Dubai Appeals to Startup Ecosystem for Blockchain Immigration Solution

Dubai's immigration agency is seeking a blockchain startup to develop a system that will cut illegal residency in the country.

AccessTimeIconDec 23, 2016 at 2:15 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 5:31 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Dubai's immigration agency is seeking a blockchain startup to develop a system that will cut illegal residency in the country.

As part of the second round of The Dubai Future Accelerator, the largest government-supported accelerator, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs has put out a call for blockchain companies to apply to take the effort forward.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • The agency is hoping to reduce illegal resident entry by 50% using an “international blockchain”, according to a 22nd December press release.

    Other government agencies in Dubai are also looking for technology startups as part of the accelerator program. Some of the calls seem ripe for blockchain’s publicized use cases.

    For instance, the Department of Economic Development wants to use automated systems to cut governmental red tape by 20% – more specifically reducing the processing time for receiving, renewing and modifying trade licenses.

    And the Dubai Health Authority is looking to improve patient self-management of health data, a use case for blockchain that was talked about during the Distributed Health conference recently.

    'Better future'

    The Dubai Future Accelerator takes no equity from companies that participate, plus provides flights, accommodation and office space for the nine-week program where startups get to test prototypes with large Dubai enterprises and government entities. The second round starts 12th February.

    “By bringing innovative global startups together with government entities in Dubai, the program offers them the potential to materialize their ideas and projects in a forward-thinking city, and play their part in building a better future today,” said Saif Al-Aleeli, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation in the press release.

    Blockchain isn’t the only high-tech application the agencies are hoping to take advantage of. Companies specializing in artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing and drones are also being asked to participate.

    Dubai waterfront image via Shutterstock

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.