Focus on UAE

Getting permission to work in the United Arab Emirates can seem rather complicated. But for the majority of people it's simply a case of getting a Residency Visa and a Work Permit. These are what allow you to live and work wherever you like within the country.

To obtain a Residency Visa and Work Permit, you need to have what's known as an ‘official sponsor'. This is usually the company you'll be working for. There will of course be some red tape to negotiate, but your employer is legally obliged to guide you through the necessary legal documentation before you arrive in the country.

It's worth mentioning that you need to have your Residency Visa before you can obtain any other documents (such as a driving licence or health card) from the government authorities.

The local currency in the UAE is the dirham (AED or Dhs). It's tied to the US dollar at a rate of 3.6725 and is currently (October 2011) at a rate of about six against the pound sterling.

Most expats are paid in dirhams but - depending on the nationality of your company - your salary may also be paid in dollars or sterling. Anything you earn will also be tax free, as there are currently no income tax laws in the UAE.

Cost of living:

The cost of living in the UAE has increased massively over the last few years and can be roughly equated to living in a major international city. However, it's possible to make savings in other areas - such as where you buy groceries - to keep your overall cost of living down. For

using post-dated cheques.

Some landlords use agencies, in which case you may find yourself paying an agency fee. This can be anything from 5% to 15% of the annual rent so make sure you check in advance.

Dubai is often considered to be a cheaper place to live than Abu Dhabi, particularly if you live in ‘New Dubai’ amongst all the sky-scrapers. However, bear in mind that living further out means you’ll need to invest in a car.

Average apartment prices range from 17,000 Dhs per year to 95,000 Dhs per year. Villas tend to be much grander; they often have private gardens and swimming pools and are subsequently much more expensive.

As you would expect, the UAE culture is firmly rooted in its Islamic traditions and this impacts every aspect of daily life. That being said, foreign workers make up about 80% of the population and it's subsequently become one of the most tolerant and welcoming countries in the Muslim world.

Non-muslims are allowed to buy alcohol, pork is available in certain supermarkets and celebrations of Christmas and other religious festivals are not taboo.

The UAE is constantly growing and adding to its amenities and facilities and there's an enormous choice of things to do and places to