ESSENTIAL GUIDE. Easy, Handy & Useful Guide for - Tourists/ visitors - Job seekers - New business Professionals.

Transcription

1 GUIDE ESSENTIAL Easy, Handy & Useful Guide for - Tourists/ visitors - Job seekers - New business Professionals

2 i Essential Dubai Guide

3 Publishing-in-support-of, EDUCREATION PUBLISHING RZ 94, Sector - 6, Dwarka, New Delhi Shubham Vihar, Mangla, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh Website: Copyright, Author All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of its writer. ISBN: Price: ` The opinions/ contents expressed in this book are solely of the author and do not represent the opinions/ standings/ thoughts of Educreation. Printed in India ii

4 Essential Dubai Guide (Useful for Tourists, Visitors, Job seekers and Business Professionals) SKS Singarum & Vinod Kumar EDUCREATION PUBLISHING (Since 2011) iii

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6 About The Book The Essential Guide for everyone who wish to go to Dubai/UAE Dubai is a wonderful metropolitan city in the Middle East that shines like a pearl for the entire region. It is a large city inside UAE that is also one of the 7 emirates making up the country. Dubai is a global city visited by millions of tourists from around the world. There are a lot of things to see and do in Dubai and many people consider it as the best place to live in the world. Whether you are arriving in Dubai as a tourist or coming here to live and work, you need to have some basic knowledge about the people and the city. This book is written in simple English. It is a wonderful guide that contains all the useful information about the city and its people. In fact, with this book by your side, you will not need to hire a local guide to do anything or visit attractions in Dubai. You will feel at home with this book in your hands Written by S K S Singarum & Vinod Kumar, this book is nothing less than an essential guide for all those who are coming to Dubai for the first time. If you are from the Indian subcontinent, it is a little easier for you to understand and appreciate the local dress and other cultural traditions. But you need not worry if you are from a western country as this ultimate guide on Dubai will make you feel at home with all the information provided in this book. The book contains lots of illustrations to make it easier for the readers. Essential Dubai Guide is a book that has been designed to help all Expatriates when they come to this marvellous city of the Middle East. You will find it invaluable whether you are a tourist, v

7 a professional coming to Dubai to work, or a businessman seeking lucrative deals with local companies or set up their own company in UAE. In fact, this guide has helped thousands of individuals who have set up their businesses in Dubai and running it successfully. Especially useful for job seekers This guide on Dubai is invaluable for all job seekers because of the information about the companies of Dubai. One can easily find meaningful employment with the help of information provided in this book that is most current and up to date. Job seekers can rely upon the content of the book as it is most authentic and genuine. Essential Dubai Guide really works like a guide for all the people new to this cosmopolitan city. vi

8 About The Author S K S Singarum was born in India, worked and travelled in many GCC countries. He is passionate about non-fiction writing and helping others succeed. He is having engineering background. He is motivated to write non-fiction books so that he can help others to enhance awareness about working in abroad and developing themselves, especially those who are travelling first time and not familiar with country rules and regulations. Vinod Kumar was born in India and studied Masters in Business Administration. He has a passion for writing and travelling. vii

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10 Content List S.No. Chapter Page No. 1 Introduction About UAE 01 Seven Emirates 04 Tradition & Culture 08 2 Learn Basic Arabic 10 3 Notary And Attestation 20 4 UAE Visa 22 Entry Permit Or Visa 22 UAE Visit Visa 23 UAE Tourist Visa 27 Transit Visa 28 5 Do s And Don ts While Entering UAE 34 6 Residence Visas 37 Residence Visa- Employment 37 Residence Visa- Family 41 Property Residence Visa 45 Student Residence Visa 49 Cancelling & Transferring Visa 51 7 Emirates Id & Visa Stamping 53 Medical Test 53 Resident Id 56 Visa Stamping 57 Id & Visa Renewal 59 8 Relocate To Dubai 62 Know Law Of Land 62 Selecting Accommodation In Dubai 65 Planning Your Home Services 74 Opening A Bank Account 81 Finding A School For Your Children 82 Health Card 84 Having A New Baby In Dubai 85 Marriage In Dubai 87 Divorce 88 Dealing With Death 90 9 Public Transportation In Dubai 91 ix

