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Information eBook

Insights to the UAE

“How to Settle in Faster”

www.smarthr.ae

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1.Introduction

This eBook has been written to offer some guidance to anyone who is in the process of relocation to the UAE or is thinking about moving sometime in the future. The information in this guide is specific to however it relates to all of the in the same way with slight variations but overall as a general rule applies across the whole country. As this is a general overview there may be some obvious stuff here that you already know but some people may need more information than others so just skip over the parts that you are aware of. It is worth pointing out that Dubai is extremely dynamic so changes happen daily, this eBook and the links provided should be used as a guide to build a picture of life in one of the most diverse cities in .

2.General Information

Dubai itself is a city-state in the (UAE), located within the Emirate of the same name and is one of the seven emirates that make up the country. It has the largest population in the UAE of approximately 2,104,895 and is the second-largest land territory by area (4,114 km2) after .

The UAE is a very young country in relative terms having celebrated only its 41st anniversary in 2012 however historically it goes back a very long way with the earliest mention of Dubai in 1095 AD although the earliest recorded settlement in the region dates from 1799. Its strategic geographic location has made the town an important trading hub and by the beginning of the 20th century, Dubai was already an important regional port. Although Dubai’s modern economy was built on the oil industry, the emirate's western-style model of business is now driven from tourism, real estate, and financial services. Dubai has recently attracted world attention through many innovative large construction projects and sports events. The city has become symbolic for its skyscrapers, such as the world's tallest building the and of course the iconic Hotel, built on a man-made peninsula in the Gulf of Arabia in the shape of a sail, has been the symbol most people recognize and relate to when it comes to Dubai.

As of 2012, Dubai is the 22nd most expensive city in the world, surpassing London (25th) and is the most expensive city in the Middle East, surpassing Israel’s Tel Aviv (31st). Dubai has also been rated as one of the best places to live in the Middle East, including by US American global consulting firm Mercer who rated the city as the best place to live in the Middle East in 2011. !

For more details on Dubai, please visit the following websites: http://www.dubai.com/ www.godubai.com

3.Mobile and Landline Telephone Services & Internet Services

The UAE has two service providers for telephone, Internet broadband and TV at home services. These companies are in direct competition and offer similar services available across the UAE. Both provide national mobile service but there are exclusive areas where only one of the two provide at home services so check with them before you move, if you are relocating you may not be able to transfer your existing service. New contracts are valid for 12 months and are subject to penalty for early cancellation www.du.ae www..ae

Useful Telephone Numbers The international dial code for Dubai is 00 971 and all local landline numbers begin with the suffix 04 which is required for all numbers except emergency services and toll free 800* numbers.

* Certain 800 numbers are not free so it’s worth checking to make sure before you call

Emergency Services Police 999 999 Fire Department 997 Ambulance 999 Electricity and Water 991

Airports/Flight Enquiry Dubai International Airport 04 224 5555 Flight Enquiry 04 224 5777

Hospital Emergency Numbers American Hospital 309-6645 Rashid Hospital 337-1323 Welcare Hospital 282-9900 Hospital 228-4584 Al Wasl Hospital 324-1111 Dubai Hospital 271-4444

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Taxi Cars Taxi 800-4825 Dubai Taxi 208-0808 National Taxi 336-6611

Operator Services Directory Enquiry 181 Telephone 100 Assistance Mobile Tel. 101 Call Booking & 151 Enquiries Enquiry Fault Reporting 171

4.Local Culture & Public Holidays

The local culture is Islamic and the locals wear their traditional dress every day as a mark of respect and to maintain their identity. The locals are rightly proud of their country and its achievements and are a very peaceful tolerant people.

For expatriates coming to Dubai to live, there is a relaxed attitude towards the differences in western culture, in fact many locals have been educated overseas in schools and universities in USA and UK so they have a good understanding and embrace that way of life in some respects. It is however a different culture from the one you may have be used to living in and as such its should be treated with respect for example there is a code of dress to be observed in public places like shopping malls etc. these are fairly common sense rules unlike other Arab states like Saudi Arabia where the rules are much more strict. The following links will provide a more detailed insight: http://www.middleeasthub.com/dubai/culture/

Public Holidays The following is the list of the common public holidays

Holiday No Days New year 1 Islamic New Year (1429) 1 Prophet's Birthday 1 Al Israa & Miraaj 1 Eid Al Fitr 3 * Eid Al Adha 3 * UAE National Day 2

* Subject to local changes and the cycle of the holy month of Ramadan

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5. Schools and Education

There is no standard curriculum being followed in Dubai schools. Some private primary schools conduct entrance tests and the majority of the private schools cater to one or more expatriate communities.

