services and meet future expectations through innovation,' she said. The initiative supports the UAE's broader vision of integrated, smart governance and a seamless public service experience. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Rise of fintech: A new era of smart innovative services
The UAE is racing towards a fully digital future, transforming how people access government services and reshaping everyday experiences across sectors like banking, telecom, healthcare, and hospitality. Driven by its bold vision for smart governance, the nation is harnessing the power of fintech and cutting-edge technologies to make services faster, simpler, and more accessible. 'For Parkin, this shift meant fully digitising our entire ecosystem — covering everything from payments and fines to permits, subscriptions, and tickets. Today, customers can access our services seamlessly through the Parkin mobile app, our website, and integrated government platforms such as the RTA app, RTA website, and Dubai Now app,' says Engineer Ahmed Al Zaabi, Director of Technology and Innovation at Parkin, in an interview with BTR. 'The goal is to simplify public services, reduce friction, and bring time and convenience back to residents. Parkin's use of cloud-based technology powered by green energy also reflects the country's emphasis on sustainability within digital transformation. This aligns with Dubai's Digital Strategy, which aims to digitalise all aspects of life in Dubai, establishing a reliable and robust digital system that enhances the digital economy and empowers a digitally-driven society.' This evolution is not just about making government services available online — it's about fundamentally rethinking how services are delivered. Alexander Khanin, Founder of Polynome Group and Machines Can See Summit, notes: 'The UAE's approach to digitalisation has led to creating a fully integrated proactive ecosystem. Today, digital services are not just reactive; they anticipate citizen needs and personalise interactions across sectors. The shift toward a seamless, service-driven, and user-centered model has made accessing government services faster, more intuitive, and more aligned with daily life. This transformation reflects the UAE's broader ambition to become not only a digital hub, but a global leader in citizen-centric governance powered by AI and emerging technologies.' A prime example of this proactive model is seen in Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's (Dewa) adoption of the 'Services 360' policy. Aysha Al Dhuhoori, Deputy Senior Manager - Artificial Intelligence at Dewa, explains: 'DEWA has adopted Dubai's 'Services 360' policy across all its services in the energy and water sectors to ensure they are seamless, proactive, and integrated, thereby improving customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. The implementation has yielded tangible results, including full automation and a complete transition to self-services that require no physical presence.' 'The policy focuses on digital-first, proactive, and integrated approaches to make government services more efficient and customer-centric. It ensures services are available in real-time through a unified digital identity (UAE Pass), anticipates customer needs, and improves communication. The policy connects databases across government entities, minimising the data required from customers, and provides round-the-clock service channels tailored to their preferences,' she added. Complementing these efforts, Salem Al Shamsi, Director, Shared Services Applications Department, Digital Dubai Government Establishment, highlights another innovation: 'The Smart Employee application, by Digital Dubai, now includes an AI-powered talent acquisition service. The AI analyses the candidates' CVs based on the job description they have applied for, evaluating their skills, education, and overall suitability for the role. Based on this analysis, HR professionals and recruiters can easily assess whether a candidate is a good fit for the position and proceed accordingly. Currently, around 80 government entities are using the Smart Employee application, and this new service is being gradually rolled out to different entities as part of our expansion plan.' Elevating Customer Experience 'Fintech has been a key driver of digital transformation in the UAE,' added Al Zaabi. 'The growing use of contactless payment solutions like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and buy-now-pay-later platforms such as Tabby has reshaped how people engage with public services.' At Parkin, fintech adoption has enabled a critical shift away from legacy systems reliant on physical cash collection, transitioning toward real-time digital payment processing. This not only streamlined financial operations but also elevated the customer experience by making transactions instant and effortless. 'It has empowered us to design smarter services — such as AutoPay and AutoRenewal — easily managed through the Parkin Wallet,' Al Zaabi said. Today, Parkin boasts that over 92% of its transactions are cashless, processing more than 400,000 mobile transactions daily. The tap-to-pay convenience is made possible by integrating smart payment technologies, wallet systems, and contactless infrastructure across multiple platforms, including the Parkin App, RTA channels, and Dubai Now. Users can easily handle dynamic ticket renewals, scheduled bookings, and automatic payments for shared mobility providers like ekar, Udrive, and Yaldi. 'Our systems are underpinned by a secure, scalable cloud infrastructure that ensures speed, reliability, and a seamless user experience,' Al Zaabi said, highlighting the critical role technology plays behind the scenes. Similarly, Khanin added, 'Behind the everyday simplicity of 'tap-and-go' payments lies a sophisticated ecosystem. Digital identity platforms like UAE PASS, combined with a robust network of payment systems — such as Apple Pay, Noqodi, and others — create a unified, secure environment for transactions. Importantly, this entire framework is underpinned by strong cybersecurity standards, continuous monitoring, and multi-level redundancy systems to ensure resilience against threats.' Across other sectors, digital transformation is equally profound. Al Dhuhoori explained how the authority has leveraged digital technologies and integrated systems to raise the bar for quality and reliability in service delivery. This effort has birthed initiatives such as the Actual Load Profiles Simulator (ALPS), an AI-driven platform that uses weather data to accurately simulate solar energy generation without needing individual meters. 'This improves efficiency, reduces losses, and supports renewable energy integration,' Al Dhuhoori said. Building on this, Al Dhuhoori highlighted how digital innovation is also empowering customers. 