11 Road Transport Authority 91 Nol Cards 92 Metro In Dubai 93 Bus Services In Dubai 94 Water Buses 95 Dubai Tram 95 Taxis 95 Transportation For People With Disabilities 98 Fines Driving In Dubai 99 Obtaining A Driving License 99 Vehicle 106 Salik 111 Dubai Traffic 113 Paying Rta Fines 116 Traffic Accidents Working In Dubai 118 Advantage Of Working In Duba 119 Basic Understanding Of Employment 134 Contracts, Benefits And Salary Dubai Job Search Tools Labour Issues 155 Know Your Rights 155 Dispute Resolution 155 Disciplinary Action By Employer 159 Employment Ban Setting Up Business In UAE 169 Ownership Rules For Business Partners 170 Legal Form Requirements 171 Legal Business Structures Mainland Freezone Offshore Freelance Tourist Attractions Leaving Dubai 239 Cancelling Residence Visa 241 Cancelling Employment Visa 243 Selling Your Vehicle 244 Cancelling Salik Account Embassies And Consulates Government Department And Offices 251 x

12 22 How The Documents Look Like 255 UAE Visit Visa 255 UAE Employment Entry Permit 255 UAE Residence Entry Permit 255 UAE Residence Permit /Visa On Passport 256 UAE Emirates Id 258 UAE Driving Licence 259 xi

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14 website: 1 INTRODUCTION ABOUT UAE AND DUBAI The UAE s rich history is rooted in trade and tied to Islam, which came to the region in AD 630. Its location between Europe and the Far East attracted merchants from India and China and was prized by Europeans, in particular the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. While Europeans sought control of the coasts, inland, the ancestors of the Bedouin made the sandy deserts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai their home. The town of Abu Dhabi became an important centre. In the beginning of 1968, when the British announced their intention to withdraw from the Arabian Gulf, Sheikh Zayed acted rapidly to establish closer ties with the emirates. Agreement was reached between the rulers of six of the Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-quwain, Fujairah and Ajman), and the Federation to be known as the United Arab Emirates was formally established on December 2, The seventh Emirate, Ra s Al-Khaimah, acceded to the new Federation the following year. The UAE is located in the Middle East along the southern most part of the Arabian Peninsula. The UAE spans 83,600 kilometres and is comprised of seven sheikhdoms. Fourfifths of the UAE is desert but has contrasting landscapes from the towering red dunes of the Liwa to the rich palm-filled oases of Sample copy. Not for distribution. 1

15 website: Al Ain, from the precipitous Hajar Mountains to the more fertile stretches of its coastal plains. The federal capital is Abu Dhabi. A large percentage of the population is foreign. The local population, known as Emiratis, account for approximately 20% of the entire population. Europeans, Arab Nationals, Asians and Americans make up the balance of the population. English is the country's business language and Arabic is the country's official language. The two main cities in the UAE, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are 160 kilometers apart (100 miles). Abu Dhabi is the country's administrative centre and key hub for oil and gas operations. Dubai with its slightly faster pace of life has acquired international acclaim for its trade related achievements, world class shopping, real estate developments and international sporting events. Though small in size (comparable to the state of Maine), the UAE has become an important player in regional and international affairs. The individual rulers of each of the seven emirates comprise of the Federal Supreme Council (FSC), which is the highest federal authority. Decisions made by the Council must have the agreement of at least five of its members, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The President and Vice-President (Prime Minister) are elected by the Council every five years, but unofficially the President will be a member of the Al Nahyan clan of Abu Dhabi and the Vice-President will be a member of the Al Maktoum clan of Dubai. The Vice-President, with consultation of the President, chooses the executive arm of the government known as the Council of Ministers. The Federal National Council (FNC), which is considered the parliament, is a 40-member council drawn from each of the seven emirates that governs all federal laws. In August 2006, the UAE National Election Committee (NEC) was established to appoint half of members of the Federal National Council, which will allow women to be members of the FNC. The judicial structure is headed by the FSC, but each emirate has its own local government. Sample copy. Not for distribution. 2

