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Living in the UAE (United Arab Emirates)
About the United Arab Emirates
If you are considering a move to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), there are some things you should know. Whilst the UAE is located in the Middle East, the majority of the population is foreign, and the prevalent business language is English. The local population of Emirates represent just 20% of the population, the remainder of the population made up of Europeans, Arabs and Asians. The local language is Arabic.
The UAE comprises seven Emirates including: Abu Dhabi (the capital), Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, and Ajman. Business and administrative activities are primarily focused within Abu Dhabi, as are the foreign embassies. By comparison, the vibrant city of Dubai is known for its trade and high profile sporting events.
Living in UAE
Money Matters
The currency of the UAE is the Dirham (Dh), of which there are 100 fils. AU$1.00 converts to Dhs 2.78. UAE income is not taxed, although new residents to UAE should investigate whether they still have to pay taxes in their home country. UAE offers both local and international banking services. Follow the link to view local banks operating in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Residency Visa
If you are moving to UAE on business you will require a residence visa. If your visa has been arranged by your employer, then generally your visa application will be sent to the airport upon your arrival where the visa in your passport will be stamped. For those moving to UAE with their family, a family residence visa is necessary, but is only granted for those earning Dhs 4000+ per month. If you intend to find work after arrival in UAE, then you may enter on a visit visa, which can be transferred to a residence visa either directly or after you re-enter the country.
Finding a place to live
Costs of rental properties can vary from location to location. Here are some typical costs of rentals in Dubai as at Sept 2005 (per month rental). It is worth noting that generally UAE landlords expect payment for the entire year prior to moving in, or they may ask for 2, 3 or 4 post-dated cheques.
| Housing Type |
Dhs/week |
AU/week |
| Fully furnished One-Bedroom Flat |
1442 |
516 |
| Unfurnished Two-Bedroom Flat |
1538 |
551 |
| Unfurnished Three-Bedroom flat |
1827 |
654 |
| Villa |
1923 |
688 |
In Abu Dhabi property ownership is restricted to UAE nationals, however other UAE areas (e.g. Dubai, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah) are beginning to allow foreigners to own property.
Climate
Being located closer to the equator than Australia, UAE is substantially hotter than Australian cities. In winter you can expect daytime temperatures to average 20°C to 25°C, whilst in summer temperatures average 47°C. Most homes and offices are air conditioned.
Business Hours
The majority of businesses in the UAE operate from Saturday to Wednesday between 8am to 5pm, although in some cases business work within two shifts of 8am to 1pm and then 4pm to 8pm. Some business operate on the western week of Monday to Friday.
Food, drinks, shopping and alcohol
Operating hours of shopping centres typically extend to 10pm in the UAE. Supermarkets in the main cities are similar to those found in Australia, with comparable products and prices. Similarly, UAE has many restaurant and take away facilities.
In Abu Dhabi and Dubai the tap water is suitable for consumption, however elsewhere in UAE tap water is unsuitable for human consumption and the population relies on bottled water.
During the Islamic month of Ramadan is is illegal to eat, drink, or smoke in public during the time of fasting (Sunrise to Sunset), those who break this law may be jailed for up to one month or fined up to 2,000 Dhs (AU$715).
Alcohol
For non-muslims, alcohol is available for purchase from hotels and liquor outlets, however you must purchase a liquor permit which enables you to purchase liquor for home-consumption. The permit only applies within the issuing Emirate, so if you travel you may need to obtain multiple liquor permits. If you are found to be intoxicated or in possession of alcohol without a permit, you can face a fine, jail time, or in the emirate of Sharjah you may face lashings!
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will vary by household. The table below gives a general view of average living costs by key categories. Note that these are a guide only as at July 2006.
| Water per month |
Dhs 50 |
AU$18 |
| Electricity per month(apartment) |
Dhs 300-600 |
AU$100 - $215 |
| Petrol cost per litre (sold by gallon) |
Dhs 1.78 |
AU$0.63 |
| Groceries/week (couple) |
Dhs 500 |
AU$180 |
| Dining out - Restaurant (couple) |
Dhs 200 |
AU$72 |
| Dining out - Take away (couple) |
Dhs 50 |
AU$18 |
| Hairdressers Female |
Dhs 150 |
AU$54 |
| Hairdressers Male |
Dhs 50 |
AU$18 |
Transport
The main form of transport is cars and taxis. A rental car is available from around Dhs 90 (AU$32) per day, or cheaper for weekly rates. Australians with a UAE visa can easily transfer their drivers license to a UAE license. Also, in UAE service stations are just that, an attendant fills up your car with fuel, washes your windows and you pay the attendant for the fuel.
It is compulsory for front seat passengers to wear a seatbelt. It as advisable to make yourself aware of driving laws as some infringements carry heavy penalties (such as using a mobile phone whilst driving, or going through a red light).
Bicycles and motorcycles are rarely used as the unplanned road network is considered too unsafe for bike riding and it is illegal to ride bikes on the footpath.
Taxis/Public Transport
It is common for strangers to share taxis to reduce the price per person. Most emirates will have a taxi stand, where people come to share a cab to either go to another emirate or else to a far away area of the same emirate. Taxis do not travel from emirate to emirate. There are no public train systems and none are planned in the foreseeable future. In Dubai the Deira taxi stand is the most popular, with buses travelling to nearly every emirate in the UAE at hourly or half-hourly intervals (or else when the bus fills).
Here are some indicative prices for fares running from Dubai to other emirates:
Taxi stands Bus
Fare from Dubai |
Dhs |
AU$ |
| Sharjah |
5.00 |
1.80 |
| Ajman |
7.00 |
2.50 |
| Umm Al Quwain |
10.00 |
3.60 |
| Dhaid |
15.00 |
5.37 |
| Masafi |
20.00 |
7.16 |
| Ras Al Khaymah |
20.00 |
7.16 |
| Fujairah |
25.00 |
8.95 |
| Khorfakhan |
30.00 |
10.74 |
| Al Ain |
30.00 |
10.74 |
| Abu Dhabi |
15.00 |
5.37 |
In some cities (Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain) there are public bus networks. Public buses are different to buses that run from the taxi stands. Women and men are seated in different areas, and, for example, in Dubai a fare can be expected to cost between Dhs 1.00-4.00 (AU 36c - AU$1.43).
Appropriate Dress and Behaviour
Traditional dress for nationals is known as the dishdasha or khandura for men, a white, ankle length robe usually worn with a headcloth known as a gutra. National women wear a long, loose black robe called an abaya worn with a headscarf (shayla). Women may also wear a black veil or mask (burkha) to cover their face.
The dress code in UAE is similar to what you would find in Australia, although modesty is encouraged (avoid revealing or tight fitting clothes).
Public affection, such as kissing, is not permitted, and public nudity is prohibited.
Law Enforcement
In the UAE if you are stopped by the police while driving, you are expected to get out of the car to speak to them.
Young males, or less often young females, found wandering the streets at night are often picked up by police and put in jail overnight in an attempt to reduce street crime.
Tourism and Entertainment
The UAE offers entertainment and leisure activities much like what you find in Australia. These include sporting facilities, theme parks, various clubs, cafe's, restaurants and night clubs. There is only one English television channel, the remainder transmit in Arabic, however most major cinemas now play blockbuster movies in English, Arabic, and Hindi.
Welcome to Abu Dhabi although primarily a tourist site, this site is has some worthwhile information about the region.
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