Dubai Expat Blog

As noted earlier, due to failure in meeting its targets, EIDA has extended the registration deadline for professional expatriates from December 31, 2008 to February 28, 2009. However they are still playing with words, saying they have rescheduled the dates for ID card registration.

Now the registration of expatriates working in the government sector and all professional expatriates (Category 1) will continue till February 28, 2009.

Registration of Category 2 – which includes administrative staff in private sector (translators, secretaries, typists, storekeepers and receptionists) and students – will start on March 1 and will continue until June 18.

From June 20 to September 30, Category 3 can register. Category 3 includes private and public transport drivers, unskilled or semi-skilled workers in private sector, like housemaids or servants, cleaners, farmers, fishermen, security guards, watchmen and other labourers.

Construction workers in the private sector, under Category 4, have been allotted the longest time frame: from October 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010.

EIDA officials are still presistent that there will be no change in December 31 deadline and Dhs 1,000 fine will be imposed on Emiratis unable to register for their ID cards by the deadline.

Target for December 31, 2008:

– Emiratis 825,000
– Expatriate Professionals 600,000

Registration completed by November 30, 2008:

– Emiratis 596,000
– Expatriate professionals 107,000
– GCC nationals 8,000

Residents yet to register:

– Emirates 229,000 left
– Expatriate professionals 493,000 left
– Total remaining: 722,000

This implies that EIDA has to register at least 38,000 residents per day, without any day off, to meet the targets.