Living in the UAE

Ahlan Wa Sahlan is Arabic for "Welcome from the Heart," and it is a greeting that visitors to the United Arab Emirates soon discover is true to its word. The UAE is a friendly and fascinating place, with a rich history and a bright future; if you've never been there before, this overview will give you an idea of what to expect.

The Place

Covering 83,600 square kilometres (32,300 square miles), the UAE is located on the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the Persian Gulf to the North, Saudi Arabia to the south and west and Oman and the Gulf of Oman to the east. The country is comprised of seven independent Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qaiwain and Fujairah) that united in 1971, when the British withdrew from the area. Arabic is the official language of the United Arab Emirates. English is also widely spoken, as are Hindi, Urdu, and Persian (Farsi).

The UAE is noted for its advancements in the field of oil and gas production, which have resulted in the country having one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. This wealth has been reinvested into the country itself, particularly on construction and development, both of which have proceeded at a staggering rate.

The nation has also invested a great deal in its people. Currently, all UAE nationals are entitled to free medical care. Primary education is mandatory and free, and many students go on to study at university. In the last thirty years, there have also been many improvements made in local housing. All of these advancements have resulted in a population boom throughout the country, a significant portion of which-over one half-is comprised of non-nationals.

The country's major urban centres include Abu Dhabi (the capital city, renowned for business and politics), Dubai (cosmopolitan home of sun, shopping and skyscrapers) and Al Ain (the garden city, birthplace of the president and a city of great historical significance); these and other cities are linked by a series of multi-lane highways. Life in most of the UAE's major cities-particularly Dubai-is comparable to that in the world's most cosmopolitan cities.

Outside of the cities, the UAE's landscape is marked by sweeping deserts and beautiful mountains. All of these features are popular leisure destinations for locals and tourists alike.

The Climate

The UAE has an arid subtropical climate. It is exceptionally hot and humid in the summer and mild in the winter. From December to March, the weather is pleasant with temperatures usually ranging from 15C to 28C, although it can be warmer. The weather from May to October, however, is not as mild. In the hottest months of July, August, and September, temperatures can exceed 45C.

Getting there

Travel to the UAE is now easier than ever with the introduction of a visa-on-arrival facility for nationals from 33 countries worldwide. If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you no longer need to apply for a visa prior to travel - a visit visa is now stamped directly in your passport by UAE Immigration officials at the port of entry, and is valid for 30 days with the option to renew monthly, extending it to 90 days. Entry is forbidden to travelers whose passports bear Israeli stamps.

A residence and/or employment visa is necessary to reside in the United Arab Emirates. Visas are usually arranged through the employer and a local sponsor. An AIDS test is required to obtain either a residence or work permit. An employed spouse may sponsor a non-working spouse, and an accompanying spouse may work in the United Arab Emirates.
For information on visa requirements for the UAE, go to www.government.ae or www.uaeinteract.com

Money

The currency in the UAE is the Dirham (AED). There are 100 Fils to the Dirham, which has had a constant exchange rate with the US dollar for almost 20 years (approximately AED 3.675 per US$ 1.00). Notes are in denominations of AED 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of AED1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 fils.

The UAE has a highly developed network of banks, with many internationally recognized institutions having branches locally. Most of these banks offer a full range of services, including several different types of accounts, check books, credit cards, loans and ATMs. Banking hours are typically 8:00am-1:00pm Saturday to Wednesday, 8:00am-12:00pm on Thursday. Some banks are also open from 4:30pm-6:30pm. Banks are closed on Fridays and Islamic public holidays. To open a bank account in the UAE, you must first have your residency visa. Personal cheques are not encouraged, but credit cards are widely accepted and ATM's are plentiful.

Etiquette

It is important to remember that while you are in the United Arab Emirates you are a guest, and as such you should make an effort to adhere to certain local customs. For example, try to avoid showing the sole of your foot to a local; it is considered rude. This is why you should also avoid crossing your legs, as it places the sole of the foot in public view.

Additionally, you should never offer your left hand to shake hands with another or accept anything, particularly food; above all, you should never point with it! Traditionally, the left hand is considered unclean, and so it should never be proffered, lest doing so be considered a sign of disrespect.

Also, be aware that a large portion of the population is Muslim, and thus it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the associated customs. For example, in Islam, Friday is considered the day of rest, and during Ramadan, it is considered disrespectful to eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours. It is polite to accept the refreshments customarily offered to visitors.

Expatriate, non-Muslim residents can obtain liquor licenses from the local police headquarters enabling them to buy alcohol from special shops. Alcohol is also served in hotel bars and restaurants. It is not served at all in Sharjah. Penalties for drunkenness in public can be quite severe.
It is also advisable that you dress modestly, which means trousers and buttoned shirts for men and long skirts or loose-fitting trousers and shirts that cover to at least the elbow for women. Do not worry if it takes you a while to get the hang of local customs; many Emiraties (as the locals are called) will appreciate your efforts to observe local tradition, even if you are incorrect.

Conclusion

The United Arab Emirates is a land of contrasts, where camel races and pearling occur alongside state-of-the-art oil production against a backdrop of ultramodern architecture. It is constantly looking forward, both technologically and socially, while holding on to its traditions. It is this philosophy that has made the UAE one of the world's most fascinating-and most popular-destinations for expatriates.

Links

The following site should be of interest if you are looking for more information on the UAE.
 
www.uaeinteract.com - the official website for the Ministry of Information and Culture in the United Arab Emirates. The site is a vast on-line resource providing detailed information on all aspects of the UAE and you should need to go no further.