90-day ‘mission entry permit’ decree issued

A ministerial decree issued yesterday by Lieutenant-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Interior Minister, stipulates that the current 90-day 'Mission Entry Permit' can be issued to foreigners to carry out an "urgent" task for a company or a public or private institution operating in the country, provided that this body has a sponsor with a commercial registration in the UAE.

Engineers, doctors, lawyers and qualified technicians can also avail of the new permit as well as their families.

The permit, to be issued by immigration authorities, has to be sanctioned by Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. It will be issued at all air, sea and land entry points and can be renewed once for an additional 90 days. According to the decree, a Dh600 issuance fee will be levied. Another Dh1,200 fee will be charged for renewal, as stipulated by Cabinet Decision No. 16 of 2005.

An official source at the General Directorate of Naturalisation and Residency (GDNR) said the purpose of introducing the new mission permit was to rid the country of the misuse of entry permits issued for visit purposes.

"The new permit will be issued for accomplishing an urgent mission. This will rid the country of the misuse of visit visas for work purposes," the source said.

Under the 'Mission Entry Permit' system, foreign workforce will be able to work in the country without employment visa.

Senior officials earlier said the system aims to facilitate recruitment procedures required for employing temporary foreign workforce who are in demand in the local market.