Downloads

Some information regarding the new freelance visa that is being introduced.

There are few religious strictures in the Qur’an or the Hadith about male dress in Arab cultures. One of the few aspects of dress for the Arab man that does have to comply with scripture is the...

One of the five pillars of Islam is Salat, the obligation to pray five times a day once a Muslim has reached puberty. The Adhan, or the call to prayer, is an integral part of the Muslim faith; no-one...

There are some very specific body language conventions and matters of basic etiquette that most Arabs will recognise but do not share with others. In practice many Arabs, especially in the Gulf, will...

Islamic dress for women: the essential guide Muslim attitude s towards the appearance of women are rooted not in repression and subservience, but in a strong sense of public versus private...

Looking for some help around the house? Here are a few ways to go about finding a maid or nanny without breaking the law. Hire through a service This is convenient because you don’t have to...

While job opportunities in the UAE often make it worth your while to suffer the hardship of separation from your family, you’re more likely to stay longer if you’re not living with the misery of...

By far the easiest way to get a UAE driving license is simply to replace a valid driving license from one of 24 approved countries including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, South...

Muslims are prohibited by religion and law from using alcoholic beverages. For non-Muslims there are no such restrictions, though for home consumption it will have to be purchased from one of a...

Make sure you’re up to speed with the lowdown on real life in Abu Dhabi

There’s been much talk in recent months about the newly legislated property owner’s visa, an addition to Article 33 of the Executive Regulations of the Entry and Residency Law for Entry and...

Why bother with your own private post office box? Convenience PO box facilities are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can check your mail when you want Location You can rent a...

If you don’t have any kind of driving licence you’ll have to take a test in the usual way – more info at the really useful Abu Dhabi Government portal at www.abudhabi.ae.

Otherwise the type of licence you need depends on what kind of licence you hold in another country, which country it is, and what kind of visa you have.

Time on your hands? Unused energy? Untapped potential? Becoming a volunteer can be personally rewarding, and it means you can give something back to the community. Volunteering is not yet well developed in the UAE, but that’s changing and there are many options listed here.

There are plenty of factors to bear in mind when considering taking on a pet in Abu Dhabi. One of the biggest dilemmas is what to do with those furry friends when it comes time to travel.

Despite the number of Muslims in Abu Dhabi, a lot of people are familiar with the Christian churches that meet in the city block near the immigration department between 17th and 19th Streets and...

For years, vehicles in Abu Dhabi have borne licence plates of many colours. Their days are numbered, however ... Here’s everything you ever wanted to know—and more—about the new series of vehicle number plates in the capital.

Though euphemisms abound, failure to repay debt – in the UAE or any other country – is just another word for stealing. Of course, the most obvious advice would be to live within your means and don’t take on debts you couldn’t repay in the event of a job loss or some other financial catastrophe. But you should know that in this country the consequences can be severe if you fail to pay back money you have borrowed.

Here is a roundup of important info to get you acquainted with the UAE visa system.

Abu Dhabi isn’t traditionally thought of as an up-all-night town, but sometimes you just need emergency supplies – or immediate help – in the wee small hours.