UAE Government Department Update

UAE Government Department Update


Effective from Sunday 29th March 2020, the UAE government has temporarily closed government departments and has taken many of the processes and communication online.

All departments have now been switched to a full remote work system from the start of this week.

However we are seeing that the majority of processes can still be undertaken online, from Visa processing, new licence issuance, regulatory approvals and licence renewals - and Notary signings can now be executed through video conferencing facilities with the Notary Departments in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

We have compiled a detailed summary below with updates on each department in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and key Freezone Authorities below.

ABU DHABI - Government Departments Updates

Department

Physcial Location Closures

Processes and Solutions

Abu Dhabi - Department of Economic (AD DED)

from 29/03/20 - Physical DED Centres in AD are closed, all staff working from home

All AD DED processes are still available - Trade Name Reservations, Approvals, New Licence Issuance, Licence Renewals and Updates and other queries and processes are open and can be done online, or through email contact or through PPG

Abu Dhabi Municipality

from 29/03/20 - Physical Municipality offices in AD are closed, all staff working from home

All AD Municipality Approvals, including new Tawtheeq issuance, Tawtheeq renewals and queries and processes are open and can be done online, linked to Municipality system or through email contact or through PPG

Supreme Petroleum Council (SPC)

from 29/03/20 - Physical SPC centre closed, all staff working from home

All SPC approvals, and queries and processes are open and and can be done online, linked to DED system or through email contact or through PPG

Ministry of Labour (MOL)

from 29/03/20 - Physical MOL centres closed, all staff working from home

All MOL processes are open and can be done online through MOL online system or through PPG

Immigration (MOI) - Staff & Visa processing

from 29/03/20 - Physical MOI centres closed, all staff working from home

All Immigration and Visa processes are open and can be done online through eChannel system or through PPG - all staff and all visa types can still be processed - including new visas (in country), renewals, domestic staff, investor and employment visas. Visa's outside country cannot be initiated. MOI are fully contactable direct or through PPG. Physical Visa stamping in passports is done through 3 day Empost system

Immigration (MOI) - Company Dept

from 29/03/20 - Physical MOI centres closed, all staff working from home

All Company Immigration processes are open and can be done online or by email contact or through PPG contact. Immigration Establishment cards can be applied for an renewed as normal. PPG seeing a significant improvement and speed of this service at the moment.

Abu Dhabi Notary Public

from 29/03/20 - All physical Notary Publics in AD are closed, all staff working from home

All AD Notary processes are still available. Signing can be done by Video Conferencing. Notary Upload system is working well - documents are processed in a timely manner and Notary will check documents, approve and comment using the online Notary Portal. Once approved the Notary will schedule a Video Conference call for participants to be virtually present to show IDs and sign the document electronically. Speak to PPG for more details on specific document notarisation processes.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

Physical MOFA locations and desks closed from 29/03/20

Currently unable to get Company or Individual Document Attestations done at MOFA. Expecting an update on this service soon. Some departments are now accepting non attested documents or scanned versions is lieu of originals in the interim period. Ask PPG for more info

Tasheel - Abu Dhabi based Tasheel Centres

All remain open, with reduced hours from 8am to 2 pm

Medical Fitness Centres - for Health Checks for Visas

All Medical Fitness Centres are currently closed in Abu Dhabi

Immigration has now waived the requirement for a medical fitness test for Visa Renewals. New Visa applications for in country individuals can still be made but we are waiting for an update on this.

Emirates ID

All Emirates ID Centres are currently closed in Abu Dhabi

Emirates ID application can still be made through current process or through PPG, the application itself does not required for finger print, finger prints are required within 30 days to finalise the ID card however. We are waiting for an update on this in the coming days, speak to member of PPG team for latest update here.

Ministry of Economy (MOE) - in Abu Dhabi

from 29/03/20 - Physical MOE Centres in AD are closed, all staff working from home

All AD MOE queries and processes are open and can be done online, through MOE portal, though direct email contact or through PPG

CICPA (Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority)

Reduced Hours and change of physical delivery procedure

Most CICPA Locations have reduced applications to only once a week with appointments required. Finalised CICPA Pass physical card delivery form 2pm to 6pm only. Speak to your PPG contact for more details on specific CICPA location.

Dubai - Government Departments Updates

Department

Physcial Location Closures

Processes and Solutions

Dubai - Department of Economic (DUBAI DED)

from 29/03/20 - Physical DED Centres in Dubai are closed, all staff working from home

Online DED system limited, only Licence Renewals possible, some contact through direct DED staff. Contact PPG for further information

Dubai Municipality

from 25/03/20 - Physical Municipality offices in Dubai are closed, all staff working from home

General DM processes are closed - although direct contact still possible. Building works approvals possible. Ejari processing, new and renewals possible through Ejari portal. DM email contact or through PPG also possible.

