Welcome to DubaiNew Staff Induction Handbook

2013-2014

Welcome

Dear Colleagues

Welcome to Dubai and Kings’ School. To help you settle in we’ve put together some information that may be of some help!

By the Staff of Kings’ Dubai

Contents2

1. Useful Information Page 4

2. In case of Emergency/ Page 10What to do if you need a Doctor

3. How to transfer an existing Driving Licencefor a UAE Licence Page 11

4. How to get an Emirates ID Card Page 13

5. Moving around Dubai by Public Transport Page 15

6. How to Hire a Car Page 16

7. How to Buy a Second Hand Car & Salik Cards Page 17

8. How to get a Bank Loan with Emirates NBD Page 19

9. How to Sponsor your Family Page 20

10. How to get a Mobile Phone and which Page 24Network to Choose

11. How to Link TV and Internet at Home Page 25

12. Dubai Do’s and Don’ts Page 26

13. Things To Do in your First Year! Page 29

14. Other Information – Useful Contacts Page 31

1. Useful Information

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The Dubai Explorer is a very useful book to give you lots of information about all aspects of the city – a recommended buy! It is now also available in “mini” visitor’s edition. For entertainment and where to eat, maps and general advice, it covers lots of areas. It is a really good general guide to the city.

The Entertainer is another recommended purchase. There are two books, one for Fine Dining and one for General use. These books contain loads of “buy one get one free” offers – including main courses at hundreds of restaurants, entrance to activities, places etc. You will save the money you spend on the books easily within one week! They are a really good buy and are available in various malls. One alternative option if you are single is to team up with another member of staff and buy one between you.

Dubai Weather

The UAE has a tropical and arid climate for about 8 months of the year. You will enjoy day after day of glorious sunshine and unbroken blue skies. You can plan a barbecue, camp in the desert or on the beach, meet in the parks, or at the beach club, all safe in the knowledge that it'll not be rained off.

Temperatures are at their lowest December, January and February  and then steadily climb. April is still ok but by May it's getting hot and you spend less time outdoors. June is hot and hideously humid, July, August and September are hotter again and even more humid. Humidity levels can get unbearable reaching up to around 80-90% mid- summer.

In September the temperature does start to slowly drop, but it's still very hot. October, we're back to enjoying the beach, avoiding the middle of the day, and November is perfect. 

During July and August there's usually a mass exodus of mums and children. Some choose to go away for the whole summer, some for part of July and most of August. There are quite a few who stay, however. It's like being in England in January or Melbourne in July; you spend as little time outside as you possibly can. One consolation is that your house, your car and every building you enter are all air-conditioned.

What to Wear In Dubai

Year-round, all you will need is summer clothing here, but you will probably want to have the occasional wrap or light weight jacket when going into air-conditioned restaurants and for cooler winter evenings. After a few months in this region you become acclimatised to the warmer weather and you will forget how it feels to be in a real winter. Don’t be surprised if you end up wearing fleeces and jackets in the middle of summer when you return home!The rule of thumb is to cover your shoulders and your knees and with nothing too revealing or see- through whilst out in public. Malls have introduced a modesty code for shoppers but you will still see some too revealing outfits! It is respectful of the local culture to make an effort to cover up when out in public. When out for the evening anything goes although you may want to have a wrap to cover up en route and beach

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wear must only be worn on a beach or around a pool. It goes without saying topless sunbathing is not allowed!

Dress Codes for SchoolAll staff (teaching and non teaching) are required to dress smartly and to set a very high standard of personal appearance whilst at school, so that an appropriate professional working environment is maintained. We are judged by how we look and therefore it is very important that we convey the correct message to both parents and students at all times.

The staff need to reflect the expectation we have for the children, therefore jewellery needs to be conservative and it is our policy as not display personal choice of showing piercings and tattoos.

Staff must dress smartly when off site on school trips. Polo shirts and smart shorts, skirts or trousers.

Female StaffFemale staff are required to dress in a way that is smart and respectful to the Islamic faith. Smart business suit (either trousers or skirt) or Smart skirt and blouse or Smart trousers and blouse(no leggings, jeans or cords) or Smart business like dress. Clean formal shoes (no flip flop style or trainers) Smart open

shoes are acceptable. Flip flops are determined by the soles - no rubber or cork soles.

Sunglasses should not be worn on the head or hanging out of the pocket. They should only be worn when outdoors and necessary.

Jackets are required for parents’ evenings and school events.

Skirts should be neither too tight or too short. Knee length is a minimum.

Blouses should not be made of see through material, should not be too tight and should not be low cut.

