United Arab Emirates - Living in Dubai

Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. On artificial islands just offshore is Atlantis, The Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks

Dubai - A Cosmopolitan Place

The beauty of Dubai is that it epitomises the term ‘cultural melting pot’ and though expats are likely to experience some culture shock in Dubai, chances are it's equally possible to find a niche where they feel right at home.

There are dozens of nationalities living and working side by side. Over 80 percent of people in the city are expatriates; the majority are from Asia, particularly India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines, while Westerners, those from the US, Europe and the UK, account for around a tenth of inhabitants.

Arabic is the official language of the UAE and English is spoken everywhere, but out and about in Dubai, it is not unusual to hear Farsi, Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam and Bengali.

Islam is the official state religion of the UAE, and those considering a move to Dubai should bear in mind that the emirate operates according to Muslim traditions. While it is the most liberal of all the Gulf states, and other religions are tolerated, there are strict rules that apply and non-adherence will not be tolerated.

The first few weeks in Dubai can be extremely frustrating since there is endless paperwork to be filled in, and real life can’t begin until the presentation of the residence permit, which is required to open accounts and rent property.

More frustrating can be the seeming non-urgency of many agencies, and questions are often answered with 'Insha’Allah', meaning ‘God willing’. The Emiratis do not respond to shouting and swearing, so it is always best to remain calm in any dispute.

On the upside, once settled in, expats can look forward to a pleasant lifestyle. Most people have access to their own swimming pool, there are endless places to eat out, countless activities to get involved in (the legendary expat Friday brunch), and it won't be long before the Dubai social calendar is packed.

Marriage and Living-In in Dubai

It is illegal for a man and woman who are not married to cohabit in the UAE. However, it is clear, given the number of unmarried Western couples living in Dubai, that this law is neither adhered to nor enforced with any vigor. Many unwed couples give the illusion of being married by referring to each other as husband and wife and wearing ‘wedding’ rings. The general rule is to keep a low profile; the police do not actively seek out cohabiting couples (although they are more vigilant during the holy month of Ramadan) but it should be remembered that it is illegal and lawbreakers can be punished with a prison term, deportation or both.

Alcohol in Dubai

It's a myth that Dubai is a ‘dry’ emirate. Alcohol can be bought and consumed here depending on various factors. Firstly, it is only sold in restaurants and pubs belonging to a hotel. There are plenty of places to enjoy a drink since most of the shopping malls and entertainment centers are attached to a hotel. Alternatively, alcohol can be purchased for private consumption at selected liquor stores by those in possession of a liquor license. For this, a letter from the employer is needed, plus a copy of the residence permit and passport. Women also need to have permission from their husbands.

Medical exam and HIV in Dubai

Foreign employees are required to undergo a medical examination on arrival. This includes tuberculosis, hepatitis B and HIV test, which if positive, will result in the worker being denied a residence permit and being forced to leave the country at once.

Ramadan in Dubai

Each year Muslims recognise the Holy Month of Ramadan with a period of fasting. From sunrise to sunset, Muslims are forbidden from eating, drinking, smoking and even chewing gum, during daylight hours. At this time, it is imperative that all Dubai residents remember the importance of adhering to the relevant laws. During Ramadan, it is a good idea to be particularly vigilant regarding public displays of affection, modest dressing and public drinking. Police tend to be less lenient during these times.

Working conditions during Ramadan may vary, with some workplaces adopting a traditional approach, forbidding any eating, drinking or smoking, to other more relaxed environments where designated rooms are allocated for non-Muslims to eat and drink. Muslims break the day’s fast at sundown with water and dates and then enjoy the Iftar feast.

General cultural matters in Dubai

There is no way for a non-Emirati to ever achieve citizenship in the UAE. It is irrelevant how long a person has been a resident in the country; citizen status is never granted to foreigners.

Persons holding an Israeli passport will not be granted access to the UAE.

Never take pictures of government buildings or personnel, or Emiratis (particularly women). Men should be careful not to stare at or be unaccompanied with local women.

