Mashreqbank launched the first payment card and electronic immigration identifier in the region yesterday.
The new Mashreqbank UAE Gate Prepaid MasterCard with eGate functions will allow the convenience of a prepaid card and also get you quickly through UAE airports, officials said.
"The new card is designed for security checked cardholders who want to avoid queues and quickly pass through passport control at airports in the UAE. Cardholders simply have to tap the card at the electronic eGate terminal, whose system is completely automated, instead of pre senting their passports to an immigration officer. In addition, cardholders also have the convenience of using their prepaid card for financial transactions," officials added.
Mashreqbank has launched this card along with Datel and MasterCard International and it is the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region, they added. Datel powers the eGate systems that allow the speedy processing of passenger entry and exit at all UAE airports.
Initially, the Mashreqbank UAE Gate Prepaid MasterCard can be used for immigration clearance at eGates in Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports. But there are plans to enable acceptance at eGates at other UAE airports in the future, officials said.
Datel worked with the Ministry of Interior and Dubai Naturalisation & Residency Department (DNRD) to develop this multi-purpose card. The concerned authorities are also in talks with other airports to offer a similar kind of service.
"We have already signed agreements with Heathrow and Hong Kong airports and are in talks with a couple in the Middle East, another in Europe and one in the Indian sub-continent," said Khalid Lootah, head of IT department at DNRD.
Easy to use service
The Mashreqbank UAE Gate Prepaid MasterCard will be available from dedicated UAE Gate kiosks at ten selected Mashreqbank branches: seven in Dubai, and one each in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain.
Applicants need to present their original passport and a passport photocopy at the kiosks.
The card is then issued immediately for a fee of Dh250 of this Dh200 goes to DNRD and is valid for two years.
On receiving the Mashreqbank UAE Gate Prepaid MasterCard, customers receive a credit of Dh30 on their cards.
The card can be topped up with cash at the same 10 Mashreqbank branches or via select Mashreqbank cash and cheque deposit machines available across the UAE.
By Nikhil Lohade
Emirates Today 2006
