Inception:
October 1971
Pursuant to an order promulgated by the Late H.H. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the two following departments were established:
1 - Central Immigration Department
2 - Ports and Borders Department
Ports and Borders Department was presided over by Colonel/Seif Al-Ashram
Central Immigration Department was presided over by Colonel/Rashed Al-Matrooshi
October 1972
The two above mentioned Departments were joined to Ministry of Interior, and Federal Law no. (17) concerning naturalization and passports was promulgated to regulate naturalization and passports.
1- Offices of Central Immigration Department was situated in Deira side, Corniche Road at Al-Mulla building.
2 - The two departments consisted of two offices for public transactions and a flat on the mezzanine floor for filing.
3 - The Department staff received their first salaries from Ministry of Interior
1973
Federal Law no. (6) concerning Immigration and Residency was promulgated as the first law regulating the entry and residency of expatriates in United Arab Emirates. The Central Administration became the authority in charge of implementation of naturalization, residency, passports, entry and residency permits in UAE.
The Administration shifted to a 3-rooms office near Clock Tower, consisting of the following:
1 - Room for the Administration
2 - Room for Control Section (Monitor and Investigation)
3 - Room for Entry Permits Section and Residency Section
Two buildings with boundary wall were built for:
1 - Residency transactions
2 - Entry Permits transactions
1977
The two departments were integrated, and the new Department shifted to a building in the ministries compound.
Ports and Borders Department – Central Immigration Department – Naturalization and Residency Department
1982
The Administration shifted to the current building during the tenure of Colonel/Mohammad Al-Gaith
2003
The building was completely refurbished during the tenure of Brigadier General/Saeed Bin Bleila
Directors of Naturalization and Residency Administration, Dubai:
1 - Colonel/Rashid Al-Matrooshi-1971
2 - Colonel/Seif Al-Ashram-1971
3 - Colonel/Mohammad Al-Gaith-1978
4 - Major General/Saeed Al-Kamda-1983
5 - Major General/Juma’a Aman-1992
6 - Colonel/Saeed Bin Bleila-1996
7 - Brigadier General/Mohamad Al-Marri-2006
Departments:
Department of Naturalization and Passports
For family registration cards and passports issued to citizens of United Arab Emirates, as well as other involved transactions.
Department of Entry Permits
It involves issuing residency, visit as well as work permits to workers and domestic helpers
Department of Monitor and Investigation
It has a major role in monitoring applications for adjustment of status, reports about absconders and violators of Residency and Naturalization laws, payment of fees and other procedures
Department of Administrative and Financial Affairs
It involves management of human and financial resources, issuing of establishment cards to various companies, establishments and public relations officers in addition to collection of revenues and fees as well as audit of accounts and other functions.
Department of Information Technology
This Department is responsible for preparation of necessary programs for the smooth and quick progress of work, upgrading and development of software in line with fast-pace progress in information technology, and provision of equipment and programs to various sections
Department of Airports and Land Border Points
Dubai International Airport
The Airport processes passengers’ entry and departure as well as issues business (transit) and visit visas, hence playing a major role in promoting commercial and tourist activities of United Arab Emirates in general and of Dubai in particular.
Hatta Border Point
In 1999 Naturalization and Residency Administration, Dubai, established a branch at Hatta Fort building to facilitate procedures for UAE citizens as well as for other passengers and tourists crossing land borders. In cooperation with Hatta Fort Hotel, the Branch handles all procedures of passengers entry and departure as well as other transactions involving UAE citizens
Department of Seaports
Port Rashid
The Port accommodates large numbers of tourists and passengers through two sea lines linking Port Rashid to both Bandar Abbas and Bandar Linka Ports in Iran, as well as Umm Qasr Port in Iraq. Port Rashid also accommodates large-size shipping vessels, known as containers, in addition to large-size cattle vessels, as well as a special pier for naval ships
Shindagha Port
It is a crossing point for security checks conducted on sailors aboard wooden dhows, and also handles loading and unloading of cargo. Shindagha Port Passports Section issues debarkation permits for sailors and holds their cards until their departure from the Creek
Hamriya Port
This Port accommodates all sizes of wooden dhows and medium-size vessels, and is considered the country’s vital navigation artery linking UAE to neighboring countries such as Iran, Pakistani, India, Somalia and GCC countries. It accommodates wooden dhows which arrive loaded with goods on board and is considered a busy port actively contributing to a significant part of UAE revenues.
Jebel Ali Port
It was inaugurated in 1995 to issue various kinds of visit, employment and residence permits (new and renewed residence permits), cancel and extend validity of visit visas, process reports about absconders, issue and renew cards of public relations officers online, which is a characteristic activity to this Port.
Dubai Drydocks
It includes large docks prepared to accommodate all sizes of ships for repair at request. Debarkation permits are issued for sailors for one week only and can be extended for a further period.
Offsite Centers
1 - Abu Hail Center
2 - Bin Suqat Center
3 - Al-Dewan Center
4 - DNATA Center
5 - Emirates Airlines Office Center
6 - DNATA Aviation Center
7 - Hyatt Regency Center