16 website: His highness Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is the President of the United Arab Emirates, the Emir of Abu Dhabi and the commander of the Union Defence Force. He succeeded to the position of the Emir of Abu Dhabi on November 2004 after the death of his father Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, thereby becoming the President of the federation next day. Although as Crown Prince, he had effectively been acting President earlier since the late 1990s as his father was in ill health. His highness Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is also chairman of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which manages over $600 billion in assets. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa has brought his long experience at senior levels of leadership to bear in charting the modernisation of the seven-emirate Federation and ensuring its continued relevance within the region and beyond. Sheikh Khalifa's inclusion on the Forbes list of the world's 50 most influential figures underlines the significance of the UAE on the global stage and the success of Sheikh Khalifa's personal efforts in consolidating the achievements of his father. His highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum became Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates in 2006, and is responsible for Dubai s transformation into a lavish business destination. In his mission to help transform Dubai into a lush and desired business location, he helped develop the Palm Islands, the Burj Al-Arab hotel, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the Dubai World Cup and the Godolphin Stables. The year 2007 witnessed unique achievements both locally and regionally, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, which aims to bolster Dubai's leading position in the region and boost its role as an international economic and financial hub. The strategy will be used as a road map for development over the coming years. GLOBALIZED AND OPEN In less than four decades, the nation has transformed from a tribal culture reliant on agriculture and fishing to an entrepreneurial success story with world-class infrastructure. The leadership has Sample copy. Not for distribution. 3

17 website: improved education (effectively eliminating illiteracy), advanced health care and embraced change as the UAE modernizes, consistent with its history and cultural values. The UAE is also strengthening institutions of government to ensure a transparent legal system with full regard for the quality of life of all citizens and residents. Four members of the Federal Cabinet are women. Today the UAE is a strong, vibrant and modern nation that is open to the world. Dubai has emerged as a global city and business hub of the Middle East and South Asia. It is also a major transport hub for passengers and cargo. It has changed dramatically in the last Fifty Years. UAE AND ITS SEVEN EMIRATES The United Arab Emirates is comprised of seven emirates, which occupy the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. Each emirate, unique and rich in tradition, is an essential component necessary for making up the whole. 1. ABU DHABI Abu Dhabi is the federal capital of the United Arab Emirates and is the largest Emirate in the UAE is ruled by the Al Nahyan family. It occupies 67,340 square kilometers or 86.7% of the total area of the country. The emirate is primarily a vast desert area with about two dozen islands in the coastal waters, including the island where the city of Abu Dhabi is located, plus six sizeable islands further out in the Arabian Gulf. The population of the emirate is concentrated in three areas: the capital city, Abu Dhabi; Al Ain, an oasis city located near the Hajar Mountains; and the villages of the Liwa oases. Traditionally, the population along the coast relied on fishing and pearling for their livelihood, whilst those in the Sample copy. Not for distribution. 4

18 website: hinterland relied on date plantations and camel herding. Through remarkable leadership and personal commitment, his Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan developed Abu Dhabi into an influential, fully modernised state. Upon Sheikh Zayed's death in November 2004, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan became UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. 2. DUBAI Dubai, the second largest of the seven emirates, is ruled by the Al Maktoum family. It occupies an area of approximately 3,900 kilometers, which includes a small enclave called Hatta, situated close to Oman, amongst the Hajar Mountains. Dubai, the capital city, is located along the creek, a natural harbour, which traditionally provided the basis of the trading industry. Pearling and fishing were the main sources of income for the people of Dubai. Under the wise leadership of its rulers, Dubai's focus on trade and industry transformed it into the leading trading port along the southern Gulf. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the current ruler of Dubai. Dubai has built a reputation for being open to new ideas and ways of doing things. This has enabled Dubai to become a global center for innovation, tourism and business. In line with Islam's tradition of tolerance and openness, freedom of faith and practice is a reality in Dubai. This has allowed other belief systems to flourish in Dubai, a demonstration of Dubai's respect for diversity. With over 150 nationalities, Dubai is a rich melting pot that provides opportunities for people to meet, discuss ideas, innovate and forge new business relationships. Dubai's streets and shopping malls are alive with numerous languages, customs and cultures. Dubai has always played a pioneering role in encouraging its people to excel in an environment where the impossible is possible. The wisdom and perseverance of Dubai's leadership and people have transformed Sample copy. Not for distribution. 5