Sleeveless blouses are not acceptable. T Shirts should not be worn to school. Shoulders should always be covered and no bare midriffs.

Male Staff Smart formal trousers or chinos (no jeans or cords) Smart formal shirt and tie (top button on shirt fastened.) Clean formal shoes (no sandals, flip flops or training shoes) Sunglasses should not be worn on the head or hanging out of the

pocket. They should only be worn when outdoors and necessary. Jackets are required for parents’ evenings and school events Clean shaven every day or a trimmed moustache or beard.PE All members of staff should be dressed appropriately for PE or

Swimming lessons. Staff should change for the lesson and then change back into

formal wear at an appropriate time. Staff should change into PE clothing even if they are supporting a

Specialist Teacher.

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A dress code for staff is a matter of sensitivity and does rely on personal judgement. Please remember that we need to appear professional at all times. We are models for our students and also will meet parents and visitors from a wide and diverse range of backgrounds. They should not be offended or uncomfortable in our presence.

Identity badges must be worn at all times.

National Dress

On the whole the Emirati population wears their traditional dress in public. For men this is the dish dash or khandura - a white full length shirt, which is worn with a white or red checked headdress, known as a gutra.

In public, the local women wear the black abaya - a long, loose black robe that covers their normal clothes - plus a headscarf called the sheyla. This traditional dress totally covers them up and this is what is considered appropriate within the Muslim culture.

Driving in Dubai

Driving in Dubai can be a bit scary to a first time expat- the roads are big and fast and for some; driving on the right hand side is a first. Driving standards do vary wildly as you are sharing the roads with people from many countries with different standards.

Seatbelts must be worn in the front by law and campaigns are in place to make this the law for the back seats too. The road system is based on the American system with U turns forming a regular part of your drive. Cars get extremely hot in the summer so make sure you always have water with you just in case!

Directory Enquiries 181

Religion The UAE’s culture is firmly rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia. Islam is more than just a religion; it is a way of life that governs every aspect of daily existence, from what to wear to what to eat and drink. The culture and heritage of the UAE is closely linked to religion and this feeling permeates throughout the society.

Ramadan is a month of heightened religious awareness throughout which Muslims fast during the daylight hours. It is the holy month which commemorates the revelation of the Holy Quran. Non-Muslims are not expected to fast but are expected to abstain from eating, drinking and/or smoking in public as a sign of respect. Most cafes are closed during the day but some places offer a take-out service. Hotel restaurants still operate under certain restrictions.

Although the UAE is a Muslim country there is a general tolerance of other faiths here, so celebrations of Diwali, Christmas and Easter are not discouraged. There are a number of Christian churches.

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ToleranceWith all this considered, the UAE people are very tolerant and welcoming of other cultures and lifestyles.

BureaucracyThere is quite a lot of red tape in the UAE, but generally your employer who is sponsoring you will have someone in their HR department who will take you through each step until all the relevant documentation is achieved.

When you initially arrive it feels like you need a mountain of different cards/documents in order to work or even to open up a bank account, but soon enough you realize you only need duplicates of the same information and things start to become pretty standardized.

Make sure you have a bunch of passport photos on hand and duplicate copies of passports and work permit information, this should hold you in good stead for the initial period. Also bring with you original copies of your birth and attested marriage certificates, and your original entry permit.

Until residence visas are obtained you cannot obtain any other documents from the government authorities - car and driving licenses, bank account, health cards, National ID Card and liquor license - and being without these can be very inconvenient.

Register with your local Embassy or Consulate. They all have different rules and requirements but if you call them before going you should manage to save yourself a return visit. 

British Embassy (04) 309 4444

In The Home

Voltage and plugs are the same as the UK so if in doubt you can bring most of your electrical items although you can buy anything here. 

Gas or Electric?

Cookers can be gas or electric and come in 2 sizes, regular or huge. Gas is in the more modern homes and in high rises it tends to be piped through the mains, but for the majority of people it is still delivered in large canisters that are kept outside for safety reasons. You can easily get it delivered to your doorstep.

All houses are air-conditioned either by central A/C’s or split with a few older properties being cooled by individual units for each room. All modern villas and apartments have central A/C and are more efficient and cheaper to run than the older models.

Furniture

You can get ready made items at the ever popular Ikea or Ace furniture or a multitude of other outlets. It is also worthwhile to look at

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supermarket notice boards for bits and pieces that are on sale or check out the classified ads on Dubizzle.

There are also lots of garage sales around as well as fairs at the various schools. Obviously the best time to get second-hand items is at the beginning of the summer when people tend to leave Dubai.

