In many free zones and the UAE, an original EEP document is placed at the foreign national's airport of entry. On arrival, the foreign national proceeds to collect the original document from the visa section near airport immigration and enters the country on the basis of the EEP.

However, under the DMCC's new process, an electronic copy of the EEP is sent to the foreign national, who needs to present a printed copy to airport immigration to be granted entry.

No other changes to the immigration process have been reported by DMCC.

What This Means for Employers

Clients operating in the DMCC should make note of this new procedural change and be mindful of the fact that placing a hard copy of DMCC-sponsored EEPs at the foreign national's port of entry is no longer required.

DMCC employers should advise their incoming foreign workers to travel with a printout of their e-visa to present to immigration officials at the airport in order to enter Dubai.