There are schools such as the Dubai English Speaking School, Primary School etc., offering British primary education up to the age of eleven. Then there are schools offering either a CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) or ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) syllabus.

There are the American and British curriculum schools, and also schools offering Arabic, Australian, French, Indian, German, Russian and Japanese curriculum, all of which are based in Dubai and UAE. Few of these schools are governed by the embassy of that particular country so expatriates, children often go to a private school based on the nationality and curriculum/qualification preference that they are already following or desire to follow.

The following links provide information on the schools and the curriculum: www.dubaifaqs.com/schools-dubai.php www.theemiratesnetwork.com/dir/Education/Schools/Dubai/ www.dubaicityguide.com/geninfo/education.asp?pagenum=2&area=&scl_level= www.dubai.alloexpat.com/dubai_information/international_schools_dubai.php

5.Housing

The housing market is a booming industry for both buying and renting.

There are numerous agents in Dubai who advertise on the main sites. We have included two popular sites for property.

Rental prices vary depending on location so its worthwhile doing extensive research on your preferred location taking into account commuting, schools and activities for kids. http://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/rent.html

Dubizzle is a site that specializes in classified ads and includes property for sale and rent as well as cars, household items, furniture, domestic help etc. http://dubai.dubizzle.com/

Furniture is widely available and can be inexpensive and high quality and varies from the very high-end designer to budget stores. The region is a ! good place to pick up hand made wooden furniture from India and Asia/Far East however, there are multiple retail stores in the shopping malls for example Home Centre, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Marina and along the main routes. Of course the global phenomenon that is IKEA is a stop that almost everyone makes,,, you just cant get away from it and everyone needs more candles, right?

6.Getting Around

Public Transport

Dubai has an advanced public transport system featuring buses, taxis, (water taxi), water-buses and the recent development, . Dubai’s RTA (Roads & Transport Authority) is responsible for developing solutions for road, land and marine networks to keep pace with Dubai’s rapid economic development. Information related to all aspects of travel can be found on the official RTA website http://www.rta.ae

Taxi

The taxi companies are used extensively across Dubai and are plentiful. Taxis can be pre-booked or requested at any time and can also be hailed on the street. There is a special Pink taxi service dedicated to ladies and these taxis are driven and operated by women. Its worth noting that like most cities during peak periods the taxi service gets extremely busy and waiting times can be longer as well as challenging to pick up a taxi on the street. This is mainly the case at the start of the weekend and morning and evening rush hour.

Dubai Metro

Dubai Metro is the latest project launched by Dubai RTA.

Bus Service

Dubai has a modern and extensive bus service across the emirate. Bus routes can be found on the website. Bus stops are numerous and a lot of them are air-conditioned which is extremely useful in the hot summer months.

Driving in Dubai

If you haven’t got a driving license yet, you can find information on getting a driving license ! and a list of Driving Schools in Dubai. If you already have a driving license from your home country you still require a UAE driving license to own a car and in some cases an international driving license to rent a car. In certain cases depending on nationality you may have to take a test preceded by a series of lessons so it’s worth checking prior to arrival.

Once you own a car you will find information on renewing a car registration and renewing a driving license online. You can also enquire about and pay your traffic fines online and access all the online traffic services of Dubai Police and RTA should you pick up a parking fine or speeding fine,,, it happens unfortunately.

All cars are registered annually and on the 3rd anniversary from new require to be tested. This is inexpensive and covers the basic functionality, brakes, lights, seatbelts etc. so if the car has been well maintained this becomes a formality and there are many test centers across Dubai.

Car insurance is readily available from many well known brokers such as AXA and Zurich. In the UAE the cost of car insurance is linked to the value of the car so assuming there are no claims on your policy the annual premium reduces as the vehicle depreciates in value.

Salik toll

There are no taxes for individual vehicles or road taxes however there are tolls on certain roads, which is an automatic scan of the tag (attached to the top middle of the windscreen of the car) when you pass under the overhead gantry.

See details of the toll gates and fill in an application to get a Salik tag or top it up online. The Salik website provides complete information to subscribers and allows them to benefit from many electronic services. http://www.salik.ae/en/

Car Rental

Car rental is big business in the region and many of the global car rental firms have a presence such as:

Hertz, National, Avis, Dollar, Sixt and Thrifty

In addition to the above brand names there are local options with slightly older cars at a more competitive rate including:

