Dubai issues cellphone visas

In a move to simplify the visa procedures, the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) will introduce “M-visas” (mobile visas), wherein the applicant will get his visa in the form of a picture SMS, reports Khaleej Times.

Initially, only visitor visas will be issued through this service. The fee for the service has not been fixed yet.

“M-visas will be issued from February and all arrangements have been made for the new mechanism,” Rahul Dalwale, system analyst at DNRD, said.

Customer-driven, Web self-service will surely become a dominant theme for 2009, states CMS Watch.

As money moves away from brick and mortar stores, investment moves similarly to the online experience and this trend to the Web is just as true in non-profit sectors as it is in retail.

In downturns, more people head to higher education, as governments continue their move to e-government practices and everyone looks for ways to reduce costs. Getting customers to serve themselves rather than involving costly manual processes should be a no-brainer.

In the UK, Bolton residents will soon be able to access council services faster than ever, with the creation of a new self-service area at the town hall, says This is Lancashire.

Once complete, the new area, which is the result of customer feedback, will allow residents to access council services using Internet points and free phone facilities.

Counsellor Linda Thomas said: “Although some minor disruption is inevitable during the work, the end result will certainly be worth it with customers able to obtain information and services faster than before.”