The Water

Because you are living in a desert, the bottled water is a massive market out here. You can drink the desalinated water from the tap, but mostly people just use it for washing up, brushing teeth etc. The water itself is not a problem from source. It is the cleanliness of the water tank in your building or villa that is the issue.

Tap water is generally not used for cooking or drinking. Most people get bottled water delivered to their house and have a water cooler to keep it cold or hot. These coolers are reasonably priced, around AED300-500 and are great for topping up flasks and other bottles for the kids. The actual water canisters are delivered once a week to your house. (We use Oasis). 

Creepy Crawlies

Bugs live out here, just like they do everywhere. Ants can get everywhere but usually move on mass like a huge army through your garden, rarely do they infest your home unless you have an older property.

Cockroaches love this environment but as Dubai is very clean they will hardly ever show their faces in a house, if they do, they have come in through the front door via a delivery of something. Arm yourself with a can of Pif Paf or Raid, which is an insect spray and is extremely effective!

If you find you do have a bit of a problem with any pests there are several reliable pest control companies who will spray your home and offer annual contracts if that is what you prefer.

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Written by Michael ConnorYear 3 Teacher

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2. In case of Emergency/ What to do if you need a Doctor

Dubai has many modern clinics and hospitals. Generally speaking medical facilities in Dubai are very good. You must have a complete health check to obtain a visa to live in Dubai including a chest X ray to check for TB and a blood test. You can have the government health card and/or a private health scheme. Most expatriates hold private cards but more often now lots of people have the Government cards as well. Private care is expensive so unless you are financially solid it will be worth looking into this area with care.

A visit to a GP will set you back around AED400-500 per visit and that does not include blood tests or any other type of tests you may require.

EMERGENCY NUMBERSAmbulance 999/998Fire 999/997Police 999

In the event of a severe medical emergency, you should report to your nearest hospital – wherever you are at the time.

Dubai VaccinationsGenerally for children the same schedule of inoculations exists here as they do in Europe. A BCG is required by law, as so many people here are coming from countries where TB is prevalent. The UAE was declared officially free of malaria by the World Health Organisation in 2007. 

3. How to transfer an existing Driving Licence for a UAE Licence

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The countries from which citizens can transfer their driving licenses are given below:

Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Please note that a few of these countries require additional documentation:

Canada: A letter from the Canadian Consulate in Dubai to verify that the license is genuine is required, before transferring your license.

Driving license holders from Greece, Canada, Cyprus, Poland, Turkey, Japan & South Korea will require a translation of their driving license from their respective consulates.

What you need: Passport sized photographs (at least 2) Your UK (or other approved countries) driving licence including paper

copy (sometimes the paper copy is not asked for but sometimes it is! Bring it just in case.)

Eye test certificate (from UAE) No objection letter from your sponsor (will receive this from admin’ at

school). Passport and copy of passport Visa residence stamp in passport and copy of page They do have a photocopier there if you forget!

Steps:

Firstly, you must obtain your residency ID card which will come through after your visa application is complete.

You can drive hire cars without a UAE licence while you are waiting for the above process to be complete. However, as soon as this has all gone through hire companies will not hire cars without a UAE licence.

You can obtain your eye test certificate from opticians in the Mall Of The Emirates (please take two passport sized photo to be stamped). There is a small fee of around 100AED (approximately £20)

Carry all documents mentioned above and go to Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) office for licencing from 8.00am to 2.30pm on a working day. There are a few offices close by so best check which one is best to you from other staff.

Fill in application form that you will receive there and submit all documents to the officer.

Take signed documents from officer and pay around AED 360 to AED 400 to the cashier. Then your name will be called out and your photograph taken. A few minutes later, you will receive your license.

Before you leave, I would recommend that you check that all the data on the card is correct e.g. the spelling of your names.

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Take a book! This can be a very quick or a lengthy process depending on the day or time.

Happy driving!

Written by Tracy SwarbrickYear 3 Teacher

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4. How to get an Emirates ID CardThe Emirates ID Card is now a legal requirement for all U.A.E. residents.

Firstly, you have to get a Resident Visa. This will be organised through school as they are your sponsors. This may take up to six weeks from arrival after completion of your medical blood tests and chest X-ray. School will send the results of this alongside your paperwork to the Emirates Authority where they will issue you with your visa and attach it to your passport.

