Visiting Dubai? If you are not a passport holder from any of the first world nations, you will most probably need an entry visa. Dubai currently exempts all AGCC country citizens (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia) and passport holders from 33 nations from requiring an entry visa to Dubai.

These 33 countries are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holand, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtain, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and the Vatican. All travellers from the above mentioned countries can get their entry visas stamped at the Dubai International Airport’s point of entry.

Travellers from other countries must apply for a visa at least two weeks prior to their travel date. There are five basic Dubai visa types available for travellers and depending on the travel purpose, the traveller must apply for the relevant visa. These visa types are Entry Service Permit, Visit Visa, Tourist Visa, Multiple Entry Visa and 96-Hour Transit Visa.

First, the Entry Service Permit is available to anyone if they have a relationship to either a resident or company in Dubai. The visa is valid for 14 days from the date of issue and can’t be renewed under any circumstances. It’s generally issued only on an urgent basis, because there are other visa types for visitors to get if applied in advance.

Visit Visas are the most popular visa type issued in Dubai. These are issued to anyone if they have a sponsor in Dubai and wish to spend more than 14 days in the city. Valid for 60 days and renewable for another 30 days, this visa type is recommended for family and prolonged business visits. The Tourist Visa is only valid for 30 days and is issued only to those who are either sponsored by a travel agency or a hotel. These visas are only issued to those arriving in Dubai 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, South Africa, Singapore, China, Malta and Cyprus.

The Multiple Entry Visa is only available to business executives with a relationship with a reputable company in Dubai. Once the executive arrives in Dubai with either an Entry Service Permit or Visit Visa, the Multiple Entry Visa can be stamped with the sponsorship of the established company. The visa is only valid for 6 months, with 30 days granted for each visit.

Finally, the 96-Hour Transit Visa is issued to a traveller who arrives at the Dubai International Airport with a minimum of 8 hours between flights. The airlines are responsible for issuing these visas and prior arrangements might be necessary. A confirmed onward booking is compulsory to be considered for this special transit visa.

Since the hunt for jobs in Dubai is a ceaseless activity, hundreds of recruitment companies have opened up in Dubai. These Dubai job agencies must be licenced by the Dubai Department of Economic Development, which is the authority for issuing business licences in the emirate. If you are a job seeker and wish to find employment in Dubai through a job agency, ensure you are aware of the licence status and reputation.

Most of the renowned Dubai job agencies have established offices worldwide and have a great reputation for arranging jobs for millions of job seekers in the past. The majority of these job agencies in Dubai have comprehensive web portals to allow candidates to search and view vacancies, as well as upload their resumes, pictures and profiles for consideration. In most cases, registration is required from employers and job seekers, to ensure both parties are genuine. Some of the popular job agencies hosting their own web portals include Bayt, NaukriGulf, Jobs-Middle East (Jobs-Me), TEN Jobs and Monster Gulf. These agencies do not charge anything from candidates. However, their extra services, such as resume writing and career guidance can incur anominal fee.

Recognising the potential dangers of applying for Dubai jobs via an agency is important. Some bogus agencies, which were operating solely online, were brought into light recently. These fake Dubai job agencies were responsible for thousands of stranded people, mostly from poor Asian countries. If a job agency asks you to pay an upfront fee for their services, they are not genuine.

No properly licenced and genuine Dubai job agency will request a job seeker to pay anything, as they charge the employer once the staffing requirement is fulfilled. While there are job agencies scattered all over Dubai and within other countries promoting Dubai as a great destination for employment, the reality is, only a handful of them have gained the trust of both employers and job seekers.

Dubai is best known for its modern commercial centre with a liberal sprinkle of extensive shopping malls, numerous luxury hotels and the amazing desert experiences. But, beyond the centralised presentation of the advanced and convenient lifestyle entertainment destinations, Dubai has much more to offer along the coastal areas and inner city districts. Some of these areas are the best for relaxing and spending hours of leisure on a weekend or holiday. Dubai leisure and relaxation activities and experiences are widely varied, from simply lying on a private beach to spending the day at an exclusive luxury spa resort.

