A new e-gateway system is in the pipeline to make the immigration process at the Oman-UAE border easier and faster. Project Aabar, under which a micro-chipped card with details of the traveller will be used, is expected to be implemented next year at the Hatta crossing under a joint venture between Oman's and UAE governments.
Talking about features of the proposed project, representatives of the UAE government at COMEX 2012 told Muscat Daily: "Travelling between UAE and Oman through land borders will become easier once the project becomes fully operational by next year. The new immigration system is currently being implemented by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai."
Under the project, travellers will be issued a card which will hold all details necessary for immigration procedures.
The representatives said travellers will not be required to step out of their cars as the system will capture their info through radio frequency identification.
"It will complete the process within 15 seconds. Once the traveller has the card, his details will be read electronically through radio frequency identification. Then, an immigration official at the checkpost will match the details. Once everything is cleared, the vehicle owner will be allowed to proceed," said Mohammed al Hashimi, a senior employee of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai.
The joint venture project, which has been approved by concerned agencies in both the countries, hopes to eliminate long queues for crossing the border and speed up passport and immigration checks.
Depending on its success, the UAE government plans to extend the system to other countries also, he said, adding that many other countries have showed interest.
© Muscat Daily 2012
