The Dubai Expat Diaries

It is soon going to be compulsory to have an ID card to access the internet from public locations such as cafes and shopping malls. This move is intended to protect children and prevent cyber crime. This highlights the growing importance of having an ID card in the near future. Expats who don’t have an [...]

Recent news have been dominated by the shutting down of the European airspace for days, which has happened for the first time in history, crippling the airline industry and leaving millions of travelers stranded around the globe. There are several stories of Dubai expatriates among others unable to return home, businesses suffering huge losses due [...]

According to Gulf News, expats who wish to bring their families here will now be required to earn minimum AED 10,000 and also rent an independent accomodation: Major General Nasser Al Awadi Al Menhali, director general of the Naturalisation and Residency Department (NRD), said the decision was made after a study by the Ministry of [...]

Another company Istithmar World has laid off 10 percent of its workforce, adding to the growing list of companies in Dubai firing their staff as a result of the global credit crunch. It is but obvious the impact these recent job losses as well as the general state of the economy will have on an ordinary expat’s psyche. A new research by YouGovSiraj shows [...]

There’s good news for all the UAE expats and tourists who have been eagerly waiting for the best shopping festival in the region, DSF 2009(Dubai Shopping Festival 2009) is just around the corner. It has been a big hit from its very first launch in early 1996, getting bigger and better every year. This year, the 14th edition of the Dubai Shopping [...]

Dubai has done it again. A new project by design house Palazzo Versace in Dubai has made headlines around the world. The AED 3 billion luxury resort to be built in Culture Village will have the world’s first climate-controlled beach for the hot summer days when temperatures easily go over 40C.

Sheikh Mohammed has ordered the cancellation of all New Year celebrations in Dubai as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people. There has been a lot of confusion over which or if any of the planned events will go ahead. If you have purchased tickets or made bookings, you may have to check with the venue for their [...]

There has been a new addition to the ever-growing list of shopping malls in Dubai, another one has just opened its doors in Dubai Marina. The Dubai Marina Mall boasts of a total of 160 stores, including a supermarket (the second Waitrose in Dubai), a six-screen cineplex, and a seven-storey Gourmet Tower.  Only a part [...]

The Emirates Identity Authority has announced the following schedule for the ID card registration of the expatriates in the UAE. They have been divided into four different categories based on profession/industry; each with its own time frame for registration. Residents and Professionals working for the Government and the Private Sector have been given a deadline [...]

A funny piece sent to us by a reader via email…   What to expect when you receive your UAE ID Card in year 2010: Operator :’Thank you for calling Pizza Hut . May I have your…’ Customer: ‘Helloo, can I order..’ Operator : ‘Can I have your multi UAE identity card number first, Sir?’ [...]