The UAE assures freedom and access to information through ‘The Guide Access Government Information’ and Law No. 26 of 2015 on the Organization of Dubai Data Publication and Sharing also known as Law No. 26 of 2015 Regulating Data Dissemination and Exchange.
Your collected personal information will be accessible only to the government employees who have a need to know it to deliver you the service or information you request. It will not be available for public inspection. In addition, no user information will be shared, sold, or transferred to any third party without your prior consent
The UAE has set special laws and policies promote gender equality, to protect women and
in the society and raise their participation and representation in all areas, locally, regionally and internationally.
The UAE has the ‘Anti-discrimination/Anti-hatred law’ which fights any form of discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, creed, doctrine, race, colour or ethnic origin. The law No. 02 of 2015, criminalises any acts that stoke religious hatred and/or which insult religion through any form of expression, be it speech or the written word, books, pamphlets or via online media.. Read how the UAE promotes a culture of tolerance and co-existence. Further the UAE, guarantees the rights of people of determination (persons of disability) and prohibits to be discriminated against at work place
Yes, the UAE provides equal wage for men and women. The UAE labour law of 1980, as amended already provides that the female worker shall be granted a wage equal to that as the man is earning if she were performing the same work. In 2018, the UAE Cabinet approved a law on equal wages and salaries for women and men.
The Constitution of the UAE guarantees equal rights for both men and women. Under the Constitution, women enjoy the same legal status, claim to titles, access to education, the right to practice professions, and the right to inherit property as men. Women are also guaranteed the same access to employment, political participation, health and family welfare facilities
Yes, a pre-marital medical certificate is needed for all those who wish to get married in the UAE. No marriage in the UAE can be performed without submitting a pre-marital medical certificate that shows both parties to be free of genetically inherited blood diseases and transferable diseases.
You can report violence and abuse of women and children through the following channels:
- contact Ministry of Interior’s toll-free hotline on 116111
- call Dubai Foundation for Women and Children on 800111
- in Sharjah, contact on toll-free helpline number 800 700.
Smart Pass is a service that facilitates access to all government services through a single username and password on all federal and local government portals.
You can find information about reporting unethical behaviour and cases of corruption or bribery on the concerned department web pages. Public is encouraged to provide comments or suggestions about the UAE government’s services through the UAE’s national CRM.
UAE has a strong cyber security measures. as National Cyber Security Strategy, cyber safety and digital security measures, cyber laws and Dubai Cyber Security Strategy.
Yes, you can find results of closed consultations held to take people’s feedback about various issues in government consultation page ‘sharik.ae’
WiFi UAE is available on all WiFi-capable devices within WiFi UAE hotspots. To connect, simply choose the WiFi UAE network from your device’s list of available networks.
Fund raising activities can be carried out only after obtaining a permit from the UAE’s registered charity organisations.
UAE nationals can apply online to Ministry of Community Development, while expatriate residents need to submit their application to the ministry through their respective embassy or consulate in the UAE.The ministry will consider the application and refer it to the Cabinet, which takes the final decision on registering the organisation.
You can report beggars in:
- Abu Dhabi on 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
- Dubai on 800243
- Sharjah on 065632222
- Ras Al Khaimah on 072053372
- Ajman on 067401616
- Umm Al Quwain on 999
- Fujairah on 092051100 or 092224411
Beggars are liable to be fined and/or deported as decided by the courts.
In government schools, the national curriculum approved by Ministry of Education is taught. In private schools, various curricula are taught which cater to expatriates from different backgrounds and culture.
You can search for all schools in the UAE through this interactive school map from the Ministry of Education. The map provides facility to sort by emirate and type of school (whether co-ed or gender segregated). It also provides contact details of the schools.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) is the federal entity responsible for the safety of the lives of all citizens and residents on the territory of the UAE and the property of the country.
The UAE government is taking measures to meet its ambitious target of diverting 75% of municipal solid waste away from landfills by 2021, as per its National Agenda and UAE Vision 2021. The UAE government and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment are working with local entities and private partnerships to transform waste from an environmental burden into an economic resource by focusing on the development of the recycling industry and the transformation of waste into energy.
The Ministry of Energy’s website provides a monthly update on the fuel and diesel prices.
