CICPA Passes

Employees who are working at a premises considered part of the Critical National Infrustructure will need to get CICPA pass for security access to these sites. To get a CICPA Pass, the employees company has to have a valid onshore Abu Dhabi trade licence and have already obtained prior SPC approval.

CICPA Security Pass in Abu Dhabi

In order to protect Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure and assets, CICPA was set up to prevent any security risks or actions by hostile groups. The Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) is responsible for safeguarding Abu Dhabi and therefore they issue security permits for companies, vehicles, vessels, land and individuals who work in sectors which are considered to be a vital part of Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure.

What is a CICPA security pass?

Employees working at the premises of any establishment which has been deemed critical to Abu Dhabi are required to register their relevant staff for security permits with CICPA. The staff can be working both onshore or offshore, at sea as well as on land.

What type of staff require a CICPA security pass?

Staff who work at the premises of a company, branch or establishment which is considered part of the Critical National Infrastructure would require a security pass. While this is not an exclusive list, if you work in maritime industries, power plants, energy industry, oil and gas, finance, transport (air, land maritime, as well as rail), water, health, and communications (particularly those companies that work with ADNOC Group) then it is likely that you may require one of these security passes.

Many Government services and also companies which the ‘food supply industry’ depends on, are also likely to be covered. Companies working in the airline industry and aviation are highly likely to need a permit as well, as this is a sector vulnerable to potential attacks.

In some cases temporary permits can be obtained by using temporary work contracts under special circumstances.

Which companies require CICPA security approval?

As a general guideline, any assets, facilities and companies, which if destroyed, would prevent the country from conducting its key infrastructure strategy could be deemed critical and are therefore likely to need a security permit. If these companies or facilities were destroyed or unavailable for an extended period of time, then this would significantly impact the social and economic wellbeing of the UAE.

Whether a company or job is considered part of this critical national infrastructure can also be dependent on the supply chain. For example, the supply of food to the region is dependent on transport. Therefore, transport is considered a critical part of the National infrastructure. Companies setting up and operating in the Oil and Gas industry (ADNOC) may require to obtain CICPA passes for staff and technicians that are vising Critical Infrastructure areas, such as Oil Rigs, Refineries and Power Plants. Not to mention, also Supreme Petroleum Council Approval (SPC Approval). Therefore companies need SPC Approval and to obtain CICPA Passes if the are working in the Oil and Gas industry in the UAE.

It is interesting to note that permits can be issued for vehicles, vessels, drivers, on land and offshore, and also for specific tasks such as photography for example. Therefore if your company, or any of your staff, intend to work in one of these areas, then it is important to find out if you need to obtain a CICPA security pass.

For more information on the process to obtain CICPA passes please visit our webpage on the detailed process for CICPA Passes

APPLY FOR YOUR CICPA PASS

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