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Paper
Work
 There
is a minefield of paperwork to be completed for every document you
need in order to enjoy being a resident of the United Arab Emirates.
You
will need a constant supply of passport sized photographs, not only
when you arrive, but also as each year passes and certain documents
have to be renewed. Have a set of 25 photos taken on your arrival,
and ask for the negative so that you can have more copies made as
you need them.
Your
family will need about half this amount.
Residence
Visa
The United Arab Emirates works on a "sponsorship" system,
in other words, someone to vouch for you legally.
Your
residence visa is the key to many things: your labour card, driving
licence, liquor licence, buying a car, renting an apartment or villa
in your name, opening a current bank account to name but a few.
Allow at least four months for everything to fall into place.
Driving
Licence
 On
arrival in the United Arab Emirates, you may drive a hired car on
an International Driver’s Licence.
This
must be obtained from the AA in South Africa before your departure.
Failure
to drive with the correct licence could invalidate insurance cover.
It is also important to remember this regulation once you are settled
in the United Arab Emirates and have friends or family to visit
you, as the same system will apply to them.
Once
your Residence Visa has been granted, South African licence holders
may now automatically transfer their South African driving licence
to a UAE licence. This must be done at the Traffic Department, and
can be processed in one day.
However,
the regulations vary from one nationality to another, and in some
cases the entire test has to be re-done.
So
if you do not have a South African licence and have to do your driving
test again, be prepared for a two to three month procedure and budget
for taxi costs during this time.
ALWAYS carry your United Arab Emirates driving licence with you
when driving. If you fail to produce it during a spot-check or in
the case of an accident, you will be heavily fined.
PROCEDURES ADOPTED BY VEHICLES LICENSING
SECTION FOR THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
1. Documents required for issuance of registration certificate:
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Documents of the vehicle
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Vehicle test certificate (used cars only)
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The vehicle Insurance Policy (should be valid for 13 months until the expiry of the vehicle registration date)
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A passport photocopy
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A photocopy of the driving license
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A personal photograph
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An application duly filled in for the registration of the vehicle
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Letter of no objection from the employer (Residents only)
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A copy of the trade license if the vehicles is to be registered in the name of companies & establishments)
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Approval from traffic committee is necessary for heavy and pickup vehicles
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Payment of the prescribed fees.
2. Documents required for the issue of export, transfer, vehicles
acquisition, clearance, tourism and to whom it may concern certificates:
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Supporting documents of the vehicles
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Personal documents of the applicant
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The vehicles plate number (export, transfer, vehicles acquisition)
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Application form of the certificate required
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Test certificate of the vehicle (if the vehicle is to be transferred to one of the GCC countries)
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Presence of the vehicle owner or his duly authorised to present him.
-
Payment of fines for violations (if any)
-
Payment of the prescribed fees
PROCEDURES ADOPTED AT THE DRIVERS’ LICENSING
SECTION FOR THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
1
Documents required for opening a file to obtain a new Driving
License
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A
letter from the employer
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A
letter from the parents
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A
photocopy of valid passport (bearing a valid residence visa for
non-citizens)
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A
letter from the employer stating that the applicant works at
Sharjah (for those holding a residence visa in other Emirates)
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Women applicant should present a tenancy contract duly approved by
the Municipality
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Birth certificate
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The applicant should pass the Medical Examination prescribed by
the Licensing authority · 2 personal photographs
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Payment of the prescribed fees
2.
Required documents for renewal of the driving license:
-
A
photocopy of valid passport (bearing a valid residence visa for
non-citizens)
-
A
letter from the Employer (for those holding a residence visa in
other Emirates)
-
The applicant should pass the medical examination prescribed by
the Licensing Authority · The original expired license
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Payment of all fines for violations (if any)
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A
personal photograph
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Payment of the prescribed fees
3.
Documents required for the issue of a duplicate license:
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Same conditions and procedures required for the renewal of the
Driving License
4.
Documents required for the issue of the temporary permits:
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A
Photocopy of a valid passport (bearing a valid residence visa for
non-citizens)
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A
certificate stating the loss of the License (in case of its loss)
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Employment or visit Visa
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Original License (except in case of its loss)
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A
letter from the Employer or Sponsor
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The applicant should pass the Medical Examination prescribed by
the Licensing Authority. · Payment of fines for Violations (if
any)
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Two personal photographs · Payment of the prescribed fees
5.
Required documents for the issue of the following letters:
A)
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Driving License File Transfer from one Emirate to another:
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A
photocopy of valid passport (bearing valid residence visa for
non-citizens)
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A
letter proving that the applicant works in Sharjah (if he is
holding residence visa issued in another Emirate)
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Presentation of the License issued by the other Emirate A
personal photograph
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Payment of the prescribed fees
B)
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Testing File Transfer from one Emirate to another:
-
A
photocopy of valid passport (bearing valid residence visa for non
citizens)
-
A
letter proving that the applicant works in Sharjah (if he is
holding residence visa issued in another Emirate)
-
Presentation of the previous testing documents issued by the other
Emirate
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A
personal photograph · Payment of the prescribed fees
C)
-
Driving License file transfer to another Emirate:
-
A
photocopy of valid passport (bearing valid residence visa for
non-citizens)
-
A
letter requesting the file transfer to the other Emirate
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Payment of fines for violations (if any)
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A
personal photograph
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Payment of the prescribed fees
D)
-
Testing File transfer to another Emirate:
-
A
photocopy of valid passport (bearing valid residence visa for
non-citizens)
-
A
letter requesting the file transfer to the other Emirate
-
A
personal photograph
-
Payment of the prescribed fees
Liquor
Licence
In order to buy alcohol from a liquor shop, you will need a special
licence that looks similar to a passport, and which will allow you
to spend a maximum amount on alcohol every month. This amount is
calculated according to your monthly salary.
You
may only apply for the licence once your Residence Visa has been
granted, and provided you are a non-Muslim. This has to be done
through Police HQ, and the company will assist you with the procedure.
Alcohol
may only be purchased in the United Arab Emirates by people earning
Dhs4000 a month or more. Housewives may not buy alcohol. However,
wives of permit holders with a monthly quota of Dhs750 or more may
purchase liquor on their husband’s permit. An authorisation
form has to be completed and taken to Police HQ. Most liquor stores
have these forms.
Alcohol
is expensive as it is all imported, and is also subject to a 30%
tax. Alcohol is served in hotels, most of which have an informal
pub serving light meals as well as their more upmarket restaurants.
You
are permitted to bring in 2 litres of alcohol through Duty Free
when arriving in Dubai, and if you do drink alcohol, it would be
a good idea to bring in 2 litres of spirits or wine as you will
be unable to buy alcohol for about three months.
SOME DO’S
AND
DON’T’S ON ALCOHOL:
Don’t drink and drive. The alcohol limit for driving in the
United Arab Emirates is ZERO. Taxis are available on a 24-hour basis,
and for the price of one more round, take a taxi home.
Don’t
drink alcohol in public.
Do respect the law. There is tolerance towards alcohol for expats,
but don’t abuse it.
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