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.

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

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.

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

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.