Travel Guide To Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates(UAE). It is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the only two emirates to have veto power over critical matters of national importance in the country's legislature.

Dubai is essentially a desert city with superb infrastructure, liberal policies (by regional standards), that became popular for its excellent tourist amenities. Just 5 h from Europe and 3 h from most parts of the Middle East, the Near East, and the subcontinent of India, Dubai makes a great short break for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining, sporting events, and even a few sinful pleasures. It is a city of superlatives: for the fastest, biggest, tallest, largest and highest, Dubai is the destination. It has the largest immigrant population in the world.

The weekly day off is on Friday. Note that, since September 2006, a harmonised weekend of Friday and Saturday has been adopted for the public sector and schools. Government departments, multinational companies, and most schools and universities are now off on Friday and Saturday (after years of a mixed bag of Friday/Saturday and Thursday/Friday weekends). Some local companies still work half a day on Thursday with a full day on Saturday, but larger companies tend to permit relaxation and time off work for their employees on Friday and Saturday.

The city of Dubai is situated on a coastal strip bordered by desert and gets very hot. It is dry on the hottest days and humid during the cooler days in the summer. Cooler, more pleasant weather lasts from the end of September to beginning of May (although note that pleasant is relative, with daily temperatures from October to January and March to May still being 20°C-25°C (68°F-77°F), but be prepared for cold night temperatures. In winter the temperature at night is usually from 10°C-16°C (50°F-60°F). From May to September, the sun is intense and temperatures can touch 45°C (113°F) in the city and even higher in the desert. The heat, coupled with a humidity of 60% - 70% near the coast, effectively precludes most activity outdoors for the daylight hours during summer.

Getting there and getting around

Dubai can be reached in from around 28 locations in UK and Ireland with airlines such as British Airways, Qatar Airways, Afriqiya Airways, Kenya Airways, Air France, UIA, Aerosvit Airlines, AIR ALGERIE, Air India, AZAL, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, Iran Air, JAT Airways, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, Libyan Arab Airllines, Lufthansa, MEA, Oman Air, PIA, Raoyal Jordanian, Saudi Arabian Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Syrian Air, Thai Airways, Tunisair, Swiss Airlines, Turkish Airlines, KLM, Austrian,Malaysia, Emirates Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Royal Brunei and Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Dubai International Airport is the largest hub in the Middle East and the home base of Dubai's flag carrier Emirates and its low-cost wing FlyDubai. In fact, it has grown at such a furious pace that the present terminals are bursting at the seams, especially during the peak hours around midnight.

The Dubai International Airport has three terminals and another one in the making as of end 2010.

• Terminal 1 is the main terminal, used by most major airlines and long-haul flights.
• Terminal 2 serves regional and low-cost flights, including all FlyDubai flights.
• Terminal 3 is used exclusively by Emirates.

The airport is famous for its duty-free shopping. However, prices in the airport's duty-free stores are equal or higher than what you can find in the many malls of the city. Alcohol here is very cheap, though. Alcohol is also available at an inbound duty free store situated in the baggage reclaim area. The amount of alcoholic beverages and beers should not exceed 4 liters of alcohol beverages, or 2 cartons of beer (each consisting of 24 cans, not exceeding 355 ml for each can or its equivalent).

Other modes of transport include train, bus, taxi, boat and car with various economical choices and packages.

Places to see

Some of the must-see places in / around Dubai are Al Ahmadiya School, Bastakiya District, Dubai Museum, Jumeirah Mosque, Shindagha District, Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Fountain, Palm Island, Dubai Marina, Burj al Arab Hotel, AL Safa Park, The Camel Race Track, Desert Safari or Dune Bashing, Ski, Wild Wadi, Dubai Creek Cruise/Ride, Golf, Hot Air Balloon, Dubai Zoo and Global Village.

Food & Drink

The renowned eateries in / around Dubai include, but are not limited to, KFC, Chillis, TGI Fridays, Star Bucks, Mc Donalds, Ravi Resturant, Karachi Darbar, Jabal al Noor, Anjaapar Restaurant,Ibrahimi Resturant, Pak Liyari, Jedoudna Resturant, Wafi gourmet, The Noodle Restaurant, Toscana, Yakitori House, London Fish & Chips, Automatic, Al Dawar Revolving Resturant, Pars Iranian Kitchen, Chimes, Yum, 800 Pizza, Manhattan Grill, kiku, Khazana, Option, Asha's, Shang Palace, Al Mahara, Legends Steakhouse, Karam Beirut, JW's Steakhouse, Cafe Chic,Filli Cafeteria and Modren Coffee Shop and Basta Art Cafe.

