Dubai Do's and Don'ts - Do's

Passports & Visas

A valid passport is required to enter Dubai. The Departmiment of Naturalization & Residency has revised visa regulations.

A free of charge for one entry visit visa on arrival in the UAE, valid for 60 days and renewable for a total stay of 90 days is granted to UK citizens as well as nationals of France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and holders of Hong Kong SAR passports.

Tourist visas are valid for 30 days and are non-renewable.

Transit visas are valid for 96 hours from the arrival date provided that the duration between the two trips is no less than eight hours.

All visitors apart from Arab Gulf Countries Council nationals require a visa sponsored by a local entity such as a hotel or company.

All current regulations should be checked before travelling as they are subject to change. The Department of Naturalization & Residency offers up-to-date information about visa requirements for entry to Dubai.

You can apply for your visa online with ATP

Having copies of your passport, visa and other important travel documents such as insurance policy and keeping them separate from the originals is also worthwhile.

Do's - Drink bottled water

It’s better to drink bottled water in Dubai even if the local tab water, purified sea water is perfectly safe to drink.

Do's - Respect local cultures and traditions

Dubai is one of the most cosmopolitan and liberal cities in the UAE and the dress code is relaxed, but visitors should show respect for local traditions and take care not to wear immodest clothing. Only consume alcohol in the designated areas and be considerate of local religious practices.

Mosques are for Muslims only so resist the temptation of entering one and take part into an organised guided tour instead. The Jumeirah Mosque offers such a tour for visitors interested in taking a look into Islamic religious practices.

During Ramadan (the main religious festival in the Islamic calendar which is marked by fasting during daytime, lasts for a month and whose date changes each year) visitors are advised against eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours.

The official language of the country is Arabic but English is the language spoken for business as well as in hotels and shops. The majority of road and shop signs and restaurants menus are written in both Arab and English.

Do's - Business etiquette

If a meeting is delayed don’t comment on it as it’s an accepted practice in Dubai. A smile and saying “marhaba” which means “welcome” in Arabic is the most suitable way to start a meeting. When giving a handshake you should touch your heart with the palm of the right hand after each shake.

Do's - Clothing

You should try and wear conservative clothing when doing business in Dubai. Casual clothes such as shorts are fine in other circumstances as long as they are not too revealing. At the pool and on the beachses trunks, bathing suits and bikinis are acceptable.

Do's - Haggle in shops with no price tags

Negotiating the price in markets and in the gold souks is still the accepted practice in Dubai. But if there is a fixed price tag on the goods, haggling is not a good idea as it can be frown upon.

Do's - Tips

Tipping practices are similar to most parts of the world. Some restaurants include service; otherwise 10 per cent is adequate.

Do's - Protect yourself from the heat and the sun

Use high factor sun screen and sunglasses as sunburn is common and the scorching heat can be unbearable at times. Due to the climate and extreme heat in the summer months it is recommended that you take a bottle of water with you whenever going outside. All hotels and offices are air-conditioned in Dubai.

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All hotels and offices are air-conditioned in Dubai.

Don'ts - drugs

Don’t take drugs anywhere in the UAE as there is a zero tolerance policy in relation to drugs and illegal substances. The penalties are extremely harsh and if you’re found with even the slightest amount of any substance you could face the death penalty.

It’s highly recommended that you check which medicines are prohibited in the UAE on the Ministry of Health website: www.moh.gov.ae

Don'ts - Photography

Taking pictures of members of the public without their permission is prohibited. It’s forbidden to take pictures of national women and military installations.

Don'ts - Clothing

Ladies should refrain from wearing miniskirts, revealing low cut clothing and tight trousers. For men baring their chest on the street is prohibited.

Don'ts - Greetings

If you greet Arab women don’t offer your hand unless the woman extends hers first. Like in any other Islamic country, Friday is a day of prayer and rest, so avoid scheduling meetings for this day.

Don'ts - Drinking alcohol

Drinking in bars and majors hotels is acceptable but you are prohibited to drink anywhere else without a liquor permit from the Ministry of Interior. This means that technically if you’re drinking while eating in a restaurant or in a hotel where you’re not staying as a guest you have to own your personal liquor licence.

Drink driving is considered a serious offence and can lead to long jail sentences, huge fines and lashings, so avoid it at all costs.

Don'ts - Swearing

Swearing and being drunk is seen as an obscene act and can lead to prosecutions. Visitors should be extremely cautious when dealing with the police and other officials.

Don'ts - Public displays of affection

Holding hands and kissing in public is not acceptable and can lead to arrest. Locals find public displays of affection very offensive and will report instances to the police.

Tales of caution include the recent case of the British unmarried couple being accused of having intercourse on the beach and being arrested and sentenced to jail and the case of an unmarried Indian couple visiting the city a couple of years ago being arrested and sent to jail for a year for kissing and hugging in the back of a taxi. The taxi driver saw them and drove them directly to the police station. Be warned!

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