EK no longer helps with visas. It now goes through a somewhat modified process.

Simply stating, if you are not going to be sponsored by a UAE resident, you must stay in a hotel and go via a package/tourism company. You cannot visit UAE legally otherwise anymore (staying with friends or family, but just using an EK-sponsored visa without having to involve the UAE person).

http://emirates.com/us/english/plan_...uae_visas.aspx

Rasheed