Expat city guide

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DUBAI

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DUBAI

Summary
Housing:Dubai...............................................................................3
How to Find a Job:Dubai................................................................5
Work:Dubai...................................................................................5
VISA:Dubai....................................................................................6
Banking:Dubai...............................................................................8
Administration:Dubai.....................................................................9
Owning a Car - Driving License: Dubai......................................... 10
Tax:Dubai....................................................................................10
Social Security:Dubai................................................................... 11
Health:Dubai............................................................................... 11
Education System:Dubai..............................................................12
Pet Relocation:Dubai....................................................................12
Daily Life:Dubai...........................................................................13
Insurance:Dubai..........................................................................14
House Workers:Dubai..................................................................14
Telecommunications:Dubai...........................................................15
Utilities:Dubai..............................................................................16
Environment.................................................................................17
Children .....................................................................................17
Climate and Weather....................................................................17

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Housing:Dubai

Type of Housing for Expatriates

Apartments and villas are popular types of housing with expats. When looking for a place to rent,
it may be worth checking supermarket ad boards in Spinneys and Abela and the classifieds of the
local newspapers like the Gulf News.

The most popular residential areas for Western expats are Jumeirah, Umm Suquiem, and Safa.
These are upmarket, expensive areas, located between the coast and the Sheikh Zayed Highway,
south of the Dubai Creek.

Use the free and easy search for serviced apartment in your area Use the search box to see
the options available in your chosen location.
www.expatfinder.com/dubai/housing-property/serviced-apartments-dubai.html

You can find more reasonably priced villa accommodation in Satwa and Garhoud. Apartments are
found mainly in the Bur Dubai area, Sheikh Zayed Road, Deira, Satwa, and Karama. Lower cost
property can also be found in areas like Rashidiya, Mirdif, Al Barsha, and Al Quoz.

The Housing Market

Apartments are usually rented unfurnished and they are usually in apartment complexes which
come with facilities such as a swimming pool and a gym.

When renting a property, you are usually required to pay the full 12-month rental upfront. Some
landlords will accept 6 months’ payment. In addition, a property agent typically charges 5% of one
year’s rental for their service upon signing of the lease.

Being a Muslim country, followers of Islam are summoned for prayer five times a day from
loudspeakers at the top of mosques which dot every neighborhood. Before signing a lease, drop by
the property at a time that coincides with the prayer call to assess the sound level from inside the
property – you don’t want to be awoken abruptly every morning! As the streets are quiet at dawn,
prayer calls tend to sound even louder.

Renting a Home
If you are in Dubai with a company, they usually make all the arrangements for you and some
companies even have long-term housing already established for their expatriate employees. If
your company is not making any accommodation arrangements for you, it is best to search for
accommodation with the assistance of specialized real estate agents. Reputable agents will help to
ensure proper paperwork and lease negotiations.

Viewing
While viewing apartments with a rental agent, be sure to ask to see a wide range of housing
options. As a foreigner, many rental agents will assume that you want a lavish or expensive

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apartment, or the landlord may be asking for more than

the actual value of the apartment. Be sure to do your Did you know ?
research ahead of time by asking your fellow expats in
Dubai how much their rent is, and remember there are Strikes and labour unions
always options for every budget. are illegal in the Emirates

You should also consider the following while viewing

apartments:

A. Basic Amenities:
•Western style toilets and showers
•Hot water heaters
•Attached bathroom to bedrooms
•Bars on windows (for street level apartments and heavy door locks (for
security)
•Built-in closets and shelves
•Air-conditioning and heating
•Furniture quality

B. Apartment Construction:
•Floor quality
•Plumbing quality (are there any noticeable leaks)
•Water pressure
•Location of electrical sockets
•Bathroom floor slant (sometimes away from the drain!)
•Structure (high apartments build on pillars over a parking garage may not be
structurally sound)
•Building maintenance (is there any regular upkeep?)

