The United Arab Emirates (also the UAE or the Emirates) is comprised of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajmân, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Most expatriates live in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Settling In Tips
ExpatWomen thanks Dubai City Guide for supplying the following Settling In Tips for the UAE. This is only small summary to help you get acquainted to your new country. You can find much more detailed information, including local websites (that we have not included here) at their website www.dubaicityguide.com.
All visitors, except for nationals of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (AGCC), require a visa sponsored by a local entity such as a hotel or tour company. There are two types of visas: transit visas (lasting for 14 days) and visit/working visa. This visa is issued for people who are sponsored by a company in the UAE. It is valid for two months from the date of arrival, with the option of a one month extension. Airlines may require confirmation that the sponsor is holding a valid visa for incoming visitors. You must obtain the visa prior to departure. Please check with the UAE Embassy in your respective country.
There are two types of Resident visas: sponsorship by employer or sponsorship by family. They are renewable every 3 years. Once resident, you must not leave the nation for more than 6 month or the residency will lapse.
Once you have obtained your resident visa you can get your Labor Card issued by employer (Immigration). Usually the Public Relations Officer of company will obtain this document on employer's behalf.
The cost of living is relatively high in the UAE, and those seeking work are advised to try and obtain employment packages that include a housing allowance.
There is a good selection of satellite channels to choose from and video/DVD rental stores.
Televisions and videos run on the XXX standard. DVD players are organized by region codes so make sure you buy the right DVDs for the right DVD player or, alternatively, a multi-system player.
For connection to the World Wide Web, Emirates Internet & Multimedia is the sole provider of internet services through its UAE proxy server. Access to some sites is restricted. You can access Emirates Internet from any standard telephone line using a 56K modem.
There is no house address based mailing system in the UAE. All mails are delivered to the central post office and then distributed to centrally located post office boxes. It is also possible to rent a personal PO box in the UAE.
Utilities are generally not included in the original list price of rent when looking for an apartment. It depends on the landlord; about half the time, they will not be included. Be certain to clarify this with your landlord. The tenant is expected to pay utility fees.
Electricity & water along with sewerage are provided by the local electricity and water authority.
Gas mains don't exist hence individual canisters need to be purchased and connected to a gas oven via an outside tap. Keep the telephone number of gas suppliers handy and canisters can be delivered to you in less than 20 minutes of your call, anytime of the day.
Renting is still the main option although non nationals now have the opportunity to purchase a home in the UAE. Many apartment buildings have excellent recreational facilities - gym, sauna, satellite television or in-house video and covered car parking are some of the available facilities that the residents can make use of.
Most rented accommodation is unfurnished (although kitchens may be partly or fully equipped). Many villas and new apartments have central air-conditioning already installed and a range of furniture and household equipment. For top-of-the-range villas, the choice is between larger independent properties or smaller villas in compounds. The latter usually have swimming pools, squash and tennis courts.
Rent is usually paid in full upfront (if lease is for one year, then two checks can be provided - one being back-dated). Besides this there is usually a deposit requested moving in (refundable).
Where Expats Live:
Abu Dhabi Corniche (meaning sea/ocean view). Khalidiya, Hamdam Street & Tourist Club stand out to expats due to the many high rise apartments. Villas (much more expensive than apartments) can be found in the Karama neighborhood (as well as some along the Corniche/Khaladiya area).
Dubai Jumeirah, Umm Sequim, Emirates Lakes, Emirates Hills, Mirdiff for villas and Bur Dubai & Sheikh Zayed for apartments. Each of these areas is prized for its proximity to good schools and shopping.
The currency used in the UAE is the Dirham. (1 AED = 100 fils)
Notes (Dirham): 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000
Coins (Dirham): 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 (5 and 10 coins are rarely used)
The best way to exchange money is at a foreign exchange office or at any bank. Credit cards are widely accepted although it is recommended that you take cash with you when shopping at the Souqs (markets) . Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) are available at all major banks
To open a bank account you must be a holder of a valid UAE residence visa, certificate of employment and salary certificate. An account can be opened as soon as a visa has been issued (renting a home is not a prerequisite).
