Visitors Guide to The United Arab Emirates

Residency, visas and work permits

A passport with a minimum validity of 3 months is required to enter the country and some nationalities will need to obtain a visitor’s visa. Checking with the embassy prior to departure will ensure up to date information is obtained. If arriving to the UAE for residential purposes, the residency permit can be arranged by a lawyer during the purchasing process. A residency visa is required by anyone wishing to enter the country to live or work. Restrictions vary between nationalities and with changes to laws, so a lawyer or an embassy official will best be able to confirm any restrictions or recent updates. Often the residential visas are renewable and visitor’s visas can usually be obtained upon entry to the country.

You can find more on visas and immigration here: UAE Federal e-Government Portal

Getting There

There are currently 4 international airports in the UAE with some undergoing expansion to keep up with the increasing passenger numbers and the expected growth of the regions in the coming years. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ajman all have an international airport with flights from several continents and major airports. Several emirates are located within close reach of neighbouring international airports, allowing for greater flight variation potentials to passengers. Flight time from the UK is approximately 7 hours, while Sydney is around 15 hours.

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Local Transport

Taxis, hire cars and private cars are the main forms of transport in the UAE. Taxis are reasonably priced and hire cars are readily available and can be arranged from some airports. If opting to drive in the UAE it is advisable to check for any licensing restrictions prior to departure as a UAE driving license may be required for those arriving for permanent residency purposes, however some nationalities are able to directly transfer their current license.

Public bus transport is available with connections being developed between the emirates to accommodate the increasing numbers of tourists.

Health & Safety

The UAE is a safe location for visitors and politically stable, although it is advisable to take normal personal precautions and carry a passport and emergency numbers. Medical facilities are good and health insurance should be taken for security against personal accidents.

Investors Guide to the UAE
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