C. Location:
•Large factories nearby may affect air quality
•Highways and busy roads can have traffic all day and night
•Lots of trees and a quiet neighborhood is always a plus
•Check the location’s distance to your work, and the potential traffic problems
that may arise during rush hour.

Renting
2. Renting

Some of the fees for renting an apartment are as follows:

•Registration charges
•Realtor’s fees: usually 5% of annual rental (one-off payment)
•Solicitor’s/Lawyer’s fees (if required)
•Water and electricity deposit (Dh 1000 – 2000) which is refundable at the end of the
tenancy period, less any unpaid bills
•Refundable security deposit (Dh 5000 – 10,000

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How to Find a Job:Dubai Did you know ?

Pearls have been
harvested by Gulf fisheries
Job Search for more than 5,000 years.
It is generally recommended that you secure a job before
relocating to Dubai. However, it is still possible to look for
a job if you arrive in Dubai as a tourist. You can only start
work after you have obtained a work permit.

To look for a job in Dubai, you can go through employment agencies or online job sites such as
Gulf Job Sites (http://www.gulfjobsites.com/jobs/United_Arab_Emirates/Dubai/), Go Dubai (http://
www.godubai.com/Jobs/resources.asp), or Career Dubai (http://www.careerdubai.net/Home.aspx).

The English newspapers that have job classifieds are:

Gulf News
http://www.gulfnews.com/home/

Gulf Today
http://www.godubai.com/gulftoday/

Emirates Today
www.emiratestoday.com

Khaleej Times
www.khaleejtimes.com

Work:Dubai
Usual working hours in the commercial sector are 9am to 6pm, from Sunday to Thursday.

Current Work Legislation and Application Procedure:

If you are going to be working for a government organization, you will need to undergo a medical
check-up and submit its results together with your application for an employment visa. Your appli-
cation also needs to be endorsed by the government organization you are employed by. The same
procedure applies if you are going to be employed by a company in the private sector, except that
the company’s commercial license needs to be submitted as well.

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Holidays and Day-offs:

Did you know ?
Public Holidays:
Dates for Islamic festivals
Public Holidays:
cannot be forecast with
precision because they
New Year’s Day January 1 depend on the sighting
Islamic New Year 1 day in January of the moon. The Islamic
or December year lasts 354 days, or
Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday 1 day in March 11 fewer days than the
Ascension of the Prophet 1 day in July or 365 days in the Canadian
August calendar.
End of Ramadan 1 day in October
National Day December 2
Feast of the Sacrifice December 9

VISA:Dubai

Visa Categories
Employment Visa:
You will need to have a residential permit before you can apply for a labor card. The labor card
will permit you to obtain employment in the UAE. The residential permit can be obtained when
someone in UAE can legally sponsor you and the sponsor has to be either your relative or a
company that’s going to employ you.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs issues the employment visa initially for a period of 30 days,
after you have shown proof of having acquired a job (or about to get one). Your employer will then
be responsible for the paperwork involved in getting your work permit. Take note that you cannot
leave the company that sponsored your work permit for another company unless the new company
has agreed to sponsor you.

Business Visa:
A business or investor visa is issued when the applicant has a minimum of Dh 70,000 in share
capital. This visa is issued for an initial period of three years.

Tourist Visa:
This category of visit visa is available for tourists who are not eligible to be issued with a visa on
arrival. To obtain a tourist visa you must sponsored by a hotel or tour operator. The visa entitles
its holder to a 30-day stay and is non-renewable. The fee is Dh 100, with an additional Dh 10 for
delivery.

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Spouse or Dependent Visa:

Once you are a resident of the UAE, you will be able to Did you know ?
sponsor your spouse or dependents. Your spouse will
Several million migrating
also be able to work in the UAE.
birds, including hawks,
gulls and Indian rollers, fly
Student Visa: acrossthe Gulf annually,
To enrol in an educational institution in the UAE, a making it one of the most
residence visa is required. However, student visas are important “flyways” in the
provided by all colleges and universities and also a few world
training institutes.

