Information that everyone needs to know about Dubai. Please read before posting.

[Elphaba]

Please read this post as it contains much of the initial information that anyone moving to the UAE needs to know. You can also find loads of useful info and ‘how to’ advice in a book called Dubai Explorer. It is available from Amazon and even long term expats use it.

Residency Visa

This is supplied by your employer, once you arrive the application for residency visa starts. You will need to have a blood test and if you will be working in a free zone, a chest x-ray. This is organised by your Company.

In most cases you will need your residency visa to enable you to rent accommodation. A few landlords however, will take a letter from your Company confirming that they are in fact going through the process of applying for your visa.
You need to be resident to purchase and insure a vehicle.

Your employer will also supply you with a Labour Card.

Men can sponsor their wives and children, but only women in a handful of select occupations (lawyer, doctor, teacher, engineer – on high salaries) can sponsor their husbands. A wife’s visa will say ‘Housewife-not permitted to work’, but she can work provided the husband provides a NOC (No Objection Certificate).

You should get certain documents, such as marriage and birth (for dependents) certificates and qualification and degree certificates attested before you leave your home country.

You cannot sponsor your partner if unmarried. It is also illegal to co-habit.


Accommodation

Expensive! Ensure that you get a big enough housing allowance to cover your rent, or factor this in with your basic salary. Fewer people get hefty housing allowances these days. Most new rental contracts require the rent to be paid annually in advance. Many employers will advance rent from salary.

The area where you choose to live should largely be dictated by where you will be working. Rush hour traffic can be very bad, so best to minimize journey times.

One bed apartment – AED 110K
Two Bed apartment – from AED 150k
Villas - 3 bed - AED 305k average
Villa 4 bed - AED 375k average
Villa 5 bed - AED 465k average (prices updated per GN Business article 03/11/08)

Unlike in many other countries it is common to live in apartments. Most decent buildings have a pool and a gym.

Useful article from Time Out in November 2008 regarding the different areas.

http://www.timeoutdubai.com/dubai/fe...ew.php?id=4227


Driving and cars

We drive on the right and the vast majority of cars are automatic. The driving can be dangerous and standards are poor.

You need to be resident to purchase and insure a vehicle.

If you want to drive immediately, you get a lease car, but obtain an International Driving Permit from your home country. The usual international rental agencies all have offices here and there are also a number of local companies. Do shop around.

You will require a resident’s visa to get a full Dubai licence. Not all country’s driving licences are recognised in Dubai. If yours is not eligible for conversion, you will need to take 20 lessons and a test.


Cost of living

Whilst this has been covered in numerous other threads, the attached spreadsheet may be of interest. The figures are from 2006, so there have been some increases, notably in the cost of rice.

It should however, give a reasonable idea, if you factor in inflation, say at around 10% or so.

Cost of living in Dubai

- go to the excel spreadsheet for info


Note that this is a guide only and prices vary from shop to shop etc.


Schools

School fees for primary/elementary school will cost you a MINIMUM of 30,000 Dhs per child ( older children about 50- 60,000 Dhs a year) - not including uniforms, extracurricular activities or transport. Schools here also have long wait lists, so best to put your children’s names down at many schools ( there will be a registration fee too). You may not also get them all in at the same school.

BSME: British Schools in the Middle East
BSME: British Schools in the Middle East

Welcome to DubaiKidz.Biz
Welcome to DubaiKidz.Biz

Schools and Universities in Dubai
http://www.dubaifaqs.com/schools-lis...sation_emirate


Nurseries

Jebel Ali Nursery at Polo Club (AR) is approx 5,000 dhs a term for 2 mornings, and 8,000 for 5 days (8am-12)
Kids Island in Umm Sequeim 6,900 a term (5 days), or 4,900 a term (2 days)
Super Kids- Mirdiff - 6,000 a term (full time)
Childrens Oasis 5,000 Dhs PER MONTH (for 5 days, 8 - 5pm)

Nurseries in Dubai
Nurseries in Dubai


Domestic help

Minimum monthly salary which you are required to pay by law varies from nationality to nationality. Phillipina maids have the highest minimum salary of around 1500 Dirhams a month if she lives with you. I think Sri Lankan maids have a minimum of around 800 Dirhams (if your conscience permits this!).

1,500 to 1,800 a month seems to be about average, with every Friday off. If baby-sitting is required in the evenings, this is usually paid for on top of their monthly salary.

Most people…who have maids do a routine something like this: They get up around 6 to help with school lunches etc and work until 12 doing housework/ironing/whatever. They have a longer break during the day and come back on when kids are home from school (4pm??) and help with dinner, dishes etc and then knock off. 1,500 Dirhams is considered a fair wage. Sadly, some are on a lot less.

Paying a maid on someone else’s sponsorship to come and clean for you for a few hours is illegal and there are occasional crack downs on this.