19 website: what was once a small fishing community into a world-class commercial capital at the heart of the Arabian Gulf. 3. SHARJAH Sharjah, which shares its southern border with Dubai, is ruled by the Al Qasimi family. It is approximately 2,600 square kilometers and is the only emirate to have coastlines on both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. In the nineteenth century the town of Sharjah was the leading port in the lower Gulf. Produce from the interior of Oman, India and Persia arrived there. Sharjah's salt mines meant that salt constituted an important part of its export business, along with pearls. In the 1930s when the pearling industry declined and trade decreased due to the creek silting up, Imperial Airways' flying boats set up a staging post for flights en route to India, which benefited the residents of Sharjah. Today, under the leadership of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Sharjah is the cultural and educational centre of the UAE and takes pride in preserving the country's cultural heritage as well as promoting Arab culture and traditions. 4. AJMAN Ajman is the smallest emirate, comprising only 260 square kilometers. It is ruled by the Al Nuami family. Surrounded mostly by the emirate of Sharjah, Ajman also possesses the small enclaves of Manama and Musfut in the Hajar Mountains. Along the creek dhow building was the specialised trade. Fishing and date-trees provided the local population with their primary means of sustenance. Ajman benefited greatly from the union of the emirates, a fact that is reflected today in their stately buildings and infrastructure. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuami has been the ruler since Sample copy. Not for distribution. 6

20 5. UMM AL QAIWAIN website: Umm Al Qaiwain is ruled by the Al Mualla family. It is the second smallest emirate, with a total area of around 770 square kilometers. Positioned between the emirates of Sharjah and Ajman to the south and Ras Al Khaimah to the north, Umm Al Qaiwain has the smallest population. Fishing is the local population's primary means of income. Date farming also plays a significant role in the economy. After the union of the emirates in 1971 Umm Al Qaiwain developed into a modern state, and continues to progress under its present ruler, Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mualla. 6. RAS AL KHAIMAH Ras Al Khaimah, the most northernly emirate, is ruled by another branch of the Al Qasimi family. It covers an area of 1,700 square kilometers. Thanks to the run-off water from the Hajar Mountains, Ras Al Khaimah has a unique abundance of flora, so it is no surprise that agriculture is important to the local economy. The emirate also benefits from its stone quarries, and fishing, which is plentiful in the rich waters of the Gulf. The city of Ras Al Khaimah, situated on an inlet, has a rich history. It was renowned for its prosperous port and for its exquisite pearls, which were famous as being the whitest and roundest available anywhere. Ras Al Khaimah's current ruler is Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. 7. FUJAIRAH The only emirate without a coastline on the Arabian Gulf is Fujairah, which is ruled by the Al Sharqi family. Situated along the coast of the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah covers about 1,300 square kilometers. Unlike other emirates, where the desert forms a large part of the terrain, mountains and plains are its predominant features. Fujairah's economy is based on fishing and agriculture. Like Ras Al Khaimah, the land in Fujairah is irrigated by rainwater from the Hajar Mountains, making it ideal for farming. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi is the present ruler. Sample copy. Not for distribution. 7

