Practicalities
Visa/immigration
British citizens who enter the UAE as visitors can obtain a residence/work permit after arrival, but are strongly advised to seek guidance from the UAE Embassy in London or from their prospective employer/sponsor before travelling to the UAE. Otherwise, residency visas are usually sponsored by an employer and last for three years. Another, more expensive, option is to purchase property in Dubai, which entitles expatriates to apply for residency. The application process for a residency visa can be quite bureaucratic and it is essential to arrange it before arrival – without it, you cannot work, buy a car, rent property or buy alcohol.
UK citizens can stay for 60 days on a tourist visa, while citizens of France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong can obtain a one-month visitors' visa on arrival. Others will need to secure a visa in advance. Israeli citizens are not admitted to the United Arab Emirates. Citizens of other countries with Israeli stamps in their passports will also be denied entry.
Language and working hours
Arabic is the official language, while Farsi, Hindi, Urdu and English are widely spoken. Business is generally conducted in English, but expatriates that make the effort to learn some Arabic will find it very well-received by locals
The Islamic holy day is Friday and the conventional working week runs from Sunday to Thursday, although there are gradual moves to introduce a Western working week. Due to the heat, Dubaians start work early – between eight and eight-thirty – and usually call it a day at six-thirty.
Schools
Dubai is a popular destination for expats with families thanks to the quality of the schools on offer.
Private schools offering either the UK or US curriculum are reasonably plentiful, but competition for the best ones can be quite fierce. Fees are also high so it advisable to find school places before arriving in Dubai. Lists of schools can be found at:
http://www.theemiratesnetwork.com/dir/Education/Schools/Dubai/
http://www.dubaicityguide.com/geninfo/education.asp
Health
Vaccination for cholera and yellow-fever is mandatory if travelling from an infected area. AIDS tests are required for those taking up residence. Cholera, polio, tetanus and typhoid vaccinations and anti-malaria precautions are advisable. Medical facilities in Dubai are of a high standard but there is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between Dubai and the UK so full medical insurance is essential as treatment costs are high.
Driving
Owning and renting a car is not problematic and the road system in Dubai and elsewhere in the UAE is of a high standard. The same cannot be said of the standard of driving, where sudden swerving, lane hopping, speeding and not maintaining required distance between vehicles are commonplace. The Dubai government recently launched a crackdown on bad driving which may or may not prove successful.
Women
Dubai is an Islamic country and most Dubaian women wear Islamic dress and a large number wear veils. There are no restrictions for western women on employment, driving or dress, although expatriates should take care not to test local sensibilities too much.
|
