The monetary unit is the dirham (AED), which is divid ed into 100 fils. The dirham is linked to the Special Drawing Right of the International Monetary Fund and has been pegged to the US Dollar since the end of 1980 at a mid rate of approximately USD 1 = AED 3.67.

Many International banks are represented by branches in Dubai and provide the usual commercial banking services. Most banks operate a six-day week and are open from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Dubai Time, Saturday to Thursday and are closed on Friday. Exchange houses are open from 8:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and 4:40 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. Dubai time.

American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa are all generally in hotels and shopping malls.

Tap water is quite safe to drink, locally-bottled and international mineral water is served in hotels and restaurants and is also available. Officially, the metric system for weights and measures is followed in supermarket.

Alcohol is freely available in hotel and club restaurants and bars across the UAE except for Sharjah where it is forbidden. Most restaurants situated outside hotels and clubs are not permitted to serve alcohol.

Business operating hours vary across the city. Some companies work from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and again from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. whereas others work a straight shift from 8:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. with a one hour lunch break. Government offices are open from 7:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. Weekends vary also, government organizations, schools and many private companies take Friday and Saturday, but some private companies close on Thursday afternoon and Friday.

Shop hours are similar, but many remain open until 9:00 P.M. or 10:00 P.M. Department stores, boutiques souqs and many supermarkets remain open on a Friday, apart from prayer time (between 11:30 A.M. and 1:30 P.M.), while larger shops only open on Friday afternoon at 4:00 P.M. or 5:00 P.M. Embassies and consulates are generally open from 8:45 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. and are closed Fridays and Saturdays, but usually leave an emergency number on an answering machine.

Dubai is considered amongst one of the safest cities in the world. It has a zero tolerance for crime.

CAR HIRE: Self drive cars area available from a range of local and internationally renowned car rental companies. Customers must produce their passport together with a valid driving license. Visitors without an international driving license may obtain a temporary local driving license as long as they hold a valid national license from one of the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and the USA. The passport, valid national license and two photographs are also required. Canadian nationals must obtain an affidavit from the Canadian Consulate in Dubai, verifying the license before going to the traffic department. Driving in the UAE is on the right.

TAXIS: Taxis are the most common way of getting around the city and there are a number of metered cabs which operate 24 hours a day.

WATER TAXIS: An interesting way to travel between Dubai and Deira is by water taxi across the Creek. The cost of this is 1 Dirham.

The Health and Medical Services Department provides medical care for all UAE nationals, visitors and resident expatriates. The UAE has many well-equipped public and private hospitals offering high quality health and dental-care services. Emergency medical care in the country is free for anyone and there are no restrictions. For non-urgent health care, any urgent UAE resident seeking treatment may register for a health card for which a fee is paid. New arrivals should register immediately for a health card otherwise the full cost of any medical treatment will be required after two visits.

Normal tourist photography is acceptable, but it is considered offensive to photograph Muslim women. It is also courteous to ask permission before photographing men. In general, photographs of government buildings or military installations should not be taken.

The electricity supply in the UAE is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles. US-made appliances may need a transformer.

Telecommunications are excellent and direct dialing is available to most countries in the world. Telephone calls made within the city are free of charge. Full telex, fax and electronic mail facilities are widely available. Most local hotels provide guests with Internet facilities at a nominal charge and there are many internet cafes situated across the city.

Those with GSM phones can expect auto roaming from their home countries. You can also buy a prepaid GSM card. You will need a local address, which can be a hotel. A visitor’s package , Ahlan, can be purchased at the airport from the Etisalat counter in the exit corridor after clearing customs.

Phone Booths are located in most streets. Phone cards can be purchased from hotels and tourist shops. Some phone accept coins and credit cards.

Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but sweaters or jackets may be needed during the winter months, especially in the evenings. Good quality sunglasses are advised and photo-chromatic lenses for those who wear spectacles. Hats or some protection for the head is also advisable.

Tipping practices are similar to those in most parts of the world. Where no service charge is included, a tip of 10 percent is considered adequate and always much appreciated.

Shop opening hours are generally from 8 AM to 1 PM and from 4 PM to 9 PM, Saturday to Thursday, while the larger shopping malls generally open from 10 AM and remain open all day until 10 PM. On Fridays and during Ramadan, most shops are closed until 4 PM. Bargaining is normal in the souqs (markets) but not in supermarkets or shopping malls. There are many supermarkets stocking a wide range of food including international brands. Most of the large supermarkets groups sell imported fruit and vegetables as well as fresh meat.

Local and regional food is readily available, particularly vegetables and fruit which are less expensive than the imported produce. The variety of fresh local fish is excellent too and well worth sampling. Bottled water is freely available with a choice of either local or international. The local bottled water is good quality and affordable.

The emirate of Dubai is an important regional retail centre attracting shoppers from the Middle East and across the world. A Vast range of products are available, from designer clothing to cosmetics, toys, books and electronics products, usually at very competitive prices.

As Dubai has grown from a small town into a bustling city, so has the entertainment. There are many music and sports events throughout the year. Most 3-5 star hotels have bar and nightclubs for those interested in the nightlife (please view this website: www.dubailook.com/clubs.html). World-class DJ’s frequent Dubai’s nightclubs and many A-list musical celebrities are adding Dubai to their list of tour dates.

Visa information can change periodically so please check with consulates to confirm.

GCC CITIZENS – Citizens of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia) do not need a visa.

