Chaos ensued across the capital just weeks ago as applicants queued for hours trying to get the national ID card, a document that will soon be mandatory for anything and everything from government services to banking facilities. Are you panicked? Confused? Completely unaware? Abu Dhabi Week asked around
Mehmet Akdeniz
“I’ve had an ID card for a year now and it was pretty easy for me because our company’s Human Resources team booked it. There was a small queue, nothing like the ones we’ve seen recently, so I’m glad I went to get it when they originally said we should. Although up to now, I have never had to use it but I suspect I will need it when I go to register my car soon – and maybe when I open a bank account.”
“I’ve had an ID card for a year now and it was pretty easy for me because our company’s Human Resources team booked it. There was a small queue, nothing like the ones we’ve seen recently, so I’m glad I went to get it when they originally said we should. Although up to now, I have never had to use it but I suspect I will need it when I go to register my car soon – and maybe when I open a bank account.”
N. Thuto Toise
“I have an ID card – I got mine five months ago. They misspelt my country name but generally they were efficient and it was easy to get. I haven’t had to use it yet but I have to renew my car insurance soon so I will probably need to soon. If they’re going to make it the main ID for all services here, then that would be useful in the sense that we won’t have to walk with so many different documents all the time. But why is it not free to obtain? That’s the only problem I have with it.”
“I have an ID card – I got mine five months ago. They misspelt my country name but generally they were efficient and it was easy to get. I haven’t had to use it yet but I have to renew my car insurance soon so I will probably need to soon. If they’re going to make it the main ID for all services here, then that would be useful in the sense that we won’t have to walk with so many different documents all the time. But why is it not free to obtain? That’s the only problem I have with it.”
Layal Bou Habib
“Yes, I have an ID card but haven’t had to use it so far. If anyone asks for ID I just give them my driver’s license. Maybe in the future when they sought out the system it will be more useful, but at the moment I don’t see its benefits.”
“Yes, I have an ID card but haven’t had to use it so far. If anyone asks for ID I just give them my driver’s license. Maybe in the future when they sought out the system it will be more useful, but at the moment I don’t see its benefits.”
Ashok Kuckian
“A couple of months back I went to get mine and there was a big rush. I waited for hours and still hadn’t gotten through to the department when they closed. I suggest they open up several more easily accessible branches and extend the opening hours so there’s less hassle and less waiting. It doesn’t make sense that the only hours they’re open are when we’re all working. Even if I left the house at 6am to go there before work, I still probably wouldn’t get through in time. I shall wait for them [EIDA] to sort out the services before I get mine – I’m in no rush.”
“A couple of months back I went to get mine and there was a big rush. I waited for hours and still hadn’t gotten through to the department when they closed. I suggest they open up several more easily accessible branches and extend the opening hours so there’s less hassle and less waiting. It doesn’t make sense that the only hours they’re open are when we’re all working. Even if I left the house at 6am to go there before work, I still probably wouldn’t get through in time. I shall wait for them [EIDA] to sort out the services before I get mine – I’m in no rush.”
Feroz Khan
“I tried applying a while ago but by the time I got through with an application, my visa was expired so I’m working on filling out the paperwork again. My company says it is necessary to get one and if my company thinks so then I’m very anxious to get it as soon as possible. I have a car too so I would need it in order to register it.”
“I tried applying a while ago but by the time I got through with an application, my visa was expired so I’m working on filling out the paperwork again. My company says it is necessary to get one and if my company thinks so then I’m very anxious to get it as soon as possible. I have a car too so I would need it in order to register it.”
Patrick Valentin Bischoff
“I believe the ID card is a must have. My job takes me around the world and in the 15 different countries I’ve been working in, this is commonplace. I’m a French citizen and in my country you need an ID card for anything from going to the cinema to accessing metro stations to buying a car. So I’m glad it’s finally here. I don’t have one yet because it takes some time.”
“I believe the ID card is a must have. My job takes me around the world and in the 15 different countries I’ve been working in, this is commonplace. I’m a French citizen and in my country you need an ID card for anything from going to the cinema to accessing metro stations to buying a car. So I’m glad it’s finally here. I don’t have one yet because it takes some time.”
Kristine Ann Dominguez
“I don’t have one yet. I was in the process of applying about a year ago but they held off on it when Ramadan hit and I haven’t heard anything since. There’s no point following up now because I am soon leaving the country for good. But most people I know already have their cards.”
“I don’t have one yet. I was in the process of applying about a year ago but they held off on it when Ramadan hit and I haven’t heard anything since. There’s no point following up now because I am soon leaving the country for good. But most people I know already have their cards.”
Nikesh Khatiwada
“I got an ID card about four months ago. Before it was easy; I got an appointment within two days and then it arrived in the post about a month later. Getting one now is another story. I work in ADNEC and there is a registration centre here and I’ve seen the long queues. Since I’ve had mine I haven’t had to use it and I don’t think we will really need to unless you have a car or own a business.”
“I got an ID card about four months ago. Before it was easy; I got an appointment within two days and then it arrived in the post about a month later. Getting one now is another story. I work in ADNEC and there is a registration centre here and I’ve seen the long queues. Since I’ve had mine I haven’t had to use it and I don’t think we will really need to unless you have a car or own a business.”
Posted by: noora, Saturday, 29 May 2010
I've had an ID card for a year now and haven't use it so far. Today, I want to activate my new debit card and the sales agent asked for my passport number. I tried to give my ID card but I was told not everybody did not get it, so she refuse and insist on my passport number. It was really frustrating since and useless.
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