More About UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), formerly known as the Trucial States, is comprised of seven individual emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, and Umm al-Qaiwain. The UAE shares borders with Saudi Arabia and Oman, and has coastline on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.


The UAE is a dynamic and congenial blend of Arabic culture and Western culture: you hear the prayer call five times a day, and see beautiful mosques throughout the cities, while at the same time, women drive cars, the government promotes tourism, and the finest Western hotels serve food from all over the world.


Four-fifths of the UAE is desert, yet it is a country of contrasting landscapes, from awe-inspiring dunes to rich oases, precipitous rocky mountains to fertile plains.The United Arab Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing tourist destinations, has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable holiday, sun, sand, sea, sports, unbeatable shopping, top-class hotels and restaurants, an intriguing traditional culture, and a safe and welcoming environment.

The main reasons cited by doctors for choosing to work there:
1. Luxurious lifestyle
2. Generous tax-free incomes
3. Cultural experience/ Medical Sabbatical
4. First class healthcare systems
5. Generation of savings for return to country of domicile

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the overall benefits of working in the United Arab Emirates?
The benefits include:- tax-free income (see query below)- free, furnished, air-conditioned accommodations- medical coverage- generous vacation time- easy access to exciting travel destinations in Europe, Africa, and Asia- return airfare- the opportunity to immerse yourself in an ancient culture- the opportunity to work with people from around the world.

What religions are practiced in the UAE?
Islam is the official religion of the UAE. However, in the major cities, there are Roman Catholic, Protestant, and/or Orthodox churches that serve the expatriate community.

What cities in the UAE have international airports?
There are a number of international airports in the UAE. Those most commonly used by Western expatriate staff are in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.Where on the internet can I get other information about the UAE?uae-embassy.org is the site of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates located in Washington, DC and uae-embassy.com is the site of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates located in Ottawa. Both provide information on the country.

Is English spoken in the hospitals?
English is the working language in the hospitals. Translators, and ward clerks who act as translators, are always available to assist in communicating with patients who do not speak English. People quickly pick up basic Arabic phrases related to their jobs.

Where will I live?
Most expatriate staff are housed in hospital-provided accommodations.
Who makes up the expatriate community?
Like your coworkers, the expatriate community is made up of citizens from throughout the world: Americans, Canadians, Australians, British, Irish, Egyptians, Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, Filipinos, Malaysians, South Africans, etc., etc. The population of the UAE is approximately 3.4 million, and about half of these are expatriates.

What is the social life like?
Like anywhere, in many ways the social life is what you make it. Recreational activities include: shopping festivals; boat cruises; desert safaris; horse/camel racing; golf; sand-boarding; etc.

I am a woman. Will I have to veil?
Non-Muslim expatriate women are not required to veil.
I am a woman. What sort of clothing will I wear?
It is recommended that non-Muslim expatriate women dress in conservative, loose-fitting clothing.

Can women drive in the UAE?
Yes. Women are allowed to drive in the UAE. When in the UAE on a Residency permit, they first need to obtain a UAE driver's license. When in the UAE on a visit visa, they can drive on an international driving permit.

What is available to buy?
Pretty much everything.Alcohol - although the UAE is a Muslim country, purchasing and drinking alcohol in a licensed club, bar, or restaurant is legal for non-Muslims who are over 21. To buy alcohol for home consumption, one must have a personal liquor license, which can only be obtained once the person has residency status, which can take four to eight weeks. The cost is approximately 105 Dh (approximately $30US). (While drinking is permitted as described, obviously, being drunk and/or disorderly in public is not permitted!)Pharmacies - pharmacies are open at convenient times, and as in the West, many pharmaceuticals can be obtained over the counter.Clothing - "regular" clothing, and high-end designer clothing and sportswear is easy to find, but you can't always try it on!Bathing Suits - these are easier to find in the UAE than in Saudi Arabia, but you will want to bring at least one with you.Electronics - electronic stores abound, selling the latest in computers, audio, and video equipment. Videos and DVDs are also available, but these may have been censored.Jewellery - jewellery shopping in the gold souqs (markets) is very popular for expatriates (and locals) and rarely does an expat leave without a sizable gold collection.English-Language Books - English reading material can be found at book stores and grocery stores, but the materials are usually more expensive than in one's home country and the selection is not as varied. (Expatriates have book clubs and informal book exchanges, too.)Food - (see below).