Then you will need to visit the Typing Centre. They have different working hours depending on the office you visit. Many close at 2.30pm. The closest office for Kings’ Dubai is:

On Time Office (Knowledge Village Branch)

Dubai Knowledge village,next to Medical Fitness Centre

04-4343020

Here you must fill in the necessary forms so ensure you take your passport with your visa included. In addition to a fee of AED70 a service charge as well as AED100 for each year your visa is valid (so AED270 in total).

Please KEEP THE RECIEPT as you will need at the Registration Centre.

N.B. Please ensure that before you leave the Typing Centre you check all paperwork for correct spelling of all information as it is extremely difficult to correct this after this point.

After this stage you will get a text message advising you to go to a Registration Office where you will be photographed for your ID card and receive a finger print and retina scan. The service point will be stated but please be aware that there is a Registration Office in Knowledge Village (not the same office as the Typing Centre but close by). Again they close at 2.30pm and often do not take people after 2.15pm and it is likely to have a queue).

REMEMBER to take your form given from the Typing Centre, payment receipt and passport.

There are Registration Offices until 8.30pm however they require all documentation including the medical certificates which it is most likely you will not have by this point.

Arrival of your Emirates ID Card: even though the predicted time of arrival of the card is 21 days be warned it may be a lot longer! This seems to vary with every person for no apparent reason. You will receive a text message stating the post office you should collect your card from. Be aware that post offices vary in their opening hours. It has been proven possible by some people to arrange to pick up your card at a closer post office by calling the original post office stated on the text. It is advisable to pick your card up within a couple of weeks from receiving the text.

N.B. please keep your text as you will need to show this to collect your card as well as your passport for ID.

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Tracy Swarbrick Rebecca Balshaw Laura TurnerYear 3 Teacher Year 1 Teacher Year 1 Teacher

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5. Moving around Dubai by Public TransportFirstly, I would recommend coming out with lots of passport photos along with photocopies of your passport.

Dubai Metro: A clean and efficient way of travelling along the main stretch of Dubai, as well the Creek area. The most cost efficient way to use it is to buy either a Silver or Gold NOL rechargeable card. A Silver trip (main carriages) will average around 4 dirhams for two zones (less than £1!) whilst a Gold trip (first class with comfy seats!) will be about double this - still only a couple of pound though! Trains are regular, around every 4-8 minutes and run all week apart from Friday mornings. The drawback is that not all areas are serviced by the metro so you might still have a hot walk or taxi ride to your destination. The main malls all have their own metro stop.

Dubai Taxi: Easiest way to get around. Fairs are cheap compared to the UK. Expect to pay 50 dirhams to travel most of Shiekh Zayed Road, whilst local trips will average around 20-30 dirhams. Taxis now charge the Salik road toll which is 4 dirhams under each toll gate. Drawbacks will be the usual Dubai congestion at peak times, but they are flagged down or booked easily. Check the driver knows where to go before he sets off!! Landmarks and roads change frequently!!

Written by Russell SmartYear 6 Teacher

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6. How to Hire a CarHiring a car is a reasonably easy process, just make sure you go with the correct documents and you will be driving away your dream car (probably a Yaris). You can use your UK driving licence to hire a car until you have your resident visa. Once you have your visa you must go and get a UAE licence ASAP otherwise you will be driving the car illegally. This is what you need:

A credit card for the deposit (a UK credit card will be fine, just for a pre authorisation).

Your UK license (only the Photocard is required). Money to pay for it.

Hire Companies

There are many companies that you can try such as Belhasa, Thrifty, Avis and Hertz. Personally after trying a couple, Hertz were the best by a very long way in terms of price and customer service. The majority of staff at Kings’ that hire use Hertz. They offer a discounted teachers rate and for a new Yaris/Mazda 2/Fiesta it is AED1700. You will also need AED1000 available on a credit card for the security swipe however this isn’t actually charged. That is month by month with no commitment. They will also allow you return it early for no extra charge i.e. at Christmas you may only want it for 2 weeks so they charge you for 2 weeks. You can pick up and drop off at different a branch which is useful especially when going home as you can drop off/pick up at the airport. Any Salik is just paid at the end of each month and is charged at AED5 per toll gate.Be careful with the smaller companies. They may offer you a good deal but will hit you with every charge under the sun at the end of the contract. Also you will probably see adverts for amazing deals such as AED1200 for a Yaris. These are usually limited mileage and on a 3 year lease.

