Orientation Handbook

2009-2010
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CONTENTS
1.WELCOME .......................................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.IMMIGRATION .................................................................................................................................................................... 2
3.BEFORE ARRIVAL ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 
3.0 BEFORE ARRIVAL ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 
3.1 WHAT IS AUTHENTICATION? ................................................................................................................................... 2 
3.2 IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS ........................................................................................................................................ 3 
3.3 AUTHENTICATION PROCEDURES ........................................................................................................................... 3 
Authentication Procedures for Documents Originating in the USA ......................................................................... 3 
Authentication Procedures for Documents Originating in Canada ......................................................................... 4 
Authentication Procedures for Documents Originating in the U.K. ......................................................................... 5 
Authentication Procedures for Documents Originating in Other Countries ............................................................ 5 
3.4 VISAS AND SPONSORSHIPS .................................................................................................................................... 5 
3.5 AIR TRAVEL ................................................................................................................................................................ 6 
3.6 LIST OF DOCUMENTS YOU MUST BRING .............................................................................................................. 6 
3.7 LUGGAGE, SHIPPING AND CUSTOMS .................................................................................................................... 6 
What to Bring............................................................................................................................................................ 7 
Shipping.................................................................................................................................................................... 7 
Bringing Pets ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 
3.8 INOCULATIONS .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
4. AFTER ARRIVAL ............................................................................................................................................................... 9 
4.0 AFTER ARRIVAL IN THE UAE.................................................................................................................................... 9 
4.1 BUDGETING FOR YOUR INITIAL EXPENSES ......................................................................................................... 9 
4.2 AT THE AIRPORT........................................................................................................................................................ 9 
4.3 RESIDENCY VISA APPLICATION ............................................................................................................................ 10 
4.4 HEALTH CARD .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 
4.5 DEPENDENTS’ RESIDENCE VISAS ........................................................................................................................ 10 
4.6 ALLOWANCES .......................................................................................................................................................... 11 
4.7 BANKING ................................................................................................................................................................... 11 
4.8 YOUR PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION ............................................................................................................... 11 
4.9 HEALTH CARE COVERAGE .................................................................................................................................... 12 
4.10 DRIVING AND OWNING A CAR ............................................................................................................................. 12 
To apply for a driving licence: ................................................................................................................................ 13 
To register your car: ............................................................................................................................................... 14 
4.11 HOUSEHOLD INSURANCE .................................................................................................................................... 14 
4.12 TELECOMMUNICATION AND INTERNET SERVICES ......................................................................................... 14 
4.13 UTILITIES ................................................................................................................................................................. 14 
4.14 DOMESTIC HELP .................................................................................................................................................... 14 
4.15 CABLE TV ................................................................................................................................................................ 15 
4.16 DEPENDANTS EDUCATION ALLOWANCE .......................................................................................................... 15
5. The UAE ........................................................................................................................................................................... 15 
5.0 THE UAE .................................................................................................................................................................... 15 
5.1 GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................................ 16 
5.2 CLIMATE .................................................................................................................................................................... 16 
5.3 CLOTHING ................................................................................................................................................................. 17 
5.4 CURRENCY ............................................................................................................................................................... 17 
5.5 FOOD AND BEVERAGES ......................................................................................................................................... 18 
5.6 LANGUAGES ............................................................................................................................................................. 18 
5.7 RELIGION, RAMADAN AND RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS (EIDS) ................................................................................. 18 
5.8 SIGHTSEEING IN THE UAE ..................................................................................................................................... 19 
5.11 OTHER RESOURCES ABOUT THE UAE .............................................................................................................. 22 
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5.12 Miscellaneous........................................................................................................................................................... 24 

1.WELCOME
To assist you in your preparations for moving to the United Arab Emirates, this Orientation Handbook provides
you with general information about the country and its work requirements… to help you have a smooth
transition into your role with SIP.

2.IMMIGRATION
Employees and their families are required by law to acquire and maintain the proper immigration
documentation to work and reside within the UAE. SIP Abu Dhabi provides services to assist employees and
their families acquire the necessary employment, resident and sponsorship visas, to renew those visas upon
expiration and to cancel visas upon leaving the country. Our SIP office in Abu Dhabi will, generally, be your
first port of call on such issues.

3.BEFORE ARRIVAL
• BEFORE ARRIVAL • AIR TRAVEL
• WHAT IS AUTHENTICATION? • LIST OF DOCUMENTS YOU MUST BRING
• IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS • LUGGAGE, SHIPPING (INCLUDING PETS) AND CUSTOMS
• AUTHENTICATION PROCEDURES • INOCULATIONS
• VISAS AND SPONSORSHIPS

3.0 BEFORE ARRIVAL

Moving and working in a foreign country requires documentation that you may not require in your own country.
Additionally, there is a lot of preparation for your move, whether you have a family or not. Be sure that you
have all your legal and financial affairs in order before you leave your country. This will minimize your concerns
as you begin to settle into your new home in the UAE, which could be somewhat overwhelming at first.

3.1 WHAT IS AUTHENTICATION?

Upon acceptance of the Employment Offer, you must immediately begin the authentication of the documents
that will be required for your move to the UAE. Authentication is a guarantee that the documents contain
truthful and accurate information. It is a legal requirement in most Middle East countries, including the United
Arab Emirates, to have authenticated copies of important documents. These documents are required as a
condition of employment with SIP as we need to meet government regulations.

Authenticated document requirements cannot be waived. For instance the documents are also required to
receive your residence visa to legally work and live in the UAE, and, for those with families, to obtain eligibility
for family status.

In the next two sections, you will learn what documents are required, to whom you send these, and how to
accomplish the authentication process in your country.
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3.2 IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

You must complete the authentication of the following documents with the UAE Embassy in your country of
origin (citizenship) prior to arrival in the UAE. Ideally, it is recommended you begin the authentication process
three or more months before your relocation to the UAE as delays sometimes occur.

Required authenticated documents include:

1. Original copy of degree* (only the highest degree relevant to your position)
2. Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
3. Children’s Birth Certificates (if applicable)
4. Divorce Decree or Spouse’s Death Certificate (if applicable; e.g. for custody of children)
5. ‘Work Experience’ Certificate: This is an authenticated statement from your present, and if
unemployed, previous workplace attesting to your role and length of service at that rank.
6. Police Clearance Certificate

3.3 AUTHENTICATION PROCEDURES

Below are detailed procedures for authentication for documents originated in the USA, Canada, and the UK.
However, you should verify these procedures by contacting both the appropriate government offices and the
UAE Embassy in your country. Procedures are subject to change. For documents originating from other
countries, contact the UAE Embassy in your country to obtain information about authentication procedures.

Since there is a series of steps to authentication, conducted by different government agencies, please allow
sufficient time for the entire process, in the event you have unexpected problems. You should also consider
investing in using courier services to better guarantee your documents can be tracked, thus minimizing any
loss.

Authentication of marriage certificate, children’s birth certificate, divorced decree or spouse’s death certificate,
and any other family related documents cannot be waived. These authenticated documents, if applicable, are
required in obtaining residence visas in the UAE and for the employee’s eligibility for family status.

Copies of the authenticated documents must be sent and received by Corporate Office at GEMS prior to
arrival in the UAE. Send all authenticated documents and official transcripts as soon as possible, but refer to
separate email communication for ‘addressing’ information.