Banking hours are generally Saturday to Wednesday ( 8:00 a.m. to 15:30 p.m. ) & Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. Some banks open in the evening but please check with your local institution.
Rent is usually paid by check. Utility bills are payable in several ways: by cash to the local office, via banking machines (your local bank can make the payment on your behalf and they will deduct the amount from your account) and over the Internet.
The Health and Medical Services Department provides medical care for all UAE nationals, visitors and resident expatriates.
Medical care at public hospitals is sufficient, however, the majority of expats seek medical care from private clinics/hospitals. All employees (and depen dan ts) are eligible for medical treatment at government hospitals (provided they have a health card, which is generally arranged by the company).
Pharmacies are all called Pharmacy and have signs in English which clearly identify them as such.
Private International Schools are the most popular choice in the expatriate community.
See www.dubaicityguide.com or below for a list of schools (not exhaustive).
In the UAE, people drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Most expatriates have a car.
All vehicles must be registered with the local police (traffic department) In addition, residents must go to the traffic department in order to obtain a local UAE drivers license. Certain country nationals may exchange their drivers license others will have to take a local driving test . See with the UAE Embassy nearest you.
Insurance is mandatory (third party liability).
Many local drivers speed and change lanes without looking wild abandon. Accidents occur frequently and visitors are advised to drive defensively. Outside the city centre, signposts are rare, making a good road map essential, to avoid heading aimlessly out into the desert.
There are three main international airports in the UAE. Abu Dhabi , Dubai and Al Ain.See www.dubaicityguide.com for a list of airlines that fly to the UAE.
Spinneys, Choithrams and Carrefour are the most popular expat grocery stores. One can find household items at Carrefour, Ikea, The One, Home Centre.
Possibly Dubai 's greatest sport, shopping in Dubai is on a world scale. The city boasts a vast range of malls, from traditional souqs in Deira and Bur Dubai to modern and spacious malls, featuring boutique, designer and high street brands.
Clothing should not be too revealing, as the UAE is a Muslim country. It is acceptable to wear shorts & T-shirts but the shoulders should be covered. Women should avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing.
Household staff is quite common in the UAE.There are several home help agencies in Dubai . Leading ones are Helpers and Molly Maids. They typically charge Dhs 2,000/month for 8 hours of help per day.
Spouses are usually sponsored by the working party in the marriage. It is difficult for females to sponsor other family members. To sponsor a wife or child, your minimum monthly salary (all inclusive) would have to be DHS 4,000.
There are many restaurants and evening activities in the large cities in the UAE.
Sports are very popular. International sporting stars and teams are flown in regularly to compete. Common sports: Golf, Horseracing, Water Sports, Tennis, Rugby.
The UAE has desert climate with temperatures ranging from 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 118 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.The best time to visit is between October and May. The hottest time is from June to September with little rainfall. Summers can be unbearably hot.
El Circulo de Damas Latinas de Dubai (Spanish speaking) www.circulolatinasdubai.com
El Circulo de Damas Latinas de Dubai les da la mas cordial bienvenida a nuestro website. Esperamos que les ayude a conocer la comunidad latina en Dubai.
Expat Woman www.expatwoman.com
ExpatWoman is a free & friendly site for women and families living in, and interested in moving to The Middle East. The core site is Dubai-based.
International Business Women's Group (IBWG) --Dubai www.ibwgdubai.com
We have been established 22 years and are a networking group for professional women of any nationality, whether they are on sabbatical, looking for work or currently employed. Our main criteria is that they be either Management or in a Profession such as teacher, artist, entrepreneur.
Looking for work in another country requires more than just the obvious CV translation. You will be confronted with issues
that probably didn't even cross your mind when you decided to go for an international career, but don't underestimate
the big impact they can have on the outcome of your adventure! Think for example about the different rules and
habits regarding immigration, job application procedures, the selection procedures and the management culture.
Immigration/Visas and Permits
Accommodation 