When it comes to drinking Dubai has got even more to offer. E.g. Nasimi Beach, Longs Bar, Left Bank, The Rooftop Swimming Pool, The Cocktail Bar, The Terrace Bar, 360", Boudoir Bar, Sky View Bar, Stagshead, Vu's Bar, Buddha Bar, Bar 44, Barasti, Rock Bottom, Rattlesnake and Rockafellas.

Entry Requirements - Visas

British citizens do not require a visa before their arrival in the UAE. British citizens will be given a 30 day visa on arrival, which may be extended for a further 30 days in the Emirate in which you arrived. You should visit the appropriate immigration office and pay an extension fee. Once the second 30 day period has expired, you will need to leave the country. If you do not pay the 30 day extension fee you will be liable to a fine.

If you are over 40 and intend to apply for a visa extension in Abu Dhabi, before the extension is granted you will be required to purchase local health insurance for the extra month.

If you wish to stay in the UAE for longer than 60 days, you can apply for the appropriate visa at the nearest UAE Embassy or Consulate before travelling.

British nationals do not need to be out of the UAE for any period of time before re-entering but Immigration Officials can refuse immediate re-entry if they are not satisfied that the person wishing to re-enter is a genuine visitor. Further information is available from the following:

• Dubai: Naturalisation and Residency Department - Dubai or Immigration tel no: +971 4 398 0000.
• Abu Dhabi: UAE Federal E-Government Portal or telephone 600522222.

Please note: the above applies to British Citizens only. If you hold any other type of British nationality such as British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas), you will need to arrange a visa before you arrive in the UAE. Contact the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in London.

If you apply for a Residence Visa, you will be required to take a blood test. Those testing positive for HIV and for hepatitis are detained and then deported. There is no appeal process. Taking a blood test shortly before travelling to the UAE would therefore be advisable.

You should cancel your work visa before permanently leaving the country. If you do not do this, you will be at risk of being reported as an absconder and could be arrested if you return to the UAE - even if you are in transit to another country. Failure to repay debts or resolve any outstanding cases against you may also result in your being arrested on returning to the UAE.

If you have any doubt about your status on returning to the country we recommend you seek advice from a local lawyer (a list of local lawyers from the Embassy's website:http://www.ukinuae.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals

If you have any doubt about your status on returning to the country we recommend you seek advice from a local lawyer (you can get a list of local lawyers from the Embassy's website:www.ukinuae.fco.gov.uk).

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

If you are visiting the UAE your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your intended stay. If you hold a residence permit, your passport must be valid for at least three months in order to travel into and out of the country.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. In the UAE this may also be required when obtaining a residence visa. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in London.

Exit Requirements

Visitors must have legal status in the UAE when they depart. If you are subject to a travel ban, involved in legal proceedings, have unpaid debt or are a child subject to a custody dispute, you may be prevented from leaving the country. Visitors can incur heavy fines if they overstay or fail to extend their legal residency.

United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, British Embassy
Address:
Khalid bin Al Waleed St (Street 22)
PO Box 248
Telephone:

Abu Dhabi:
Switchboard +971 2 610 1100
Visa Centre +971 4 3572300
Dubai:
Switchboard + 971 4 309 4444
Fax:

These telephone numbers should not be used for enquiries relating to visa applications. The Visas section of this website will advise you on how to make such enquiries.

Commercial: +971 2 610 1585
Consular: +971 2 610 1609
Corporate Services +971 2 610 1586
Email:
consularenquiries.ad@fco.gov.uk
chancery.abudhabi@fco.gov.uk
defence.abudhabi@fco.gov.uk
management.abdha@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:
Sunday - Thursday: 0730-1430 Local
Sunday - Thursday: 0330-1030 GMT
Consular Opening hours: Local Time: 08:00 - 11:00

Public access:
Consular, Passport & Notarial Services are available to British Passport Holders at the Embassy: Sun-Thu 0800 - 1100 Access to other Embassy Sections: By appointment only Consular enquiries Correspondence relating to Consular enquiries at Abu Dhabi should be sent to consularenquiries.ad@fco.gov.uk

Visa applications
Visa Applications must be lodged at the: Visa Application Centre Correspondence relating to existing applications should be sent to visa.abudhabi@fco.gov.uk Please see the Visas section of this website for further details. Website: http://www.UKinUAE.fco.gov.uk

Country	United Arab Emirates
Emirate	Dubai
Time Zone	UAE standard time (UTC+4)
Post Code(s)	337-1500
Area Code	9714

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