Anyone who understands the laws of the United Arab Emirates and appreciates cultural differences can enjoy an exceptional lifestyle in Dubai, can spend time in the city without any worries, and avoid any problems with the law.
The usual lifestyle for expats living in Dubai is work, lots of sunshine, excellent infrastructure and money to enjoy a very high standard of living.
The UAE is a Muslim state, it strictly adheres to its moral and ethical code, its laws are very different from those in other countries. Therefore, a person who wishes to obtain a UAE visa, live and work in the country, needs to be careful not to violate these laws.
Here are the basic information that you need to know and understand for those who are going to safely and enjoy spending time in the UAE. We’ll cover a lot of things, dress code, alcohol and drug use, whether it’s okay to hold hands in public, etc. The one who knows this will always be calm, because he will be well aware of what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
Despite the huge modern achievements embodied in Dubai and the fact that this is one of the most tolerant regions in the Middle East, the citizens of the UAE are still very traditional and conservative people. They take their culture and heritage seriously and expect visitors and expats to respect their values. Anyone who respects the Emiratis will be respected by them too and will find them very welcoming and hospitable. Emiratis are generally tolerant and open-minded, but there are limits to the behavior they will accept.
Alcohol in the UAE
Non-Muslims are allowed to consume alcohol in Dubai as long as they are in specially licensed premises. Some restaurants and most hotels are licensed to sell alcohol. In 2020, the UAE introduced new legislation stating that drinking without a license is no longer illegal in the UAE.
Unpaid check
In Dubai, it is common practice to pay large payments, such as a car or even a rental fee in Dubai, with checks with a deferred payment date. This is due to the fact that it is not always easy for expats, even if they have a UAE visa, and even for some locals, to get a loan or a loan. Therefore, the generally accepted method of making large payments is to offer checks with a subsequent due date. However, unlike other countries where not paying a check is just an annoying little problem, it is a very serious criminal offense under UAE law. The violator will be arrested, imprisoned and then forced to stay in the UAE to pay his debt before being expelled from the country. Such a person will probably no longer be able to obtain a UAE visa. Therefore, you should never write a check if there are no funds to cover it. Issuing a check a person enters into a very strict financial agreement. Missing a payment in Dubai is no joke.
Dancing in public
Dancing in public in Dubai is considered indecent. It is also considered provocative, which may have some repercussions for women. You can dance at home behind curtains and in official clubs – everything else is unacceptable and dangerous.
Obtaining a UAE visa when opening a company
The easiest way to get a UAE visa is to open a company in the UAE. In this case, it will also be possible to hire employees and make UAE visas for them. It is important that if the level of income is sufficient, then the UAE visa holder (including any employee of the company) will be able to obtain UAE visas for their family members.
Dress code in the UAE
Emirati residents dress conservatively and expect visitors and residents of the UAE to also dress conservatively in public. Anyone who is going shopping, going for a walk or going to work needs to make sure that his clothes are of a decent length, that he does not wear anything transparent, that he does not expose too much of the body, which may be considered indecent. Clothing should not contain anything offensive in the form of slogans or images. Signs are hung in shopping centers warning that if a person is inappropriately dressed, he will be escorted out.
When it comes to sunbathing, you can wear beachwear, but again, it should cover certain parts of the body. Topless sunbathing is not allowed, any form of nudity is unacceptable, even for children.
As soon as a person leaves the beach, pool or water park, he must dress properly for visiting public places. That is, for example, you can’t go home in a bikini.
Violation will not be considered some kind of statement by a person about how fashionable he is or what a rebel he feels – this is the maximum insult to public decency and is officially punishable by imprisonment, but unofficially by public censure and potential assault. It is not worth taking risks – it is better to respect the local culture.
Drunk driving in Dubai
In Dubai, it is not allowed to drink even a negligible amount of alcohol and drive. There is a zero tolerance policy for drunk driving and a driver will be jailed if they break this very strictly enforced law.
Driving offenses
In Dubai, it is illegal to open the back door, break the speed limit, participate in street racing, break lane markings and use a mobile phone while driving. Dubai is increasingly cracking down on lawbreakers and losing tolerance for them. If the traffic law is violated, the violator can be fined, imprisoned and the car confiscated.
Drugs
Dubai laws do not allow the use of drugs. This does not only apply to drugs that are illegal in other countries. In fact, this extends to some prescription and over-the-counter drugs, even poppy seeds. It is important to know that even if a person passes through the UAE airport on their way to another country, if they are caught with what is considered an illegal substance, they can face an automatic 4-year prison term and then deportation. If a person is suspected of supplying drugs, then he may face an automatic life sentence. Therefore, it is very important to know the laws and regulations of Dubai, as well as what you can and cannot bring with you. The simplest rule is to take absolutely nothing with you. If a person is taking prescription medication, then he needs to know if it includes what he is going to import, on the list of prohibited substances. You can consult the list of the “Department of Drug Control” of the “UAE Ministry of Health”, respectively, if a person has any doubts, he can apply there before entering the UAE.