Transit Visa:
Transit passengers stopping at Dubai International Airport for a minimum of eight hours and
meeting the certain conditions are eligible for obtaining a 96-hour transit visa. To be eligible for
the transit visa, you need to be sponsored by an airline and your visa application should show a
confirmed onward booking to a third destination. Your passport should also be valid for at least
three months.

Entry Visa:
An entry service permit (sometimes referred to as a 14-day stay) is available to businessmen and
tourists. To obtain this permit, you must be sponsored by a company, commercial establishment,
or a hotel licensed to operate within the UAE. This non-renewable visa is valid for 14 days from the
date of issue and the duration of stay is 14 days from the date of entry. It costs Dh 120.

Visit Visa:
Tourists who want to spend more than 14 days in the UAE can apply for a Visit Visa. These could
be people coming for family visits or those on long-term business visas. To obtain a Visit Visa, you
will need the sponsorship of an UAE resident or any company or hotel licensed to operate within
the UAE. The visa is valid for 60 days and is renewable for a maximum of 90 days. The Visit Visa
costs Dh 100 and a further Dh 500 to renew it.

Obtaining a Visa
The different categories of visas will have different requirements based upon the applicant’s
country of origin. What follows should be considered general guidelines, and you should contact
the relevant embassy or consultant in your country.

Most visas require the following:

1. Visa Application Form: This should be filled in legibly and clearly, using bold (capital) letters
in blue or black ink. Your name and other relevant particulars should be filled in identically to the
details in the passport.
2. Passport: Your passport should have a minimum validity of six months from the date of
application and at least two blank pages.
3. Photographs: You will need two recent identical passport size photographs depicting a frontal
pose against light plain background.

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4. Supporting Documents: If the visa that you are

applying for is other than a Tourist Visa, you must submit Did you know ?
the required documents specific for your visa category.
Several million migrating
5. Visa Fee: The amount of fee depends on the category
birds, including hawks,
of visa, and the country in which the application is being
gulls and Indian rollers, fly
processed.
across the Gulf annually,
making it one of the most
Immigration Department in Abu Dubai important “flyways” in the
Department of Naturalization and Residency world
Trade Centre Road (near Bur Dubai Police Station)
Tel: + 971 4398 0000

Banking:Dubai
Most banks operate five days a week, Sunday to Thursday, from 8.30am to 1.30pm. A few others
are also open on Saturdays from 8am to 12pm. Branches located in prominent city centers and
malls open at 9am, and remain open until early evening.

Expatriate Banking
International Banks:
Citibank UAE
http://www.citi.com/uae/homepage/index.htm
HSBC UAE
www.hsbc.ae/
Standard Chartered UAE
www.standardchartered.com/ae/

Barclays UAE
http://www.barclays.ae/

Local Banks:
National Bank of Dubai
http://www.nbd.com

Commercial Bank of Dubai

http://www.cbd.ae/index.aspx

Dubai Bank
http://www.dubaibank.ae/

Emirates Bank Group

http://www.emiratesbank.ae/ebg/default.htm

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Opening a Bank Account

Did you know ?
You may only open a bank account once you have
obtained a residence permit. Bring along your passport, The UAE has created a
work permit and other supporting documents. Marriage Fund to enable
Emirati men to meet the
high costs of marrying
Payment Methods in the Country (check, Emirati women.
cash card, visa…)
Payment by cash and credit card is more common.

Find a selection of current accounts specifically tailored

to adress your banking needs as an
expatriate. www.expatfinder.com/dubai/money/bank-accounts-dubai.html

Administration:Dubai

Tax Registration
There is no personal income tax in the UAE, hence there is no need to register yourself for
tax return purposes.

