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DubaiNow is the government's first unified smart app that offers over 80 convenient services
23 October 2019
| Last updated on 28 October 2019
In addition to paying utilities, bills, renewing vehicles, and more Dubai residents can now apply, renew, or cancel UAE residency visas for their spouse and/or children through the DubaiNow app, which offers over 80 services including government services.
The city's immigration authority, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), introduced these services to provide residents with more convenience at the touch of a button.
DubaiNow is a Smart Dubai initiative to transform Dubai’s into a digital city. Launched in 2018, the emirate's paperless strategy aims to digitise all external and internal government to customer transactions by December 2021.
Currently, 15 government entities have partnered with Smart Dubai to offer their services on the app, including the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Knowledge and Human Resources Authority (KHDA), Dubai Police, and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).
Dr. Aisha bint Butti bin Bishr, Director-general of Smart Dubai, said, “We will continue to work with all Dubai government entities to accelerate our transition to fully paperless transactions."
“We estimate that with the 88 government services now being offered digitally via Dubai Now, we will save 28 hours per user, in addition to also eliminating the need for 14 visits to government services centres,” she added.
From the start of 2022, Dubai government entities will no longer issue or request paper documents from consumers for any transaction. Dubai government employees will also stop issuing or processing paper in key or supporting internal operations.
The implementation of the strategy is expected to eliminate the use of over 1 billion pieces of paper per year, saving 130,000 trees.
How to apply for and manage visas on the DubaiNow app
1. Download the DubaiNow app
Available here on Google Play.
Available here on the Apple Store.
Available in both Arabic and English.
2. Register an account
Once downloaded, you will need to register an account with your details. You can choose to add your Emirates ID number while signing up or at a later date.
3. Click on "Residency Visas"
You will then find three tabs allowing you to check your current visa status, manage yours or a family member's residency visas, or to apply for a new residency visa.
DubaiNow services
These are the other available services you can find on the DubaiNow app:
Utilities and bills
The app is partnered with many key Dubai government entities, allowing you to pay your DEWA, Etisalat, du, or Dubai Municipality bills.
You can also pay any road-related payments such as pending traffic fines to Dubai Police, top up your Salik, and recharge your NOL cards.
Public Transport and driving
App users can renew vehicle registration, top up on parking fees, explore various speed limits across Dubai, find the nearest petrol station, pay for petrol using the app, and view road accident updates for more convenient travel planning.
Flyers can use it to track flight departures and arrivals at Dubai International Airport. It can be used to view the RTA metro map and plan journeys from Point A to Point B to view the available transport, timings, and best routes.
Education
Parents and students can find KHDA-registered schools, universities, and colleges from a comprehensive list that will allow you to filter by rating, A-Z alphabetical order, fees, curriculum, and location.
Muslim users
Conveniently shows the daily prayer timings, nearest mosque, and the best/fastest route to reach a prayer facility.
Safety and security
DubaiNow app users can report law violations directly to the Dubai Police. It also helps find the nearest Dubai Police station and route to get there. People can check the status of Dubai Court cases. In case of emergencies, users can find and call emergency numbers on the app like Dubai Police, Ambulance, and Fire Department.
Business
The Department of Economic Development (DED) feature enables users to search on trade activity, track and renew trade licenses registered with the DED, and reserve a trading name.
General
Dubai Calendar and daily weather can be viewed on the app.
Users can find the nearest ATM, bank branch, track Emirates Post shipments, view shopping rates, and provide feedback to complaints regarding any government entity service.
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