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Hi all

I have recently been offered a job in a Dubai free zone (currently I am living in Europe).

My company has started ~5 weeks ago the process to issue the visa (I sent the requiered documents...). It took some time to gather all the documents (and Immigration was constantly coming back with new documents requests (birth certificate), explanations etc.).

Now, last week, I have been informed by my future employer that it's currently under 'security check'.

What does it exactly stand for???
Are they checking through Interpol that I am not a "risky" person? Or checking through the embassy of my home country (France) that I don't have criminal records, or flagged as a risky person? or else..?

Then I have seen on the internet different speculations with regards to the time needed to complete this security check procedure: some people speaking about 1 week, and other about 6-8 months!!
My main concern is that my employer could be discouraged and give up everything. Initially they told me that it should take a month or so, and that I would be expected to start in September/October (which will not be the case).

I have heard as well that for purely "westerners" it was easier and faster to get the overall process approved: is that right? (which is not my case...even though I have a french citizenship, was born and raised in France, my name sounds rather arab/muslim, and I heard that this could make complexify things..).

Are there any hints of how long this security check could take in a dubai free zone area?
I heard that for Government/semi-government companies, it could take longer (in my case it's a private company) ?
Are there differences in the processing time between dubai & Abu Dhabi (I mainly saw information on the topic concerning Abu Dhabi) .

Last but not least, I have seen that visiting certain countries could be a cause of security check denied; In my case, I have been 2 years ago twice to Egypt for purely professional reasons (i stayed there 2-3 days): someone in the forum mentioned this country as a "drawback" (sorry for this word) to get security check approved .. Is that right?

Thanks all