Consular newsletter: September 2015
Updated 6 November 2018
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Welcome message from Her Majesty’s Consul General, Paul Fox.
It is a pleasure to welcome you all back to the UAE after the summer holidays, especially as I start off the new season as Consul General in Dubai after three years in Abu Dhabi. And to those who have just arrived in the UAE, a very warm welcome (no pun intended).
I’ve also discovered the wonderful world of twitter (courtesy of the excellent Comms Team here), so please do tweet me: @paulfox_fco
0.1 Consular tips this month
New to the UAE
If you are new to the UAE check out our website for information about living and working in the UAE. Click here for more details.
Helping British Nationals Abroad
From 2014-2015 stated the UAE was the seventh most likely country where British nationals would require consular assistance. The good news is the number of Britons arrested in the UAE for general arrests and drugs offences fell despite an increase in visitor numbers from Britain and a small expected rise in the number of deaths, mental health cases and hospital visits. Internationally, consular staff helped over 17,000 Britons who needed serious assistance abroad in 2014-2015.
How not to get in trouble in Dubai
For residents and visitor alike Click here to view a recent article highlighting the local laws and customs which get ex-pats into trouble in the UAE. The article refers to the Dubai Code of Conduct issued by Dubai Government, Executive Council. Click here for the Dubai Code of Conduct.
Prepaid e-gas card
Abu Dhabi residents can apply for an e gas card before 8th September. Application can be made on line at ADNOC Distribution or call 800 300 for more details. Click here for the full article.
Smart Gate registration in Dubai
UAE residents can now register to access the Smart Gates at Dubai airports free-of-charge at the Dubai Mall. Once registered, travellers can bypass the long lines at passport control clearing the immigration process at Dubai airports. For more information on how to register click here
Moving back to the UK?
Recent changes to the definition of ‘non residence’ for the purpose of income tax, make it essential for UK expatriates to familiarise themselves with the legislation. The Finance Bill 2013 Schedule 43 contains legislation for the UK’s first statutory residence test ‘SRT’ which can be used to determine for the relevant tax year, whether an individual is resident or not in the UK for tax purposes. To read more about it click here
Dash cams in the car
A newspaper article regarding the use of dash cams in private vehicles can be seen here and highlights issues which restrict their use in recording people who do not want to be recorded and places which may be restricted.
Top tip for driving in the UAE
Remember camels have the right of way on the roads in the UAE! [Click here]http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3151869/The-weirdest-traffic-laws-revealed.html) to read more.
0.2 Home and Away
A visit from The Right Honourable, Tobias Ellwood, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Last week, we welcomed Tobias Ellwood, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office back to the United Arab Emirates.
‘The UK, the UAE and the Gulf region should see each other as strategic partners for generations to come, not just in the face of the challenges of the present, forging mutually reinforcing partnerships for security, for prosperity and for stability.’ Check out his full opinion piece here
UKinUAE welcomes
Warm welcome to the British Embassy Abu Dhabi and the British Embassy Dubai
This month, we welcomed Her Majesty’s Consul General to Dubai, Paul Fox and Deputy Head of Mission, Stephanie Al-Qaq to Abu Dhabi.
Did you know?
On the 9th September 2015, Her Majesty The Queen became the longest-serving British monarch.
Look out for pictures on our social media of Her Majesty’s visits to the UAE in 1979 and 2010 this week.
How you can reach us:
British Embassy Abu Dhabi Khalid bin Waleed St (Street 22) PO Box 248 Abu Dhabi Email Tele: +971 2 610 1100
British Embassy Dubai Al Seef Road Bur Dubai PO Box 65 Dubai Email Tele: +971 4 309 4444
Global Response Centre: +44 20 7008 1500
UKinUAE on the web:
Twitter UKinUAE @UKinUAE
UK Trade & Investment British Embassy Dubai Tele: +971 (4) 309 4404 Email
For all Visa related enquiries Visa International Enquiry Service
Keep up-to-date with Her Majesty’s blog here
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