Before you Arrive

This section outlines the details that must be addressed in preparation for your departure from your current home and arrival in the U.A.E. Especially important are the various documents required for visa processing for both you and your family members.

Documents to Send to HR ASAP	Important Documents	Attesting Documents	Visas and Sponsorships
What To Bring	Luggage, Shipping, and Customs	Inoculations	Pets

Documents to Send to HR ASAP

There are numerous essential documents that you must email (scanned copies), fax or mail to the HR team immediately on receipt of your offer and draft contract. Plus there are several documents you must bring with you on your first day at ZU - Orientation.

This page outlines the critical documents that you need to send to HR and to organize in advance of your arrival: Passport, Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate (of your children), Adoption/Custody Papers, Signed Letter from Father or Mother, Verification of Qualifications/Transcripts, Driving License.

What do I bring?

Click here for information and a checklist of important documents essential to facilitate your hiring, if relocating, and arrival.

Important Documents

Before you arrive, it is essential you have all of the correct documents. The documents are needed to obtain a Residence Visa which will entitle you to work in the U.A.E. and in turn allow you to sponsor your spouse and dependent children for residence in the U.A.E. and, if desired, a domestic helper.

Although the number of documents and the required endorsements may seem excessive, it's vital that all of the documents are provided. Entry into the U.A.E. is strictly controlled and just one document that does not have the required signature or stamp may result in refusal of a Residence Visa and thus refusal into the country. Holders of Middle Eastern and North African passports can expect an additional delay in document processing as they are subject to a security check. Anyone employed in Abu Dhabi is also subject to a security check.

Family members who will not be residing with you in the U.A.E. do not need any of the documents below. They will simply be issued Visit Visas if, and when, they come to visit the U.A.E. Depending on your family's nationality, Visit Visas can be obtained upon arrival at the airport, or applied for ahead of the visit in which case a photocopy of the family member's passport will be required (Human Resources will help you with the application).

Family members who will be residing with you in the U.A.E. will be issued with Visit Visas if they travel with you to the U.A.E. Their residence visas will be processed after you receive your Residence Visa. Family members who will be residing with you in the U.A.E. will be issued with Residence Visas if they arrive after you receive your Residence Visa.

Below is a summary of the documents that you and your dependent family members will need. You may need one or more of the documents below. Read the following carefully and determine which documents apply to you and to your family (only if they will be residing with you in the U.A.E). For a detailed explanation of each, click on "More Info".

Update November 6, 2009 - We recommend that you bring, with you on the airplane, attested copies AND originals of important documents that you may need in future - this includes documents such as birth certificates, diplomas or degrees of the employee and family members, marriage certificates, drivers licenses, etc. By having them here with you in the U.A.E., you have easy access should the need arise to present original or attested documents. Also, once you receive your Employement Visa (via Email) from the HR Department, be sure to print out a copy and carry it with you as it will be required upon arrival at the airport.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Human Resources Department for clarification of any of the procedures or documentation required.

Keep in mind that the local government agencies may change processing or other requirements at any time and you must be prepared to meet potentially changing criteria.

A. Passports	More Info
For the employee, spouse, and dependent children who will be residing with the employee in the U.A.E.
Passport (with at least six months' validity, three blank pages (in addition to any pages set aside for "Amendments and Endorsements"), and no Israeli visa stamps). Three months' validity is acceptable for family members.

B. Marriage Certificate

More Info

For married employee whose spouse will be residing in the U.A.E.

The original or a photocopy of the marriage certificate must be attested by a U.A.E. Consulate.

NOTE: Once you arrive in the U.A.E., you will ALSO be required to have your marriage certificate further attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and for residents of Abu Dhabi translated into Arabic. You will be responsible for these costs.

C. Birth Certificates

More Info

For dependent children who will be residing with the employee in the U.A.E.

The originals or photocopies of the birth certificates must be attested by a U.A.E. Consulate.

NOTE Once you arrive in the U.A.E., you will ALSO be required to have the birth certificates further attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and for residents of Abu Dhabi translated into Arabic. You will be responsible for these costs.

D. Adoption/ Custody Papers	More Info
For dependent children who are adopted or whose parents are divorced. Originals or photocopies of these documents must be attested by a U.A.E. Consulate and translated into Arabic. You will be responsible for these costs. NOTE: Once you arrive in the U.A.E., you will ALSO be required to have the documents further attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and translated into Arabic.
Sole Custody	The original or a photocopy of the custody agreement must be attested by a U.A.E. Consulate.
Joint Custody	A letter from the father/mother and endorsed by the employee must be attested by a U.A.E. Consulate.
Adoption	The original or a photocopy of the adoption papers must be attested by a U.A.E. Consulate.

E. Signed Letter from the Father or Mother	More Info
For the female employee whose dependent children will reside in the U.A.E. without the father or where joint custody of children exists.
A no objection letter from the father/mother must be attested by a U.A.E. Consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the U.A.E.

F. Verification of Qualification or Official Transcripts

More Info

For the employee.