21 TRADITION & CULTURE website: Dubai's culture is rooted in Arabic and Islamic tradition. Dubai is built on foundations that are rich in history and tradition. Dubai is a forward-looking society that is equally bound to its culture and heritage. Its religion is Islam, the timeless values of which lie at the heart of Dubai's living heritage, providing strength and inspiration that touch all aspects of everyday life. The national dress for men is the Dish-dasha or Khandura, an ankle length robe, usually white. Dish-dash are usually worn with a white or red checkered head cloth Gutrah and a twisted black rope coil called Ogal which holds the Gutrah in place. Under the headdress is a skull cap Gahfya. In public, many Arabic women wear a black Abaya, a long loose black robe that covers their normal clothes, plus a head scarf, called a shaylah. Some women also wear a thin black veil covering their face, while some older women wear a small mask made of fabric known as a Burgaa, which covers the nose, brow and cheekbones. It is important to note that more conservative Emirati men will not shake hands with a woman (and vice versa) so please keep this in mind in social and business interactions. A common question is do women need to wear veils in the UAE and the answer is no. CURRENCY AND ECONOMY The currency used in the United Arab Emirates is called the Dirham and is abbreviated as Dh, Dhs or AED. The sub unit of a Dirham is a fil and 100 fils equal 1 Dirham. The Dirham is tied to the US Dollar at a steady exchange rate of US$ 1 = AED 3.67 though banks, hotels, and airports normally exchange it at The United Arab Emirates economic freedom score is 72.4, making its economy the 25th freest in the 2015 Index. Its score has increased by 1.0 point since last year, driven by improvements in investment freedom, the management of government spending, and freedom from corruption that outweigh Sample copy. Not for distribution. 8

22 website: a small combined decline in monetary freedom, trade freedom, and fiscal freedom. The UAE is ranked 2nd out of 15 countries in the Middle East/North Africa region, and its overall score is higher than the world and regional averages. Over the past five years, economic freedom in the UAE has advanced by 4.6 points, the region s largest increase. Score improvements in seven of the 10 economic freedoms have been led by sizeable gains in the regulatory environment and monetary freedom. Improved economic freedom has corresponded with moderate levels of growth. Economic reforms have cemented the UAE s position as a commercial, financial, and logistical Persian Gulf hub. However, institutional reforms have not been comprehensive. The perceived level of corruption has declined, but the relatively inefficient judicial system remains vulnerable to political influence. WEATHER / CLIMATE In the summer (April to September), temperatures in the UAE will very between C ( F) in the daytime while at night it will very between C (79-86 F) with high humidity levels. In the winter (October to March), the days are sunny and pleasant with an average of 26 C (79 F), while nights are cool with an average of 15 C (59 F). ********* Sample copy. Not for distribution. 9

23 website: 2 LEARN BASIC ARABIC Arabic is the language of a large part of our planet. It is the main language in 22 countries, spoken by more than 250 million people. Arabic is one of the oldest living languages in the world, and it is the origin of many languages, in fact there is a theory that says "Arabic is the origin of languages" and those who adopt this theory depend on the fact that Arabs are able to pronounce any sound in any language in the world very easily. Those who learn Arabic gain deeper insights into the cultural, political, and religious values that motivate people in those cultures. People who know Arabic can negotiate the cultural and linguistic gap between nations, assist in solving and avoiding intercultural conflict, and help businesses successfully engage in international trade. Spoken Arabic is pretty different than the written Arabic but sometimes, a lot of the words that are different are either, Arabic Mar-haba Ahlan-Wa-Sahlan Shukran English Hello /Welcome Welcome Thank you Sample copy. Not for distribution. 10

24 website: Get Complete Book At Educreation Store Sample copy. Not for distribution. 11

25 Dubai is a wonderful metropolitan city in the Middle East that shines like a pearl for the entire region. It is a large city inside UAE that is also one of the 7 emirates making up the country. Dubai is a global city visited by millions of tourists from around the world. There are a lot of things to see and do in Dubai and many people consider it as the best place to live in the world. Whether you are arriving in Dubai as a tourist or coming here to live and work, you need to have some basic knowledge about the people and the city. This book is written in simple English. It is a wonderful guide that contains all the useful information about the city and its people. In fact, with this book by your side, you will not need to hire a local guide to do anything or visit attractions in Dubai. Written by S K S Singarum & Vinod Kumar, this book is nothing less than an essential guide for all those who are coming to Dubai for the first time. If you are from the Indian subcontinent, it is a little easier for you to understand and appreciate the local dress and other cultural traditions. But you need not worry if you are from a western country as this ultimate guide on Dubai will make you feel at home with all the information provided in this book. The book contains lots of illustrations to make it easier for the readers. Also available as an ebook NON-FICTION EDUCREATION PUBLISHING (Delhi)