Phone: +971 2 611 7342 and +971 2 633 4958
Fax: +971 2 631 3742
e-mail: essaj@moh.gov.ae
Drug Control Department
Ministry of Health
Fundraising events in the UAE
Any form of donation and fundraising in the UAE must be approved by the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (IACAD). If this is not followed, no matter how noble the cause, it will be a violation of the UAE charity law, which can lead to imprisonment or a substantial fine.
Opening a company in the UAE
You can open a company in the UAE in three different ways. These are a company in a free economic zone, a company outside the free economic zones (“local company”), and an offshore company. The first two types of companies allow you to apply for UAE visas, while an offshore company does not allow you to obtain a UAE visa.
Loud music
The use of loud music is prohibited in public places, and dancing in public in unauthorized places can also lead to trouble.
Bad behavior
No matter how often the other driver cuts, don’t make offensive gestures in their direction. He can call the police, and it will be difficult for the expat to prove anything, respectively, the expat can be fined or even jailed. Road rage is unacceptable, as is swearing or any rude gestures, so it’s worth giving up all this.
Photographing without consent
Photographing someone without their consent is a serious offense under UAE law and can get you in a lot of trouble very quickly. However, posting any images on social media will aggravate the crime and the offender will also face charges under cybercrime laws.
Possession of Substances
The penalties for possession of drugs, even small quantities, are harsh. Up to the death penalty, if the authorities consider that a person is doing something more significant than personal use. The presence of any amount of drugs in the blood will be considered drug possession. An expat should not take risks with substances that may be legal in the expat’s country of origin. The so-called small allowances, which are legal in many countries, will not be legal in Dubai. Even if a person is caught possessing poppy seeds, this is a serious offense and can lead to jail time.
Public displays of affection
The maximum that a married couple is allowed in terms of public displays of affection is to hold hands in public. Hugs and kisses are not allowed, that is, any open display of affection should be limited to one’s own home.
Dubai public transport
Eating and drinking is prohibited on all forms of public transport in Dubai, including stations. If a passenger is caught eating food, fines will be issued on the spot.
Ramadan in Dubai
The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims must fast. Expats living in Dubai are prohibited from eating, drinking or smoking in public places during Ramadan, even in a car. Some restaurants (usually in hotels) remain open, but people eat out of sight. Of course, expats can eat and drink within the confines of their home. Low noise levels are important during Ramadan, and Dubai seems to be a much quieter place during daylight hours.
Religious issues
The main religion in Dubai, of course, is Islam. Expats follow their own religions and this is tolerated. However, anything that is a crime against Islam will not be tolerated at any level and will result in fines and/or imprisonment. Muslims are called to pray five times a day, and when away from the Mosque, Muslims will pray wherever they are. Expats should not interfere with them or openly look at them.
Respect
In the West, respect is considered to be something to be earned and is not necessarily offered to every stranger. However, in Dubai, everyone must be treated with respect, no matter what cultural, religious or class differences exist between people. If a person exhibits inappropriate, disrespectful behavior in public, they may break the law and face fines, imprisonment, or deportation. Some, who think it’s acceptable, are rude to others, make offensive hand gestures if someone cuts them off in traffic, or curse if someone pushes in front of them in line. But such people must be prepared for the consequences. Unfortunately, there are cases in the UAE where respect is not respected. However, if a person wishes to live his life without conflict,
Sexual harassment
While many women in other countries hate being stared at too much, they often have to put up with it. If in Dubai any male expat publicly addresses a local woman, takes photos of her without permission, follows her or harasses her in any way, this is unacceptable behavior. In 2020, the government announced that men who harass women of any kind will face harsher penalties.
Cohabitation without marriage in the UAE
In 2020, as part of a major legal overhaul, the UAE announced that cohabitation outside of marriage is now permitted in the UAE.
Shopping centers
A dress code exists for visiting public places such as malls. Clothing should cover the upper arms and legs. Do not go to the mall in beachwear or swimwear.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in many public institutions and shopping malls. There are also designated smoking areas throughout the city, so even the most heavy smoker can easily comply with the ban!
Social media
Swearing is punishable by up to one year in prison, and this also applies to social media posts. Any obscene language on WhatsApp or other messaging platforms can cause a lot of trouble, just like any offensive posts on Facebook or other social networks. This also applies to the use of any emoticons containing obscene gestures. Any use of social media that invades the privacy of another person is punishable by up to six months in prison.
Jobs in Dubai
Do not try to work illegally in the UAE without a permit. First you need to get documents and permits before starting work. Violation of this may lead the worker first to jail and then to forced return home. Such an employee, most likely, will never receive a UAE visa.