Important address for arriving expatriates

US Consulate
Dubai World Trade Center
P.O. Box 9343 Dubai
Tel: +971 4311 6000
http://dubai.usconsulate.gov/

Australia Consulate
Level 25, Burjuman Business Tower
P.O. Box 124400
Dubai
Tel: +971 4508 7100
http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/countries/aedu.html

British Embassy UAE

22 Khalid bin Al Waleed Street
P.O. Box 248 Abu Dhabi
Tel: (+971)(2) 610 1100
www.britishembassy.gov.uk/uae

German Consulate
Khalid bin al Waleed Road
Dubai Islamic Bank Building (1st Floor)

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(Near Bur Juman Shopping Center)

Bur Dubai Did you know ?
P.O. Box 2247
Dubai The containers used
Tel: +971 4397 2333 to store oil are called
http://www.dubai.diplo.de/Vertretung/dubai/ar/Startseite. khazzans. Each is big
htmll enough to cover a 15-
storey building and holds
75 million litres of oil.
French Embassy UAE
P.O. BOX 3314
Tel: +971 4332 9040
http://www.consulfrance-dubai.org.ae/

Owning a Car - Driving License: Dubai

Driving Licenses
Nationals of the following countries who have a driving license from their home country can obtain
a UAE driving license immediately upon producing their original license:

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands,
Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, and USA.

If you don’t hold a driving license from any of the countries above, you may obtain a UAE driving
license by passing the local driving test. You will be required to undergo a vision test.

Owning a Car
Most expats in the UAE own cars as they are relatively cheap. It’s also a more convenient way to
get around. You must also possess a driving license before you can buy a car.

Compare International car insurance on www.expatfinder.com/dubai/insurance/international-car-

insurance-dubai.html

Tax:Dubai

Corporate Income Tax:

There is no corporate income tax in Dubai.

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Did you know ?

One out of every three
Individual Income Tax: doctors, pharmacists
and technicians in the
There is no personal income tax being levied in Dubai. Emirates is a woman.
Women also make
Make an initial no-obligation enquiry on tax planning, tax up 80% of the nursing
return or tax issues that you may face as an expatriate. staff.
Discover unique advantages available to you while
living abroad. Ask your questions to pre-screened expert
consultants.

www.expatfinder.com/dubai/money/expatrite-tax-dubai.html

As Dubai does not currently levy corporate income tax or personal income tax, there are no taxes
levied on rental income derived from property owned.

Social Security:Dubai

Only UAE nationals are eligible for social benefits. Expats are advised to take out a private health
care insurance policy.

Health:Dubai

Health care standards in Dubai are high and most doctors and medical staff speak English. Also,
you do not have to pre-register with any doctor or clinic before seeking treatment.

Some of the more prominent hospitals in Dubai are:

American Hospital Dubai
http://www.ahdubai.com/main/index.aspx
Emirates Hospital
www.emirateshospital.ae/
Welcare Hospital
http://www.welcarehospital.com/
Cedars Jebel Ali International Hospital
http://www.cedars-jaih.com/Default.aspx

It is recommended that you take out private health care insurance for yourself and your family

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members. Otherwise, make sure that your company has

health insurance cover for your whole Did you know ?
family. Compare international health insurance on www.
expatfinder.com/dubai/insurance/international-health- Women’s groups
insurance-dubai.html . throughout the
country have been
at the forefront of the
campaign to educate
women. Today two-
Education System:Dubai thirds of the students at
the Emirates National
University are women