AGCC expatriate residents who meet certain conditions may obtain a non-renewable 30-day visa upon arrival at the approved ports of entry. Visitors who are businessmen, company managers or representatives, auditors, accountants, doctors, engineers, or employees working in the public sector, their family members and drivers and servants sponsored by them are eligible for this visa. Employees from the labor and servant categories are not eligible for this type of visa.

CITIZENS OF WESTERN EUROPE AND PACIFIC RIM

Citizens of UK (with the right of abode on the United Kingdom), France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and holders of Hong Kong SAR passports will be granted a free of charge for ONE ENTRY VISIT VISA on arrival in the UAE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF VISA FOR VISITORS TO DUBAI:

VISIT VISA
TOURIST VISA
MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA
96-HOUR VISA FOR TRANSIT PASSENGERS

VISIT VISA – The visit visa applies to tourist who wishes to spend more than 14 days in Dubai, those coming for family visits as those on long term business visits.

It requires the sponsorship of any UAE resident or any company or hotel licensed to operate within the UAE. A refundable AED 2,000 guarantee from expatriates who wishes to sponsor distant relatives will be imposed. This visa is valid for entry within two months from its date of issue. The Visit visa is valid for 60 days and is renewable for a total stay of up to 90 days.

In order to complete the application, the sponsor will require the visitor’s date of arrival and arrival details and a photocopy of the first few pages of the visitor’s passport, which must be valid for at least three months. The visit visa holder may enter and leave the country through any port of entry in the UAE.

TOURIST VISA - A special category of visa under the visit visa type is a tourist visa, which can be obtained for individual tourists from: East and West Europe, Turkey, Bulgaria, Poland, Ukraine, Albania, Russia, the Hellenic Republic, St Kitts Navis, St. Lucia, Mexico, Cuba, Bermuda, Belize, Guyana, French Guiana, Martinique, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent, Kingston, Palao other non-defined American nationalities, Thailand, Soutb Africa, Singapore, China, Malta, Cyprus.

The tourist visa entitles its holder to a 30 day stay and is non-renewable. The tourist visa requires the sponsorship of hotels and tour operators who bring in visitors from the above listed countries.

MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA – Multiple Entry Visa are availed to business visitors who have relationship with either a multinational or other reputable local establishments, and who are frequent visitors to the UAE.

This type of visa is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and the duration of each stay is 30 days.

The visitor must enter the UAE on visit visa and obtain the multiple entry visa while in the country. The visa would be stamped on the passport.
96-HOUR VISA FOR TRANSIT PASSENGERS – Transit passengers stopping at Dubai International Airport for a minimum of 5 hours are eligible for obtaining a 96-hour transit visa to go on a city tour of Dubai.

Passengers planning to go on the city tours have to approach the City Tours Desk in the Arrivals Lounge to make a booking for one for the several tours on offer against a nominal fee. This facility will be granted on a case-by-case basis. The visa is issued free but the tour service is chargeable.

GERMAN CITIZENS

German citizens (tourists and business people) may apply to the UAE embassy in Germany for a one or two year multiple-entry visa.
No sponsored is required. The maximum duration of stay of visa holder should not exceed three months a year.

US CITIZENS

US Citizens (tourists and business people) may apply to the UAE embassies in the US for one to ten year multiple-entry visa.
A sponsor is required and the visa will be granted free of charge. The maximum duration of stay should not exceed six months a visit.

NOTE:

Nationals of "Israel" may not enter the U.A.E.
For nationalities that require a sponsor, airlines may seek confirmation that the sponsor is holding a valid visa for the incoming visitor.
Please check for Current Status of Visa as it changes from time to time

ENTERING DUBAI

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: No heath certificates are required for Entry to Dubai, but it is always wise to check before departure, as health restrictions may vary depending upon the situation at the time.

CUSTOMS DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCES: 1-4 liters Spirits (any kind of alcohol) (1000 ml each liter). In case a passenger wants to buy a beer it will be 24 cans (every 6 cans equivalent to 1 liter spirit). 2-400 pieces of cigarettes (which is equivalent to 2 boxes). 3-2 kilos of Tobacco (any kind of snuffing or chewing tobacco is not allowed) 4 – Cigars which is equivalent to AED 3000 (Three thousand dirhams) maximum which is for personal use. 5-Perfumes or any other gifts which is equivalent to 3000 (Three thousand dirhams) maximum amount in other currencies, otherwise he should declare to Customs office in arrival section the exact amount he carry it.

TRAVEL OPTIONS TO DUBAI

Dubai’s location at the cross-roads of Europe, Asia and Africa makes for easy accessibility. London is seven hours away, Frankfurt six, Hong Kong eight and Nairobi four.

Most European capitals and other major cities have direct flights to Dubai, many with a choice of operator.

More than 80 airlines take advantage of Dubai’s open skies policy, and operate to and from Dubai International Airport to more than 130 destinations, making it one of the world’s busiest.

Dubai is the home base of Emirates, the aware-winning airline in the UAE, which operates scheduled services to more than 45 destinations.

Dubai International Airport has comprehensive facilities for people with physical disabilities

CURRENT TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES

The Dubai Government levies taxes on accommodation, beverages, car rental and other services. HTT is not responsible for tax rate revisions by the Government and reserves the right to change all quotations and billings to reflect this change with immediate effect without the need to inform the contracting party.

In Dubai, current service charge is 10% and government tax is 10%. In proposal submitted, all rates are NETT in US Dollar (USD) and non-commissionable (unless mentioned otherwise).

HTT Holidays and Incentives offers creative and seamlessly delivered holidays and incentives to Dubai, offering you some of the best of UAE. Email us for further information, ready programs or to customize your one of a kind experience in Dubai!