DOHA: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has launched a 'single window' system to offer the services of its various departments to the nationals and expatriates.
The unique electronic service, called "Self Service Machine" (SSM), was launched by the Minister of State for Internal Affairs H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani at the premises of Qatar Postal Corporation (Q-Post) here yesterday.
Through the new round-the-clock service, nationals can renew the residence permits of domestic workers and collect exit permits for their minors. Companies and individual sponsors can also renew the residence permits of their employees through the SSM. Traffic violators can use the new system to pay their fines.
Expatriates can check out with the SSM the expiry date of their passport and visa.
Explaining the SSM's services, Brigadier Saleh Khamis Al Khubaisi, Director, Information System Department, MoI, said the ministry had plans to add more services to the system.
In the next phase, if the valid visa of an expatriate happens to be stamped on a passport that has subsequently expired, the individual can use the new system to get the visa stamped on the new passport.
In the next phase, the nationals would be able to renew their airport gate pass with the SSM. They would also be able to change the password of their smart card at the SSM service counter. Discussions with several malls and shopping centres are progressing. The service would be offered at highly populated areas, he said.
The system is being protected by the latest security measures and it will ensure a high level of privacy for the users.
The device has query screens and users can access it using smart ID cards. The system will confirm the visitors' entry by iris scans, fingerprints and PIN codes. The machine is monitored by remote surveillance cameras to ensure that it is not misused.
The event was attended by Q-Post's Board Chairman and Director General Abdurrahman Al Aqili and a number of MoI officials.
© The Peninsula 2010