Authentication Procedures for Documents Originating in the USA

Academic, civil, and commercial documents originating in the U.S.A. are authenticated in the following order:
1. Transcripts. Request an official transcript from the Registrar’s Office at the college or university and
ensure he/she certifies that the document is a true copy of the original diploma.

2. Notarization. Registrar’s signature is notarized by a Notary Public.

3. State Authentications. Obtain authentication from the state where your documents were executed. If
the Notary Public is “local only”, use both steps A and B. If the Public Notary is “at large” for the State,
use only B.
A. Signature by Clerk of Court in the County where the Notary Public is commissioned, certifying that
the notary’s term has not expired.

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B. Signature and seal by the Secretary of State in the state where the Notary Public is located,
certifying to the Notary Public’s current status.

4. US Dept. of State Authentication. Forward all state authenticated documents to the U.S. Department
of State at the following address. The fee for authentication may change without prior notice. You can
verify current information by contacting their office or visiting their website.

The Authentication Officer

U.S. Department of State
518 23 St. N.W., SA-1
Washington, D.C. 20520
Tel. #: (202) 647 5002
Fax #: (202) 663 3636
Web Site:http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/

5. UAE Authentication. Forward all authenticated documents to the UAE Embassy at the following
address. There is a small fee for each document, payable with cashiers check or money order, subject
to change. Before mailing your documents to the UAE Embassy, contact them to obtain current
information.

UAE Embassy
3522 International Court, N.W.Suite 202
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel. #: (202) 243 4444 / (202) 243 4416
Fax #: (202) 243 4422 / (202) 243 4415
Web Site: http://www.uae-embassy.org

Authentication Procedures for Documents Originating in Canada

Documents originating from Canada are authenticated in the following order:
1. The Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For additional and current information, contact the Canadian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Authentication and Service of Documents Section (JLAC)

Departments of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0G2
Tel. #: (613) 995 0119
Fax #: (613) 944 7078
Web Site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/

2. The UAE Embassy in Canada at:

45 O’Connor Street
Suite 1800
Ottawa, Ontario KIP 1AA
CANADA
Tel. #: (613) 565 7272
Fax #: (613) 565 8007
Website: http://www.uae-embassy.com/uae-sevices.html

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Authentication Procedures for Documents Originating in the U.K.

Documents originating from the U.K. are authenticated in the following order:
1. Legalization Department: Contact the Legalization Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office for any additional information.

The Legalisation Office,

Norfolk House, 437 Silbury Boulevard,
Milton Keyns, MK9 2AH,
Tel. #: 01908 295111
Fax #: 01908 295 122
Email: legalisationoffice@fco.gov.ik

2. The Cultural Attaché Division at:

UAE Embassy
48 Princes Gate
London, SW7
Tel. #: (207) 823 7880
Fax #: (207) 823 8153
Web Site: http://www.uaeembassyuk.net

Authentication Procedures for Documents Originating in Other Countries

For documents originating from countries other than U.S.A., Canada and U.K., please contact the nearest UAE
Embassy in your country for authentication procedures. All applicable documents must be authenticated
before going to the UAE. Associated costs are the responsibility of the individual.
In New Zealand ‘certified copies’ can be obtained from the Department of Courts, Births, Deaths, and
Marriages. These can be done online, and the waiting period is approximately one month.

3.4 VISAS AND SPONSORSHIPS

In order for you to enter and work in the UAE, SIP must ‘sponsor’ you and you must have an employment visa.
After your arrival in the UAE, you will need to obtain a resident visa. Your family will initially enter with a 60-day
visitors’ visa (this is only applicable to the following passport holders / nationalities: Australia, Austria, Bahrain,
Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom,
United States.) and obtain their residence visa after you receive your government labour contract. Your SIP
representative will assist you in applying for and getting your resident visa and government labour contract.
When you receive your government labour contract you can then apply for resident visas for your family.

Before going to the UAE, ensure that your passport will still be valid for at least a 12-month period upon entry
into the UAE and have a minimum of 4 blank pages for entry/exit stamps. If this is not the case, be sure to
obtain a new passport before travelling to the UAE and/or an extra page supplement, if applicable.

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For Residents in Countries with a UAE Embassy

The UAE Embassy in your country will issue your entry work visa, and entry residence visas for your
dependent family members.

After receiving notification that it is available, you should contact the UAE Embassy to verify requirements to
obtain your visa(s). You will need to send your original passport, including your family’s, to the Embassy, and
enclose a cashier’s check or money order for the visa fee. You are strongly recommended to send your
passport(s) via a courier service.

3.5 AIR TRAVEL

SIP will provide you with a one way economy air ticket for you from your joining country to the UAE. Your
travel will be arranged via the most direct route from your nearest airport to Abu Dhabi. Your SIP
representative will advise how you will receive your ticket(s).

3.6 LIST OF DOCUMENTS YOU MUST BRING

In addition to the documents you are required to send to the GEMS School Improvement Partnership Office in
Dubai you must also bring the following documents with you to the UAE:
1. Original copy of your highest degree. – This document is asked to be couriered to us and should be
received before your arrival date.
2. Child (ren)’s school reports (required by the school to place your child (ren) at the correct level).
3. 12 passport size colour pictures of yourself on white background.
4. 12 passport size colour pictures, each on white background, of your :
I. Spouse,
II. Male dependent(s) 18 years and older, if applicable, who is(are) planning on attending an
educational institution in the UAE, and
III. Female dependent(s) 18 years and older.
5. 6 passport size colour pictures of each of your children below 18 years of age, if applicable.
6. Original valid driver’s license

Note: Passport size pictures must not be computer generated.

Divorced mothers who want to sponsor their child(ren) in the UAE must produce an authenticated document
signed by the child(ren)’s father, stating that he authorizes the mother to sponsor the child(ren) for residence in
UAE. Follow the authentication procedures in our previous section. Failure to produce an authenticated
document may lead to a costly complication resulting in the mother sending the child(ren) back to the country
of origin, at her own expense. If you have adopted children, be sure to inform your HR representative so
he/she can advise you about the UAE requirements regarding adopted children.

3.7 LUGGAGE, SHIPPING AND CUSTOMS

Some may find the standard airline baggage allotment sufficient to bring personal possessions for their stay in
the UAE while others may not. In this Section, you will be advised what to bring to the UAE, how to ship items
you cannot take on the airline with you, and, for animal lovers, how to bring your pets with you.

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What to Bring

The following list is only a suggestion.

• Clothing and footwear – generally light, but be conscious of local cultural requirements (see section 5
for detail)
• Family photographs.
• Cameras (traditional, digital, and/or video; these can also be purchased in the UAE).
• Professional materials, limited quantity.
• *Books and/or magazines, limited quantity (you can purchase books from local bookstores in the malls
in UAE).
• *Videotapes, CDs, or DVDs, limited quantity (you can purchase these from the malls; you can also
rent VHS and DVD movies).
• Medication: bring sufficient supplies for the first month only + a letter from your own doctor, which can
be used as the basis for your consultation with a local practitioner; i.e. to get a prescription here in the
UAE.
• Professional clothing suitable for work (see section 5.3) –

If you bring your own razors, hair dryers, other personal electrical items, you should know the UAE electrical
supply is 240v 50 cycles. If your current appliance does not have this voltage, you can purchase these items in
the UAE. You can also purchase an adapter at most stores around the country to use your appliance in the
UAE.

