Dubai.

About Dubai:

Originally a fishing development, Dubai was taken over in 1830 by a branch of the Bani Yas Tribe, the Maktoum family, who still rule the Emirate today. In the early days, traditional activities included goat herding, cultivating dates, fishing and pearl diving. Oil has been a crucial factor in Dubai's development since the late 1960's.

Today Dubai is a class destination with all the modcons of the western world. Dubai is a fascinating Emirate with beautiful buildings, excellent restaurants and nightlife as well as white sandy beaches, culture and history that you can feel as you visit the souks, shopping malls, museums and historic buildings and sites. There is something for everyone in Dubai.

Local Time: Dubai is four hours ahead of GMT, during BST, three hours ahead.

Languages: Arabic, English, Urdu and Hindi are widely spoken.

Social and Business hours

Mediterranean in style:
Government Offices 07.30 - 13.30 (12.00 on Thursday), closed on Friday.
Private sector 08.00 - 13.00, 15.00 - 18.00 or 16.00 -19.00, closed on Friday.
Many of the large shopping malls and tourist attractions are open all day everyday.

Clothing

Light weight summer clothing is suitable most of the year. A cardigan is recommended for the winter months, Dec - March. There are no clothing restrictions. Don't forget the sunblock and sunglasses!

Water

Tap water is drinkable but most people drink bottled water.

Electricity Supply

T220/240v. Socket type is indentical to the British 3 point system.

Beaches and Bargaining

The beaches are stunning and you could easily spend all your time relaxing in that year-round sunshine

Shop 'till you drop! It's such a huge pastime there's even a yearly shopping festival.

Bargaining is part of the tradition on most purchases. Shop keepers will often offer you a cup of tea/coffee whilst you bargain away.

In the famous souks (market-places) you'll find everything from jewellery to silks, and no fewer than 24 shopping malls offering tax-free bargains. Dubai is also heaven for golfers, with some top-class courses to sample.

Visas

Dubai has very simple visa regulations. Thirty-three European, North American and Asian nationalities are stamped in on arrival at the airport, at no charge. Other nationalities can arrange visas through hotels or UAE embassies and consulates world-wide.

Economy

Dubai at Night Growth: Dubai was the first city in the region to form free trade zones two decades ago, and foreign investors have established regional operations here. The free-trade zones of Dubai now extends beyond trade and manufacturing into the the Internet and Media Cities (with Medical City being developed), granting Dubai a technological advantage. Tourism has experienced tremendous growth, with revenue from tourism exceeding the percentage earned from oil in the GDP (17% Oil and 18% Tourism). Dubai's GDP increases by an average of 7.5% per year.

Taxes: There are no income or property related taxes of any kind. There are no business taxes with the exemption of the banking industry.

    Dubai Property - A list of available properties in Dubai.
    Dubai Factsheet - Some detailed information about Dubai.
    Dubai FAQ - Some Frequently Asked Questions about Dubai