Written by Nathaniel HydeICT Teacher

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7. How to buy a Second Hand Car & SalikA really good way to start is to look on www.dubbizle.com to get an idea of price. All of the cars on Dubizzle are used and the majority is private sellers however there are a few dealers. You need to wait until you have all of the documents below before you buy a car.Buying using cash/credit card

Passport Resident Visa Emirates ID (application form is enough) UAE Driving License Insurance Policy for the car (you have to buy this before you pick up the

car)Financing (financing can only be done from a dealer)

Passport Resident Visa Emirates ID (application form is enough) UAE Driving License Insurance Policy for the car (you have to buy this before you pick up the

car) Letter of no objection from Kings’ 3 months proof of salary paid electronically into a UAE bank 20% deposit for the car (however this depends on the dealer as they can

usually make it 0% if you ask)You then need to decide if you will buy privately or from a dealer. I haven’t bought privately but I have heard many negative stories so just make sure you carefully check the service history out. You could however pick up a real bargain. I bought from a dealer and it was very straight forward plus some even offer warranties. The place to go either way is Al Awir Auto Market. It is roughly 25 minute drive from school and is just huge! There is something like 300 showrooms for you to look around and they have everything from a Mitsubishi Lancer to a Monster Trucks with everything else in between! Once you have agreed a price the car has to be tested, insured and then registered. The dealer did all of this for me so it was a very easy process! If buying privately you need to insure it and go to the testing and registration centre. For insurance get an idea of price at www.axa-gulf.com. The closest centre to school is in Al Quoz (literally 5 minutes away). The vehicle test costs AED120 and Registration (which has to be done every year) costs AED320. Once all complete they give you the registration card and your number plates to stick on.

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Salik

Salik is basically the toll system used on Sheikh Zayed Road. There are four gates around Dubai which you have to pay AED4 every time you pass them. Rather than having toll booths, it automatically reads the chip in your Salik tag and deducts it from your prepaid account. Once you have purchased your car you must immediately go and buy a Salik tag available from any fuel station otherwise you will be fined. You then have to stick it on the inside of the windscreen and register. Go to http://www.salik.gov.ae/en for more information.

Written by Nathaniel HydeICT Teacher

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8. How to get a Bank Loan with Emirates NBD1. You will need an NBD bank account with 6 salary cheques paid into it2. Contact your bank via phone and ask to apply for a loan3. The bank will then call you back to arrange to meet you in person (at a

location of your choice: work or home) 4. At the meeting you will need to supply: a photocopy of your labour card

(The Arabic secretary in school will email this to you), a photocopy of your ID card, a photocopy of your passport, a photocopy of your visa, a letter of no objection from school (school PA will be able to provide this)

5. At this meeting the banker will ask you to sign the application forms6. Once the bank has these details it will take 5-7 days for the loan to be

approved put into your account

Written by Emma OldfieldYear 3 Teacher

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9. How to Sponsor your FamilyResidency Visa Procedures in the UAE

Spouse sponsorship:

A husband may sponsor his wife’s residency in the UAE only if his total earnings amount to AED4000 per month or more. If the husband is the sole provider in the family then he should make all the necessary applications for a spousal visa hopefully with the assistance of his employers.

A wife may sponsor her husband if she is employed as a doctor; engineer or teacher and she should be earning more than AED5000 per month. However, there have been conflicting reports in the media with regards to a wife sponsors employment stating that if she is employed in a similar field to the ones mentioned above and has a salary of AED10000 or more the UAE government may consider allowing her to sponsor the husband.

Here are the documents that the sponsor and spouse will need to bring to the typing office:

The application form available from the local typing centre at the immigration department.

Two photographs of the sponsored spouse N.B. It is useful to always have extra photographs handy as a precaution.

The original entry permit of the sponsored spouse, this could be a tourist visa.

The original passports of the sponsor and the spouse and their photocopies.

Original and valid medical certificate. Sponsor’s employment contract, attested. Sponsor’s salary certificate, attested. Sponsor’s residence visa and copy. Tenancy contract in the sponsor’s name or if company provided. Health insurance for spouse. Marriage certificate; duly attested in home country and attested again

by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (04 404 0001) for AED200. N.B. They only ask for this part to be completed sometimes but it is better to do it just in-case and to save you wasting time!

They then have 60 days to complete the residence process with a medical test from a selected government clinic that involves both a blood test and a chest x-ray to rule out tuberculosis and HIV. This can cost anywhere between AED350 to AED750 depending on how quickly you need the results, though it usually takes no longer than a week and should retain the certificate for visa processing.

Collect the medical report from the hospital and, together with the original entry permit and your spouse’s original valid passport and two passport photographs, head back to the DNRD to get a three year residence visa stamped. You’ll be able to get the passport back the same day.

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The sponsor and spouse should visit the typing centre at the immigration department together. Have all the documents ready and fill the application forms in and pay the necessary fees here.