You could rationalize your usage by following the slab tariff system applied by the electricity and water authorities.
Value Added Tax (VAT) was introduced in the UAE on 1 January 2018. The rate of VAT is 5 per cent. VAT will provide the UAE with a new source of income which will be continued to be utilised to provide high-quality public services. It will also help government move towards its vision of reducing dependence on oil and other hydrocarbons as a source of revenue.
No, the UAE does not levy income tax on individuals.
Yes, the UAE levies corporate tax on oil companies and foreign banks.
To open a bank account, citizens need to provide a copy of their family book, a salary letter or a letter of NOC (No Objection) from the employer. Expatriate residents need to provide a copy of their passport, a copy of work or residence visa, a copy of their Emirates ID, a salary letter or a letter of NOC (No Objection) from the employer or sponsor.
The goods’ price should be determined according to the real purchasing price paid for the goods. Price includes deal price, shipping cost, insurance and all charges and expenses paid to deliver such goods to the UAE.
No customs duties will be charged for such commodities if they are purchased within full consignments or in parts that had been imported across a first access point in any GCC country after the customs union and are supported by re-export statements sealed by the clearance stamps in the country where such commodities came from.
Yes, in a bid to go paperless, the UAE government accepts digital invoicing and ePayment in government procurement processes.
Insurance is mandatory in the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Driver’s license can apply only through rta approved driving schools
1-Original Passport with visa page.
2- Emirates ID (for UAE Citizen & people working in Government and semi-Government) and a photocopy of the same.
3. 2 photos (passport size)
4. No Objection Letter issued by the Guardian or sponsor.
5. File the application form
- Eye test
Transit visa holders can drive the vehicle registered in Dubai but they should have a valid international driving license.
Yes, they can drive light vehicle and motorcycle.
The customer cannot drive even if he is holding a UK driving license and a UK passport. He can only drive it in UAE in case he crosses the border while driving it.
A GCC national is allowed to drive with his own driving license as long as he is on a visit trip but if he is working and living in UAE, then he must exchange the driving license.
The customer can exchange his driving license even if his visa is from other emirates. He must be living and working in Dubai and the company must have a branch in Dubai.
No, the customer must have a valid residence visa. In this case, the customer can only apply for a replacement of a lost or damaged license.
UAE is under Sharia law, but that doesn’t mean you are completely banned from drinking in the country. Dubai’s licensing laws require venues serving alcohol be attached to hotels or a private clubs. It is illegal to drink in the street or in a public space, or be under the influence of alcohol in a public space. The legal drinking age is 21. While the rules in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have relaxed somewhat with alcohol served in some hotels and nightclubs. People who consume or possess alcohol are required to have a Ministry of Interior liquor permit or they may face arrest, fines and possible imprisonment. Yes, alcohol is served in most major hotel bars, but technically that’s only for guests of the hotel. People who consume alcohol in a hotel who aren’t staying there are required to have their own personal liquor license. However what may happen in Dubai isn’t always applicable in other states in the UAE. It is strictly forbidden to consume or even carry alcohol in the dry state of Sharjah.
Non-Muslim residents of Dubai can buy or consume alcohol if they have an alcohol licence. To obtain it, you need to be:
- More than 21 years of age
- Possess a residence visa
- Should not be a Muslim
- Should have minimum monthly salary of at least Dh3,000
Application forms are available online on African + Eastern or Maritime and Mercantile International liquor store websites. If you are working in a free zone, your company also needs approval from the free zone authority. In the case of self-employed people, the copy of trade licence has to be submitted along with the application. If a married couple is looking for a licence, only the husband can apply. The wife will be allowed to apply if there is a NOC from her husband. If she is married to a Muslim, a woman needs a written authorisation from her husband for a licence. The details of wife will be added to the card chip. After receiving a licence, the wife will be allowed to buy alcohol without her husband’s presence.
According to the UAE Alcohol Law of 1972, the punishment for alcohol consumption without a drinking licence is a maximum of 6 months imprisonment or a maximum of AED 5,000 fine or both punishments.
Motorists caught mixing driving with drinking will get a maximum fine of Dh20,000 and/ or a jail term to be decided by the court, 23 black points and confiscation of the vehicle for 60 days.