* A word of caution: Do not bring books, magazines, or videotapes of a controversial nature into the UAE. By
controversial, we mean any subject that would be degrading to the UAE, Arabs, or Muslim countries or
individuals, as well as any material of a sexual nature. If you do decide to bring this type of material with you,
be prepared for the possibility that you will be asked to make a choice to either return it to your country at your
cost, or have it destroyed. Another option that may be taken by the Ministry of Information and Culture is to
use indelible ink to mark over objectionable text or pictures; this is commonplace especially in magazines
showing photos of lingerie ads, for example.

When you arrive at the airport, your luggage (including ‘carry-ons’) may or may not be searched. Books,
magazines, videotapes, and DVDs may be seized for review by the Ministry of Information and Culture. If this
happens, you will be given a receipt for the seized articles, which you can pick up in a week or two, depending
on how busy the Ministry is at the time.

Shipping

SIP allocates a shipping allowance as part of the contract. This will be paid after arrival, and original receipts
will be required to claim this.

You can ship those items that exceed your luggage limit or, by personal choice, you want to ship to the UAE.
You have several options, at your expense. You can ship smaller items, such as books, through your postal
system. Air mail takes up to two weeks, and surface mail, which is considerably cheaper, takes up to two
months. You can also contact your local couriers, and other shippers to determine the most appropriate means
to send your items. Your shipper will be able to advise you regarding cost, packing, UAE import regulations
and inspection practices, insurance, shipping dates, etc. Ship your items to your SIP representative’s address.
Include your name in the addressing so HR knows who the shipments belong to. The UAE uses P.O. Box
numbers, not street numbers. In very rare instances, you may have to pick up your items yourself in Abu Dhabi
or Dubai.

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Bringing Pets

You can bring your pet(s) to the UAE; however, this will be at your cost. From experience, some individuals
feel that you and your pet will happier, and have less stress in the long run, if you travel together. If you prefer
to travel without your pet, there are places in the Emirates that can handle the arrangements for you. Two
organizations that can coordinate the importation of your pet once it reaches the UAE are the British
Veterinary Centre of Abu Dhabi (www.britvet.com) and Dubai Kennels and Cattery (www.dkc.ae ). These
facilities also offer export services, but please be aware they only handle importing inside the UAE.

If you hire a professional pet shipper from your home country, that organization will easily be able to
coordinate the process in conjunction with one of the two above.

If you want to travel with your pet, there are several things that need to be done whether you ship it separately
or have your pet travel with you.
1. Obtain a veterinarian’s certificate certifying your pet is healthy and a vaccination certificate for all its
vaccinations (must be current within 30 days of travel).
2. Send the vet’s certificate to GEMS Human Resources via mail, fax, or email. The HR representative
will forward the certificates to the UAE Agricultural Ministry and obtain an import permit for your pet(s).
3. HR will email the scanned import permit back to you. The import permit is only good for 15 days after
issue.

Two concerns you need to be aware of if you are bringing a pet to the UAE: Airline routing through the U.K.
and temporary accommodations upon your arrival in the UAE. First, regarding airline routing, you cannot travel
through the UK with pets. Some have found KLM and Lufthansa to be very helpful with good connecting flights
and/or availability of facilities at the European airport for your pet.

Secondly, once you are in the UAE, you may be staying in temporary accommodation for a few days.
Unfortunately, hotels are not tolerant of cats, dogs. In another words, you cannot keep your pet with you in a
hotel. Check with your SIP representative when your accommodation has been determined, to clarify your
building’s ‘pet policy’. Your pet will spend some time in a kennel in Dubai until you move to your permanent
accommodation. Therefore it may be best to ship your pet after you arrive in the UAE.

It is also possible to board your pet during its first few days after arrival while you are in-processing. If you
choose to board your pet, contact Dubai Kennels and Cattery (www.dkc.com) as soon as possible, as
boarding facilities in the UAE book up quickly for the summer months. If DKC is full, they or BritVet
(www.britvet.com) will be able to put you in touch with other kennels. NOTE: There are no kennels in Al Ain.
However, since your pet will arrive in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, they will only have a short travel from the airport to
the kennel.

Many stores in the UAE sell pet products. You will find several veterinarians and vet hospitals in the UAE but
not in Al Ain. However, a veterinarian travels to Al Ain once every two weeks to provide veterinary services for
residents’ pets.

3.8 INOCULATIONS

The UAE does not require any immunizations prior to travel. However, if you intend to visit Asia, Africa and
the Far East from your new home base in the UAE, you may wish to get immunized for tetanus, etc. Hospitals
and clinics in the UAE are very good, and inoculations can be done here.

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4. AFTER ARRIVAL
• AFTER ARRIVAL IN THE UAE • YOUR PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION
• BUDGETING FOR YOUR INITIAL EXPENSES • HEALTH CARE COVERAGE
• AT THE AIRPORT • DRIVING AND OWNING A CAR
• RESIDENCY VISA APPLICATION • HOUSEHOLD INSURANCE
• HEALTH CARD • TELECOMMUNICATION AND INTERNET SERVICES
• DEPENDENTS’ RESIDENCE VISAS • UTILITIES
• ALLOWANCES • DOMESTIC HELP
• BANKING

4.0 AFTER ARRIVAL IN THE UAE

If you are like most staff who were hired outside the UAE, you are possibly viewing the next few months with
an equal mixture of excitement and apprehension. You will probably be wondering about your new country,
town, and housing. The UAE appears fairly 'Westernized'. This can make it easy to expect that things will be
done very much like home, but appearances can be deceiving. The reality is that regardless of how many
foreign countries you have lived in, the UAE will require adaptation and patience on your part. Despite some
possible differences such as the heat, the dress, the call from the mosques, etc., you may see other surprising
differences.

This section will help you with your initial transition during your first week in the UAE as well as being useful for
your first couple of weeks of settling into your new town/city.

4.1 BUDGETING FOR YOUR INITIAL EXPENSES

To help you plan how much money to bring with you, try to take into account the purchasing of food, personal
items, and local transportation. Since your first salary will not be paid until the end of the month, you should
budget sufficient funds to cover all your personal expenses for this period.
To give an example, additional expenses may include:

Dependent(s): (estimate) (estimate)

Resident visa 1,500 AED/person 400 US$/person

4.2 AT THE AIRPORT

Your entry visa is issued in the UAE, so the SIP Representative will give the original copy of your entry visa to
the airport immigration officer… from whom you will pick it up on arrival. There should be no paperwork to
complete, and family members without an entry visa are given a 30-day visitor’s visa.

Before you travel to the UAE, be sure to advise the SIP Representative if you are travelling by yourself or with
your family for appropriate transportation to be coordinated. A representative from SIP will meet you at the
airport upon your arrival. Look for someone holding a sign with ‘SIP’ or your name on it. The SIP
representative will take you from the airport to your accommodation.
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As the trip from the Abu Dhabi airport to Al Ain can be as much as two hours, prepare accordingly. You may
want to take a bathroom stop at the airport and purchase some snacks and beverages before leaving the
airport.