Fees are AED100 per year and spousal sponsorship is usually valid for three years. The total fee for a three year visa usually amounts to AED370 after extra charges are added.

Please be aware that a sponsored spouse is not allowed to be employed unless they have a labour card, work permit or employment visa.

Sponsoring children:

Male children can be sponsored by their families up to the age of 18, and thereafter to the age of 21 only if they are enrolled in a full time university or college degree. A female child can be sponsored by her family as long as she remains unmarried.

Here are the documents that the sponsor will need to bring to the typing office:

The application form available from the typing centre at the immigration department.

Two photographs of the child; N.B. It is useful to always have extra photographs handy as a precaution.

The original passports of the sponsor and the child and their photocopies.

Original and valid medical certificate. Sponsor’s employment contract, attested. Sponsor’s salary certificate, attested. Sponsor’s residence visa and copy. Tenancy contract in the sponsor’s name or if company provided. Health insurance for the child. Birth certificate; duly attested in home country.

Here are the steps to follow;

The child should have his/her blood tests and x-rays completed at an authorized medical facility and should retain the certificate for visa processing. N.B. Only required if child is over 16 years of age. No medical for children under 16!

The sponsor should visit the typing centre at the immigration department. Have all the documents ready and fill the application forms in and pay the necessary fees here.

Fees are AED100 per year and like spousal sponsorship, child’s sponsorship is usually valid for three years. The total fee for a three year visa usually amounts to AED370 after extra charges are added.

Always double check the requirements for a residency visa with the immigration department before you go there to avoid unnecessary trips to and from the department. Always bring original documents and their copies in both black and white and colour to have with you just in case they are needed. Remember to carry lots of photographs as a precaution if any extras are needed.

Summary - What you will need!

Marriage certificate - attested in home country21

Birth certificates for kids - attested in home country

Your original labour contract - attested (they do this at dnrd)

Original passports and copies for all of you

Passport photographs for each person you are sponsoring

Numerous amounts of forms to be typed, make sure you allow a day for all the red tape

Your wife will need a medical, if your kids are under 16 they won't

You will initially receive a 60 day "residence" visa for each. This then has to be changed to a full residency visa, you might as well wait until your wife's medical is done.

You can get it all pretty much done in a day, other than the final part. The medical result should only take a few days.

The Hatta Oman Visa Run

Many people who come to Dubai find that they need to do a visa run once or twice before their residency visa is taken care of by their company. Most people find it easiest to drive up to Hatta in Oman in order to do this. The process is not difficult although it can be time consuming. The drive from Dubai to Hatta is around 250km and the entire visa run process takes up to four hours, depending on the queues. Oman is a popular tourist destination so the border will be busier on weekends and public holidays.

What you will need:-

Your Passport A pen Cash/Credit Card/Debit Card Car insurance papers

The Process :

The road to Hatta/ Oman is quite straightforward and the road signs in Dubai are visible. However it is advisable to download the route from Google or to use your GPS device.

You will pass a few checkpoints where you may be asked to show your passport before you get to the actual UAE border.

You will come to a customs checkpoint before you exit the UAE. Here the customs officials will check your car and issue you with a customs ticket for your vehicle. Keep this ticket with you as you will be asked for it when processing your passport.

Next you will come to the UAE border. You will have to park your car and go to a window to take your UAE exit stamp. If you have overstayed your visa period you will have to pay all necessary fines before you will be allowed to move on.

Get back into your vehicle and drive for around 10km until you see a large dome shaped building. Follow the signs that say “new visa.”

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Once you reach the building go inside and tell them that you are doing a visa run, they will immediately stamp you into and out of Oman. Remember to get your customs ticket stamped as well (the one you got for your car). The visa will cost AED50 – AED200 depending on the day and the individual serving you! The cost of the visa changes at random but lately it has been AED50. Bring lots of money just in case!

When you have the entry and exit stamps from Oman get back into your vehicle and drive towards Dubai. Park your car at the border again and proceed to the window of UAE immigration and get a new entry stamp and visa.

Enjoy the drive back to Dubai!

Some things to remember : Your visa is valid for 30 days. The government gives visitors a 10 day

grace period without a fine. Thereafter you will be fined for everyday that you overstay.

Remember to have your car insurance with you. If you own a car than your UAE insurance is acceptable in Oman. However rental vehicles will need additional insurance for Oman.

Always be respectful and polite to the border officials. They can make your visa run smooth and they can make it a nightmare apparently.

Consider visiting Oman as a tourist for a night instead of just turning around at the border. Oman is a beautiful country with a rich history and an amazing sea.