How you spend your leisurely times is your choice and people, being people, have very different preferences. You could be the type to surf or jet ski on a clear blue sky morning, or you could be the type of person who curls up in bed with a good book. Whether you love sedentary leisure or high-energy relaxation, Dubai has something to offer to appeal your unique tastes. For instance, consider the Assawan Spa at Burj Al Arab hotel, the finest spa in all of Dubai, located within the walls of the world’s only ’seven-star’ luxury hotel. A two-hour session at this exclusive centre can cost you around $500.

If you enjoy nature and the outdoors, there are no better places to visit than the Dubai Garden Centre, Dubai Flower Centre and the variety of parks located around the city. Children will definitely have a gala time at the Dubai Creek Park, as it offers both fun activities, dolphin shows and lots of recreational space. The Dubai beaches will serve as excellent leisure spots too. For the more active, booking a desert safari during a holiday or going skiing at Ski Dubai would be a wonderful experience. Water parks such as Wild Wadi and Splashland (at Dubai Creek Park) add to the choices available.

For the sporty people, Dubai Autodrome usually puts on a car race or two and has a separate track for go-karting. The Nad Al Sheba Horse Racing Track, Dubai Golf Club, Madinat Jumeirah Theatre, Dubai Community Theatre, Dubai Festival City and many other specialised arenas, theatres and galleries are available for a vast choice for relaxation and leisure in Dubai.

Renowned worldwide as the most advanced, futuristic and ecumenic cities of the modern world, Dubai is the commercial and tourism capital of the country known as the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is both the name of an emirate (equivalent of a state) and the capital city of the same emirate.

Although it’s primarily an Arab-Muslim society, it’s home to the world’s fastest growing expatriate population, with 80% of the population consisting of foreign residents. Dubai has successfully mastered the art of harmonic living through ethnic diversity. Its economic energy is unsurpassed, the architectural ambition so evident in the city skyline is phenomenal and the central city is a melting pot of multicultural contrasts.

The experiences and attractions offered to a visitor to Dubai are widely varied and many. From the beautiful pristine stretches of white beaches and the exotic heritage to the vibrant modern hotels and bars and the expansive and mysterious desert, wherever you go in Dubai, there’s always something to do, see and experience.

In 2003, the Conde Nast Traveller magazine, the veritable guide to every traveller’s holiday, voted Dubai as the world’s safest holiday destination. Dubai is in fact the safest city, because it’s almost crime-free and disregarding the law is not taken lightly by the authorities. Alcohol and drug-related offences are serious, while other crimes will be taken to court on a case-by-case basis, but no crime goes unpunished.

Living in Dubai, even for a short time period, can be a wonderful experience. The roads are relatively clean, everything is at your convenience and if you have the money to spend, there are plenty of places to go to and enjoy at leisure. Shopping malls, amusement parks, indoor game arcades and pool/billiards bars top the list among the popular lifestyle and entertainment venues in Dubai, but fun and entertainment is in no way limited to those.

Dubai has an advanced infrastructure on par with the world’s best. Plenty of road networks, telecommunications, service and utility structures, transport systems and much more contribute to the success of Dubai as both a commercial and tourism hub. Dubai spares no expense when it concerns building its infrastructure further and this is quite obvious in its elaborate ongoing projects.

The need for advanced infrastructure in Dubai is no secret, because it’s home to some of the most globally renowned businesses and relies heavily on the economic sectors dominated by them. Sophisticated facilities and services are among the many attractive aspects of Dubai and the modern infrastructure helps maintain those qualities.

Dubai has two telecommunication service providers, the long-standing UAE government owned Etisalat and the newcomer Du, partially owned by the Dubai government. Between the two providers, subscribers are offered services such as broadband internet, 3G, wi-fi and roaming mobile packages, as well as the brand new technology of accessing home security camera via the mobile phone or web.

Etisalat is still the main service provider, making its mark in voice/data communication and cable television. It was registered as one of the world’s most profitable companies in 2006. Online services for everything ranging from bill payments to package renewals, the telecom operators in Dubai have provided the easiest platform for everyone to get things done without ever deferring from their busy schedules.

The road network in Dubai is an area of intriguing complexity, constantly under construction for expansions. The city areas have seen a lot of road development over the years, with roads built up and torn down within months to make way for further urban development projects.

