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Qatari Nationals to be issued Smart Cards
Qatar has begun issuing Electronic Cards (Smart Cards) to Qatari Nationals in place of conventional ID cards. The Senior Interior Ministry has also announced that similar cards would be issued to expatriates from next year.
Although the e-cards cannot replace conventional ID cards with immediate effect, only those who have lost or damaged their ID cards are now entitled to get Smart Cards or e-cards. About 90 cards have already been issued yesterday.
The cards include the bio-metric data of the holder, including special photographs of the face and eyes of the person, and finger prints.
The Director of IT Systems at the Interior Ministry, Col. Saleh Khamis Al Kubaisi, described the project to be a big one, and mentioned that the Smart Cards are being issued only to Nationals and other GCC Citizens.
The e-cards could be used at the e-gates of Doha International Airport too, although, the applicants will have to make an extra payment to avail this benefit. While, normal e-card would cost around QR50, an additional QR150 will have to be paid for e-gate facility for one year, QR250 for two years and QR350 for three years.
The e-cards could also be used by Nationals for accessing various services provided by Immigration Department and the Labour Ministry, such as applying for worker visas and their renewals.
However, it should be noted that Health Card and Drivers License are not a part of Smart Cards.
Posted on 11/10/2007
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