Dubai is increasingly becoming an international city, and one should learn about its working and living conditions before arriving to be mentally prepared. There is lots of construction going on throughout the city, and new buildings are popping up everyday, changing the cityscape vastly from time to time.
Whether you’re a tourist or a resident of this magnificent city, our rich bundle of must-knows is at your command. Enjoy a smooth, stress-free read and explore all there is to explore about glowing Dubai right from the minute you start planning your visit until the moment you decide to settle down. (How To Get a Job in Dubai)
Housing/Real Estate
The accelerated and highly ambitious iconic development of the UAE property market has transformed the country to a main commercial hub in the Middle East Region. Dubai’s stature as one of the world’s top vacation spots, the fast recent economic expansion and the very attractive cosmopolitan lifestyle have all contributed to the greater than ever demand.
There’s a wide range of apartments and villas available in Dubai, both within and outside enclosed compounds, but it should be noted from the outset that expatriates cannot own land or property in Dubai and therefore you will have no choice but to rent.
Most accommodation is in urban or suburban areas; the desert is for camels and the Bedouin. Most visitors are pleasantly surprised when they see the city of Dubai for the first time, its modern architecture co-existing with traditional houses and ancient wind-towers. New buildings are often spectacular, as oil has provided the money for the best architects, builders and materials. Indeed, there’s competition between developers, who tend to be wealthy merchant families, to build the most impressive structure.
Many construction projects are under way and, when you’re choosing accommodation, you should check whether further construction is planned on surrounding land, as the resulting noise, dust and general inconvenience can be intrusive, sometimes for 24 hours per day. Although programmes are continuing, however, fewer lower priced properties are being constructed, as the demand for unskilled workers in the region is declining.
Travel
The most important local airline of Dubai is Emirates Airlines. Emirates Airlines is one of the fastest growing and most prestigious international airlines in the world, owning the youngest fleet in the skies and winning more than 300 international excellence awards since its launch in 1985.
Dubai International Airport is an important international center for over 120 airlines flying to 200 destinations around the world. It handled more than 34 million passengers in 2007. A second airport is currently under construction and is expected to handle more than 120 million passengers by 2050. Its first phase is to be completed in 2009 and will only offer freight services. Transfers from and to the airport are provided via an airport bus every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day. It is important to note that taking an airport taxi will cost you an extra Dhs25.
Visa regulations and costs are subject to change and should always be checked with you travel agent or nearest UAE embassy before travelling (see Useful Addresses for contact details). The entry visa is usually valid for 60 days and you can renew it for 30 further days. Do not overstay your visa as this will result in detention and fines. People could be in Dubai using different types of visa (i.e.: AGCC for citizens, AGCC for residence, Citizens of Western Europe and Pacific Rim, Entry Service Permit, Visit Visa, Tourist Visa, Multiple Entry Visa, German Citizens, US Citizens, etc…).
Nationals of the following Countries do not require Visas to enter the UAE:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Vatican.
Banking
The official working hours are eight hours per day or 48 hours a week and Friday and Saturday are off. But for some banks, Friday is the only day off and Thursday is a half working day.
For some departments like the ‘operations’ which need to be running 24/7, a shift system is practiced, therefore off days are not fixed but rather depend on the shifting process (more specifically the night shift after which 2 days off are given).
Changing Your Money
You can get foreign currency exchanged from major banks and private financial institutions/outlets in Dubai. Most of the hotels also will do currency exchange.
Currency
* Code: AED
* Currency Unit: Dirhams
* Currency name: United Arab Emirates Dirhams
* Currency symbol: Dhs and AED
Hotels
Dubai is globally renowned as an exceptionally vibrant metropolis with unbounded business and tourism action. Most visitors to the region make at least a short stop in the city to take pleasure in its lavish shopping experience, savour its exceptional elite international cuisine and stop and enjoy its various cultural and touristic activities.
Thus, the hotel industry is Dubai is quite massive, with a high number of luxurious five star hotels, in addition to plenty of unique four, three, two and one star hotels.
Hotels are spread all around the city and most of them are located close to the airport (or 30 minutes away at most). Choose from an exquisite array of world-class hotels ranging from beach hotels to desert hotels to hotels on the legendary Palm to hotels closest to any of the major malls, the main business hubs or the downtown area to savour the unique and unforgettable mark of lavish UAE hospitality.
It is also essential that you research on cultural expectations of the city. A guide of working women in the Middle East is necessary, details like dress code and social etiquette should be observed unless you want to create a scene or be stared at plenty.
Source: Bayt, Justlanded