International Schools
Most international schools have the International
Baccalaureate Program (IB), which is the most widely used program among international schools.
Most universities in America and Europe accept IB as the equivalent of secondary or high school
diploma, and some may even offer college credit for courses taken in the IB program. You should
research the curriculum ahead of time, and ensure it is appropriate for your child’s background and
future.
Search ExpatFinder.com database of international schools:
www.expatfinder.com/dubai/education/international-schools-dubai.html.
Some of the most well-known international schools are:
American School of Dubai
http://www.asdubai.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?page=70983
Australian International School Dubai
http://www.ais.ae/
Cambridge International School Dubai
http://www.gemscis-dubai.com
Deira International School
http://www.disdubai.ae/disdubai/HomePage.aspx
Dubai American Academy
http://www.gemsaa-dubai.com/
Dubai British School
http://www.beacon.ae/home.php?sch_id=1
Dubai International Academy
http://www.diadubai.com/html_1/index.aspx
The Sheffield Private School
http://www.sheffieldprivateschool.com/

Pet Relocation:Dubai
Many people have pets in the UAE, but you should consider your housing options before bringing a
pet to Dubai. If you are residing in a high-rise apartment, a large pet might not be suitable.

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Bringing Your Pet From Abroad Did you know ?

Incoming passengers to the UAE can import up to two The Bedouin depended
pets at one time, including domestic animals such as on word of mouth for
dogs, birds, cats, etc. You are required to show the spreading news across the
animal’s health certificates from their country of origin, desert.
along with an import permit (obtainable from your
relocation agency).

The customs quarantine officer will also examine your

pet. You should make travel arrangements for a weekday
arrival to ensure that custom facilities are open. A weekend, or Friday arrival may mean that your
pet has to wait over the weekend to be cleared by customs without care or food.

It is recommended to take your pet on the same flight with you as accompanying baggage. Very
few airlines permit small pets in the airplane cabin, but most have a suitable space in the cargo
area for pets. You should provide your own pet carrier, as the airline may not provide a sufficient
one. You should check with your airline to find out their rules and regulations regarding pets.

Find pet relocation companies for your international move and receive free no-obligation quotes on
www.expatfinder.com/dubai/moving/pet-relocation-dubai.html

Daily Life:Dubai
When dining out, most restaurants add a service charge of 16% to the bill. If this charge is not
included, give a tip of 10% of the total bill. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped. Hotel staff do not
expect to be tipped, but it is common practice to do so.

When you’re out on the streets, avoid taking photographs of Muslim women and in general, ask
permission before photographing people. Also, do not photograph airports, telecommunications
equipment, government buildings, military and industry installations, as these are all very sensitive
subject matter.

As the UAE is a Muslim country, women are advised to dress conservatively – keep shoulders
covered and do not wear short skirts.

Dubai is not a very big city so you won’t need to have long commutes between places. Traffic is not
a major problem in Dubai.

Some expats like to spend evenings hanging around in a shopping mall or a nightclub. Restaurants
in Dubai deliver food free of charge – it is a useful service for the many expats in Dubai who do not
cook.
subject matter.

As the UAE is a Muslim country, women are advised to dress conservatively – keep shoulders

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covered and do not wear short skirts.

Did you know ?
Insurance:Dubai The Bedouin depended
on word of mouth for
spreading news across the
Home Insurance: desert.

Your home insurance policy should provide

coverage for the following:
•Fire: A valuation of all the items within the house/
apartment has to be carried out
•Burglary: A valuation of all the items within the house/apartment has to be carried out
•Domestic appliance breakdown (optional)
•Electrical appliances: Like A/C, refrigerators, TV, DVD player, stereo system, etc. The
items have to be valued, and the policy covers damage/breakdown within the house only.
•Valuables like jewelry, silverware, etc. This will be protected against larceny, lost during
travel, etc. (optional)
•Personal accident coverage (optional): Injuries occurring within the residential premise.
This does not cover hospitalization, but covers recuperating periods at home.
•Baggage insurance coverage (optional): This will be protected due to larceny, loss during
travel, etc.
•Workman compensation coverage (optional): Covers domestic helpers, etc.
Compare home insurance providers to get the best insurance coverage for items damaged when
traveling, during the relocation process or while staying overseas.
www.expatfinder.com/dubai/insurance/holiday-home-insurance-dubai.html

Local Healthcare Policies:

It is recommended that you take out a private health care insurance policy for yourself and your
family members.