'Dewa provides many digital services and smart tools to help customers better understand and manage their electricity and water consumption. Dewa's 'Smart Living' dashboard enables customers to monitor their daily, monthly, and yearly consumption, while the 'My Sustainable Living Programme' allows them to compare their consumption with similar homes with a high degree of energy efficiency. It also provides customised tips for customers to manage their consumption efficiently,' she added. Customer engagement has also been transformed with the help of Dewa's virtual assistant, 'Rammas for You'. Powered by AI and enhanced with ChatGPT capabilities, Rammas provides multilingual support across Dewa's website and smart app. 'Rammas simulates a live agent, learning from every interaction to better understand and address customer needs,' Al Dhuhoori noted. Customers can either select from menu options or ask direct questions, with Rammas offering transactional services, linking users to complete procedures, and even incorporating a self-evaluation system to continuously enhance its learning. Highlighting the success of these digital efforts, Al Dhuhoori shared, 'Providing all our services through the website and smart app enabled customers to complete more than 14 million digital transactions in 2024, marking a 12% increase compared to 2023. The digital transactions conducted by Dewa customers included over two million transactions via the website, more than 4.8 million through its smart app and over 7.2 million via various digital channels that Dewa provides in collaboration with its partners.' In line with these achievements, Dewa scored 98.6% in the Dubai Government Instant Happiness Index by the Dubai Digital Authority, while customer satisfaction, as measured by the Dubai Government Excellence Programme, stood at an impressive 97.01%. Furthermore, Dewa has scored 100% in the International Digital Customer Experience Standard (IDCXS:2022) certificate since its first assessment in 2022. Beyond customer service, Dewa is deploying AI across internal operations. Initiatives such as Distribution Automation support smart grid operations, while AI agents manage material insights, billing, HR services, legislation guidance, and employee learning. 'We are using artificial intelligence to not only enhance service provision but also improve government efficiency at every level,' Al Dhuhoori emphasised. A Unified Vision for a Digital Future The UAE is quickly establishing itself as a global benchmark for public payment digitisation, driven by a forward-thinking, integrated approach. 'The UAE is well on its way to becoming a global benchmark in public payment digitisation. What makes its model unique is the whole-of-government approach — aligning policy, technology, and execution under a unified vision,' according to Al Zaabi. Government initiatives such as the Paperless Government Mandate, unified platforms like Dubai Now, and integrated mobility solutions — particularly the model used by Parkin — all highlight the UAE's unwavering commitment to innovation. Al Zaabi emphasised the country's emphasis on providing a seamless, customer-centric experience: 'Our ability to offer multi-service functionality — from parking and car washing to EV charging and valet — within a single app delivers a seamless user experience. The UAE's emphasis on innovation, customer-centric design, and sustainability is what truly sets its approach apart globally,' Al Zaabi added. Looking ahead, the UAE's digital transformation journey shows no signs of slowing down. The next wave will see an increased focus on personalisation, AI-driven automation, and deeper ecosystem integration. For Parkin, this future includes 'smarter mobility features like predictive parking availability, enhanced integration with shared mobility providers, and real-time decision-making dashboards,' Al Zaabi revealed. Moreover, the company is expanding its offerings to create a true one-stop-shop experience. 'We're also expanding our service offering to allow users to manage everything from parking and valet bookings to vehicle maintenance, EV charging, and car washing — all within a single app.'
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Here's how foreign workers can apply for work permits in UAE
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) has issued a fresh reminder to employers across the country: companies must obtain the appropriate work permits before hiring foreign workers. The move is part of the government's broader effort to streamline recruitment while safeguarding the integrity of the UAE labour market. The work permit system is designed to facilitate the legal employment of overseas professionals and is essential for companies seeking to bring international talent into the private sector. The ministry has simplified the permit application process, allowing employers to apply electronically through the Mohre website using either login credentials or UAE Pass digital identity. Once the application is submitted, it undergoes compliance checks by Mohre. If approved, an entry permit is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), enabling the worker to enter the country. Upon arrival, the worker must complete medical tests, register for an Emirates ID, and proceed with the issuance of a formal employment contract through Mohre. Crucially, a signed job offer must accompany the initial application. The ministry reiterated that employing individuals on a visit visa is illegal and carries severe penalties ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million. Authorities stress that violators will face strict legal action. Mohre also reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing smart services, with the goal of making the UAE labour market more flexible and competitive. Currently, there are 13 types of work permits tailored for various private sector employment schemes. To ensure a smooth application process, employers must provide: A recent, colour photograph with white background A passport valid for at least six months A job offer signed by both parties Relevant academic certificates, based on the role's skill level A professional license for regulated professions (e.g., doctors, teachers) National ID copies for workers from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran Skill levels are classified from 1 to 9, with documentation requirements ranging from a Bachelor's degree to no formal education for lower levels. To be eligible for a work permit, companies must hold a valid electronic quota and an active trade licence free of violations. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and the request must be submitted by an authorised company representative. Applicants must also not have any existing active work permit. Fee Structure The application fee is set at Dh50. The cost for a two-year work permit depends on the employment category: Category 1: Dh250 Category 2: Dh1,200 Category 3: Dh3,450 Additional charges may apply for service centres, capped at Dh72 per service. Tracking and Support Employers can track applications via the Mohre website, the Mohre Smart App, or by contacting the call centre at 600590000. A chatbot is also available for assistance. The initiative is part of the UAE's continued effort to modernise its labour regulations and attract skilled global talent in a transparent and lawful manner.
