Dubai has launched an innovative AI-powered platform named ‘Salama’ that aims to simplify the residence visa renewal process. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) announced that residents can now renew their visas in under two minutes using the Salama platform. This advancement eliminates the need for long queues, allowing users to download their updated visa documents directly from the platform.

Upon logging in, the AI technology automatically retrieves users’ details and shows information about their dependent’s visa status, including how many days remain before expiration. Residents can select their preferred renewal period, and the platform processes their requests promptly.

Previously, the renewal of a residence visa could take between one to three hours, depending on the complexity of the submitted documents. However, with the introduction of Salama, this process has been significantly streamlined to just a few clicks, greatly reducing both time and effort for residents renewing their visas or those of their family members.

Looking ahead, authorities plan to roll out a second phase that will expand GDRFA services to include visitors and tourists. This future expansion will also extend to companies once the smart channel and GDRFA DXP applications are launched.