Dubai residents can now renew their visas within minutes, thanks to a new AI-powered digital platform introduced by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). The platform, called Salama, streamlines the renewal process, eliminating paperwork and long wait times.
Once users log in, AI automatically retrieves their details, displays their dependents’ visa status, and highlights the remaining days before expiration. Applicants can then select the renewal duration, and the system processes the request instantly.
Previously, visa renewals could take between one to three hours, depending on document completeness. Now, the process has been reduced to just one to two minutes, provided all necessary documents are in order.
Currently, the service applies only to residents’ visa renewals, but future phases will include services for visitors, tourists, and businesses. “We are continuously evolving to keep pace with AI and technological advancements,” said Ghaleb Abdullah Mohammed Hassan Al-Majid, Director of the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Department at GDRFA.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, General Director of GDRFA Dubai, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating that digital transformation is about enhancing customer experience and government efficiency. “The Salama AI Platform reflects our commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies to improve the quality of life in Dubai,” he said.