Dubai: To meet the annual rush of new UK expats moving to the UAE at this time of year, the British Embassy in the UAE has launched a social media campaign to offer British nationals some pointers on settling into their new digs.
The new information blitz known as ‘Checking In’, comes on the heels of the ‘Checking Out’ campaign earlier this year which helped lay out steps needed for expats to clear their to-do list to permanently return to the UK,
Philip Parham, UK Ambassador to the UAE, said in a statement on Wednesday that expats can find additional information by subscribing to the consular newsletter found at consular.uae@fco.gov.uk.
“This is the time of year when we see the greatest number of British nationals moving to the UAE. Some of them may not be aware of the length of time it takes to become established in the UAE and the paperwork and licences that need to be obtained. This campaign aims to highlight the most important issues. I would also advise any British national coming to the UAE to check our Travel Advice, and our linked advice on Living in the UAE, and to sign up to our consular newsletter,” Parham said.
While every aspect of living abroad can’t be covered in a limited campaign, organisers of the latest embassy effort have included a number of key talking points on the Checking In social media campaign on their Facebook and Twitter accounts.
On its www.facebook.com/ukinuae/ website for the campaign, officials offer small pearls of wisdom for newbie expats from the UK who have recently moved to the UAE.
“Many people need consular assistance because they do not ‘Check in’ properly when they first get here. Don’t let it be you. Remember, if you’ve just arrived in the UAE there is a lot of paperwork that needs to be completed to ensure you stay legal,” the campaign advises.
The campaign reminds newly arrived expats to ensure they have the proper documents, including a UAE driving licence, residency visa, health insurance and Emirates ID card.
The campaign also includes links on a variety of issues such as respecting cultural values in the UAE to avoid problems.
“There are an estimated 100,000 resident British nationals in the UAE and over a million British nationals visit every year. To ensure that your stay is memorable, for all the right reasons, keep in mind that you are no longer in the UK. Respect the laws and values of the country and your stay should be an extremely enjoyable one,” expats are advised.
“The UAE is built on generations of Islamic traditions which are rooted firmly in its culture and tribal heritage. These traditions have been passed down from generation to generation and form the very cornerstone of everyday life for an Emirati family. The Emiratis are friendly people who show tolerance and an ope-minded approach to visitors in their country; but their culture and values should always be respected.”
Tips for new UK expats
Residence visa
Your employer is responsible for obtaining a visa for you and your family. You will need to surrender your visa temporarily and can’t travel out of the UAE while the visa application process is under way.
Health insurance
All medical services must be paid for in the UAE. Expats are advised to have travel insurance until they are fully covered by their employers’ health insurance policies. Bring vaccination certicates and your children’s health records as well.
Emirates ID
Emirates ID is mandatory for all UAE residents. When applying, have plenty of passport-sized photos ready for registration.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/ukinuae/