Written by Michael ConnorYear 3 Teacher

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10. How to get a Mobile Phone and which Network to Choose

Pay as you go SIM cards can be purchased from many outlets across Dubai. The mobile stores have them but many supermarkets and shops (eg, Minutes the Key Cutting shop) have them too. Pay a set price (not much!) and then pop the SIM card in to your phone in the same way you would in the UK. You need a copy of your passport and the original to purchase. Usually takes up to 24 hours to activate but often quicker.

The big two!To say there is a huge amount of choice in Dubai is ... well, wrong! There are two networks which are both ultimately owned by the same people. 

EtisalatProbably the best for calls and texts. Each top up goes to a 'credit' which can be used whichever way you like. They often have offers like 50% extra top ups on a recharge. To use data (email, internet and whatsapp) you need an extra bolt on which appear to be more expense than Du (see below). Each top up lasts as long as the credit lasts you.

DuPossibly the better all rounder. When topping up with Du you can choose whether you would like credit, international credit or data credit meaning you can choose how you spend it. Unlike Etisalat, top ups are limited to 30 days so regardless of what you choose, you will need to top up again - although you won't lose unused credit.

Top Ups for both networks are available from any supermarket, mobile shop or online (with a UAE credit card). Top ups come in 20, 50, 100 and 200 dirhams with Du and similar with Etisalat.

Written by Russell SmartYear 6 Teacher

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11. How to link TV and Internet at HomeThis is dependent on which network you are with and this is entirely decided on the building. Your building/area will either be Du or Etisalat and you won't have a choice about this. Packages are different between the networks but ultimately offer the same subscription TV and broadband.

Etisalat require you to have a UAE visa before signing up although based on experience Du was happy to use a work permit. Both companies will require passport copies, visa/work permit copies, a copy of the accommodation lease and usually a letter of no objection. Sign up can be done in any Du or Etisalat store found across Dubai. Installation can be within 24 hours or a couple of days.

Payment to the companies needs to be made online or in branch - no direct debits available.

TV packages are similar to the UK with entertainment, sports and movie packages available. Premier League football is available on Abu Dhabi Sports whilst the OSN channels have the Western dramas and movies.

Internet speeds vary and are not always 100% reliable. Expect to pay more for basic speeds in comparison to the UK.

It is handy to get a VPN connection in order to watch British TV etc without restrictions. Film On is also an extremely good app for live TV and films!

Written by Russell SmartYear 6 Teacher

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Dubai Do’s and Don’ts12. Dubai Do’s and Don’tsDubai Do’sNightlife and Entertainment

Brunch! Friday brunch is a must. Explore them - there are so many on offer with huge variations in price and tastes

If eating and drinking all you want in the day doesn't take your fancy, find an evening brunch

Find a happy hour or too - Dubai doesn't have to be expensive. Almost every bar will have one offering discounts, half price, buy 1 get 1 free etc

Ladies nights (sorry men!) - different nights dependent on location offering either free or discounted drinks for ladies, some also include snacks

Try to catch a passing show. This year we have had Michael McIntyre, Justin Beiber and the Cirque du Soleil visit as well as regular gigs at Sandance and Atlantis

Sights

Dubai Creek and Souqs - sights, sounds and smells. Spend a whole 2 dirhams and travel the Creek on an abra too

Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque is a coach ride (or car) away. Stay overnight and explore the capital of the UAE

JBR has a nice 'European' style promenade with lots of chain style restaurants

lots of new restaurants are opening up around the Marina and worth a walk around

The Madinat has some nice shops and restaurants at tourist prices, but still worth a look

Sport

Abu Dhabi F1 takes place at the end of the year and is only an hour away at Yas Island

Rugby Sevens is a must, but not always for the rugby, held at the Sevens Stadium

Cricket 20/20 has a strong following and matches are played throughout the year in Sports City

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Surprisingly Dubai has quite a lot of running clubs, these cater for both the casual and serious runner, check them out on facebook or on their website, http://www.dubairoadrunners.com/ http://abrasac.org/ http://www.dubaicreekstriders.org/

There are a number of amateur soccer leagues with games taking place most evenings during the week. The following site is the league winners for the 2012-13 season http://dubaiirish.leaguerepublic.com/enter.do?siteid=576517

Gaelic Football is continually growing throughout the Middle East with Dubai being resident to Dubai Celts http://www.dubaicelts.com/ The league takes the format of 6 separate competitions involving travelling to other Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.

