From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- United Arab Emirates Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 14:45:57 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1709 Path: world!bzs Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199804291049_MC2-3B63-F5A5@compuserve.com> Content-Disposition: inline Precedence: bulk Sender: "U.S. Department of State" <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com X-List-Info: LN=travel-advisories WHOM=76702.1202@compuserve.com Lines: 191 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - United Arab Emirates ============================================================ United Arab Emirates - Consular Information Sheet April 28, 1998 Country Description: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven independent emirates, each with its own ruler. The federal government exists as a constitutional republic, headed by a president and council of ministers. Islamic ideals and beliefs provide the conservative foundation of the country's customs, laws and practices. The UAE is a modern, developed country, and tourist facilities are widely available. Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required. In addition, an AIDS test is required for work or residence permits; testing must be performed after arrival. A U.S AIDS test is not accepted. For further information, travelers can contact the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, suite 700, 1255 22nd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, telephone (202) 955-7999. Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service by UAE carriers at present, or economic authority to operate such service between the U.S. and UAE, the U.S Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed UAE's civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of UAEs air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. Medical Facilities: Basic modern medical care and medicines are available in the principal cities of the UAE, but not necessarily in outlying areas. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proven useful. For further information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline, telephone 1-888-232-3228, or their autofax service at 1-888-232-3299, or via their Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. Information on Crime: Crime is generally not a problem for travelers in the UAE. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa." They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Drug and Crime Penalties: Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal substances are strict in the United Arab Emirates and convicted offenders may be subject to severe prison sentences and fines. Legislation enacted in January 1996, imposes the death sentence for convicted drug traffickers. A variety of drugs normally taken under a doctor's supervision in the United States are classified as narcotics in the UAE. Doctor's prescriptions should be carried along with any medication that is brought into the country. If suspected of being under the influence of drugs, individuals may be required to submit to blood and/or urine tests so that local authorities may make a determination as to usage. UAE authorities have been known to arrest travelers upon their arrival here and, based on recent prior drug use, to prosecute these travelers. Crimes of fraud, including passing bad checks and non-payment of bills (including hotel bills), are regarded seriously in the UAE and can result in imprisonment, as well as fines. Penalties are generally assessed according to religious law. If imprisoned, bail is generally not available to non-residents of the UAE. Drinking alcohol without a ministry of interior liquor permit is illegal and could result in arrest and/or fines and imprisonment. Alcohol is served at bars in most major hotels. However, this alcoholic beverage service is for those persons who are residing at the hotel. Persons not residing at the hotel who come in to use the facilitys bar technically are required to have their own personal liquor license. Liquor licenses are obtainable only by persons who possess UAE residency permits. Drinking and driving is considered a serious offense. Dual Nationality/Child Custody: The UAE government does not recognize dual nationality. Children of UAE fathers automatically acquire UAE citizenship at birth and must enter the UAE on UAE passports. UAE authorities have in the past confiscated U.S. passports of dual (UAE/U.S.) nationals. This does not constitute loss of U.S. citizenship, but should be reported to the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the U.S. Consulate General Dubai. Child custody decisions are based on Islamic law. It is difficult for an American woman, even a Muslim, to obtain custody of her dual national (UAE/U.S.) children through the UAE courts. Custody cases are complex and involve the courts consideration of parents' religion, place of permanent residence, income, and the mothers subsequent marital status. Children involved in custody disputes in local courts are generally subject to travel bans regardless of their nationality. Business Disputes: American citizens may become involved in disputes of a commercial nature involving the withholding of the American citizen's passport by the local firm or courts. Travel bans may also be enforced on American citizens involved in financial disputes with a local sponsor or firm. These bans, which are rigidly enforced, prevent the individual from leaving the UAE for any reason until the matter is resolved. Although it is customary for a local sponsor to hold an employee's passport, it is not required under UAE law. Most contractual/labor disputes can be avoided by clearly establishing all terms and conditions of employment or sponsorship in the labor contract at the beginning of any employment. Should a dispute still arise, the UAE ministry of labor has established a special department to review and arbitrate labor claims. A list of local attorneys capable of representing Americans in such matters is available from the consular and commercial sections of the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the U.S. Consulate General in Dubai. Travelers intent to reside and work in Abu Dhabi should have their academic and occupational certificates duly authenticated by the Department of State's authentication office in Washington, D.C. before traveling to the UAE. UAE labor law requires local sponsors to produce employees' academic and/or professional certificates duly authenticated from the individual's country's foreign ministry before a work permit can be issued. Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in the UAE. While road conditions are generally good, unsafe driving practices are common, especially on inter-city highways. Traffic safety laws, including speed limits and seat belt regulations are only selectively enforced, especially for UAE citizens. On highways, wandering camels, unmarked speed bumps and drifting sand create additional hazards. Country-wide traffic laws impose stringent penalties for certain violations, particularly driving under the influence of alcohol. Penalties may include hefty jail sentences and fines, and, for Muslims, lashings. Persons involved in an accident in which another party is injured automatically go to jail until the injured person is released from the hospital. Should a person die in a traffic accident, the driver of the other car is liable for payment of compensation for the death (known as "dhiyya") usually the equivalent of $41,000. Even relatively minor accidents may result in lengthy proceedings, during which both drivers may be prohibited from leaving the country. In order to drive, UAE residents must obtain a UAE driver's license. Foreign driver's licenses are not recognized and temporary UAE licenses are no longer issued. However, a non-resident visitor to the UAE can drive if he/she obtains a valid international driver's license issued by the motor vehicle authorities of the country whose passport the travelers holds. The UAE recognizes driver's licenses issued by other Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) states only if the bearer is driving a vehicle registered to the same GCC state. Under no circumstances should anyone drive without a valid license. Non-GCC citizens departing the UAE via land are required to pay a departure fee of UAE dirhams 20 (equivalent to $5.45). This fee is payable only in the local UAE dirham currency. Registration and Embassy Location: U.S. citizens who register at the Embassy or the Consulate General can obtain updated information on travel and security within the UAE. The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is located on Al-Sudan St., P.O. Box 4009. The telephone number is (971) (2) 436-691. The U.S. Consulate General in Dubai is located at the Dubai International Trade Center, P.O. Box 9343. The telephone number is (971) (4) 313-115. The workweek in Abu Dhabi is Saturday through Wednesday, in Dubai Sunday through Thursday. No. 98-45 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 7, 1996, to update information on aviation safety oversight, dual nationality/child custody, business disputes, the new address for the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C., the new phone numbers for the CDC, and the overland departure fee. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories