IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Dubai Creative Clusters Authority authorities have said they will no longer require original documents from foreign nationals immediately upon their arrival in the United Arab Emirates to initiate the medical and Emirates ID form typing.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Medical and Emirates ID registration.
  • Who is affected: Foreign nationals completing medical and Emirates ID registration.
  • Impact on processing times: The change will eliminate one step in the registration process and will save time for foreign nationals arriving in the UAE in completing the necessary procedures before beginning work.

Background: Authorities made the announcement in December and the change took effect Jan. 1. The new procedures work as follows:

  1. After a foreign national holding an employment entry permit arrives in Dubai, the employer (or BAL on behalf of the employer) processes arrival information online and uploads a scanned copy of the foreign national’s stamped entry permit and employment contract.
  2. AXS will then notify BAL, the employer and the employee by email that medical and Emirates ID forms have been typed and are available to collect either from Dubai Knowledge Park, Block-12, or Dubai International Academic City Medical Centre.
  3. Upon collecting the forms and completing medical testing and biometrics procedures, the employee should be prepared to hand over their original passport and stamped entry permit, which will then be held for visa processing.

BAL Analysis: The DCCA’s goal in implementing the change is to “reduce the overall application process time for the benefit of all our business partners.” The procedures are consistent with broader efforts in Dubai and throughout the UAE to move immigration processes online and eliminate reliance on government couriers, which were previously used to collect passports and other documents for medical and Emirates ID registration.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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