The Entry Permits and Residence Sector Clinches the Top Institutional Accolade Amid Strict Evaluations Across 102 Nominations
DUBAI: The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai hosted its prestigious 14th annual ‘Banner of Excellence Award’ ceremony for the 2025–2026 cycle. Held in the presence of GDRFA Director General Lt. General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, the gala celebrated outstanding institutional achievements, operational efficiency, and exceptional individual performance among public sector employees and specialized units.
The high-profile event drew a distinguished assembly of UAE dignitaries, including Hessa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority; Abdullah bin Zayed, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department; and Dr. Lowai Mohamed Belhoul, Director General of the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department and Executive Council Member. Also in attendance were Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director General of GDRFA, alongside senior officials and strategic partners across Dubai’s governance landscape.
Illustrating the rigorous standards of Dubai’s modern governance framework, this cycle drew 102 nominations distributed across 14 institutional and 17 individual categories. A panel of 14 expert evaluators logged over 125 intensive hours scrutinizing applications. Ultimately, the meticulous review culminated in honors for 55 individual winners alongside several operational divisions, plus 9 special recognition awards reserved for personnel making transformative impacts on Dubai’s public administration infrastructure.
In a poignant segment highlighting corporate legacy, the GDRFA honored four Emirati professionals who recently transitioned from the Directorate to advance their careers at other government entities. This gesture underscored the GDRFA’s long-standing role as a premier incubator for leadership and professional talent within the UAE civil services.
Addressing the audience, Lt. General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri stressed that the ‘Banner of Excellence’ is a cornerstone of the directorate’s internal ethos. He stated that operational brilliance is no longer an isolated milestone but an integrated institutional standard aligned with the UAE leadership’s future-focused vision.
“The sustainable success of the GDRFA is driven by dedicated teams who view excellence as a shared daily obligation. The truest investment a forward-thinking entity can make is in nurturing and recognizing the minds behind creative, innovative solutions,” Al Marri affirmed.
The evening’s crowning institutional honor went to the Entry Permits and Residence Sector, which claimed the grand ‘Banner of Excellence’ title for its exceptional workflows and synchronized public service delivery. Other top-performing divisions securing first-place rankings in specialized institutional categories included Human Resources and Finance, Identity and Citizenship Affairs, Sea and Land Border Ports, Airport Affairs, Violators and Foreigners Follow-up, Governance and Regulatory Oversight, Labor Relations Regulation, and the Digital Services Sector.
Under the leadership of UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai has institutionalized rigorous governance standards to remain a global hub for business and tourism. Government entities like the GDRFA continuously upgrade operations via advanced digitalization, aiming to enhance the quality of life for global citizens, residents, and investors alike.
