National Information on the United Arab Emirates

Temperatures UAE Dubai – London

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Dubai	24	25	27	31	37	38	40	39	38	37	32	26
London	5	7	8	10	16	20	22	20	16	15	10	8

General note:

Below is an information overview. The conditions of entry, as well as the political and health situation, can change anywhere in the world at any time. We therefore recommend checking before your trip. Please check the website of the Foreign Office (www.gov.uk/) before your departure.

Geography:

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) comprises seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Um al-Qawain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. The UAE is located in the southeast of the Arabian Gulf and borders on Oman.

Form of government:

The United Arab Emirates is a federal constitutional monarchy comprising seven autonomous emirates.

Capital:

Abu Dhabi (approx. 1.5 million inhabitants).

Religion:

Islam is the state religion (80 per cent Sunni, 16 per cent Shiite). Resident foreigners practice their religions without hindrance (e.g. Christianity, non-native Islam religions, Hinduism).

Language:

The official language is Arabic. English is also spoken and understood in business transactions and in hotels.

Climate:

Subtropical to tropical desert climate with very low annual rates of precipitation (mostly in winter); extreme heat and humidity from May to October (max. daytime temperature of over 45 °C); average temperature in January 18 °C, in August 34 °C.

Electricity:

220-250 volt AC, 50 Hertz. Three-pin plugs are the norm here. Adapters can be obtained from any electrical store and all larger supermarkets.

Local time:

The time zone in the UAE is GMT +4 hours with no daylight saving time. The time difference with the UAE is plus 3 hours in summer and plus 4 hours in winter.

Making telephone calls:

The country code for international calls from the UK to the Emirates is 00971. When phoning the UK from the Emirates, the country code to dial is 0044, dropping the zero before the area code.

Country and people:

Islam restricts the consumption of alcohol in the UAE. A strict general ban on alcohol prevails in the Emirate of Sharjah in particular where alcohol is not offered in any hotel while it is served in the other emirates. Women should not wear strapless tops, hot pants or mini-skirts and instead should cover their shoulders and knees at all times. During the fasting month of Ramadan, restrictions in everyday life (e.g. restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, shorter opening hours at official authorities) and increased sensitivity concerning religious matters and regarding the observation of Islamic traditions can be anticipated. Public eating, drinking, smoking and even chewing gum, including in vehicles, is forbidden from sunrise to sunset, even for non-Muslims. During this time, women should ideally wear modest, long-sleeved clothing and men should refrain from wearing short casual attire. The jewellery and leather workshop are an integral part and in some cases a centuries-old tradition of oriental culture – which is why our tour also includes a visit to a jewellery maker and a leather merchant. In the manufactories you then have 1 – 2 hours to look at the works of art and products. Bartering is a typical custom. If you are not interested in buying anything, the traders will also accept a clear ‘No’. No bartering takes place in department stores and supermarkets.

Entry requirements for British citizens:

To enter the UAE, your ‘British citizen’ passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive in the UAE. You can get a visitor or tourist visa issued free of charge when you arrive in the UAE. You do not need to apply in advance of travel. Your passport will be stamped with the visa as you go through immigration. It will be valid for up to 40 days. 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.
Note: Entry requirements for British citizens can change at short notice without the Foreign Office being made aware of this beforehand. Legally binding information and/or information on entry regulations going beyond this information can be obtained from the competent representation of the destination country. Before travelling to the United Arab Emirates, please check your visa requirements and make sure you have a valid visa if necessary. You are solely responsible for applying for, and presenting, any visa that may be required. RSD assumes no liability if you fail to do this. Please note that entry into the UAE is dependent upon the approval of the immigration authorities.

Tour guides:

Your expert tour guides will be able to provide you with detailed information about the country, people, history, culture, etc., and offer advice and assistance for organising your trip. They can also help with room allocation and look forward to welcoming you with initial information. Here you will find out all you need to know and useful information about the trip. We have put together a varied programme including numerous highlights, enabling you to experience the culture and diversity of landscape that the United Arab Emirates have to offer, and learn all about the country and its people.

