Dubai & the Emirates

Travelers to the United Arab Emirates need a valid Dutch passport/Belgian international travel document that is at least six months valid upon arrival in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Travelers can obtain a so-called visa-on-arrival (VOA) upon arrival.

The VOA is valid for up to 30 days and is issued free of charge. The visa can be extended once for an additional 30 days.

This information applies to travelers with Dutch/Belgian nationality. Please note that the availability of the visa and the validity of the passport and visa are subject to change.

The United Arab Emirates have a desert climate. It is almost always sunny, and rain is rare. During the winter months, the weather is pleasantly warm, making the Emirates an ideal winter sun destination. Temperatures during this period range between 25 and 30°C.

In the summer, it can become very hot, with temperatures rarely dropping below 30 degrees. In the months of July and August, temperatures can rise even further, sometimes exceeding 45 degrees.

It is always recommended to seek advice well before your trip about the necessary vaccinations. Although no vaccinations are officially required for a visit to the United Arab Emirates, certain vaccinations are recommended. It is advised to get the D.T.P. (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio), Typhoid, and Hepatitis A vaccinations. Contact Thuisvaccinaties.nl, your general practitioner, or the GGD for advice.

The sun in the United Arab Emirates is much stronger than in the Netherlands. We recommend gradually adjusting to the sun at the beginning and avoiding the hottest hours of the day. It is important to apply a high SPF sunscreen generously.

In the heat, you lose a lot of fluids. A deficiency in fluids can lead to severe headaches. We advise drinking plenty of water and taking regular breaks out of the sun. Pay special attention to children, as their skin is still very sensitive. Don't forget to bring sunglasses, a hat, or a cap.

When it is summer time in the Netherlands/Belgium, the time difference with the Emirates is 2 hours, and it is 2 hours later in the Emirates than in the Netherlands/Belgium. In winter, the time difference with the Emirates is 3 hours.

The currency of the United Arab Emirates is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). Money can be exchanged at the airport or at one of the many exchange offices.

Credit cards are also widely accepted in the Emirates. They can be used in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Many places in the Emirates have ATMs where you can withdraw cash using your debit card with the Europay, Cirrus, or Maestro logo, or with your credit card (AMEX, VISA, Mastercard, and sometimes Diners Club). Don't forget to set your debit card to international coverage.

On important holidays in the Emirates, shops and businesses may be closed, and travel can sometimes be more difficult. However, it is a unique experience to celebrate such a day with the local population. Certain museums and government institutions may be closed on holidays.

Since the Emirates are an Islamic country, the holidays align accordingly. The exact date is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, which is shorter than our solar calendar. As a result, the date of a holiday shifts forward by about 10 days each year. These are the main Islamic holidays:

• Ramadan

Every year, Muslims worldwide observe a fasting period during the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan. This means refraining from eating and drinking between sunrise and sunset for 30 days. Smoking, alcohol, and sexual activity are also prohibited. Muslims commemorate during this month that Prophet Muhammad received his first message from God, which he recorded in the Quran, and they experience Ramadan as a time of spiritual cleansing. When the sun sets, the so-called Iftar meal is enjoyed, followed by visiting family or going to the mosque to gather together.

It is often thought that visiting the Emirates during Ramadan is not a good idea for tourists, but this is not true. There is actually a lot of lively activity on the streets in the evenings, and everything is beautifully decorated. Some shops may be more limited in their opening hours, but most tourist attractions are accessible as usual during Ramadan. As a non-Muslim, you are not obliged to participate in Ramadan, and you can eat and drink during the day. However, it is highly appreciated not to do so in front of someone who is fasting. Smoking or drinking alcohol in public is not appreciated, but in tourist hotels, this is generally not an issue.

• Eid al-Fitr (Sugar Festival)

This is the first major Islamic holiday and is also called the small feast. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated when Ramadan ends. Many people visit family to celebrate together, causing public life to be largely quiet for about three days.

• Eid al-Adha (Sacrifice Festival)

The Sacrifice Festival is the largest Islamic holiday. Prior to Eid al-Adha, the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca takes place, which every Muslim with sufficient means should undertake at least once in their lifetime. It is customary to slaughter an animal on this day and share the meat with family, neighbors, friends, and the needy. It is therefore a festival of coming together and sharing, and it is very important for all Muslims.

• Muharram (Islamic New Year)

Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic year and coincides with the Hijrah, the commemoration of the Prophet's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.

Like the surrounding countries in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates is an Islamic state. However, unlike many other countries on the Arabian Peninsula, the Emirates are an open country and in many areas, one of the most progressive countries in the region.

Women in higher positions is quite normal in Oman, and alcohol and most other Western customs are now considered quite normal here. This also applies to Western clothing, but it is still advisable to be somewhat cautious with your clothing choices. Shorts above the knee, bare shoulders, tight clothing, and excessive exposure can be seen as offensive, and physical contact on the street between men and women is not appreciated.

If you wish to visit a mosque, you must adhere to the dress code (covering shoulders and legs, head covering for women). Swimwear is only allowed at the pool or on the beach. Sunbathing or swimming topless is strictly forbidden. During the month of Ramadan, the rules are stricter, and there are tighter regulations regarding eating and drinking in public.