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Moving to Dubai - Visa, Immigration, Business, Tourism
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Visas
In general all visitors except GCC nationals are required to have a visa to enter Dubai. If you are coming to work in Dubai, you need to acquire a resident Visa. If you already have a job and your company applied for a resident visa for you, then your visa should be at the airport at the time of your arrival and a residence visa will be stamped on your passport.
On the other hand, if you are coming in search for a job, then you need to obtain a visit visa which is valid for 60 days but can be renewed for a further 30 days upon paying a fee of Dhs 500 at the Department of Immigration. Alternatively, a ‘visa run’ can be made, which entails flying to Doha or Muscat at a cost of approximately Dhs 300, and re-entering Dubai on a new visit visa.
In order to work in Dubai, open a bank account or lease accommodation you must have a residence visa. There are two types of residence visas, one that your company sponsors for employment, and the other one a relative sponsors you to live in UAE. A residence visa will allow you to sponsor your spouse, children, and parents, if they are coming with you. In order to have a family residence visa, your salary must exceed Dhs. 4,000 a month.
Driver License
Until you obtain a residence visa, most nationalities are able to rent a car if they possess driving license from their country of origin, or an International license. For private vehicles, temporary Dubai license must be obtained from the Traffic Police, which is valid for one month. A privately registered vehicle cannot be driven on an International license as the vehicle is insured for UAE license holders only. Once on resident visa, Individuals would have to obtain a UAE driver license. Those who have a driver's license from countries in America, Europe, a few other countries can transfer there driver's license to a UAE driver's license easily.
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Documents required for UAE license:
- Traffic Police application form (typed in Arabic).
- Sponsors passport copy or copy of company’s trade license.
- NOC from your sponsor/company in Arabic.
- Original driving license + photocopy.
- Passport + photocopy.
- 2 passport size photographs. Dhs 100
If you don't qualify for a permit exchange then you will have to apply for a UAE driver's license and undergo driving lessons and exams.
Postal Service
There is no house address based mailing system in the UAE. All mails are addressed to post office boxes. Most residents use their company P.O. Box address for private mail. It is possible to rent a personal P.O. Box from the central post office in Karama and select a P.O. Box located close to your residence. The fee is Dhs 210 per annum.
Banks and Credit Cards
- A lot of International banks have their regional headquarters based in Dubai, and they provide full commercial and personal banking services. Banking hours are generally open from 8.00 – 13.00 (except Friday).
- Money exchange stores are available all over Dubai, and offer reasonable exchange rates, which are usually better than the banks. Hotels also exchange money and travelers cheques at a rate higher than the trading rate.
- Most credit cards are acceptable at most shops, hotels and restaurants. Some smaller retail shops prefer cash and will charge an additional 5% for processing credit card payments.
Health Care and Education
In order to obtain a residency visa and labor card all expatriates are required to undergo a medical and blood test. Employers usually arrange for all the necessary paperwork and procedure.
Medical facilities in Dubai are high both in public and private sectors. If residents are not covered by a company or private medical insurance, it is advisable to purchase private insurance coverage. The Health and Medical Service Department provides medical care for all UAE nationals, visitors and resident expatriates. Currently expatriates can go to any hospital as long as they have a valid health card which entitles them to low cost medical treatment at public hospitals and clinics. An application form for the health card can be collected from any public hospitals then submitted along with the correct documents to your local Health Care Center. The health card is valid for one year.
Documents required obtaining a health card:
- Passport copy
- Covering letter from sponsor.
- Visa application copy
- 2 passport size photographs
- Completed Ministry of Health form
- Dhs 300 for health card plus Dhs 200 for medical examination
English is the medium of instruction in most schools which adopt variations of the popular Montessori method of instruction. Annual fees may vary. An academic record of your child is required for admissions and some schools conduct entrance tests. Schools are available for students from various nationalities and adopt schooling systems that reflect their country's education system. Standards are above average.
Getting Connected
- Telephone and Internet: Telecommunications between the UAE and the outside world are generally good. All communication is provided by Etisalat. In order to get a residential telephone line, mobile line or Internet line, you will need to head down to the nearest Etisalat with a copy of your passport & residence visa and a copy of your tenancy contract. Installing a land line would not take more than 2 days while you can obtain your SIM card for a mobile on the spot. Internet connection is generally high speed and based on DSL technology. Access to some sites is restricted.
- Electricity and Water: Dubai Electricity & Water (DEWA) is the only utility company in Dubai. The electricity supply in Dubai is 220/240 volts and 50 cycles. Standard British plugs are used. US appliances will require an adaptor. To install water and electricity at your property, you need to take a copy of your lease agreement and your DEWA Account number supplied by your leasing agent along with a deposit, which is refundable when you leave the property. The deposit for apartments is CDs 1,000/- and for villas is Dhs 2,000/-.
- Television, Satellite and Cable: The majorities of local channels are government run and are all in Arabic except one in English. Since the local channels cannot be sufficient to most people's needs, satellite and cable companies are available and offer a variety of channels for all types of audiences. The most popular satellites receivable in the United Arab Emirates are Nile sat, Arab sat, hot bird, and Asian sat, which all have free-to-air and pay-tv channels. In addition to these satellite channels, there are satellite distribution companies that provide additional paid satellite channel packages. Some of the satellite channel packages are Showtime, Orbit, ART, Star Select, Pehla, and First net. There is only one cable TV network known as E-Vision (Emirates Cable TV & Multimedia). E-Vision provides packages which are a collection of satellite-free channels and satellite distribution company-paid channels.
Getting Around
Visitors in UAE have the option to rent or lease a vehicle based on daily, weekly or monthly rates. To rent or lease a vehicle you need a copy of your passport, a valid driver license and a credit card.
In order to purchase a car you need to have a residence visa. Only then are you able to register or finance the car in your name. Once registered, the vehicle must be re-registered annually.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is relatively comparable to other large big cities around the world. It is however advisable, that those in search for a job within UAE try to obtain employment packages that include a housing allowance as rent can be high.
The cost of living could vary from an individual to another but a general breakdown is as follows:
- Utilities: Water: Dhs 50 / month. Electricity: Dhs 300 - 600 / month (for an apartment)
- Fuel: 5 Dhs per gallon
- Groceries for a family of 2: 500 Dhs /week
- Restaurants: Fast food meal for 2 adults =50 Dhs. Meal for 2 adults at a restaurant = 200 Dhs.
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