UAE ICA Launches New Payment Channels for Smart Services

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICA) has announced the launch of three new payment channels for fees in its ECHANNELS smart services system: Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay.

The ICA said the initiative aims to facilitate payment processes using the latest and most secure technologies, and to provide a diverse, secure, and convenient payment experience for all customers, regardless of their nationality, culture, or the electronic and smart devices they use to access its services at any time and from anywhere. The ICA also confirmed that there will be no increase in the approved financial costs of the services provided.

Lieutenant-General Khalifa Matar Al Boqeibah Al Hameiri, Acting Director-General of Supporting Services, said the ICA is committed to implementing the directives of the UAE's wise leadership to develop the work system using the latest technologies, and to providing the best digital solutions and keeping up with the latest global developments in payment systems, in order to develop and facilitate payment options for government service fees.

He added that the electronic payment system plays a vital role in facilitating and enhancing the efficiency of non-cash payment processes for electronic service fees, which supports efforts to improve financial services in the country.

He confirmed that this step comes in implementation of the UAE government's vision to apply best practices in facilitating smart collection processes, while taking into account the basic accuracy and security standards for this type of process, which saves customers time and effort, avoids the negative aspects of cash payments, and ensures ease and security.

He explained: "The diversification of payment options and channels in the smart services system contributes to achieving a set of goals of the ICA, the most important of which are building a leading and sustainable global model that adopts modern technologies and digital transformation to ensure readiness and proactive security, developing an advanced and proactive system of services provided to citizens and foreigners, in addition to enhancing innovation practices based on flexibility, proactivity, and readiness within the work system."

Lieutenant-General Khalifa Al Hameiri pointed out that customers can currently benefit from the new payment channels, which were actually launched in the ECHANNELS smart services system in the first half of September 2023.

Here are some details about the announcement:

The new payment channels are available through the ECHANNELS smart services system, which can be accessed online or via a mobile app.
Customers can use the new payment channels to pay for a variety of services offered by the ICA, including ID cards, passports, visas, and customs clearance.
The new payment channels are secure and convenient, and they offer a variety of options to meet the needs of different customers.

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