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| Brig. al-Ateeq and Col. al-Maliki |
“The procedures are in the final stage and the system will be implemented soon,” MoI’s Information Systems Department assistant director Colonel Abdul Rahman al-Maliki said.
Gulf Times had reported yesterday that MoI issued a total of 47,542 the new type of normal ID cards and 1,000 smart cards with electronic chip until May 17 this year.
General Directorate of Border Passports and Expatriate Affairs (GDBPEA) Brigadier Mohamed Ahmed al-Ateeq explained that the new smart card facility is optional.
If the annual fee is QR100 for the normal card, the charge for smart card is QR250 for three years, so the total fee for obtaining a smart card is QR350.
The smart card will have the facility to store personal information of the card holder including finger prints, iris and signature. It can also store additional services such as e-gate services.
“The smart card can be used to avail all the services rendered by the GDBPEA for the card holder and his resident family members such as renewing residence permits as well driving license renewal and payment of traffic fines,” Brigadier al-Ateeq said.
These services can be done through self-service kiosks, e-government portal and through Internet once the services are activated paying the prescribed fee and signing an agreement to activate electronic services in ID cards.
E-gate services to pass through the Doha International Airport can be added to the smart card by paying a fee QR100 (one year), QR150 (two years) or QR200 (three years).
Except labourers, all segments of employees can benefit from smart cards and especially for those living with families, according to the official.
“Public relations officers of companies can benefit a lot from the smart card. For this purpose, the sponsor shall apply in writing to the Department to permit the PRO to avail the Department services for company employees using smart cards,” Brigadier al-Ateeq added.
The services using smart card can obtained through self-service kiosks available in several commercial complexes such as the Main Building of General Post Office, Landmark Mall, Villaggio Mall, Royal Plaza, Visa section of the Passports and Airport Security Department, and LuLu Hypermarket’s Airport Branch on D Ring Road.
The smart card services are secured through PIN, fingerprint and Iris. The services can be availed if either of three tallies with the information stored in the card.