3991 lost passport certificates issued since February using blockchain: Dubai Police

DUBAI- The Dubai Police has issued 3,991 lost passport certificates since February using a blockchain-enabled platform that connects the Dubai Police with the Dubai Courts, Dubai Public Prosecution and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

According to Brigadier Khalid Nasser Al Razooqi, Director-General of the General Department of Artificial Intelligence at Dubai Police, the service cuts the time it takes to register a lost passport. Usually, it takes four days to get a certificate but the new service enables customers to get it quicker in three steps rather than eight.

"Customers can apply for a lost passport certificate via the Dubai Police website, smart app or via a Smart Police Station (SPS). Alternatively, they can avail the service through the blockchain-enabled service channels of the Dubai Public Prosecution, Dubai Courts and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs," he said.

"Unlike the previous service which required applicants to visit each of the participating entities before obtaining the certificate after four working days, the blockchain-enabled service issues the certificate by e-mail without the need to visit any service centres," Brig. Al Razooqi explained.

He underlined the keenness of the force to offer simplified services to the community in line with the Emirates Blockchain Strategy 2021 that capitalises on the technology to save time, effort and resources.