The National
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
How the UAE's Twajudi service helps keep Emiratis safe abroad
A long-standing ban on UAE citizens travelling to Lebanon is to be lifted from Wednesday as part of a push to strengthen diplomatic ties between the countries. The decision was announced on Sunday, days after President Sheikh Mohamed and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held talks in Abu Dhabi. The UAE government said citizens who wished to visit Lebanon – flights from Abu Dhabi or Dubai take less than four hours – must register on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Twajudi app before travelling. But what is Twajudi and what assistance does it provide to Emiratis abroad? Overseas support Twajudi – which translates to "where I am located" – is an online portal in which Emiratis can register before travelling abroad to ensure they have access to the support of UAE embassies and consulates. Emiratis can register through the ministry's website, using the UAE Pass app. They are asked to provide details about the destination they are travelling to, the start and end date of their trip and how many people they are travelling with. The service is free of charge. It allows authorities to communicate with citizens in case an emergency situation breaks out in the country they are visiting, as well as more easily facilitating their repatriation to the Emirates if required. Twajudi proved to be an important resource during the Covid-19 pandemic, offering crucial assistance to citizens who were abroad as travel restrictions were put in place. It is also used by citizens taking part in Hajj each year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it received about 5,000 calls, 1,880 of which were emergency reports, regarding Emiratis who were overseas in the summer of 2024. Seven air and eight land transport operations were co-ordinated with the UAE National Guard and health authorities nationwide for critical medical cases, state news agency Wam reported last year. Lebanon travel requirements UAE citizens must register in the Twajudi portal before visiting Lebanon, whether they are flying directly from airports in the UAE, or from any other country. Those wishing to travel are prohibited from leaving before completing their registration. Citizens must specify their place of residence in Lebanon, update information if it changes, and specify emergency contact numbers and the reason for their visit.
The National
02-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Best photos of May 2: Sandstorm in Syria to Papal conclave preparations
Director: S Sashikanth Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan Star rating: 2/5 Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA Submit their request Fly it within visual line of sight Never over populated areas Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night Should have a live feed of the drone flight Drones must weigh 5 kg or less Visit for more information Name: HyperSpace Started: 2020 Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez Based: Dubai, UAE Sector: Entertainment Number of staff: 210 Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners Creator: Mike White Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell Rating: 4.5/5 Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm Transmission: Eight-speed auto Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km On sale: December Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate) • Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It's e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps. • Business Bay's Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile. • Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online 'easier, faster and smoother' via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale. • 2checkout's 'all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account' accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users. • PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone's signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction. GOLF'S RAHMBO - 5 wins in 22 months as pro - Three wins in past 10 starts - 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s - Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year) - 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth) Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses Seek professional advice from a legal expert You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation's dedicated hotline In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union. It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party. Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives. After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy. Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024. The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court. Moment of the day Given the problems Sri Lanka have had in recent times, it was apt the winning catch was taken by Dinesh Chandimal. He is one of seven different captains Sri Lanka have had in just the past two years. He leads in understated fashion, but by example. His century in the first innings of this series set the shock win in motion. Stat of the day This was the ninth Test Pakistan have lost in their past 11 matches, a run that started when they lost the final match of their three-Test series against West Indies in Sharjah last year. They have not drawn a match in almost two years and 19 matches, since they were held by England at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi in 2015. The verdict Mickey Arthur basically acknowledged he had erred by basing Pakistan's gameplan around three seam bowlers and asking for pitches with plenty of grass in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Why would Pakistan want to change the method that has treated them so well on these grounds in the past 10 years? It is unlikely Misbah-ul-Haq would have made the same mistake. Ministry of InteriorMinistry of DefenceGeneral Intelligence DirectorateAir Force Intelligence AgencyPolitical Security DirectorateSyrian National Security BureauMilitary Intelligence DirectorateArmy Supply BureauGeneral Organisation of Radio and TVAl Watan newspaperCham Press TV Sama TV This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country's most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. In Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth Out Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research Hala Noaman 'Basiso Lattouf', Minister of Social Development Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins Favourite dish: Grilled fish Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges. The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000 Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000 Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000 Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000 Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent Engine: 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 Transmission: eight-speed automatic Power: 626bhp Torque: 900Nm Price: Dh1,050,000 On sale: now Director: Jared Hess Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa Rating: 3/5 Updated: May 02, 2025, 10:27 AM