Bridges over the flowing inland waters, such as the Floating Bridge, which is a remarkable feat of engineering, connect all the areas that were previously inaccessible via land transport. Sophisticated traffic monitoring and controlling systems, toll gate systems and the upcoming Dubai Metro system are all evidence for this continuous infrastructural development.

If anyone says Dubai is a great place for saving money, don’t believe them. Unless you put in a lot of effort to save money, you won’t be successfully thrifty in Dubai. Dubai is a place for high maintenance people, offering everything under the sun at quite affordable prices.

You can earn a tax-free income and in most cases, the salaries are higher than what you would get in your native country. But, the expenses can be equally high, if you give into the many temptations. Shopping malls are laden with goods of all kinds and often, you can find designer goods for half the price you’ll usually pay.

Usually, when people find employment abroad, their first priority is to earn enough so they can save money for children’s higher education and save more money for their impending retirement. For those who come to Dubai in search of riches, the emirate offers immense earning potential. If you can manage to save at least 1/3rd of your monthly salary and don’t get into unnecessary debt through heavy credit card and loans utilisation, you can save quite a lot of money by the time you reach 60 years of age, which is the stipulated retirement age in the UAE. What you earn from working in Dubai for 10 years will be equal to what you would earn in 20 to 25 years in other countries.

While Spain and Cyprus are popular as retirement destinations, some people have chosen Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. If you already have saved enough money for a fulfilling retirement, you can opt to buy a small villa in Dubai. Since 2001, Dubai has been offering freehold property ownership to expatriates, which allows foreigners to settle down in Dubai in their own property. A residency visa is issued to the property owner, which can be renewed every five years. This facilitation is to provide retirees and others who buy Dubai property with an appealing option to live permanently in Dubai.

Dubai is a veritable paradise for anyone seeking tax-free personal income. But, it’s not all that this advanced commercial and tourist hub has to offer those who come in search of riches. The modern lifestyle, various recreational activities, extensive bargain shopping opportunities and a harmonious living environment are all available for the expatriate settling down in Dubai for a job.

Dubai has a large base of businesses, ranging from the small stalls to the massive international corporations. All of these businesses need staff and this is why Dubai jobs have almost become a commodity, with some employment agencies charging commissions on every job placement.

But, overall, the multitude of Dubai job opportunities provide the world’s growing skill force a way to earn a tax-free income in a good working environment, while reaping other lifestyle benefits as well. The weekend includes Friday and Saturday, although most private companies are open on Saturday as well. In most cases, your residency visa in Dubai is tied to your work place, which means, if you switch jobs after some time, your visa will be changed as well.

Over 150 nationalities have made Dubai their home, living a culturally harmonious life and enjoying the liberal environment. In comparison to other Arab-Islamic nations, the United Arab Emirates is the most democratic, although it’s ruled by a monarchy. Expatriates make up 80% of the current population in the UAE and in Dubai, the figure is closer to 90%. This is because Dubai is seeing as a place for prosperity, no matter where you come from and what you do for a living.

Salaries earned from Dubai jobs are diverse, ranging from a mere $150 to over $50,000 per month, depending on what job you do. The lower salary range is assigned to the unskilled and semi-skilled jobs categories. The average, professionally experienced employee, holding at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent as a qualification, can earn approximately $2000-$3000 per month. This income is sufficient to lead a good life in Dubai, whether you live alone or with your family.

Dubai welcomes foreigners with open arms. The emirate’s population consists mostly of expatriates, nearly 90%, so the atmosphere is quite liberal, multicultural and surprisingly multifaceted. You will find many shopping and entertainment opportunities to keep you occupied and the variety of lifestyle venues will give you plenty of things to do. Tourists in Dubai are usually encouraged to try a desert safari, jet skiing, scuba diving, yacht sailing, sand dune bashing, Dubai shopping tours and the popular Big Bus Tour. But there’s nothing to stop from residents taking a thrill out of joining these activities and tours too.

Most items and events can be hard on the average person’s pocket, but for someone with the means to splash, there’s everything to buy and enjoy. Wherever you turn, you will find a big shopping mall selling everything from clothes and accessories to electronics and designer fragrances.

