Moving abroad is a crucial step in one’s life where a person considers all the aspects of their decisions. Every country has its laws. And if one is planning to move there, they should be aware of the rules and regulations. Like they say,
‘When in Rome do like the Romans do’
Today, we’re going to describe some essential information for those of you who are considering moving to Dubai. So, be it information regarding job seeking or termination of employment, we’ve gathered all the essential ones that you need. Go through them before you hop on a plane!
Owning Visa, Passport and UAE Currency
It’s a no-brainer that before visiting any country, you need to get a visa. Job seekers usually visit Dubai on a visit visa which is valid for 30 to 90 days depending on your stay.
As you would be an expatriate, you most certainly require a passport along with a Work Visa to start working in the emirate. Bear in mind that it is illegal to work on a visit visa in the UAE so, never do that because it will land you in troubled waters and can even result in you getting deported. The right thing to do is to try and secure a job during your visit. Once you have found a job, go back to your homeland and come back on the work visa issued by their employer.
Besides having a visa, jobseekers must own a valid passport and some UAE currency, i.e., Dirhams close at hand, before entering the country. However, even if you don’t have any dirhams, you can easily get them from money exchanges which are set up in shopping malls and commercial areas of the city.
How Long Are The Working Hours?
On average, people work 47 hours a week. This amounts to nine hours a day, typically from 8.30 am – 5.30 pm/9 am – 6 pm.
Do Expats Get Vacations?
Yes, they do. The government permits expats an annual leave of 30 days with 22 days of paid vacation. Every public holiday is a paid one and they do not count as part of an employee’s annual leave.
Are Pay Entitlements Given?
Given that an expat works for a year or so, they receive the End of Service Gratuity (ESG). For the first five years, one has a salary of 21 annual days. After that, it becomes 30 days for every additional year.
What Is The Cost Of Living?
It’s no secret that Dubai is one of the most expensive cities in the Middle East and the world. Plus, with the increased inflation rate, real estate is even more costly, thus resulting in higher living costs.
Local Time And Country Code
The time zone in which UAE falls under is GMT + 04.00, while the country’s international code is +971.
What Kind Of Local Transportation Is Available?
Dubai has a well-organized transport system, both public and private. The Dubai Bus is a comfortable and relatively cheap option for commuters. However, if you prefer traffic-free transport, then Dubai Metro is your ride!
Which Public Health Care Facilities Are Available?
There are a considerable number of public health care facilities. Three healthcare cities exist in the UAE, one of which is Dubai Healthcare City. These cities include multi-speciality clinics to handle the problems of a multicultural society.
Which Language Is Widely Spoken?
While Arabic is the official language spoken in Dubai, other languages like English, Urdu and Hindi are also widely spoken due to a great deal of the workforce comprising expats.
Religion And Culture
Since UAE is a Muslim dominant country, Islam is the official religion. However, employers are supportive and respectful of all faiths and cultures. But any disrespect towards Islamic values could lead to severe punishment or even deportation.
Therefore, people working in the UAE are expected to respect Arabic Culture and Islamic values. Try to avoid wearing revealing clothes, especially in public areas, because showing too much skin isn’t considered good in society. Likewise, PDA isn’t acceptable in public; even holding hands with your partner in public isn’t considered acceptable in most places.
Termination of Employment & UAE Labour Law
The labour law of the emirate is quite straightforward and strict regarding the protection of employee’s rights. Therefore, even if an employee gets unfairly terminated, they can seek immediate compensation through the court.
Similarly, the UAE labour law also compensates firms under unforeseen circumstances through the Force Majeure clause.
In short, these are just some of the things you must be clear about before you decide to come to Dubai in search of a job. So, remember our pointers and start preparing accordingly!
