The Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) will no longer accept cash payments for its services.
Effective today, only e-dirhams and credit cards will be accepted at all EIDA happiness centres.
The authority called on its customers to top up their e-dirham cards or carry a credit card before approaching any of its centres "so that they can process their transactions with ease and get the services they need as fast as possible".
"Stopping the collection of cash and turning to payment using the e-dirham or a credit card is part of a comprehensive transformation effort for government services across the country. It is in line with the quantum leap the UAE government has attained in developing its services and providing customers with easier and more flexible options," the authority said in a Press statement.
The main objective of this move is to make things easier for customers and streamline the services offered to them, the authority added. "This would enable customers to receive high-quality services as early as possible."
This will also help the EIDA achieve a 7-star rating for its services. In January this year, the authority joined the second generation of the e-Dirham system, which has the feature of integration into international payment methods and networks.
The system offers payment services for more than 5,000 government services.

source: Khaleejtimes