Diamondlease, Rental Cars and edreams

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Air Travel

Dubai is an international hub and home to Emirates Airlines based at Dubai International Airport. There are three terminals of which T1 is dedicated to all international carriers, T2 for international and regional budget airlines including plus cargo and T3 which is dedicated to all Emirates Airlines flights and has been expanded with dedicated gates for the A380 fleet. Neighboring Abu Dhabi has its own international airport, which is home to Etihad Airways and is a 40 to 50min journey from Dubai by car. Executive style coaches are used as transit between Dubai and Abu Dhabi airport. http://www.dubaiairport.com/en/Pages/home.aspx http://www.emirates.com http://www.etihadairways.com http://www.flydubai.com

Immigration and Security

Each time you enter and exit the UAE you will have your passport stamped. If you do not have a visit or residency visa you should check before you travel. Certain nationalities can obtain a tourist visit visa on entry normally for a 30 day duration but this is limited and applies to UK & EEC and USA nationals however its always wise to check before you travel if you are not from these countries/states. eGate

Residents can apply for an eGate card so frequent travelers entering and exiting from do not need to wait in a long queue to get a passport stamped An eGate Card allows you head to the eGate, swipe your card, touch the panel to match your fingerprint and you are through in 5-10 seconds, saving you valuable time.

The eGate Card, issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai (DNRD), in association with the Department of Civil Aviation, allows passengers quicker access through the immigration process at Dubai Airport, Abu Dhabi Airport and Al Ain Airport. More UAE airports will be added later.

Information on what documentation you require and where the locations are to obtain an eGate Card can be found at: http://www.dubai.ae/en/Pages/SearchResults.aspx?k=egate

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7. Document Attestation in Dubai

Any undertaking by a single party or agreement between two or more parties may require an attestation. Some typical documents that need to be attested include marriage certificates, establishing commercial agent, withdrawal of partnership, clearance certificates, Maids contracts with some consulates etc.

The concerned party or individual must first visit Dubai Courts Notary Public, followed by Ministry of Justice and finally The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dubai.ae tip: You do not need to take leave from work for attestation as you could use a proxy or power of attorney (select photocopy of documents and attestations from drop-down menu) or personally go yourself after work; the Al Towar & branches are open till 8 pm. The document, once attested by Dubai Courts, can be given to any representative to get further attestations at the other two ministries.

Step One: Dubai Courts Notary Public (DCNP)

Go to Dubai Courts Notary Public with 2 original documents and all the original supporting documents including passport/valid ID. At reception, take the token and meet Notary who will verify the document. Take a new token and meet second official who will re-verify your documents and compare your signature. You will be sent to the cash counter to pay AED 110* (100+10 for knowledge fee). Collect documents from second official and return to Notary who will store one original in the archives. DCNP Branch Locations: Please note that attestations are no longer being done at Dubai Courts. Branches are open at Al Towar Centre in and Al Barsha from 7.30am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 8pm. There are also two branches in DED & DM, but they follow regular government office timings.

Al Twar Centre Al Qusais, Tel: 04-2639000 Al Barsha/ Traffic Department Tel: 04-3111300

Step Two: Ministry of Justice

The Ministry of Justice is on the 5th floor of Al Serkal Building, Near DNATA/Airport Cargo Village, Dubai.

Go personally or send representative. Pay AED 52* at reception and you will be redirected to one of the rooms for the stamp, which takes place in a few minutes.

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Step Three: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in Bur Dubai in the Bastakiya area, near the Omani and Jordanian consulates. The fees for various documents may differ with the average fee of AED 150* per document.

* Prices are subject to change

In Dubai there is a whole industry sector dedicated to domestic help and it is very much normal practice in all homes, this sector is a contributor to the economy and part of everyday life. Domestic help is common amongst families where a live-in maid or nanny stays with the family and is sponsored on your resident visa. Live-in maids have a key role as a domestic help assisting with everyday household chores, baby-sitting or child minding depending on the age of the children.

A large percentage of “maids” are actually employed as cleaners and home helps and work for Domestic Help Companies dedicated to providing the service. Usually these maids are contracted to come to your home on a prearranged schedule and the company charge an hourly rate.

It is against the law to employ a maid whom you do not directly sponsor or who is not employed directly by a Domestic Help Service.

Criteria for sponsoring a maid or nanny in Dubai: A maid's visa can be obtained by the head of the family (called sponsor, and usually the male), whose salary is not less than AED 6000* a month or AED 5000 + accommodation. Bachelors are not eligible to sponsor a maid. You can only sponsor a maid from the following countries: India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.

