UAE PASS to be sole digital identity to access government services in Dubai

The UAE PASS will soon become the only digital identity for all residents of Dubai, including citizens and expats, to access government services within the emirate as well as other parts of the country.

It will replace the Dubai ID which was required until now to access online government services in Dubai.

The Strategic Affairs Council, a division of The Executive Council of Dubai, adopted the UAE PASS policy in Dubai as of May 1, 2020.

Smart Dubai activated an initiative called The Digital Future, developed as part of its 100-day plan for the “Government Development Track” – one of the six tracks announced by the Dubai Council, which was inaugurated at the beginning of 2020 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

DubaiID is retiring tomorrow! Make sure to upgrade to #UAEPASS with these simple steps, to continue accessing online services not only in Dubai but also across the #UAE. Download UAE PASS app and upgrade now; https://t.co/Y17bVPk1LL #SmartDubai pic.twitter.com/ZupJ0LoqMl

— Smart Dubai (@SmartDubai) May 14, 2020

The new initiative has the potential to drive development across the government service ecosystem; enhance communication between local and federal entities on one hand, and the private sector on the other, as well as grant citizens and residents access to government and private-sector services.

UAE PASS provides an authorised digital ID through smartphones and includes a digital signature feature allowing users to sign official documents, reported official news agency WAM.

Users can access more than 5,000 government services using a single username and password.

The service has already been adopted by 200,000 individuals.

Read: UAEPASS app to allow verification, digital signing for gov transactions

Smart Dubai will work on developing plans to implement the system in the emirate and oversee its implementation across government entities.

It will further develop the system and outline frameworks to operate it

Smart Dubai is also tasked with authorising system operators in Dubai and ensuring that it is being used in compliance with its pre-determined conditions.

“Today, as we launch a policy for the UAE PASS being the official gateway to access all Dubai Government services, we reap the fruits of years of hard work,” said Dr. Aisha bint Butti bin Bishr, Director General of Smart Dubai, on Saturday May 16.

“In partnership with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, the UAE PASS project was launched in 2018 to support our wise leadership’s vision to build future-ready smart cities. It is in line with their plans for digital transformation and supports the Dubai Paperless Strategy,” added Dr. Aisha.

There are 29 federal government entities, 22 Dubai government bodies, and 31 entities from the six of the remaining emirates, as well as 10 private-sector entities which have already implemented the UAE PASS as part of their digital transactions.

In Dubai, these entities include Dubai Economy, Dubai Police, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Knowledge and Human Development Authority, General Directorate of Civil Defence in Dubai, Dubai Land Department, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Courts, Roads and Transport Authority, Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Culture, National Bonds Corporation, Dubai Asset Management, Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Maritime City Authority, among others.

Outside of Dubai, the departments which are using the service include Fujairah Police, Fujairah Municipality, Sharjah Economic Development Department, Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, Ministry of Infrastructure Development, and Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology, among others.

The UAE Central Bank already adopted the initiative in September 2019, allowing all customers to accelerate the process of opening an account remotely, without needing to physically visit the bank.

“The directives to adopt UAE Pass in Dubai indicate the digital leadership of Dubai and the UAE as a whole, and it reflects the rapid progress towards a digital wellbeing future, that takes into account the happiness of society and individuals, through the provision of interconnected integrated services in which the public and private sectors participate, and accessible by customers anytime, anywhere, as they can enjoy a fully interactive experience,” said Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.