Nudity is not an option. There are no public beaches/parks where nudity is acceptable. The same applies to being drunk in public.

In most cases, the law will favor the local.

Dubai prides itself on being tolerant of other religions and there are several churches in the city, the largest of which are St Mary’s Church and Holy Trinity Church, both in Oud Metha.

Cost of Living in Dubai

While grandiose visions of tax-free wealth lure expats to the United Arab Emirates in droves, it is worth remembering that the cost of living in Dubai can still be high. The city ranks as one of the most expensive in the Gulf Region and was placed at 21st out of 209 cities around the world in the Mercer Cost of Living Survey for 2016, ranking as more expensive than the neighboring emirate of Abu Dhabi. 

There are no taxes on salaries or wages in Dubai, and sales tax is, for the most part, minimal. Despite the favorable tax climate, living expenses can add up, and many expats find themselves spending money on luxuries that they would not normally have splurged on back home. Accommodation, transport and education are the biggest expenses expats living in Dubai are likely to encounter. In the past, many expats have been able to reconcile these costs by stipulating subsidies and allowances in their expat contract, but nowadays these perks aren't as easy to come by. Still, expats should try their best to ensure inclusions if possible.

Cost of accommodation in Dubai

Although prices have stabilized in recent months, the cost of accommodation in Dubai remains expensive. Landlords usually require rent to be paid upfront in advance for a year. Utilities are reasonably priced, but constant air conditioning can add to the cost, especially in the hot summer months.

 Having arrived in Dubai, many people also find they can afford additional luxuries in their home, like domestic help and childcare, due to the somewhat inflated salaries. It is commonplace for families to have a nanny and a housekeeper, and others may also have gardeners and drivers. Most villas have small maids' quarters attached. Families who choose to employ a maid are responsible for paying their residence permit costs and healthcare in Dubai.

Cost of education in Dubai

Public schools in Dubai are not usually an option for expats, but there are plenty of international schools in the emirate. Tuition and fees for international schools can be exorbitant and have been on the rise in recent times.

Many expats choose to homeschool their children to avoid the extravagant pricing structures, especially if their stay is short.

Cost of transport in Dubai

Having a car is the fastest and cheapest way of getting around Dubai. As petrol and maintenance prices are greatly reduced, many expats find they are able to buy cars that are a better make and model than what they would be able to afford at home. Hiring a car is also an option.

Catching a bus or taxi is also a possibility, while Dubai’s new metro system also offers expats a reasonably priced transport option.

Cost of food and household goods in Dubai

Groceries in Dubai are reasonably priced compared to other cities. However, imported products can be very expensive.

With Dubai’s extensive malls, expats will likely find themselves doing more shopping than they ever did before. Gadgets, international fashion brands and everything else in between is on offer in these massive shopping centers. Expats who enjoy shopping will relish the Dubai shopping festival where all sorts of bargains are to be found. In general, due to low import duties, household electronic goods are reasonably priced, but clothing can still be expensive.

 Food is relatively well-priced in Dubai, and with a variety of eating establishments catering for all budgets, it’s easy to eat out on a regular basis in the emirate. Many bars and restaurants also have happy hours and special deals. While food is generally reasonably priced, alcohol is expensive, and expats should remember that if wanting to drink or buy alcohol, they need to have a special permit to do so.

Money in Dubai

The Dirham is the official currency in the United Arab Emirates, and is abbreviated as AED. It is sometimes also written as DH or Dhs. One dirham is divided into 100 fils.

 The dirham is available in the following denominations:

• Notes: 1,000 AED, 500 AED, 200 AED, 100 AED, 50 AED, 20 AED, 10 AED and 5 AED
• Coins: 1 AED and 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils

 Most shops round up or down as there are no smaller coins. Anything larger than a 100 AED note may cause consternation, and it may be difficult to get change for it, especially in a taxi.