4.3 RESIDENCY VISA APPLICATION

In order for you to stay in the UAE, you are required to obtain a valid UAE Resident Visa, as must your family
members. The visa you obtained from the UAE Embassy abroad (or upon your arrival at the airport) is only for
entry to the UAE. Your SIP Representative will assist you in obtaining your resident visa, which you are
required to have before you apply for your family’s visas. You will need to submit the following:
• Original passport
• HIV test result (taken during your first week of arrival)
• Two (2) passport size pictures
• Chest X-Ray

4.4 HEALTH CARD

You will be provided with a medical card for the times when you will use a health facility in the UAE. SIP Staff
will assist you in this process. For the medical card, you are required to provide one passport copy

4.5 DEPENDENTS’ RESIDENCE VISAS

The SIP team will assist you during this complex process. Upon receipt of your resident visa and your
government labour contract, you should begin the processing of your dependent(s) resident visa(s).
Requirements for obtaining Dependent Resident Visas include:
• Signed visa application forms obtained from Human Resources
• Original copy of your government labour contract
• Copies of:
o Your passport and residence visa
o Authenticated marriage certificate, divorce decree, or spouse’s death certificate (whichever is
applicable)
o Authenticated child(ren)'s birth certificates (if applicable)
• Each dependent's original passport
• Employment certificate prepared by SIP in Arabic with salary
• Health-related matters:
o HIV test results for spouse and children above 18 years old and above
• Two (2) passport size colour pictures of (should be in white background):
o Each dependent (if different passports)
o The family, a group picture--children and the father, or mother (if child(ren) is (are) included in
either of the father's or mother's passport)
• Chest X-Ray

In order to apply for residency visa for your dependents you need to have a medical exam at a UAE
government operated medical facility (i.e., preventative medicine). The HIV test is only for your spouse and
children above 18 years old and above, and is not required for younger children.

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For a health card, you need to provide the following documents for each applicable dependent (spouse and 18
and above years of children):
• One copy of your passport and residence entry visa
• The typewritten application form
• Two (2) passport size colour pictures for each dependent

Although you do not need to have government-issued health cards for your children under the age of 18, if you
wish to obtain one for them you have to prepare the same documents mentioned above.
After applying for your health card, you will need to take a general medical examination (including HIV test and
complete physical examination).

4.6 ALLOWANCES

As mentioned previously shipping allowances are part of your contract. It is suggested you schedule your
shipment to arrive in the UAE a minimum of two weeks after your arrival.

4.7 BANKING

SIP will assist you in opening a bank account. After you open a bank account, you will be given a bank
account form that you will need to fill in and submit to the SIP team. This form will be forwarded to the Finance
Department so that your monthly salary can be deposited directly into this account.

For opening a bank account, you will be required to submit:

• A copy of your passport
• A copy of the residence visa page stamped in your passport
• The salary letter from SIP

Note: You must have your residence visa stamped on your passport before you can apply / open a bank
account in the U.A.E.

You will find that the banking services are very modern and employ most current technologies. Most of the
banks in the UAE can provide you with an ATM card. You can also request a chequebook and may be eligible
to apply for a major credit card such as MasterCard and VISA. Ask your bank about their on-line banking
services such as viewing your statements, doing international transfers and paying your utility bills on-line.
Please note that reasonably large credit limits apply to most credit cards, so care should be taken with security
of these cards (for example, a signature is all that is required on purchase of consumer goods, and the
signature is not always checked by the shop assistant). Buyers beware!

4.8 YOUR PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is provided as part of your SIP contract, and we try to match the family or person to the
unit/apartment. Accommodation is assigned to the newly hired staff prior to their arrival. A SIP Representative
will show you your assigned accommodation. You will need to sign an acknowledgement of housing
agreement upon receipt of the keys to your accommodation. SIP will be responsible for essential utilities such
as water, electricity, telephone, but you will be responsible for optional choices such as cable TV services.

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As mentioned in the FAQ’s all apartments will be fully furnished. Some of the items include:
• Fridge
• Washing Machine
• Stove/Oven
• Toaster
• Iron & board
• Crockery & cutleries
• Kitchenwares
• Bedroom furnitures, bed mattresses, bed linens, pillows
• Dining table, sofa
• Television
A full inventory list for your apartment could be found on the __________________- or will be given to you by
our Admin Team on your moving date to your permanent accommodation.

4.9 HEALTH CARE COVERAGE

SIP provides 100% fully-paid premiums for basic medical health insurance for all staff members and their
dependents. When you receive medical treatment you are only required to pay 50 dirhams towards the bill.
Your SIP representative will assist you with queries, but please note that coverage does not extend to dental
work at this stage.

4.10 DRIVING AND OWNING A CAR

To drive or buy a car in the UAE, you need to have a UAE driver license, which you can obtain after receiving
your residence visa. Since many countries’ drivers licenses are accepted by the UAE, many staff with a valid
driving license from their home country may apply for the UAE driving license without going through the driving
license examinations. Upon arrival, your SIP Representative can give you more information about getting your
driver's license, a car loan, car registration, and insurance.

Many staff prefer to own a vehicle to using taxis. It is a matter of personal choice and need. There are many
new car dealers in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain but you may also want to check your options in Dubai…expect to see
all the major vehicle brands and models as the market here is very competitive. There are many used cars
available from dealers and private owners at excellent prices, as other expatriates sell their cars on departure
for their home country. Prices, on the whole, are much cheaper than in the UK / USA / Australia and New
Zealand. For example you would expect to pay about one third less than the UK. Petrol and diesel prices are
also much cheaper (stop cheering!!!). At the time of writing the average cost of refilling a Toyota Camry from
empty is about 80 dirhams (approximately 11 Pounds Sterling, or $25 Australian).

The UAE has many modern high standard highways. However driving in U.A.E. may be quite different
compared to your home country. You should practice defensive driving at all times. In addition, the "Safety
Seat Belt Law" is implemented. Children aged 10 years old and under are not allowed to sit in the front.
The police emergency phone number is 999; the ambulance number is 998. In the U.A.E., there is zero
tolerance for driving after consumption of alcohol. People who are involved in a traffic accident in which
another party is injured automatically go to jail until the injured person is released from the hospital. Should a
person die in a traffic accident, the driver of the other vehicle is liable for payment of compensation for the
death (Known as "Dhiyya), usually the equivalent of 55,000 U.S. Dollars. Even if you are involved in a very
minor accident police have to be called and they complete an accident report….until this is done you are not

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allowed to leave the scene, nor are you able to get body repairs completed on your car without an accident
report.

To learn about the traffic rules in the U.A.E., please visit Abu Dhabi Police at http://www.adpolice.gov.ae/en.
For instance, if you go through three red traffic lights it may result in vehicle confiscation. Another example of a
recent reform is Dubai’s approach to the use of mobile phones...it will lead to harsh penalties if caught whilst
driving.

To apply for a driving licence:

You must have your residence visa stamped on your passport before you can apply for a U.A.E. driving
licence. Once you have your U.A.E. residence visa, a ten year U.A.E. driving license can be obtained.

You may be eligible to transfer your existing driving licence, without having to take a driving test or going to a
driving school, if you have a valid driving licence from one of the thirty six countries listed below.

Note: You have to be a citizen and hold the passport of one of the countries given below and the driving
license should be from the same country. The countries whose citizens can transfer their driving licenses are:
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Please note: Driving licence holders of some countries in the above list will require consulate letters. These
countries are:
• Canada: A letter from the Canadian Consulate to verify that the licence is genuine is required before
transferring your license.
• Driving licence holders from Greece, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Cyprus,
Canada, Turkey, Japan and Korea will require a translation of their driving licence from their
respective consulates.

