About to leave for Dubai
#16
Hit 16's
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine
Posts: 13,112
#17
Re: About to leave for Dubai
Just don't think it's fair to mislead a newbie - yes there are places in AD and other parts of UAE where you can buy alcohol without a licence but it is illegal and they do have regular crack downs. It really isn't worth the risk and AD is a lot more conservative than Dubai - it isn't too long ago when all bars were closed during Ramadan.
#18
Re: About to leave for Dubai
Just don't think it's fair to mislead a newbie - yes there are places in AD and other parts of UAE where you can buy alcohol without a licence but it is illegal and they do have regular crack downs. It really isn't worth the risk and AD is a lot more conservative than Dubai - it isn't too long ago when all bars were closed during Ramadan.
#19
Hit 16's
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine
Posts: 13,112
Re: About to leave for Dubai
Just don't think it's fair to mislead a newbie - yes there are places in AD and other parts of UAE where you can buy alcohol without a licence but it is illegal and they do have regular crack downs. It really isn't worth the risk and AD is a lot more conservative than Dubai - it isn't too long ago when all bars were closed during Ramadan.
#20
Re: About to leave for Dubai
I'm not misleading him. I've lived in AD for over 2 years, buy booze regularly at several outlets, never been asked for a licence (NOT never needed one, NEVER been asked). My Italian friend does the same. Anecdotal, but factual and no less valid than your saying they have regular crackdowns--never heard of them, and never heard the staff ask other customers for their licences.
#21
Re: About to leave for Dubai
I'm not misleading him. I've lived in AD for over 2 years, buy booze regularly at several outlets, never been asked for a licence (NOT never needed one, NEVER been asked). My Italian friend does the same. Anecdotal, but factual and no less valid than your saying they have regular crackdowns--never heard of them, and never heard the staff ask other customers for their licences.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-n...s-apply-to-all
#22
Re: About to leave for Dubai
I saw that article in the National too and if interpreted literally it makes no sense. It implies that a one-time tourist visitor bringing in Duty Free alcohol may be put in the slammer if his taxi has an accident on the way from the airport to the hotel. Or if a tourist goes into a hotel bar, drinks alcohol, then gets a taxi to a restaurant and the taxi has an accident, the tourist would again be arrested.
Of course, the fact that it makes no sense doesn't for a minute mean that it isn't actually true!
One thing to point out on Duty Free: the wine allowance is 4 litres, not 4 bottles. 4 litres is 5 bottles of wine - but some Duty Free staff (particularly outside the UAE) try to insist on 4 bottles.
Of course, the fact that it makes no sense doesn't for a minute mean that it isn't actually true!
One thing to point out on Duty Free: the wine allowance is 4 litres, not 4 bottles. 4 litres is 5 bottles of wine - but some Duty Free staff (particularly outside the UAE) try to insist on 4 bottles.
#23
Re: About to leave for Dubai
Hi all, after what feels like an age, I am finally leaving blighty in the next few days for our new life in Dubai. Wife and toddlers will be coming out two weeks after me. Would appreciate any advice on the things I should crack on with before they arrive. We have accomo sorted for the first two months so not going to start looking yet for our new home.
Thanks to all those that answered my previous posts and helped us in our decision making - it is very much appreciated.
Thanks to all those that answered my previous posts and helped us in our decision making - it is very much appreciated.
I did things in this order:
1. health check for visa
Waited for visa! You need it for everything more or less. I got mine in 2 weeks, including the time for medical etc.
2. Visa arrived
3. opened a bank account
4. applied for UAE ID Card
5. applied for UAE driving license (I needed the UAE ID card receipt before I could get my license but I don't think that rule applies in Dubai)
All that was while I was waiting for my housing allowance advance so that I could rent a flat. I started looking too early which was a bit frustrating as I found a flat I really liked but couldnt pay the cheque in time. But it was still beneficial to see the different areas,what kind of place you get for your money and how you can negotiate.
I found things much slower and easier than I was expecting. I made sure I was social (start as you mean to go on, hehe!) which helped me settle in a lot and make some friends straight away.
I saw someone suggested that you get a sim card at the airport. I didnt know that was possible else I would have done that - you need a residence visa to buy one and you will definitely need a phone asap!
If you want to watch the BBC over the net you will need a VPN (there are threads about them elsewhere) and if you plan to use Skype download that before you come over as well - its blocked here.
Think that's it! There's probably alot more to do when you're bring a family but I wouldn't know about that!
Good luck!
#24
Re: About to leave for Dubai
You can then move the number to post-paid once you have residency.
#25
Re: About to leave for Dubai
I definitely needed a residence visa for a pay-as-you-go sim. But I'm in AD, maybe its different in Dubai or at the airport.
#27
Re: About to leave for Dubai
I saw that article in the National too and if interpreted literally it makes no sense. It implies that a one-time tourist visitor bringing in Duty Free alcohol may be put in the slammer if his taxi has an accident on the way from the airport to the hotel. Or if a tourist goes into a hotel bar, drinks alcohol, then gets a taxi to a restaurant and the taxi has an accident, the tourist would again be arrested.
Of course, the fact that it makes no sense doesn't for a minute mean that it isn't actually true!
One thing to point out on Duty Free: the wine allowance is 4 litres, not 4 bottles. 4 litres is 5 bottles of wine - but some Duty Free staff (particularly outside the UAE) try to insist on 4 bottles.
Of course, the fact that it makes no sense doesn't for a minute mean that it isn't actually true!
One thing to point out on Duty Free: the wine allowance is 4 litres, not 4 bottles. 4 litres is 5 bottles of wine - but some Duty Free staff (particularly outside the UAE) try to insist on 4 bottles.
#28
banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,611
Re: About to leave for Dubai
There was an interesting case in AD a few years ago where 3 offshore workers were staying in a hotel for a few nights and met up with some of their buddies who were resident in AD. They met at the hotel bar and to cut a long story short they all had too much to drink and ended up brawling - the Police arrived and carted them all off to the cells. They appeared before a Court and the Judge asked for their liqour licences but none of them had one - he let the 3 offshore workers go as they were resident in the Hotel at the time and the others who were AD residents were fined and deported. Sounds like you are OK if you a tourist as long as you are registered in a hotel.
#29
Hit 16's
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine
Posts: 13,112
Re: About to leave for Dubai
Fair enough, all. Will get my licence sorted this month. Hic.
#30
Re: About to leave for Dubai
Can someone please explain to me why the liquor store 'High Spirits'-owned by AD National Hotels sells liquor to anyone(except little Keralites) including people in kanduras and abayas without requiring the production of a LL?
They even qualify method of payment within the store: W.O a licence- cash only; produce a licence-we accept credit cards.
How does that happen?
They even qualify method of payment within the store: W.O a licence- cash only; produce a licence-we accept credit cards.
How does that happen?