Banking in Dubai

 Many well-known international banks have a presence in Dubai, so finding a familiar brand is easy and convenient. That said, expats should not discount local UAE banks; they provide excellent service, and the nature of the small, competitive market means favourable deals are easy to find.

Banks are generally open every day from 8am to 3pm, except Fridays. 

 Opening a bank account

Opening a bank account in Dubai is a fairly painless process once expats have their residence visa. Expats will need to show proof of their visa, as well as provide their passport, proof of address and a no-objection letter from their employer in order to open a bank account in Dubai.

 Fees and service offerings differ between the various banks. Current accounts, debit and credit cards, savings accounts and car loans are standard fare, with some banks also offering preferential banking, depending on a person’s salary level. 

 For Muslim expatriates and locals, all UAE banks offer Sharia-based accounts in accordance with Islamic laws and banking principles. These accounts earn no interest, and have somewhat complicated arrangements for mortgages and loans.

 One aspect of banking in Dubai that expats may find frustrating is the fact that many transactions can only be done in person at the branch; so expats should be sure to choose a bank that is convenient to their lifestyle. High fees for doing electronic transfers mean most people stick to cheques, cash and credit cards for making payments to a third party.

Cheques

Cheques are still widely accepted in the UAE. Expats can issue a cheque for pretty much anything, but beware if it bounces, as the penalty can include jail and a fine. Post-dated cheques are popular and are the primary method used for buying a car and paying an annual rent, as debit orders are not common in Dubai.

ATMs and credit cards

ATMs are numerous, and there is no charge for drawing cash from a different bank’s machine.

Most banks also have cheque and cash deposit machines available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Internet banking facilities are also available, though in some cases, they can be rather unsophisticated.

 Credit cards normally attract high interest charges. Some expats do run into trouble living beyond their means in Dubai, so it’s important to remain disciplined.

 Outward remittances

As the population in Dubai is predominantly expatriate, some banks offer one free transfer a month for sending money home. This doesn’t apply to every country, so double-check before making the transaction as the fees charged for making outward remittances can be quite high.

Taxation, wills and Sharia law in Dubai

There is no personal income tax, GST or VAT charged in the UAE. Taxes are added to alcohol when purchased from an outlet and to meals in licensed (liquor-serving) restaurants. Some items attract import duty at Dubai Customs.

Certain countries will tax earnings by their citizens no matter where it is earned, for example, the United States, while others will insist that expats are out of the country for a minimum period of time before becoming exempted. It’s therefore advisable to get advice from a tax expert back home. 

 Wills

It’s important to know that a “home” will is not valid for anything expats to own in the UAE. If an expat resident dies, their UAE bank accounts are immediately frozen until the estate is finalized and their debts are paid in full. This includes any joint accounts. Accounts held in another country are not affected. It is therefore imperative that the spouse has a separate bank account in their own name containing emergency funding in case of this eventuality. If there is no Sharia-compliant will in place at the time of death then UAE law is applied, and the estate will be divided up by the court.

 If owning property or other assets in Dubai, expats should endeavor to have a will drawn up in the UAE to make sure their family is properly taken care of. There are several specialist firms in the region that can advise on this. Incidentally, there is no estate or inheritance tax applied in Dubai

Air Ambulance in Dubai

HI FLYING provides the complete range of dedicated Air Ambulance aircrafts from Learjet 35, Learjet 45, Learjet 60 and Gulfstream 150 for transportation of medical patients from Singapore to various international destinations in the world.

The aircrafts have aeromedical stretchers, oxygen, lifesaving medical equipment, emergency medications and a dedicated medical escort team - Doctor and Nurse, Nurse and Paramedic or Doctor/Nurse/Paramedic/RT team based on the clinical condition of the patient.

HI Flying have capabilities to transfer two patients on one flight.

All operations are supervised by the Medical director which takes care of the medical transport from receiving the Medical transport request to Planning of the medical transport to final completion of the transportation.

Patient safety and comfort is of Paramount importance.

More information at www.airambulancedubai.com