The official transcripts of degrees attained and other relevant academic and/or professional qualifications obtained by the employee must be forwarded directly to the Human Resources Department from the issuing institution.

Faculty and academic leaders must provide official transcripts for all degrees held; those joining ZU in staff positions must provide transcripts for the highest and most relevant degree held.

In exceptional cases or in countries where transcripts are not issued by the granting institution, the individual must request written verification of qualifications to be sent from the granting institution directly to the University.

See "More Info"


G. Attestation of Diploma(s) or Degree(s) Held
For the employee & accompanying family members.
We recommend that you arrange for attestation of the employee's degree(s) and accompanying spouse or dependents and bring these documents with you to the U.A.E. While ZU does not require an attested diploma or degree for the work visa of the employee (see Verification of Qualifications above), you WILL require the attested diploma(s) in some cases. Thus, in order to be prepared for any contingency, we do recommend attestation of diploma(s) and degree(s) as well as bringing originals to the U.A.E.

H. Driving License	More Info
For the employee and spouse who intend to drive in the U.A.E.
Bring your home country driving license with you if you intend to drive in the U.A.E.

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Attesting Documents
The following information on attesting documents has been obtained from the government departments, Consulates and Embassies mentioned. However, we recommend you contact these organizations to confirm the procedures and costs before proceeding.

Be prepared! Start the attestation process early as it can take several months depending on your country of processing. We recommend that you attest all key documents before arrival and to bring the attested documents and originals (for easy access) in the event they are needed in future.

Documents issued in the UK, Turkey, Italy, New Zealand, and South Korea can be attested in the U.A.E. by taking them to the respective Consulate or Embassy and the U.A.E. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Australian documents can be attested by the Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Australian Consulate in Dubai but only after they have first been attested by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia. Please see this document issued by the Australian government Attestation/Notarisation of Documents.

Recently some of the attestation protocols have been changed by the U.A.E. authorities. Don't be surprised if on arrival another step may be requested, such as translation into Arabic at a local typing center.   Best to anticipate change and arrive with all important documents (originals and attested).

For attestation procedures, click on the links below. You may also wish to check the Web sites of the government offices and the U.A.E. Embassy in your home country for further information. You will be responsible for taking the documents to the Ministry and for the cost of the attestations and translations. The Visa and Housing Officer for your campus will advise you on the process.

United Kingdom

United States of America

Canada

Australia

New Zealand

Other Countries

Start with Step 1 and then bring or send the resulting documents to the office listed in Step 2 and so on. All steps must be completed with the ultimate goal of having the document attested by a U.A.E. Consulate.

Documents in languages other than English or Arabic must be translated into English or Arabic prior to your arrival in the U.A.E.

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Visas and Sponsorships

Zayed University will sponsor you, the employee, for an Employment Visa and then a Residence Visa, but cannot sponsor family members. Family members are sponsored by the employee.

Once the necessary documents are forwarded to Zayed University, we will process the documents and you will enter the U.A.E. on an Employment Visa. The Employment Visa is valid for sixty calendar days from the date of issue. We will email a copy of the Employment Visa to you prior to your departure so be sure to print out a copy and have it with you.

When you arrive in the U.A.E. with your required documents, the Department of Immigration can then process your Residence Visa. This usually takes up to four weeks. Human Resources will prepare the paperwork and file the application on your behalf. A Residence Visa entitles you to work in the U.A.E. and is valid for three years. Once you have a Residence Visa and all of the necessary documents, you can sponsor your spouse and any dependent children who will be residing in the U.A.E. Again, Human Resources will prepare the paperwork and file the application on your behalf.

If your family members accompany you to the U.A.E., they can enter the U.A.E. on a Visit Visa which will later be transferred to a Residence Visa. This usually takes up to eight weeks. If your family members arrive after you, it is best if they arrive after you have received your Residence Visa as their residence visas can then be processed prior to their arrival. This option saves the extra step and cost of converting a Visit Visa to a Residence Visa.

Note

Once you arrive in the U.A.E. on an Employment Visa, you cannot leave the country until your Residence Visa has been stamped in your passport.

Once family members arrive in the U.A.E. on a Visit Visa, they cannot leave the country until their Residence Visas have been stamped in their passports. If family members need to leave the U.A.E. before this time, they must advise Human Resources and we will delay the Residence Visa until their return to the U.A.E.

If your spouse and/or dependent children accompany you to the U.A.E., they will enter on a Visit Visa. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) do not need visas to enter the U.A.E. Nationalities that can obtain Visit Visas upon arrival are:

Middle Eastern
GCC expatriate residents (certain nationalities and professions).

British
British citizens with the right of abode in the UK (but not UK Overseas passports).

Western European
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican

Other
Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, USA

Visit Visas for the above nationalities are stamped on arrival at the point of entry, are free of charge, and are valid for period specified on the visit visa (typically thirty days; dependent on the nationality and immigration regulations). Family members who will be accompanying you to the U.A.E. and who are not one of the above nationalities should inform Human Resources. Human Resources will take the necessary steps to process a Visit Visa.