It is more usual to use an agency maid. There are numerous cleaning agencies and the going rate is around Dhs 30 per hour, usually with a four hour minimum. Some of the agencies are listed below:

Howdra 04 227 2726
Al Jarsh Maid Services 04 225 3772
Dial a maid 04 398 0851
Focus Cleaning Co 04 331 6006
Helpers Co 04 393 3777
Home Help 04 355 5100
Macco Building and Cleaning 050 295 8823
Molly Maid 04 398 8877
Ready Maids 04 339 5722
Right Maids 04 338 6364
Smart Maid Service 04 344 1595
Solutions Hygiene 04 324 0076
Open House 04 332 403
Home Maid 04 339 3211


Alcohol

Alcohol is available in hotels, as well as bars and restaurants with a link to hotels. Also a handful of private members clubs. To buy alcohol in a shop you will require a licence. An application form can be obtained in any branch of A+E or MMI, the two main outlets that have branches across the city. You will require a NOC from your employer and proof of residency and income. Your purchasing limit is linked to your salary. Married women cannot obtain their own licence, but may use their husband’s.

It is illegal to have alcohol in your home if you do not have a licence. Muslims cannot get alcohol licences, no matter where they are from.

There is a 30% tax on alcohol in Dubai, so many people travel to other emirates to shops where this tax is not charged. Take care though, as it is illegal to transport alcohol across Sharjah (the only route) without a licence.


Medicines

Many medicines that are freely available in other countries (codeine for example) are banned or restricted. DO NOT attempt to bring in any banned medicines as the penalty can be severe. A list of banned medications can be found at this link.

Gulfnews: Keep banned drugs off travel kit

Under this heading I will also point out that all drugs are illegal here and if even the smallest amount of any substance is found on you, you will end up in jail and then deported.


PETS

Interesting article about bringing your pets into the UAE

http://thenational.ae/article/200812...882851470/1056


GENERAL INFORMATION - In no particular order:

• It is illegal for unmarried couples to cohabit. Yes, many people do it, but it is still illegal and there may be consequences, such as imprisonment and deportation.
  
• If you want to know what's going on, get a copy of Time Out.
  
• If you don't know already, learn a little about Islam. You should remember that this is a Muslim country, albeit one that makes many allowances for non-Muslims. Show respect for your hosts. And be aware that everything takes longer in Ramadan and certain restrictions apply.
  
• Get various documents notarised before you move to the UAE - marriage certificate, education certificates.
  
• Voltage is 220/240v. Plugs are UK style 3 pin.
  
• Summer is VERY hot and it can be chilly in winter, especially in the evenings. Bring a few jumpers.
  
• Ladies – please consider your attire. Skimpy tops and short skirts are not appropriate for anywhere except a beach.
  
• Whilst medical care is good and hospitals sophisticated, you must have good medical insurance as it can be costly. There is no state funded scheme for expats.
  
• The tap water is safe to drink, although many people prefer the taste of bottled water.
  
• bouncing a cheque is illegal and can result in a spell in jail, a fine and possibly even deportation

Many other questions have been answered on numerous threads, so please do a search to find information. Regular posters will usually be happy to provide advice on salary packages and best place to live based on work place, but please quote income in Dirhams per month as this is the format used here.

Members arrange to get together socially and I (as a moderator) also arrange meet ups. These are an ideal opportunity to meet other people in a safe environment.


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[alli]

amen!!!!

So sick of people asking the same thing over and over!

[macca_24]

If they didn't there wouldn't be much chatting going on

[kiki14]

Wow... i never realised it would be so complicated & so much to consider!!!
Scary but much needed advice for all.

[newtodubai]

This is a great page to get the answers to all my very basic questions - thank you!

Can I just confirm one of the points about unmarried couples living together. I was under the impression that unmarried couples could live together in Dubai but it was the surrounding areas that deemed it illegal. Can anyone clarify the situation as my boyfriend and I are potentially moving out there in the next few months.

Thanks!

[Ogri750]

It is illegal for unmarried couples to live together in Dubai as well as the other emirates.

Even though it is illegal, as long as you don't shout it from the rooftops, and you tell people you are married, it shouldn't be a major problem. Just remember, you will be breaking the law though, but many couples do it

[newtodubai]

Originally Posted by Ogri750

It is illegal for unmarried couples to live together in Dubai as well as the other emirates.

Even though it is illegal, as long as you don't shout it from the rooftops, and you tell people you are married, it shouldn't be a major problem. Just remember, you will be breaking the law though, but many couples do it

Thanks for the advice! Would it also work if we got a 2 bedroom place and pretended that we were just room mates? Sorry for all the questions, but we're not sure on moving yet so need to work out all the logistics!

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by newtodubai

Thanks for the advice! Would it also work if we got a 2 bedroom place and pretended that we were just room mates? Sorry for all the questions, but we're not sure on moving yet so need to work out all the logistics!

It is illegal for any unmarried people (of the opposite sex) to cohabit.

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[newtodubai]

ok, that settles that one, we'll have to have 2 apartments! Thanks!

[alli]

2 apartments? Are you made of money? Sheesh!