Fees and Documents Required

1. Passport for residents (original and copy)
2. residence permit copy
3. current driving licence (original and copy)
4. translation of driving licence into Arabic
5. consulate letter (for Canadians)
6. two passport photos (in white background)
7. eye test certificate
8. Approximately AED300 for transfer fee
9. No-objection letter from the Company /or from the Sponsor
10. Counterpart Certificate (for British Citizen only)

Easy Steps
1. Carry all documents mentioned above & go to Dubai or Abu Dhabi Traffic Department. (you
should go to the Emirate where your residence visa has been issued) The Driving Licence
Section is open from 7.30 am to 2.30 pm on a working day.
2. Fill out application form & submit all documents to the typing center.
3. Get your eye test done.
4. Take the documents & pay the amount to the cashier.

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5. Your name will be called out and your photograph taken. You will receive your licence, a few
minutes later.

To keep track of updated changes to procedures, please see the Traffic Website
https://www.dubaipolice.gov.ae/ (Dubai) and https://www.adpolicepolice.gov.ae/ (Abu Dhabi)

Remember, you can only apply for your driving licence once you have your Residence Visa. Therefore you
will not be able to drive for up to one or two months. You will need to make other, interim arrangements to get
around and to work. (e.g. car pooling with colleagues)

Those entering the U.A.E. on a visit visa can rent a car or those holding a driving licence issued by a GCC
country. If your spouse has entered the U.A.E. on a visit visa, he or she can rent a car using an international
driving licence.

To register your car:

You will need: SIP letter, driver license, car insurance; you will also need a copy of your passport and resident
visa and a copy of your driving license.

4.11 HOUSEHOLD INSURANCE

Although the UAE is one of the safest places in the Middle East, you may want to consider purchasing a
household insurance policy that would cover your personal belongings in the event of burglary, accidental
damage, or natural causes. When you are in the UAE, you can obtain additional information from a number of
insurance carriers.

4.12 TELECOMMUNICATION AND INTERNET SERVICES

Excellent telephone and internet services are available from the UAE telecommunications provider, Etisalat.
To have a land line and to connect your computer to Etisalat, go to Etisalat (Telephone Company) with a copy
of your passport, residence visa, and a ‘Employment Letter’ from SIP. You can check their website for their
many services at www.etisalat.com . Your SIP representative will assist you in obtaining your
telecommunication services.

4.13 UTILITIES
SIP will arrange for electricity and water supply with the relevant Distribution Company. SIP pays you an
allowance for bills.

4.14 DOMESTIC HELP

For those requiring domestic help, there are various options available to you with appropriate government
regulations and fees to be taken into account. Some companies offer professional maid services. Other
companies recruit a maid on your behalf. Skills vary with the individual, but with selectivity you will be able to
find someone to cook, clean and mind children for about AED 800 - 1000 per month if the housemaid lives
with you, or AED 1000 - 1,500 if she does not. If you decide to sponsor a maid, you are responsible for paying
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for her visa, health card, repatriation ticket every two years, and most of her incidental expenses, including
food and accommodation. Single men are not allowed to sponsor a maid.

4.15 CABLE TV

For tose who wish to remain in contact with western popular television there is a range of satellite & cable TV
packages... including live coverage of selected sporting events, movies, children programmes, etc. For
instance www.showtimearabia.com or www.orbit.net.

4.16 DEPENDANTS EDUCATION ALLOWANCE

Cluster Managers, Management Advisors, Teacher Advisors & Partnership Teachers will be entitled to a tuition
fee concession for a maximum of 2 children between the ages of 3-17 years in any GEMS Managed schools in
Abu Dhabi/Al Ain. Please note that there will be no reimbursement of tuition fee if your child is admitted in any
other school other than GEMS group of schools.

In exceptional circumstances where a Consultant is not able to access for his/her child an appropriate
curriculum of their choice (ie British or Western Curriculum), then SIP will provide the tuition allowance of up to
a limit of AED. 25,000/- per child per year (any other fees/charges will have to be paid by you) for a maximum
of 2 children between the ages of 3-17 years. To enable the consultant to take up another school in the UAE
written applications for this are to be made to the Senior Director (Ms. Margaret Corcoran).

The consultants may have to pay the tuition fees for their children up front and SIP will reimburse this upon
presentation of receipts / invoice.

5. The UAE
• THE UAE • RELIGION AND RAMADAN
• GENERAL INFORMATION • SIGHTSEEING IN THE UAE
• CLIMATE • TIME
• CLOTHING • WORK WEEK
• CURRENCY • OTHER RESOURCES ABOUT THE UAE
• FOOD AND BEVERAGES • MISCELLANEOUS
• LANGUAGES

5.0 THE UAE

Many will find the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a country of contrasts between the modern and the traditional.
Visitors to the country will find many large shopping malls with many retail establishments from the West;
movie theatres showing current releases; restaurants with delicious foods from around the world; markets with
produce from countries of the region and Asia; and popular 5-star hotels. Modern highway systems have been
built with many more in development. Public transportation is available with affordable taxi services and buses
within many towns and between the major cities. Traditional wares can be found in the many little shops
located in central areas called ‘souqs’ selling a variety of house wares, jewellery, fabrics, carpets and rugs,
and so much more where bargaining is expected.

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5.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) came into being on December 2, 1971, and was founded by the late ‘His
Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayan. The current president of the UAE is His Highness Sheikh
Khalifa Bin Zaed Al Nahaya. The UAE is a founding member of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).

The capital of the UAE is Abu Dhabi; its religion is Islam; and Arabic is its official language. The country is
made up of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and
Fujairah.

The UAE is located on the Arabian Gulf with a total area of more than 38,600 square kilometres. It had a
population of approximately 4.43 million as of 2006, with approximately 85% of its population made up of
expatriates. The majority of ‘expats’ come from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines; but many others come
from countries such as Egypt, the United Kingdom, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and North America. The UAE is a
rapidly diversifying society that has successfully integrated its core Islamic values into its ambitious economic
agenda. The country’s impressive economic prosperity, coupled with a liberal business and social
environment, ensures that people from nearly every country in the world come here to live, work and play.

The UAE lies on the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and
west and the Sultanate of Oman to the southeast, while Qatar lies to the northwest.

Endowed with rich natural resources, the UAE’s economy is dominated by oil exports although a growing
diversification in the country’s economy has been evident in recent years…hence the importance of ADEC’s
education reform project. As of 2005, oil and natural gas production accounted for about 36% of the country’s
gross domestic product (GDP).

5.2 CLIMATE

The UAE has a hot climate with humidity prevalent on the coastal regions; however it is very dry inland,
especially during summer months. On the coast, humidity can be in excess of 90% in the summer.

May to September: Daytime temperatures range from 30 to 40 degrees centigrade (86-104 degrees
Fahrenheit). Often, the temperatures exceed 50 degrees centigrade (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in the latter
summer months and you may find it uncomfortably warm as you go to sleep. Fortunately, air conditioning is
available in all accommodation.

October to April: Daytime temperatures range from 20 to 35 degrees centigrade (68-95 degrees Fahrenheit).
Often, evenings are cool and sometimes breezy.

