The Ministry Of Interior (MOI) in the UAE recently launched a brand new smart system, called E-channel. For residency services and naturalization. Colonel Mansoor Ahmed Al-Dhaheri, Director-General of the Residence and Foreigners Affair Directorate in Abu Dhabi were found saying ‘This system is being implemented under the framework of the ministry’s efforts to guarantee the delivery of the best services and achieve the vision of the UAE 2021’. Since the launch of the E channel system, the immigration process of the country has become a lot more easy and seamless to carry for people looking into settling in or doing business in the UAE.
Importance of E-Channel Immigration System
E-channel system in the UAE has brought a lot of improvement to the long and tiresome processes of visa and immigration. It will improve the accuracy and speed of the process of issuing residence and visa permits. The additional need to go in person to the service centers has been eliminated since the UAE Ministry Of Interior has launched the e-channel system.
Immigration holds great importance in the UAE and in building its economy. The only factor that made the great transformation of the country into the world’s most esteemed centers of industry and trade possible was the high rate of immigration in the region from every corner of the world. This is also one of the leading reasons behind the sharp rise in the country’s population from a mere 1m in 1980 to 9.6m in 2019.
The importance of immigration can be depicted in the fact that expats cover approximately 90% of the country’s population. The United Arab Emirates is standing on foreign investors and industries set up by the expats in the region. The country’s efforts to make the issuing processes of residence and visa will go a long way in framing the immigration system of the country.
Due to immigration playing such an important role in the reasons contributing to the thriving economy of the region, the government of the country is right to take every possible initiative to make the process as simple as it can be. The recent launch of the e-channel services portal along with the introduction to the long-term residency visa are initiatives that were taken to make the immigration process more transparent and straightforward for people looking to immigrate and set up businesses in the country. The more foreign investment a country holds, the more chances of a thriving economy.
E-Channel Services In UAE
E-channel smart services, which are introduced by the Ministry Of Interior in the United Arab Emirates, are directed at improving the processes and experience of obtaining immigration, visa or residency in the state. The need for applicants to stroll the service centers every now and then for residency, visa or immigration issuance has been eliminated since the launch of the e-channel system, as all the approvals and registration now take place through a specially designed portal. The country’s specifically designed online portal for visa, residency and immigration applications, is just a click’s reach away from people all around the globe now.
To be precise, you can apply for a visa, print visa-related documentation and check the status of an application via the e-channel service. Along with eliminating the requirement of going to a service center, the e-channel service also ensures faster processes of the applications, more precisely, and with greater incorporation across the UAE.
The e-channel service allows the users to carry out the following:
- UAE nationals can apply for sponsored individual services.
- GCC nationals can apply for sponsored individual services.
- Individual residents can apply for new services, renewal or cancellation of services.
- Individual GCC residents can apply for new visa permits.
- Visitors can apply for new visa permits.
- Establishments can also apply for residence and visa permits.
E-channel Registration In UAE
The e-channel system is designed with keeping in mind accessibility and ease. Which begins with an incredibly easy and straightforward process of e-channel registration.
In case you have registered the business in a free zone, you are required to use the details of the free zone in order to log in. That is why, in this case, you should be registering for e-channel services through your free zone authorized typing center or agent.
If your company is located in a free zone in the UAE, you can register through the MOI website for the e-channel services.
Steps for E-channel registration:
- Select the option of individual or establishment
- Click on the registration button
- Enter your Email Address
- Click on the link in the verification email, which is sent to you on your registered address
- Click on ‘complete registration’
- Complete the registration fields
- Click on ‘register
After the above mentioned e-channel registration process is completed, you will receive confirmation of registration on your email address. For using the services of e-channel, you are required to pay the registration fees first.
Fees To Register For UAE Free Zones E-Channel System
E-channel registration fees include a refundable security deposit of AED 5,025, an initial amount of registration which is AED 2,300 and an annual fee of renewal, which will be confirmed upon final directive from the Government. However, these charges can vary slightly depending on the licensing authority applicable.
This will be applicable for all companies, existing and new ones, requiring naturalization and residency services.
Fees Of The E-Channel / Tahaluf System Registration
E-channel system – also known as the tahaluf system, is a new federal online system which has been introduced by the Ministry Of Interior (MOI) of the UAE for visa application and establishment card processes. All the existing and new companies working in the free zones of the UAE which require the following transactions are required to register for the e-channel system to proceed with their new and existing applications:
- New establishment card on a new company
- Establishment card on existing company
- Employment visa and residency
- Visa cancellation for the existing and ongoing company (not for companies that will cancel visa and establishment card simultaneously)
E-Channel Registration Fees
One time registration for existing or new companies on the e-channels system:
| New Application Request | AED 2,300 |
| Security deposit: REFUNDABLE upon cancellation of trade license/establishment card | AED 5,025 |
| E-Services Fees | AED 30 |
| Ministry of Interior Fees | AED 22 |
| Electronic Payment Fees | AED 98 |
| Typing Charges | AED 150 |
| Total Fee | E-Channel Registration | AED 7,325 |
Note: Individual free zones may have pricing and rules regarding the e-channel system. Better to check with your account manager first.
Benefits Of The E-Channel System
The e-channel system was introduced under the scheme of UAE 2021 which goes with the slogan ‘Smart Services with Future Vision’. Perhaps, it does come of surprise that the greatest benefit of the e-channel system is efficiency. The system has enabled fast management of all visas, amendments, and renewals online through a single portal, which has seen excellent improvement in both the accuracy and speed of the process.
In place of the time-consuming process previously, the e-channel system has also enabled the extraction of excessive paperwork. Which has made the process far more time-saving. There is no longer the need to submit hard copies of documents such as passports or ID cards. The documents can simply be scanned and uploaded on the portal of the e-channel. As far as the fees can be paid online with ease and security. According to the estimations made, the entire online approach has eliminated the need for in-person visits to the government centers to the extent of 80%.
As far as to visa checks can also be made on the online portal, hence once again, improving the efficiency and ease of the process. Other than that, as all the visa and license-related activities happen under a single roof – such as visa amendments, renewals, upgrades, etc, there is a greater unity across the state, which in turn improves the user experience.
We at Riz & Mona can assist you in the whole process. Contact us for further information.