The Metrash App has become one of Qatar’s most widely used government service platforms, with over 10mn services annually and more than 2.8mn active users, an official at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said.
"Launched in 2011, Metrash has grown into one of Qatar’s most widely used government service platforms, with more than 2.8mn active users accessing more than 500 services,” Captain Ali Ahmed Syed, head of MoI’s Internet and Electronic Services Section at the Systems Development Department, said yesterday. "On an annual basis, Metrash is used for processing more than 10mn services and can be accessed in six languages.”
He was addressing the participants of a webinar organised by the MoI on the topic "E-Services of the Ministry of Interior through Metrash App”.
"The Metrash platform has undergone a major overhaul, with a redesigned interface, streamlined procedures and a wider range of electronic services aimed at making government transactions faster and easier for residents, citizens, companies and visitors,” Capt Syed said.
The latest upgrade reflects advances in smart application technology, improving accessibility and simplifying procedures.
"The Metrash application has been comprehensively redesigned to reflect the latest advancements in digital technology, offering a streamlined, intuitive and accessible user experience across all smart mobile devices,” he said.
The revamp includes a new interface, re-engineered services, revised classification of government transactions, and the introduction of new services.
Services have been grouped by nature and frequency of use, allowing users to access several related transactions through a single icon.
Traffic-related services, for instance, have been consolidated to make procedures easier to navigate, while new categories cover security, traffic, personal files, delegations, Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) citizens, visa enquiries, notifications, certificates and payments.
Among the new services is a facility that lets users pay traffic violations for friends or family members.
Capt Syed highlighted the platform’s importance in reducing the need for individuals and company representatives to visit MoI service centres.
"Many services relating to traffic, passports and immigration can now be submitted electronically through Metrash or the Ministry of Interior website, with applicants able to follow the progress of their transactions online,” he said. "Users who choose delivery through Qatar Post can also track the status of their documents, including whether a document has been printed and when it is expected to reach them.”
The upgraded Metrash platform provides users with access to a wide range of personal information and documents.
These include the ID card, driving licence, vehicle information, military driving licence and details of companies registered under a user’s name.
The application provides enquiry services covering sponsored persons, travel movements, travel bans, police clearance certificates and other information.
Residence permit services have also been organised into dedicated categories.
Users can renew or cancel residence permits, complete required approvals, pay residence permit fines, follow applications and reissue previous permits.
Capt Syed explained that residence permit renewal, one of the most-used Metrash services, can be completed in a few steps.
"Users can select the residence permit procedures, choose the people whose permits are to be renewed, specify the renewal period and make the payment,” he said.
"The renewed ID card can then be delivered through Qatar Post,” Capt Syed continued. "The platform also enables users to follow up applications for lost or damaged documents, update personal photographs, change passport details and submit applications relating to name changes.”
"Visa-related services have similarly been brought together under dedicated categories covering application submission, visa procedures, application follow-up and medical check-up procedures for recruitment from outside of Qatar,” he added.