Rainfall is rare. However, there have been exceptions when it has been known to be almost torrential-like with
the dry river beds overflowing. Sometimes high winds can create sandstorms that last more than one day.
During these times, be aware of any side effects you may have such as eye irritations, headaches, increased
allergy and sinus problems. You should be prepared to protect yourself to avoid severe problems and
infections.

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5.3 CLOTHING

You will see the UAE nationals wearing traditional attire known as khandora or dishdasha. Many Muslim
expats will wear the traditional clothing of their native country. Many Muslim women will cover their hair with a
scarf and wear a long, black robe over their clothing called an abaya.

Expatriates should be respectful of the other cultures and religion by respecting the unwritten dress code; i.e.
by dressing conservatively. With consideration of the culture and the climate, here are some clothing
guidelines for expatriates to follow:
• Men should always wear a shirt in public.
• Women should keep their shoulders covered, preferably wearing long or short-sleeves, and wear
either loose fitting slacks, or long skirts or dresses.
• Women usually wear cotton or linen dresses, tops, and skirts and should avoid exposing knees or
have low-cut necklines.
• Shorts are generally not acceptable for men or women.
• Preferred clothing should be generally lightweight.
• During the winter months, warmer clothing (long sleeves, sweaters and jackets) is recommended in
the cool evenings and early morning hours.
• Professionals are expected to wear slacks or trousers with a short or long-sleeved shirt, depending on
the season. Suits or jackets may be worn to work in the business community.
• Leather shoes or sandals are more comfortable than those made from synthetic materials. You may
find the dress code more relaxed in Dubai, at some public and private beaches, and hotels that cater
to the westerners. However, you should be aware you always represent SIP wherever you go and
should respect the culture and attitudes of the country.

Note: Some school Principals will insist on women wearing full length dresses, “tops” to their elbows; or they
will not allow females to wear jeans / trousers on site.

5.4 CURRENCY

The unit of currency is the UAE dirham (AED), and is divided into 100 fils. The dirham paper notes come in
denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500. Coins are issued in fils (5, 10, 25, and 50) and 1 dirham.
The rate of exchange for US$1 is approximately AED 3.6. One dirham is equivalent to approximately $0.27.

Many money exchange businesses are available to change foreign currency to UAE dirham, or vice versa, for
a fee. Banks will also exchange money for you. There are UAE banks and many international banks where you
can have a bank account. You can also wire money outside of the UAE through many financial institutions.

To give you an idea of what you can buy with UAE currency, here are a few common purchases you may
make:
AED 10 will buy you 8 cans of soft drink or 2-3 large loaves of western style bread
AED 60 will get you a meal for two at a typical family Arabic restaurant
AED 300 will usually buy you a buffet/main course for two at major hotels

Please refer to websites for the current exchange rate with your currency (e.g. www.xe.com)

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5.5 FOOD AND BEVERAGES

There is a variety of food available in the UAE in both restaurants and supermarkets. Delicious entrees and
ingredients are readily available for Arabic, Indian, Iranian, Filipino, European, American foods, and many
others. You will find a wide assortment of fresh, frozen, canned, and packaged foods and meats. More popular
soft drinks are sold everywhere. Fruit juices, milk, and soy milk, among many other beverages, are available in
the UAE markets and restaurants.

Cafes or coffee establishments are commonplace with some popular chains in local malls such as Starbucks;
Coffee, Bean and Tea Leaf; and Gloria Jean’s. Some western fast food chains are easily available such as
Burger King, McDonald’s, Hardees, Pizza Hut, Baskin Robbins, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. In Dubai and
Abu Dhabi, you will find many of the popular western restaurants in/near the malls.

Although Muslims do not eat pork, a few markets have permission to sell pork products in separate stores.
Alcohol is available on a limited basis: bottles can only be purchased in specific outlets and an alcohol licence
is necessary for you to buy and consume them. Major hotels do sell alcohol with meals in their restaurants
(e.g. Hilton, Le Meridian, Beach Rotana, Sheraton, Emirates Palace, etc).

5.6 LANGUAGES

Arabic is the official language of the country. You will find varying levels of the English language spoken from
not-at-all, to a little bit, to extensive. However, in most modern establishments such as hotels, shopping malls,
markets, and many restaurants, you will find English a common language. In urban areas, such as Abu Dhabi
and Dubai, taxi drivers speak English. However, in many rural areas, such as Al Ain, not many taxi drivers
speak English while many at least understand simple directions such as left and right. You will probably need
to learn some basic Arabic directions if you want to use public transportation. For those who are interested,
classes in Arabic are available at affordable costs.

5.7 RELIGION, RAMADAN AND RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS (EIDS)

The UAE is a Muslim-based country; most nationals are Sunni Muslims. The UAE is a country tolerant of other
religions. Therefore, there are some Christian churches, Hindu Temples and other worship places.

An abundance of mosques can be found everywhere in the UAE. However, you may observe Muslims praying
anywhere when it is prayer time. There are five prayer times during the day based on the cycles of the sun.

You will hear the public call to Muslims for prayer-time over public announcement systems from the mosques
as early as about 5 a.m. and until the last prayer-time which may be as late as about 8:30 p.m. You may hear
the call for prayer from more than one mosque.

Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims, as it is one of the five pillars and serves the purpose of a renewal
of their faith. The holy month starts and ends with the sighting of a new moon. The exact day for the start and
end of Ramadan cannot be determined because if it is a cloudy night and the new moon cannot be sighted,
then Ramadan cannot begin or end, until it is seen. Therefore, the start of Ramadan may differ from one
country to another. Each year, Ramadan varies about 10 days earlier from the prior year.

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• Fasting is compulsory for Muslims who are mentally and physically fit, over the age of puberty, in a
settled situation (i.e. not travelling). Fasting is refraining from eating, drinking, and smoking as well as
life’s sensual pleasures from sunrise to sunset.
• Exempted from fasting are:
o Children under the age of puberty though young children are encouraged to fast as much as
they can without any pressure from parents.
o People who are mentally incapacitated or not responsible for their actions.
o Sick people.
o Travelling people (for journeys over 50 miles).
o Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and women during menstruation.
• Those who are unable to fast during Ramadan make up the missed days at a later date.
• The daily fast breaks at sunset with a beverage and dates; it is called Iftar.
• The entire Quran must be read during Ramadan.
• Social visits are encouraged.

After Iftar, activities in towns are increased in comparison to non-Ramadan months and may last into the very
late evening hours or early morning hours.

Modification and observances during Ramadan:

• Non-Muslims are expected to respect the Muslim Ramadan practices by not eating, drinking, or
smoking in front of Muslims or in any public place in the UAE during daylight hours.
• All eating establishments will not open until sunset; many stay open into the early morning hours.
• Most hotels will serve food in a location not in the public view during the daylight hours.
• Many hotels will not serve liquor during the month of Ramadan.
• Business hours will be adjusted in consideration of Ramadan and the work hours are typically
reduced. If you need to conduct any business during Ramadan, it would be wise to call in advance to
verify the adjusted business hours. In the work environment, you may find it more difficult to schedule
meetings, workshops, or seminars.