What is the food like?
The UAE has a wide variety of restaurants, allowing expatriates to go on a culinary world tour, sampling Arabic, Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Filipino, Mexican, Turkish, Indian, Pakistani, etc. cuisine. Furthermore, you will find familiar American chain restaurants such as McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and Dairy Queen. Supermarkets provide all sorts of food which you are accustomed to buying at home, from ketchup to Twinkies to skim milk. Fruit and vegetable souqs (markets) provide excellent fresh produce, although fresh produce is also readily available at supermarkets.

What television channels can I get in the UAE?
You can purchase a package of cable TV services that includes stations such as ESPN, CNN, BBC, the Movie Channel, etc. Packages are not expensive and are sometimes provided in hospital accomodation.

How am I paid?
You are paid monthly by direct deposit into a local bank. You are paid in UAE Dirhams (Dh), which are tied to the US dollar at a rate of US$1=3.67Dh.Do people keep their money in their UAE bank accounts?For saving purposes, people transfer their money off-shore, since no interest is paid on accounts in the UAE. Any bank will wire transfer money for you, as this is common practice for expatriates. Most people only keep basic spending money in their UAE account.

What does "tax-free income" mean?
No income tax is deducted in the UAE, and there is no sales tax (except a 30% tax on alcohol purchases - see our query above on shopping).

Can I use my credit card in the UAE?
Yes. Major credit cards (e.g. VISA, American Express) are used throughout the UAE, but not all shops accept them.

Can I use my ATM card in the UAE?
Yes. ATM machines accept cards from all over the world via systems like Mastercard, Visa, AMEX, Cirrus and Plus. You can also get an ATM card for your local account.Does IMR charge a recruitment fee?All our services are free o charge to all candidates we find employment for and their family.

Can my family and friends come to the UAE to visit me while I am working there?
Your friends and family can visit you in the UAE. Citizens of over 30 countries (including Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, United States) will be granted a visit visa free of charge upon arrival in the UAE. Tourists have their passports stamped with the visit visa when they pass through Immigration at any UAE airport. The visa entitles the holder to stay in the country for 60 days and may be renewed once for an additional period of 30 days for a fee of Dh500 (approximately US$136). The UAE has many fine hotels operated by familiar chains (e.g. Hyatt, Hilton, Sheraton, etc.)

What about schools?
Adult Education - expatriates who want to take degree/diploma courses (e.g. RN diploma to BScN, MBA, etc.) usually take distant education or online courses through institutions in their own country, since most colleges and universities now offer this type of program. However, there are a number of colleges and universities in the UAE that have foreign connections, e.g. The American University in Sharjah.Children's Education - If a person is eligible for a married status contract (generally all doctors and senior health administrators), the contract usually covers education of two to three dependent children (depending on the employer). The amount of coverage is capped, so the full cost of education may not be covered depending on the child's age and the institution the child attends. Also, coverage is only from grade one to 12. Preschool and kindergarten classes are available but are not covered in the contracts. The children of expatriates attend local private schools (e.g. the American School of Dubai, the Abu Dhabi Grammar School (Canada), The American International School in Abu Dhabi, etc.) or are sent to boarding school abroad.

Are there any English newspapers?
There are three: Gulf News, the Khaleej Times, and The Gulf Today.

Is the internet available?
A person can apply to an ISP for internet access from home once s/he has obtained residency status and obtained a personal phone line. There are also internet cafes in the cities and computers at the hospital. All internet traffic in the UAE is processed through centralized servers that filter content that is contrary to Islamic values, so some sites will not be available, such as those with sexually explicit content, some entertainment sites, etc.SalariesSalaries are very generous in the Middle East and generally vary with experience and seniority. Medical Specialists in most hospitals earn a salary package over US$200,000. Senior physicians in large hospitals may earn substantially more than this. Please enquire for further information about working in the Gulf Region.

source : www.imrgulf.com/aboutuae.htm