The emirate plays host to a variety of musical events, festivals, exhibitions, trade shows and promotional outdoor activities every year and there’s no better way to enjoy Dubai than to attend every one of them. As mentioned earlier, Dubai can be expensive for the ordinary salaried person, so for them these are not always the first choice. If heavy spending is not an option, there are plenty of public parks and beaches. Mall game arcades are quite cheap too and children will enjoy the fun activities.

Aside from the ways to spend your leisure time in Dubai, there are several aspects of living in Dubai that need to be considered once you move to the emirate.

Alcohol is prohibited in public, but you may consume alcohol within designated hotel bars or in the privacy of your home. A person needs to hold a liquor licence to buy alcohol in Dubai. Rude behaviour towards women and authoritative persons is not tolerated and can be punishable crimes. The saying ‘ladies first’ is in actual practice in Dubai, where you will find queues in offices and seating in public transport reserved just for women. You may be dressed in any type of comfortable clothing. But, if you are too skimpily dressed, you will definitely get lots of stares from the people around.

Dubai jobs are highly in demand and people come in droves to the emirate to find employment. The tax-free personal income opportunity is often too good to miss and the largely expatriate community in Dubai is ample evidence to it all. Dubai offers jobs in a variety of industries, because the economy is heavily diversified and all types of businesses have been established.

The majority of businesses fully owned by expatriates are based within free zones, because those are the most profitable business locations available, in terms of business support, facilities, infrastructure and staffing solutions. A specially appointed free zone authority takes care of the business set-up, providing utilities and facilities and even hire staff for new businesses upon a nominal payment.

The Dubai free zone job environment is quite similar to everywhere else with extensive facilities provided for a healthy working environment. A multitude of nationalities are employed in the various jobs available within each free zone. Some Dubai free zones are specialised, such as the Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Knowledge Village.

These free zones hire candidates who are relevant to the businesses within them. In comparison, Dubai Airport Free Zone, Jebel Ali Free Zone and other such free zones have varied businesses established within them. Therefore, the hiring process is no different to any that’s practiced outside of the zones.

Many people believe a Dubai free zone job will allow them to draw a higher salary then they would be able to if employed outside a free zone. While this is true in some instances, it’s not guaranteed. As long as the company offers a salary that’s within the Ministry of Labour stipulated minimum for such a profession, employees will receive what’s due to them.

The biggest difference between free zone jobs and those outside is the work visa ban that’s effective outside of the free zones. An employee cannot switch employers without acquiring a six month employment ban in Dubai, if they are employed in a company outside of the free zones. This is not effective within Dubai free zones.

Once you’ve secured a job in Dubai, you have to move to the United Arab Emirates. It’s not compulsory to stay in the Dubai city to be employed in Dubai. You can live in one of the neighboring emirates and commute daily. Everyone who comes to Dubai for employment must be sponsored by a company. The employment visa permits a person to work and reside in Dubai with all civil rights.

However, there’s no permanent residency or citizenship on offer to any expatriate. After you arrive in Dubai on an entry permit supplied by the employer, you will be subjected to a medical test. Your employment visa status will then be stamped on your passport. You get two months (60 days) for this process. You can only move your family to Dubai after your visa status is confirmed.

Dubai, even though distinctively modern in comparison to other Islamic nations, is still a patriarchal society. This means, men are allowed to sponsor their immediate families with a very few restrictions, while women need to be employed in highly respected professions to sponsor family members, so it’s quite rare to find women who sponsor their families in Dubai.

A minimum salary of dirhams 3000/- plus employer sponsored accommodation or dirhams 4000/- all-inclusive is necessary to obtain residency sponsorship for a spouse and children. You will need to submit your salary certificate, passport copies of all parties and an attested copy of your marriage certificate (translated, if the original is in a language other than English). If you have children, their birth certificates must be attested and submitted too.

Once your wife is in Dubai, she can find employment for herself. She does not need an employment visa, as she’s already under your sponsorship. However, the company must provide her with a work permit, which entitles her to employment rights as stipulated by the UAE Labour Law.

There are plenty of schools in Dubai, some following Arabic medium instruction and others following English medium instruction. Some schools are specialised for certain communities, such as Urdu-medium schools for Pakistani expatriates. Both co-ed and segregated school environments are available. Schools provide daily transport for the children in school buses.

Dubai is based around family living, with lots of parks, beaches, amusement and entertainment parks, allowing families to spend time together and make friends.