Ministry of Labour (MOL)

from 29/03/20 - Physical MOL centres closed, all staff working from home

All MOL processes are open and can be done online through MOL online system or through PPG

Immigration (MOI) - Staff & Visa processing

from 29/03/20 - Physical MOI centres closed

Immigration centres at Manara, Jafliya and Al Tawar all closed as of 29/03/2020
Visa stamping can be done via Zajel, if application is standard, and in country. This is only possible for all companies with eDNRD access. Individual Visa renewals, and New Visas (already in country) can be done through eChannel system. Ask PPG for more information.

Immigration (MOI) - Company Dept

from 29/03/20 - MOI centres closed

Corporate Immigration Offices in Dubai are closed

Dubai - Notary Public

from 29/03/20 - All physical Notary Publics in Dubai are closed, all staff working from home

Dubai Notary processes are still available. Signing can be done by BOTIM or similar Video Conferencing. Notary upload system is working but limited, documents can be sent my email with all attachments, IDs etc pre-signed. The Notary will check documents, approve and then call participants on video call to check IDs and confirmation of signing. Notarised originals will be couriered once completed. Speak to PPG for more details on specific document notarisation processes.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

Physical MOFA locations and desks closed from 29/03/20. - only local UAE birth certificates are getting attested currently

Currently unable to get Company or Individual Document Attestations done at MOFA. Expecting an update on this service soon. Some departments are now accepting non attested documents or scanned versions is lieu of originals in the interim period. Ask PPG for more info

AMER - service centres in Dubai (MOI)

All Dubai AMER centres are now closed as from 29/03/20

Tasheel - Dubai based Tasheel Centres (MOL)

All Dubai Tasheel centres are now closed as from 29/03/20

Medical Fitness Centres - for Health Checks for Visas

All Medical Fitness Centres are currently closed in Dubai

Immigration has now waived the requirement for a medical fitness test for Visa Renewals. New Visa applications for in country individuals can still be made but we are waiting for an update on this. We are advised that Muhaisnah Medical Centre accepts applicants, updates to follow on this.

Emirates ID

All Emirates ID Centres are currently closed in Dubai

Emirates ID application can still be made through current process or through PPG, the application itself does not require biometrics, although biometrics (fingerprints, photos) are required within 30 days to finalise the ID card however. We are waiting for an update on this in the coming days, speak to member of PPG team for latest update here.

Ministry of Economy (MOE) - in Dubai

from 29/03/20 - Physical MOE Centres in Dubai are closed, all staff working from home

All Dubai MOE queries and processes are open and can be done online, through MOE portal, though direct email contact or through PPG

Please see additional information below on a number of UAE Free Zones.


  • RAKEZ – All service centres are closed as of 26/03/2020. Online and email processing possible and online portal functioning.
  • DMCC – DMCC are now being more flexible on document attestation requirements from certain countries that have an official register of documents and it is possible to download those documents from the official government portal such as UK Companies House, ACRA Singapore as well as other European Countries, USA, Canada, Australia etc - documents can now be accepted with only Notary stamp from these countries on a case by case basis. DMCC is also allowing signing of POAs, Board & Shareholder Resolutions and MOAs online (scanned documents) so the signatory can be abroad, however the signatory will still require a UAE UID immigration number. Please contact PPG for further information.
  • UAQ FTZ – closed as of 30/03/2020, however, will accepts applications and all incorporation documents can be sent electronically (via scanned copies and email). The license and other related documents will then be sent via email. Once the operation is back to normal, the originals will be provided.
  • Dubai World Central (DWC) - All employees working remotely, offices have been closed until further notice. Online and email processing possible and online portal functioning.
  • Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) - All employees working remotely, offices have been closed until further notice. Online and email processing possible and online portal functioning.
  • Dubai Development Authority (DDA) - All employees working remotely, offices have been closed until further notice. Online and email processing possible and online portal functioning.
  • Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) - All employees working remotely, offices have been closed until further notice. Online and email processing possible and online portal functioning. 

We will continue to closely monitor the situation and advise when normal business resumes.

The information presented in this note was correct at the time of circulation and is subject to change. We will continue monitoring the latest developments and will keep you informed.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the recent updates, please speak to your point of contact at PRO Partner Group or call a member of the team on +971 (0)2 448 5120 (Abu Dhabi), +971 (0)4 456 1761 (Dubai) or Email info@propartnergroup.com

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