House Workers:Dubai

Most families employ a live-in domestic helper. These domestic helpers are usually from India, Sri
Lanka and the Philippines.

Hiring House Workers

Some expats see great advantages in hiring house workers who can help provide them with more
free time and an easier lifestyle.

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There are some things to consider before hiring domestic

help. Some expats don’t like the loss of privacy, and the Did you know ?
challenges of an employer/employee relationship. Also,
the people you hire may not do things the way you want During Islamic festivals it
them to, and some tasks you might be better off doing is customary for all Arabs
yourself. who hold high positions to
visit the ruler and pay their
respects.
Typical Positions of House Workers:
• Cleaners (Maids): You can hire a cleaner for a
full day, or even just a half day, to wash clothing,
clean the house, sweep, etc. Some can even cook
for lunch or dinner.
• Cooks: Some cooks might not be skilled at cooking Western food. You may have to show
them how to cook your favorite dishes.
• Drivers: A driver can be invaluable in Abu Dhabi’s traffic. Usually the older ones know the
city well, and are used to road conditions. Younger ones may not be as experienced and
maybe reckless. Driving yourself can be dangerous if you don’t know the area, and you may
even get tied up in legalities in the case of an accident. Some expats prefer to hire a car with
a driver included in the contract, though it may be cheaper to hire someone with their own car
through a rental agency.
• Watchmen (Security Guards): Most apartment buildings for expats have security guards,
but if not you might want to consider hiring one. Some neighborhoods may be at risk for
robberies at night, or while you are away at work.
• Gardeners: You will only need a gardener if you have a large garden to keep, such as
those found in an old colonial bungalow.
• Manual Workers: If you have renovations or repair work that needs to be done at your
residence, you should find a contractor to handle it and find the necessary workers.

Keep in mind that you should keep a business relationship with any house worker you
employ. It is best not to get involved in any personal problems they may have.

Telecommunications:Dubai

Landlines
Etisalat
http://etisalat.ae/index.jsp?lang=en
Du
www.du.ae

Mobile Phone Providers

Etisalat
http://etisalat.ae/index.jsp?lang=en

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DUBAI

Du
www.du.ae Did you know ?
The earliest evidence of
Internet the domestication of the
camel has been found in
Etisalat
Umm an Nar and dates
http://etisalat.ae/index.jsp?lang=en
back more than 4,000
Du years
www.du.ae

TV
Arab Cable TV
www.wn.com/arabcabletv
Du
www.du.ae
E-Vision
http://www.evision.ae/
Showtime
www.showtimearabia.com

Utilities:Dubai

The electrical current throughout the UAE is 240 volts, 50 Hertz.

Electricity, water and gas are supplied by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
P.O. Box 564
Dubai
Tel: +971 4324 4444
http://www.dewa.gov.ae/

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DUBAI

Environment

There is no mandatory recycling in Dubai, but there are recycling bins available throughout the city.

Children

Children will find Dubai an interesting place to live in as they will be able to experience a new
culture and interact with people from different backgrounds.
However, they might also face problems like having very few friends to play or go out with. Having
a group of friends is important for your child to settle in his/her new environment. New friendships
can be forged with your neighbors’ children, at school, or a playgroup.

Climate and Weather

Say goodbye to gloomy skies back home as sunshine and blue skies are an everyday occurrence
in Dubai. The months from June to September bring unbearably hot temperatures though,
sometimes reaching 48º C (118º F) in July and August. This is made worse by high humidity. But
not to worry – all buildings are usually air-conditioned.

Temperatures in Dubai are mildest in the months of December (average 20° C) through March
(average 22° C). January is the coolest month of the year, with an average temperature of 18° C.

We wish you a pleasant relocation to Dubai!

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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates

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Additonal Source: Cultural Profiles Project CIC.

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