How to Get a CICPA Pass in Abu Dhabi
The companies and their employees need to obtain a CICPA Pass to work in any restricted area of the Abu Dhabi. The business establishments who want to enter a restricted area for research or other work purposes, are required to apply for a CICPA Pass with a proper application procedure.
The Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) is a part of Abu Dhabi Government. The CICPA takes care of infrastructure and national resources of Abu Dhabi. It provides a clearance permit called CICPA Pass to workers of the business organizations to enter restricted areas and do their job work.
What is a CICPA Pass?
A CICPA Pass is an official permit to work at the premises or work sites of the companies located in restricted areas of Abu Dhabi. The term “restricted area” includes both the land area and water area that are not available for general public and tourists.
Who Need to Obtain a CICPA Pass?
The companies who are deemed to be important to Abu Dhabi, are required to obtain a CICPA Pass Security Permit. The employees of such companies are also required to obtain a CICPA Pass.
Companies Who Require a CICPA Pass in Abu Dhabi
- Power Plants
- Oil and Gas Manufacturers
- Maritime Industries
- Energy Industries
- Finance Companies
- Transport Companies i.e. Road, Water (Maritime), Air and Rail
- Water Supply Companies
- Healthcare Provider Companies
- Communication Industries Working with ADNOC Group
- Government Service Organizations
- Food Supply Chain Companies
Employees Who Require a CICPA Pass in Abu Dhabi
- Employees of Above Mentioned Companies Are Required to Obtain a CICPA Pass.
- The term “employees” includes every working individual person from top management to bottom level labour workers. Everyone needs a CICPA Pass.
- Under special circumstances, the companies can obtain a temporary security permit (CICPA Pass) for their temporary contract workers.
In addition to companies and their employees, the public relations officer (PRO) is also required to obtain a CICPA Pass. If the employees need to drive vehicles in the restricted area, they have to obtain a CICPA Pass Security Permit for every vehicle.
Company’s Eligibility to Get a CICPA Pass
The companies must meet the following eligibility criteria to get a CICPA Pass in Abu Dhabi.
- Must Possess a Trade License issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED).
- Must Have Registered with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI).
- Must Have Obtained Supreme Petroleum Council Approval (SPC Approval).
- Have a contract with a concession-holding company, including duration, sites, number of persons, vehicles, vessels and photography requirement.
If a company meets all 4 eligibility conditions and have all required documents then it is able to do CICPA Registration and apply for a CICPA Pass in Abu Dhabi.
Who Cannot Get a CICPA Pass?
- The companies who have an Abu Dhabi Trade License for Free Zones cannot get a CICPA Pass.
- The companies with a Trade License issued by Other Emirates cannot get a CICPA Pass.
- The employees of companies located in free zones of Abu Dhabi are not eligible to get a CICPA Pass.
- The employees with a Residency/Employment Visa of Other Emirates are not eligible to get a CICPA Pass.
- The Free Zone Visa, Tourist Visa and Visit Visa Holders are not eligible to get a CICPA Pass.
CICPA Registration Steps for Companies
The companies who want to obtain a CICPA Pass, cannot apply directly for it. They have to complete the CICPA Registration Process as per Abu Dhabi Government Rules. The CICPA Registration Steps are as under.
- Register the Company
- Register the Letter of Assistance
- Collect the PRO Card (PRO = Public Relations Officer)
After completing all 3 steps of CICPA Registration, the companies can apply for a CICPA Pass orSecurity Permit.
Documents Needed for CICPA Registration for a Company
In order to do CICPA Registration, a company must have all required documents given below.
- Completed application form
- Trade License
- Signatory’s signature authorization
- Letter from company requesting to open a file and approve a PRO
- Certified PRO authorization
- Letter of Assistance (LOA) with a concession-holding company, including duration, sites, number of persons, vehicles, vessels and photography requirement
- Cover letter for the contract from the Supreme Petroleum Council in case work is required in oil installations
- Completed introduction form for PRO (handwritten in Arabic for Arab nationals and typed in English for foreigners)
- Personal photo (must be 4cm x 6cm, frontal on a red background without any glasses)
- PRO’s POA, Passport, labour card, visa (if the individual has the old-style pink visa) and Emirates ID
- Establishment card
With all 11 documents ready, the company owner or the PRO can submit the application for CICPA Registration. After successful registration, the company can apply for CICPA Pass.
Documents Needed for CICPA Pass Application
The list of documents needed for CICPA Pass Application are as under.
