Dubai: A delegation from the General Directorate of Passports at the Ministry of Interior of Qatar visited the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) to learn about its experience in developing entry permit and residency services, as well as its key projects and practices aimed at enhancing procedural efficiency, simplifying the customer journey and improving service quality. The official visit was attended by H.E. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of  the Identity and Foreigners Affairs; Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director General; Major General Khalaf Ahmed Al Ghaith, Assistant Director General for the Entry Permits and Residency Sector; and several senior officials and representatives from both sides.
The visit formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise between the two brotherly countries. It provided an opportunity to explore GDRFA Dubai’s approach to developing entry permit and residency services, supported by institutional practices and advanced technologies that enhance operational efficiency and government integration.

The Qatari delegation was headed by Brigadier Mohammed Ali Al Mohannadi, Director of the Unified Services Department at the Passports Directorate, and included several officials and specialists in relevant fields.

H.E. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri affirmed that the longstanding fraternal relations between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar provide a strong foundation for strengthening cooperation and exchanging expertise and successful practices across various areas of government work.

He stated: “Developing entry permit and residency services is a fundamental part of our continuous efforts to deliver a more efficient and flexible government experience. Our approach focuses on simplifying procedures, integrating services and leveraging advanced technologies, in line with Dubai’s vision and its commitment to proactive, human-centric government services.”

He added: “We believe that service excellence cannot be achieved through technology alone. It requires an integrated framework that brings together governance, human capabilities, innovation and continuous improvement. We highly value the visit of our colleagues from Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, which provides an opportunity to strengthen knowledge exchange, share expertise and benefit from successful practices in support of the aspirations of both countries.”

During the visit, GDRFA Dubai presented an overview of its Entry Permits and Residency Sector, highlighting its services, procedures and development projects designed to simplify the customer journey, strengthen integration between services and relevant entities, and improve operational efficiency and service outcomes.

The delegation was also introduced to several institutional practices supporting service development, including governance, institutional excellence, zero government bureaucracy and behavioural insights, alongside future border crossings, artificial intelligence applications, risk management, corporate communication and talent development. These practices reflect the integration of organisational, technological and human capabilities in driving continuous improvement.

The delegation also explored a range of digital projects and solutions adopted by GDRFA Dubai, including AI-powered automated approvals, integrated service packages, digital monitoring and auditing systems for Amer Centres, and performance dashboards that support data-driven decision-making. The presentations also highlighted innovative solutions designed to streamline procedures and enhance the customer experience.

The visit included a tour of the Innovation and Future Centre, where the delegation explored several innovative initiatives and projects, as well as the Customer Experience Lab and the Innovation Accelerators Lab. The tour highlighted solutions and initiatives aimed at advancing service development and anticipating future needs.

The visit reflects GDRFA Dubai’s commitment to strengthening knowledge partnerships and exchanging government best practices with counterpart institutions in brotherly countries. These efforts contribute to advancing passport and residency services, enhancing operational efficiency and service quality, and strengthening readiness to meet future requirements.