There are two religious holidays (Eids) celebrated by Muslims when one can expect to have approximately
three days off from working as a holiday. The government will announce the holiday and your organization
decides which days will be the non-working holiday, paid or non-paid. Eid al-Fitr is at the end of Ramadan
with a lot of last minute shopping for new clothes, gifts, and celebratory foods. Eid al-Adha is the larger
festival with similar celebratory activities as the other, smaller Eid.

5.8 SIGHTSEEING IN THE UAE

There is much to explore in the UAE among its seven Emirates, with each Emirate offering something unique.
There are many archaeological, historical, cultural, and recreational sites. You will want to buy one or more of
the many tourist guides to discover all the UAE has to offer you as a tourist (commonly available in
supermarkets; e.g. ‘Abu Dhabi Explorer’…residents guide). There are also many tourist organizations in the
UAE.

Contact any hotel to get information about camel rides, off-road safaris, sand-boarding, and city tours of
museums…or you may choose to use the advertisements in English language daily newspapers. Some of the
popular places to visit include:
• Dubai, a modern city full of shopping venues
• Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, also a modern city
• Hatta Water Pools
• Masafi Friday Market (on the way to Fujeirah)
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• Jebel Ali with its white, sandy beaches and camping shelters
• Jebel Hafeet, the highest peak in the UAE in Al Ain
• Khorfakkan in Sharjah

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate in the UAE and is the home of the President of the UAE, ‘His Highness
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zaed Al Nahayan’, who is also ruler of Abu Dhabi. The city, Abu Dhabi, is the capital of the
emirate. The birthplace of H.H. Sheikh Zayed is the inland city Al Ain. See www.visitabudhabi.ae/en
Some places of interest in the city of Abu Dhabi include:
• Marina Mall / Abu Dhabi Mall / Al Wahda Mall / Khalidya Mall
• The Corniche
• Emirates Palace
• Grand Mosque
• Dhow or Al-Dhafra Wharf
• Iranian Souk
• Breakwater Beach
• Lulu Island

Dubai

Dubai is a growing city and been referred to as the Paris of the Middle East. You can find much to do in the
city such as shopping (modern and traditional), entertainment (cinemas, discos, and concerts of world-known
entertainers), conferences for all purposes (IT, management, communications, jewellery, and many other
industries), history and culture, beaches and water sports, and more. If you plan to visit Dubai overnight or for
several days, reserve your hotel room in advance as there are many conferences and conventions in this
popular, international city.

Some places of interest in the city of Dubai include:

• Dubai Museum
• Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House
• Heritage Village
• Diving Village
• The Gold Souq
• The Spice Souq
• Jumeira Beach and Wild Wadi Park
• Deira City Centre Mall
• Ibn Battuta Mall
• Emirates Mall

Please visit www.dubaicityguide.com for more information.

Each year, Dubai hosts the month-long Dubai Shopping Festival offering shopping and entertainment venues
throughout the city showcasing 30 or more countries from around the world. Visitors from all over the world
make it an annual vacation to attend this festival. It is the event for the Global Village and the Carpet Oasis.
For more on this annual event, visit the DSF website at www.mydsf.com .

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Al Ain

Known as "The Garden City of the Gulf" for its extensive greenery, Al Ain is located inland in the eastern
region of the Abu Dhabi emirate. Al Ain is an oasis with many natural landscapes, 70 beautiful parks, and
numerous date palm farms. The city's name comes from the Arabic word for spring, after the natural hot spring
called Al Fayidah.
Al Ain is approximately 160 kilometres from the capital city Abu Dhabi, and borders with the Sultanate of Oman
and its town Buraimi. A modern city in many regards, Al Ain is still very traditional and conservative in
comparison to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The population of Al Ain is approximately 400,000.

Local Sights:
• Al Ain Museum-Home of collections from local archaeological sites, it is an excellent way to learn
about the lives, customs, and traditions of the Bedouin people of the UAE.
• Public parks and gardens (some are for women and families only)
• Al Ain Oasis-picnic spots at its centre.
• Al Ain Fayidah-A holiday resort residing around a lake created by underground springs at the foot of
Jebel Hafeet Mountain. The resort offers restaurants, a cafe, a swimming pool, bowling, boating lake,
etc.
• Camel Racing-Winter months.
• Greyhound Racing-Winter months.
• Forts (Jahili, Muraijib, Al Muwaiiji, Al Murabba)-Previously used for defensive purposes, now provides
a means of sharing the history and culture of the Bedouin people and Al Ain.
• Hili Fun City-A theme park, it offers rides, restaurants, and an Olympic-sized ice rink.
• Hili Archaeological Gardens-Park popular for picnics and rollerblading
• Al Ain Zoo-Home to the largest wildlife collection in captivity in the Middle East.
• Jebel Hafeet Mountain - The highest mountain in the UAE, it offers good views, a nice place for a
picnic, and is always several degrees cooler than in the city.
• The Hotel Buraimi-If you have a group of 10 or more, consider a camel safari with dinner in the
desert.(00996-8652010)

5.9 TIME

Time is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus 4 hours. Daylight savings time is not observed in the UAE. An
online World Clock can tell you what time it is anywhere in the world and may be useful in determining time
while in the UAE when contacting your relatives and friends in your home country:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ .

5.10 WORK WEEK

The work week begins on Sunday and ends on Thursday. The weekend is Friday and Saturday.

Most business establishments are closed by 1:00 or 2:00 p.m. daily and most retail businesses re-open about
4:00 or 5:00 p.m., usually closing about 11:00 p.m. The majority of government agencies and banks do not re-
open for the evening and will often be closed on Fridays.

During Ramadan, a Muslim month of fasting, many retail businesses are closed during daylight hours, open
after sundown, and may not close until after midnight.
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5.11 OTHER RESOURCES ABOUT THE UAE

You may want to explore the many aspects of the UAE in preparation for your relocation to this country, from
different perspectives. There are many resources available to you. Some such resources include:

• Books
o ‘The Arab Way: how to work more effectively with Arab culture’, Dr. Jehad Al-Omari, 2005,
London UK, How To Books Ltd
o ‘Culture Shock UAE: A Guide to Customs and Etiquette’, Gina L. Crocetti, 2004, Singapore,
Time Books International. Excellent overview of living and working conditions in the UAE from
an expatriate’s perspective. Chapters on the following: Introducing the Emirates (climate,
geography, demographics, leadership, law); The Emiratis; Coping with Culture Shock (advice
for coping); Marriage and Family; Out and About (restaurants, alcohol, leisure activities,
holidays); Social Values (tradition & heritage versus modernisation); Settling Down in the UAE
(life in the Emirates); Language; Women in the Emirates; Religion; Doing Business.
o ‘Oman & the United Arab Emirates’. Lou Callan and Gordon Robison, 2000, Victoria,
Australia, Lonely Planet
o ‘Don’t They Know it’s Friday’? Jeremy Williams, 2003, Dubai, UAE, Motivate Publishing.
o ‘Mother Without a Mask: A Westerner’s Story of her Arab Family’. Patricia Holton, 1992,
London, UK, Motivate Publishing.  
ƒ www.booksarabia.com ; Email: books@motivate.ae
ƒ Non-fiction: a Westerner’s story of her Arab family
ƒ Patricia Holton welcomed 2 young Emirati boys into her home for the summer in
England to oblige their father, an Al Ain sheikh… for whom her husband acted as a
business consultant at the time of oil discovery in the UAE.
ƒ She tells the story of her subsequent visits to Al Ain and Abu Dhabi and how she
comes to be accepted as the boys’ English mother (‘Mrs. Teacup’).
ƒ A fascinating insight to the background of traditions, language and culture… as well
as the problems facing a society that has opened itself to many Western influences.
ƒ 55AED, purchased locally, it is a really enjoyable read. It is well written, and a unique
perspective of life in the UAE… especially for those based in Al Ain, you will probably
have an affinity with this book.
ƒ It is written with great respect for the culture of the UAE, and the author expresses
her perspective of the changes to Al Ain and Abu Dhabi over a 40 year period…many
of which she is saddened by.
o Al-Fahim, Mohammed, ‘’From Rags to Riches – A Story of Abu Dhabi’’, (London, London
Centre of Arab Studies, 1995):
ƒ Non-fiction: written by a successful Emirati businessman who has a passion for the
culture of the UAE, it recounts how his family would spend winter months in Abu
Dhabi and summer in Al Ain – always traveling by camel.
ƒ During the author’s childhood he spent several years in the palace of Sheikh Zayed
…the revered and well-respected founder of the UAE.
ƒ So it is a unique eye-witness account of the transformation, within 30 years, of a
Bedouin society into one of the world’s richest countries.
ƒ It also presents an intriguing local perspective of the role of the British in his country.
ƒ Again, the book is an easy-read and you will feel enlightened when you get an insight
to some of the challenges faced by the UAE….from its early days when the tribal
traditions were a central focus for day-to-day survival in a harsh environment; to the

