Ministry of Interior Start Issuing Smart IDs for Residents

Doha , May 17 (QNA) - The Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday that it started issuing smart identification cards for residents of the country, aiming to facilitate their E-transactions for the ministry.
The card, which contains an electronic chip that has all the information belonging to its carrier, is used in carrying out transactions through the internet or self-service devices of the Ministry of Interior which can be found in various malls. The card could also be used for e-gate in the Doha International Airport.
Director of Information System Department at the Ministry of Interior Col. Saleh Khames Al Kubaisi said in a press conference here today that the card is optional and can be issued based on the desire of the resident, where it is exchanged with the traditional identification card.
He added that the smart card is very safe, as no one can access the information stored on the chip unless they obtain the secret passcode or by matching the finger print stored on the chip.
The user of the card can carry out a variety of transactions, according to the director of Information System Department; completion of residencies transactions, the issuing of travel permits and the issuing a driving license among other services.
Al Kubaisi said that the e-gate service in the Doha International Airport is only activated after the resident's request and the payment of required fees.
The director spoke of a possible new project, merging the health card with the identification card, and said that there are ongoing talks in that regard and that an announcement is expected soon.
For his part, Assistant Director-General of the Directorate of Borders Passports and Expatriates Affairs Mohammed Al Ateeq said that companies can provide a statement requesting the issuing particular capacities to one of its employees, who is then provided with those capacities and can carry out the company's transactions.
Al Ateeq said the fees for issuing a smart card are an additional QR250 to the original QR100 required for issuing an identification card. While the e-gate is worth QR 100 valid for one year, QR150 valid for two years and QR200 valid for three years. (QNA)