A Residence Visa also entitles you to sponsor a domestic helper. However, the Department of Immigration is very strict about issuing visas to domestic helpers and in particular domestic helpers who have any family connection with the sponsor. Single persons or married persons without children or families where the wife is not working may find it difficult to obtain permission to employ a domestic helper. Note that it is illegal to employ a domestic helper who is on someone else's sponsorship. However, there are agencies from which domestic helpers may be hired on an hourly basis.

To sponsor a domestic helper, an initial outlay of approximately Dhs 6,724 is required. The annual cost of sponsoring a domestic helper is approximately Dhs 5,550. These numbers are subject to change at any time.

If you wish to sponsor a domestic helper, contact the Visa and Housing Officer for your campus. He will advise you on the latest regulations, procedures and costs.

Note

In Dubai, women employed in teaching (Faculty) and non-teaching positions at the management level can sponsor their families for residence in the U.A.E. Non-teaching (faculty) members will have to provide a certified, notarized, and attested copy of their highest degree or professional qualification.

In Abu Dhabi, only women employed in teaching (faculty) positions can sponsor their families for residence in the U.A.E.

Certified, notarized, and attested copies of the marriage certificate and any dependent children's birth certificates are required, as well as any supplementary documents as required by the situation.

Be prepared! Start the attestation process early as it can take several months depending on your country of processing. We recommend that you attest all key documents before arrival and to bring the attested documents and originals (for easy access) in the event they are needed in future.

Costs

Zayed University will pay the cost of the Employment Visa and the Residence Visa for the employee, and the Residence Visa and Visit Visa for the employee's spouse and up to three dependent children.

Extra costs associated with the lack of documentation will not be covered by Zayed University.

The employee is also responsible for all costs involved in certifying, notarizing, attesting and translating documents.

What To Bring

You may ship all your furniture, household goods, your pets and even your car to the U.A.E. However, the U.A.E. has excellent shops and you will be able to buy everything you need in the U.A.E. You may want to bring some personal items which have a sentimental value to help make your new home more familiar.

Although the U.A.E. has a good selection of English book stores, books do tend to be expensive. Therefore you may wish to bring or ship books to the U.A.E., but check with your College or Department to see if they already have the professional books and materials you will need. Keep in mind that Zayed University has well stocked libraries on each campus. The libraries subscribe to a number of databases, and have arrangements for inter-library borrowing. In addition, the libraries have a supply of paperback books which employees can borrow. Families may also use the libraries.

You may access our library catalog at www.zu.ac.ae/library

Luggage, Shipping and Customs

You can use your normal airline luggage allowance to bring your personal possessions. Zayed University will reimburse the employee for up to forty five kilograms of excess baggage. For North American departures where excess baggage is not determined by weight, employees may bring two pieces of additional baggage.

If you decide not to bring excess baggage and opt to ship items by air or by sea, Zayed University will reimburse the employee up to the financial equivalent of forty five kilograms of excess baggage or two pieces of excess baggage. We will provide you with a quote for forty five kilograms of excess baggage or for two pieces of excess baggage, and that amount can be used to ship items by air or by sea. This alternative often allows you to bring more than the forty five kilograms of excess baggage or the two pieces of excess baggage.

Unaccompanied items should be addressed to you c/o Zayed University. Shipments should be scheduled to arrive after you, as Zayed University is not authorized to clear shipments nor is it able to store items for you.

When your shipment arrives, you will be contacted by the shipper. Zayed University is not able to help with customs clearing or collecting shipments; however, Human Resources can put you in touch with companies who can assist you. You will need your passport and the shipping documents to reclaim your goods.

U.A.E. Customs will inspect your shipment and confiscate items that are deemed inappropriate. Inappropriate items are those which may contain a pornographic or sex-related connotation (this can include art). Books, magazines, videos, CDs, DVDs may be subject to censorship. Items that are confiscated may later be returned to you if they are acceptable. Be sure to obtain a receipt for any items retained; you will need the receipt to reclaim the goods. If the items are not deemed acceptable, you may have the option of sending them back to your home country. Luggage arriving with you will also be subject to the same type of inspection.

Sea freight shipments to Dubai should be sent to Port Rashid (not Jebel Ali Port) as it is the more convenient port of the two.

Inoculations

The U.A.E. does not require any inoculations prior to travel. However, if you intend to visit Asia, Africa and the Far East from your new home base in the U.A.E., you may wish to get immunized for tetanus, etc. Hospitals and clinics in the U.A.E. are excellent, and inoculations can be done here.

Pets

Most pets, except birds and certain breeds of dog, are allowed into the U.A.E. However, please be warned that it is very difficult to find housing units where pets are allowed. We cannot guarantee that you will be provided housing that permits pets. With the demands for accommodation/housing, landlords can be very specific about their requirements and increasingly we are seeing "no pets" rules. If you are thinking of bringing pets with you to the U.A.E., please advise us immediately. We advise that you do not transport your pet to the UAE initially.

If you are on a shorter term contract, you will absolutely not be able to bring pets with you as you will be housed in furnished accommodation and pets are not allowed.

For detailed information on the documentation required, the process and resources for transporting pets click here.