- Completed application form
- Completed introduction form
- Personal photo (must be 4cm x 6cm, frontal on a red background without any glasses)
- Passport, visa and Emirates ID, or passport and mission visa
- Contract copy
- Trade License
Documents Needed for CICPA Vehicle Security Permit and Driver
Documents Needed for Vehicle Security Permit
- Completed application form
- Vehicle registration card
- Letter of Assistance (LOA)
- Trade license
- Signatory’s signature authorization
- No objection letter from traffic and licensing department, including a list of vehicle numbers, categories and types
Documents Needed for a Vehicle Driver
- Completed introduction form
- Personal photo (must be 4cm x 6cm, frontal on a red background without any glasses)
- Letter from company requesting permit
- Driver’s driving license
- Driver’s passport, visa and Emirates ID
- Driver’s security permit
Documents Needed for CICPA Vessels Security Permit
- Completed application form
- Maritime license issued by the National Transport Authority
- Trade license
- Signatory’s signature authorization
- Crew’s security permits
Documents Needed for CICPA Photography Security Permit
- Completed application form
- Completed introduction form
- Personal photo (must be 4cm x 6cm, frontal on a red background without any glasses)
- Passport, visa
- Letter of Assistance (LOA)
- Trade License
- Signatory’s signature authorization
- Municipality permit
- Security permit
- Letter from concession holding company declaring the person’s details and camera details
- List detailing cameras, to include type and serial number; and persons, to include name, profession, and nationality.
Documents Needed for CICPA Pass for a Person
- Completed application form
- Completed introduction form
- Personal photo (must be 4cm x 6cm, frontal on a red background without any glasses)
- Passport copy with minimum 6-month validity
- A Valid Emirates ID copy
- A Valid Residency Visa or Employment Visa
- Labour Card Copy
- Labour Contract Copy and Signature Authentication
- An Official Letter of Hiring Company (Only for Government Employees
CICPA Pass Cost/Fees
The cost of CICPA Pass is different for different categories. You can check the list below to know how much a CICPA Pass costs in 2024.
- For Individuals/People – AED 100 per person
- For Vehicles – AED 200 per vehicle
- For Photography – AED 200 per pass/permit
- For Vessels – AED 500 per vessel
How to Apply for a CICPA Pass
To apply for a CICPA Pass, you must have a completed application form with all required documents mentioned above. You need to visit the CICPA Office to submit your application form with documents to the Security Permit Section. Here I provide the CICPA Office Address as under.
CICPA Office Address – Abu Dhabi
Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA)
2nd Street, Al Bateen Executive Airport,
Al Muntazah – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
After you submit your application for CICPA Pass, you need to wait for its approval by the CICPA department. Once your application is approved, the department will issue the CICPA Pass (Security Permit) to your company and its employees.
Validity of CICPA Pass
The validity of a company’s CICPA Pass is the same as validity of its Letter of Assistance (LOA) and PRO Card. It means that your company’s CICPA Pass will expire together with your LOA and PRO Card.
CICPA Pass Renewal
When a company’s LOA and PRO Card expire, its CICPA Pass expires automatically. Thereafter the company owner must apply for a new LOA and PRO Card. After the company receives a new LOA and PRO Card, the owner or PRO (Public Relations Officer) should apply for CICPA Pass Renewal 30 days before the expiry date.
Documents Needed for CICPA Pass Renewal
- All documents listed above except Introduction Form
- A Colour Copy of Current CICPA Pass (Security Permit)
Validity of CICPA Temporary Permit
If you want to obtain a CICPA Temporary Permit, you can get it with a validity of minimum 1 day and maximum 30 days.
Conclusion
The companies whose work directly affects the economic development of Abu Dhabi, are called critical. All critical companies are required to apply for a CICPA Pass (Security Permit) for their employees, vehicles, driver, vessels and photography work.
The critical companies are established in restricted area of Abu Dhabi. Nobody is allowed to enter the restricted area without a CICPA Pass/Permit. I have shared all important information about CICPA Pass Registration, Application, Needed Documents and Renewal.
In case you have any query, you can check the questions and answers mentioned below. For further information, you can ask me in the comment section to get a reply in 24-48 hours.
FAQs
How do I apply for a CICPA Pass in Abu Dhabi?
You can visit the CICPA Office and submit your application form with required documents to apply for a CICPA Pass in Abu Dhabi.
Can a tourist visa holder get a CICPA Pass?
No, a tourist visa holder cannot get a CICPA Pass in Abu Dhabi because it is not available for tourists, visitors and residents of other Emirates.
Can I get a Temporary Security Permit?
Yes, you can get a Temporary Security Permit under special circumstances.
How long is a CICPA Pass is valid?
A CICPA Pass is valid for up to the expiry of the company’s LOA and PRO Card. If you have a Temporary Security Permit, it is valid for 1 to 30 days.