Room tax:

An additional government bed tax of AED 15 (approx. € £3.19) at TIME Grand Plaza and AED 20 (approx. £4.26) at Dukes The Palm per room/night (as of August 2024) is payable locally.

Currency/Banks/Credit cards:

The currency is the UAE dirham (AED). 1 dirham = 100 fils. Exchange rate (August 2024): 1 GBP = 4.69 AED; 1 AED = 0.21 GBP.
Currency can be exchanged at banks during opening hours and at your hotel. Bank opening hours: Sat. – Wed., 8 a.m. – 3.30 p.m., Thurs. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; some banks also open from 4.30 to 6.30 p.m. The weekend in the United Arab Emirates is Friday and Saturday. International credit cards are accepted by hotels, car hire companies and several shops. Cash withdrawals using a PIN code can be made at ATMs. Travellers’ cheques are almost universally accepted.

Customs regulations:

Passengers departing from or arriving in the UAE and carrying cash, or financial instruments exceeding AED 60,000 or an equivalent amount in other currencies, are required to declare it to the customs authorities. For passengers under the age of 18, the amount in their possession will be added to the permitted limit of their parent/guardian or accompanier. It is forbidden to bring banned items, such as controlled/recreational drugs and narcotic substances, pirated content, counterfeit currency, items used in black magic, witchcraft or sorcery, publications and artwork that contradict or challenge Islamic teachings and values etc. There are restricted goods, which need prior approval from the authorities concerned prior to import or export, such as animals, plants, weapons and related equipment, medicines (except for personal need), drugs, alcoholic drinks, eCigarettes and further. Should you require more detailed information about customs regulations governing the goods which may be brought into the United Arab Emirates, please contact the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates directly (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/). Only there will you be able to obtain legally binding information.
Important: If you are travelling to Great Britain from outside the UK, your personal allowances mean you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty. If you go over your allowances you must declare all your goods and pay tax and duty on all the goods in that category. Please inform yourself about the current customs regulations: www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain.

Safety instructions:

In view of the general situation in the Near and Middle East, vigilance is also advised in the United Arab Emirates. You should act in a safety-conscious manner that is appropriate to the situation, especially in large crowds. Crime: The UAE is one of the safest countries in the Middle East with an extremely low crime rate. Nevertheless, individual incidents of pick pocketing, e.g. in larger shopping centres, can not be ruled out.

Special criminal law provisions:

Strict Islamic moral values prevail in the UAE. Homosexuality and extra-marital sexual relations are prohibited and punishable by a prison sentence if reported to the authorities. Tourists sharing rooms in hotels do not generally experience any difficulties in this regard. Likewise, expressions of mutual affection (e.g. kissing, physical contact) in public can lead to fines or prison terms in accordance with Islamic law. Consideration of customs and traditions in the UAE is therefore recommended. Travellers should exercise restraint in public, and their behaviour should take consideration of the religious, political, cultural and social traditions of the country, as well as staying clear of any demonstrations or protest events. The possession and consumption of even the smallest quantities of drugs will also result in prison sentences. Even consumption of soft drugs some days beforehand can be established through blood tests and subject to correspondingly tough punishment. It is a criminal offence to photograph/film the following facilities: military facilities, ports, airports, imperial palaces, public buildings, industrial plants, crude oil/natural gas plants. In the event of a violation, at least the camera/film/chip will be confiscated.

Medical information:

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website (https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries). Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad.

Medical care:

If you are planning to travel with any prescribed or over the counter medicines for personal use, you will need to meet the UAE’s specific requirements for your medicine to be allowed into the country. A list of medicines where this rule applies, allowed quantities and documents to present can be found on the UAE Ministry of Health website (https://www.mohap.gov.ae/en). To gain approval prior to travelling, you can apply online using the electronic application form and accompanying user guide on the UAE Ministry of Health website. Healthcare facilities in the UAE are generally comparable with those in the UK, but visitors may be prevented from using them without travel insurance or without the means to settle any medical fees. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Customers should ensure that they are physically and psychologically fit for undertaking the selected trip and make the necessary queries concerning the level of physical and psychological fitness required.

All information is subject to change/Last updated: August 2024

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