
Insights: General
Cultural awareness, expat life and practical guides for anyone building a life or career in the Middle East.
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Qatar law said to threaten 12,000 Filipino expat jobs
Officials from the Philippines’ state education departments will meet with their Qatari counterparts to discuss a law which threatens the jobs of up to 12,000 Filipino engineers and architects in the Gulf state. Discussions will focus on Qatar’s strict implementation of a law which requires all expat professionals in the country to register their education


Saudis rethink foreigners’ role in economy as oil slumps
Saudi Arabia may further ease restrictions on foreign ownership in the economy and overhaul one of the world’s most restrictive visa systems as the kingdom seeks to draw investors to help reduce its reliance on oil exports. The world’s biggest oil exporter is considering allowing foreigners to own 100 percent of a company in at


US midscale hotel giant says planning Gulf expansion
AmericInn, the largest midscale hotel brand in the central United States, has announced plans for at least 20 new hotels to be opened across the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent over the next five years. Partnering with Singapore- and Dubai-based Eaglewing Estates and Hotels Ltd, the expansion will bring an upscale, value-based hotel brand


6 day visa free transits for Shanghai & neighboring cities from 30 January ’16
In an announcement yesterday, China’s Ministry of Public Security confirmed visa relaxation plans for foreigners flying to China. Non-residents travelling to Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang will soon be blessed with visa-free transit for six days. The deal starts from January 30, right on time for Spring Festival celebrations. From this Saturday


Dubai awards $71m contract for 46km water network extension
Dubai’s water authority has awarded a $71million contract for a 46km water extension of the network in the south of the emirate. The contract requirement was to supply, lay and commission an extension of the network, which is to be completed within 28 months at a cost of AED260m. Dubai Energy & water Authority (DEWA) said

Relocating to Dubai – what to expect
The UAE is a popular destination for Britons – but what’s life really like there? Annabel Kantaria, a long-term expat in Dubai, has some advice a) You may not have as much spare cash as you think b) There will be a fair amount of red tape c) It’s OK to drink alcohol d) It’s not as restrictive as
January 20, 2016
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Top UK school to open Dubai campus
Kent College and Mir Hashem Khoory (MHK) have signed a partnership agreement to open a campus of the top UK-based school in September at Meydan in Dubai. Kent College Dubai will be run in partnership with Kent College Canterbury which was founded in 1885. The campus will be managed by Kent College Canterbury and will
January 15, 2016
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Dubai Work Permit, Dubai Visa, and Dubai Tourist Visa – Big Changes in UAE for 2016
UAE: Big change moving forward for people who have a Dubai tourist visa/UAE tourist visa and want to get a Dubai/UAE work permit; you no longer have to leave the country to amend your Dubai visa/UAE visa to residency status. Gulf News quoted Brigadier Dr Rashid Sultan Al Khadar, spokesman for the Naturalisation, Residency and Ports
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