Steps: Apply in the following order: Residence Visa (employment permit to enter country) Medical Check & Health Card (after maid enters) Residence Stamp on Maid's Passport & Labor Card

Documents Required for Residence Visa: - Salary certificate of sponsor in Arabic (for a government employee) OR, labor contract of sponsor (for private employee) and accommodation contract showing minimum 2 bedroom apartment. - Typed application form from authorized typing office - Sponsor’s passport - Copy of maid’s passport - Passport photos of maid (minimum 3 required) - Affidavit from embassy/consulate certifying non-relationship, if maid from same country

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Procedures: 1. Go to authorized typist & get form filled up. Pay AED 110* + separate typing fee (which varies from typist to typist). If urgent, pay additional AED 100*. 2. Go to the General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs – Dubai & submit all documents after attaching Empost sticker for non-urgent visa. For urgent, wait for a few minutes and receive the employment entry permit. You will have to pay a refundable deposit along with the application. 3. Send either original visa or copy to your maid. If only copy was sent, then deposit original at DNATA Visa Desk at Dubai airport or at DNRD counter.

Applying for a residence visa for your maid:

1. Apply for a residence permit and health card within 30 days of the arrival of your maid's entry into the country. Visit an authorized typist & pay for either urgent or non-urgent form & submit to DNRD counter.

2. After stamping, take your maid for a medical test and health card (waiting time differs from 24 hours to 36 hours for most government hospitals. Iranian Hospital can give it to you in 12 hours)

3. Take medical results to the typist and pay the fees applicable to apply for residence visa.

4. Submit medical report with stamped employment permit, maid's original passport, sponsor's passport copy and a salary certificate/labor contract to residency section. It is preferable to take your maid with you to save time. You must declare to the officer what salary you propose to pay your maid, as this will be entered into the contract. You will receive 4 printouts of the unified contract, which, has to be signed by both sponsor and maid. If your maid is with you, request her to sign. Go to the bank counter inside the visit visa section and purchase an AED 10* sticker for attestation, and re-submit copies of the contract to the officer, who will counter-sign and return 2 copies to you. (One is for the sponsor, the other for the maid to keep.) A residence stamp valid for one year will then be placed in your maid's passport.

5. You may have to return after 24 hours to collect the labor card.

6. Your deposit will only be refunded when your housemaid permanently leaves the country.

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Additional Notes:

Employment of domestic workers requires work contract A new unified contract (called employment agreement for domestic workers and sponsors) to regulate the rights and duties of domestic workers was put in place from 1st April, 2007. The contract is valid for one year with options to renew and governs vacation, air tickets, medical care and procedures, in case of breach of contract.

Country specific requirements for minimum wages (can change from time to time) Do keep in mind that each country has its own regulations regarding minimum salary, age etc. and you will have to check with the respective consulate embassy for these details. A maid from India or Philippines must be older than 30, but not over 60. Even recommended minimum salaries differ, with Indian maids to be paid from AED 1,100 onwards, as advised by the Indian Embassy, while new regulations from the Philippines say the minimum salary should be AED 1,400. As per the Sri Lankan embassy, the minimum salary for Sri Lankan maids is AED 900. The minimum salary for Indonesian maids is AED 800 and from Bangladesh, it is AED 750*. Please note that these are minimum recommendations from governments, but there's nothing stopping you from paying more than the minimum wage.

DNRD Approval Maids from the sponsor’s country are subject to approval by DNRD. In addition, an affidavit from your country's embassy/consulate certifying that the maid is not related to you. If you need more than one maid for a large family, DNRD has the right to decide, but much will depend on sponsor’s salary and size of the family. Always carry copies and original documents, including labor contracts, salary certificates and passports. You may be asked to show your accommodation contract and are advised to carry this. Illegal hiring of maids, without DNRD approval may result in fines of up to AED 70,000 as well as imprisonment for one month followed by deportation of employer.

Renewal of Maids’ Visa This needs to be done annually. Go to an authorized typist & get online medical request form issued (free) and application for renewal. Take your maid to Al Baraha Hospital or Al Clinic for medical check-up. Collect medical report usually after 24 – 48 hours. Submit renewal application, along with medical fitness to any DNRD branch, which will issue you with 4 printouts of the unified contract that you and your maid have to sign (advisable to take your maid, to get immediate signature). The ordinary renewal of applications for a maids’ visa and labor card will is returned by Empost, the local postal service, while urgent applications can be completed in a few minutes.

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* All prices of fees and salaries are subject to change and information is available on country specific embassy websites it is important to check these sites for the very latest information.

Contact numbers of Companies that provide Domestic Help

City Sky +971 4 3324600 Dial I Maid +971 4 3980850 Home Help +971 4 3555100 Howdra LLC +971 4 2272726 Jumeira Maid +971 4 3446690 Lanies Cleaning Services +971 4 3511152 QAF Maid Services +971 55 7815203 Ready Maids +971 4 3395722 Molly Maid +971 4 3988877 Right Maids +971 4 3386364 Smart Maids +971 4 3441595 Solutions Hygiene + 971 4 3240076 ! ! ! ! !