Gyms in Dubai - whilst you may have access to a gym in your building, group exercise classes and boot camps are all over the city. Expect to pay 50 dirhams and up for a class or get discounts for signing up for a membership (monthly or annually)

Other

The Entertainer books are a must buy - full of hundreds of buy 1 get 1 free vouchers for meals, cafes, days out and experiences. They cost £60 equivalent each but will save you £100s

Renting a car isn't essential but is a nice way to feel more independent in your new home. A Toyota Yaris is around 1700 dirhams a month. Why not rent for a month and explore the other Emirates one weekend?

Dubai Don'ts Don't feel you have to do every brunch, every week. Save some 'nicer'

ones for special occasions or for when family/friends visit Don't panic about putting on the 'Dubai Stone' - just accept that it's

going to happen Don't worry if something takes longer than you expect - 'later' means

tomorrow, 'tomorrow' means in a couple of days and 'next week' means ... well good luck! Just know that installations, contracts etc. will happen ... Eventually!

Don't do ALL the tourist attractions in your first few weeks, but do set yourself goals to visit places to avoid getting stuck in a routine

Top Tips before you come

Have lots of passport size photos ready as well as copies of your passport

TV and Internet might take a while so download some films or bring box sets to watch on your laptop

Your post will come through the school's address, therefore tell everyone at home to send any post to Your Name, c/o Kings' Dubai

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School, P.O Box 38199, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Don't rely on the postal service being prompt though, it can take weeks to get here!

Bring enough money to see you through your first month in Dubai including the induction period. You tend to be more social in these first 6 weeks along with sorting out the basics such as mobile phone and getting bits and bobs to make your apartment feel at home. Minimum recommended £1000GBP

Written by Russell SmartYear 6 Teacher

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13. Things to Do in your First Year!There are many different activities to suit anyone who either visits or lives in Dubai. Dubai can be easily enjoyed with popular places to entertain everyone!

Go to the Waterparks

The two most popular waterparks in Dubai are Wild Wadi and Atlantis. However, we found Dreamland to be extremely good for our young children!

Go to Ski Dubai

Located in Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai is a well-known indoor ski resort that can be enjoyed all year round. With ski Dubai having the largest indoor snow park in the world; it is easy to see why it would keep you entertained for hours with activities that include skiing, tobogganing and snowboarding or even watching the penguins!

Go on a Desert Safari

Whether you are living or visiting Dubai the experience is not completed until you have had a day out on a desert safari. A desert safari in Dubai is a day full of exciting activities such as dune bashing, camel riding and henna followed by the most popular activity: sand boarding down deep and daring sand dunes. The desert safari is then completed with an evening of entertainment as well as a BBQ dinner.

Go to the Observation Deck

Dubai is home to the tallest building in the world otherwise known as the Burj Khalifa. Going to the observation deck is a once in a life time experience that you will always remember!

Go to the Mall

For something simpler, going to the mall is also a way to keep busy on the weekend or in the summer holidays. Dubai is well known for its malls with the Dubai mall and Mall of the Emirates being the most popular.

Go to the Beach

Dubai has some of the most attractive beaches and visiting them is very popular with teenagers if they are looking to do something with friends. The Dubai beaches are best to visit in the winter and the Jumeriah Beach Park is great for kids and group BBQ’s with friends!

Go to the Parks

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Dubai’s largest parks such as the Creek Park and Al Safa Park are popular parks to walk around in. There are different activities available for families to take part in such as boat rides, cycling and various other sports.

Written by Michael ConnorYear 3 Teacher

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14. Other Information – Useful ContactsThe school postal address and contact details are:

Kings’ DubaiPO Box 38199DubaiUAE

Telephone: +971 4 348 3939Fax: +971 4 348 3223

Website: kingsdubai.com

Email: General Enquiries info@kingsdubai.com

Contact numbers for the Leadership Team are:

Kevin Stedman Chief Education Officer 050 645 6400Alison Wilkinson Headteacher 050 189 7037Tracey Skinner Deputy Headteacher 050 524 2982Matt Lecuyer Deputy & Assistant Headteacher 050 873 0689Heather Creighton Phase 1 Leader 050 749 1702Sarah Reynolds Phase 2 Leader 055 825 1733Hannah French Phase 4 Leader 055 539 5349Joseph Donaghey Leader of Learning Technologies 056 759 4233

Other staff contact details will be handed to you shortly once they have been updated.

You are not alone! We have all been new to Kings’ and to Dubai. Please do not be afraid to contact any of us or other staff for anything – however small or daft it may seem to you. We are here to help. We want you to settle in and be happy as part of the Kings’ team!

Lots more info to come….!

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