The electronic identification card and resident card are an ID card featuring the holder’s photograph and a microchip that contains the user’s biometric data. Every citizen and resident holding an id card has his/her own unique civil number that identifies and protects his/her rights.

The Card Features

• Plastic card covered with a transparent layer of plastic. It has an electronic chip with a bigger capacity to store personal data with higher security standards

• Depends on essential standards: technology of electronic transfer of the holder’s fingerprint and storing it on the electronic chip fitted on the card.

• It contains important data along with the driving license data on its back.

• The electronic chip contains the same notable features on the card along with other data such as occupation, marital status, level of education, and the passport number. It also includes the picture and fingerprint of the holder

Why should I get an electronic ID card?

• The electronic ID card works as A multi-application card of this kind could integrate: a personal identity card, a driver’s license, an e-government card with a digital signature for using special official services, a credit card . There will be even more services in the future, and thus the electronic ID card will become a single key for numerous on-line services.

• With the electronic identification card, it is possible to exchange information over data networks with public authorities, companies and corporate bodies. The uses to which the card can be put are numerous. For cardholders, the card saves time and trouble as they can access services from practically any computer round the clock. At the same time, administrative services will become more diversified and efficient. What is more, the cost of producing the services will be reduced, allowing greater potential for expanding their uses.

• A prerequisite for transacting official business on an on-line basis is that the service providers can offer effective services. Once this is accomplished, people can access them through the internet or some other information network. To make it possible to perform secure transactions and use a digital signature, the computer or other terminal must be fitted with a card reader that is available as an accessory. In future, card readers will be standard on computers, just as disk drives are today.

• A number of technical applications for various uses can be incorporated in the electronic ID card according to the cardholder’s wishes. Such applications may include government services

• A solution that guarantees security in open information networks already exists. The personal civil number used for reliable electronic information ensures that people exchanging official information over the network are exactly who they claim to be.

• The electronic identification card is safe to use because it is based on high-security, microchip technology. As with other smart cards, every cardholder has a civil number and the holder biometric data . No one can access to it even in the event that the card is lost or that unauthorized person try to use it.

The important applications:

Integration with government institutions

The electronic Id and Resident cards are enabler of e-government application. The electronic link with the civil status system through the civil number would help government institutions make transactions easier. The Civil Number, that each citizen and resident would be issued, would enable the concerned authorities to have easy access to personal information available in the Civil Register data base.

The stakeholders that are linked with the system are:

1. Ministry of Education

2. Ministry of Health

3. Ministry of Manpower

4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

5. Ministry of Justice

6. Ministry of Civil Services

Automated flow of data between the national registration system and other stakeholder computer systems is an efficient, reliable, secure and timely manner to expedite the citizen's transactions with and reduce data entry

E- gates

E-gates at Muscat International Airport are an advanced passenger clearance system that considerably accelerates the movement of traffic through electronic screening of passengers’ data with the help of the electronic smart ID card and resident card.

The new system of automated electronic gates not only installed to speed up the registration of travelers through the airport but will also act as a significant barrier for illegal entrants in to the Sultanate. The electronic gates, utilize the concepts of electronic Id card and resident card with fingerprint identification to automate the registration process.

These e-gates with the smart Id card and resident card will reduce the time of manual passport processing procedures and them the travel indeed becomes more pleasant, faster and efficient.

E- purse

Id card and resident card electronic chip serves and accepts as a huge store for numerous data and applications important for the holder.

Electronic purse is one of the smart Id cards benefits. it provides the card holders with payment products that are faster, easier less expensive and more convenient than cash, particularly in small value transaction.

This E-purse with smart Id card and resident card helps the holders to pay the transactions fess electronically more faster than cash payment.