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inspirational leadership of Sheik Zayed who transformed this perspective into a

national outlook.
ƒ A really great book, which not only covers historical background but it also gives us 
an insight into today’s generation… a mirror unto the culture, as they say in the
o Alsanea, Rajaa, ‘’Girls of Riyadh’’, (London, Penguin Books, 2007):
ƒ A very different and interesting style of fictional writing… it follows the lives of young Saudi
women through email and ‘blog’ site entries.
ƒ This debut novel was a bit controversial on first release but it has come to be a best-seller as
it destroys some of the stereotypical myths Westerners have of young Arab women.
ƒ To quote one of the promotional write-ups:
• ‘’An absorbing expose of life behind the veil’’
ƒ The novel is really interesting and you may find yourself asking the question: how true is this
in real life?
ƒ The author, a proud Saudi Arabian, has tried to put a perspective of the culture, conservatism
and male dominance of his society into context ….but the young women are portrayed as
having hopes, plans, determination and dreams.
ƒ To quote Rajaa Alsanea: ‘’And I hope you will see, too, that little by little some of these
women are beginning to carve out their own way – not the Western way, but one that keeps
what is good about the values of our religion and culture, while allowing for reform’’.
ƒ It is thought provoking, given the education reform we are part of.
ƒ Very reasonably priced, it is available widely…including at Carrefour stores in the UAE.
o ‘Arabic Made Easy: A complete practical guide to the Arabic language for non-Arabic
speakers’, Ahmed Al-Rasheed Al-Wali, 2008, Abu Dhabi UAE (alwali555@hotmail.com). He
also conducts classes for beginners and intermediate Arabic speakers.

• The Internet
o www.britishexpat.com
o http://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/glance/ataglance.pdf = Concise reference source
about the UAE. Covers the political system, the economy, demographics, business, history
and heritage, education, women, healthcare, tourism and the environment… as well as local
contact information for community and government services.
o www.adpolice.gov.ae/en/ = Abu Dhabi Police, Traffic Rules and General Advice:
o http://www.expatwoman.com/index.php = Good overviews of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al
Ain…again, from an expatriate perspective
o http://www.etihadairways.com/etihadairways/global/en/home/home = National airline, Etihad
Airways
o http://www.adec.ac.ae/en = Abu Dhabi Education Council…our partners in the reform project
o http://www.aussies-abroad.com/links.html = Australian expatriate (social) organisation
o http://www.the-club.com = Leisure and sporting club, initiated by British expatriates over 40
years ago
o http://www.irishsocietyabudhabi.com/ = Informal organization dedicated to improving ties
between the people of Ireland and Abu Dhabi.
o http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage = Abu Dhabi English language newspaper,
The National
o http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/uae.htm = Guide to doing business in the UAE
o http://www.conciergeabudhabi.com/ = English language visitors guide to Abu Dhabi
o http://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/ = Guide to major events in Abu Dhabi
o http://www.timeoutdubai.com/dubai/ = Views and reviews of what’s on in Dubai
o http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic = Currency Converter
o email: nialanews@googlegroups.com = regular newsletter for Al Ain community news.
Register on this email address.

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Other Links
Abu Dhabi Customs www.auhcustoms.gov.ae
Abu Dhabi Duty Free www.abudhabidutyfree.co.ae
Abu Dhabi International Airport www.abudhabiairport.ae
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre www.adnec.ae
Al Ain Department of Antiquities and Tourism www.aam.gov.ae
Al Ain International Airport www.adac.ae
Emirates Heritage Club www.cerehc.org.ae
Meteorological Department - Ministry of Communications www.das.ae
Ministry of Information www.uaeinteract.com
Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce Online Services www.abudhabionlineservices.ae
Health Authority - Abu Dhabi www.haad.ae
Abu Dhabi Municipality www.adm.gov.ae
Emirates Post www.emiratespost.co.ae
General Information Authority www.gia.gov.ae

5.12 Miscellaneous

Taxis
Most taxi drivers speak only limited English or none at all. Rates begin at AED 2.50 plus 50 fils per kilometre.Al
Ghazal Taxi offers a better quality of car and service at a slightly higher rate. For their services, you will have
to call them and most often they have drivers readily available. Taxi services also offer transportation to the
other emirates and airports but at a higher cost than buses.
Women normally sit in the back seat of the taxi. Conversation should be kept to a minimum.

Videos and DVD Rentals

For those who love to watch their DVD or video movies, there are a number of video and DVD shops. In some
shops you have to leave a deposit, in others you pay an amount and can rent a number of videos or DVDs.
Prices vary, but they usually cost approximately AED 10.

Water
Tap water in the Emirates is generally safe to drink. If you choose to drink tap water, have it filtered. Many
people prefer to drink bottled water. Locally bottled spring water is available as well as imported ones. You can
purchase bottled water from local supermarkets or arrange for a delivery service. They sell bottled water
individually in various sizes and by the case. Often, they will deliver your purchased cases of water to your
home. Five gallon bottled water can be delivered to all areas weekly. You can arrange to have the bottles
delivered, which requires a small bottle deposit (approximately 7 dirhams).

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RESTRICTIONS

Alcohol is served to non-Muslims in all major hotels and licensed restaurants, but public drunkenness and
drinking and driving are not tolerated. Serving, selling or giving alcohol to Muslims is also against the law.
There is also no tolerance for drug use, and visitors may face long prison sentences if apprehended with any
drugs, however small the quantity. The Ministry of Health’s Drug Control Department publishes lists of
restricted drugs and medications that may otherwise be prescribed in travelers’ home countries, so travelers
must take special care to ensure that their medications or other substances are not restricted before traveling.

Visitors to Abu Dhabi should avoid photographing women in general, and particularly national women, without
their permission. There are few other restrictions on photography in the emirate – only military, government
and airport installations are not allowed to be photographed.

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