Higher Colleges of Technology - Fujairah

HCT require that our faculty and staff present a professional appearance at all times.
Female employees are expected to wear dress pants/trousers or dresses/skirts which are on or below the knee. Blouses or jackets which cover the arms to the elbow are appropriate.
Male employees are expected to wear dress pants/trousers, business shirts with a tie.

Communication

There are two types of mobile phone service available in the UAE – prepaid and monthly account. You can purchase a prepaid SIM card for your mobile phone as soon as you arrive in the UAE. For the monthly account you will have to wait until your residence visa has been finalized first.
Mobile phones can be purchased in supermarkets and electronic stores.

Customs and Shipping

The UAE government prohibits drugs, narcotics and chemicals and before you enter the UAE, you are advised to take all precaution to ensure that you do not carry such substances; either in person, your luggage or in medicines you may be carrying. Strict penalties include imprisonment followed by deportation.
Other banned items include pornographic material, non Islamic religious pamphlets for missionary activities, fireworks, ivory, weapons & ammunition, chemical and organic fertilizers, laser pens, radar jammers/other unauthorized communication devices, endangered animal species, and any objects, sculptures, paintings, books or magazines which do not adhere to the religious and moral values of the UAE.
Books, magazines, video’s, CDs, DVDs may be subject to censorship. Items that are confiscated may be returned to you if they are deemed acceptable. Be sure to obtain a receipt for any items that are retained by customs – you will need it to reclaim the goods. Any items that are deemed unacceptable will either be destroyed or sent back to your home country at your expense.
Be careful of carrying in poppy seeds which are banned, so avoid accidentally carrying bakery products that might contain such seeds.

Documents

Many of your documents (marriage certificates, children’s birth certificates) need to be attested by a UAE consulate prior to you arrival. This can take some time so it is best to start the process early. Instructions on how to get documents attested can be found here.

Driving

To rent a car in the UAE you must have one of the following:

An international driving license
A UAE driving license
A driving license from a GCC county

If you enter the UAE on an employment visa, you will not be able to drive or rent a car until your residence visa has been finalized. If your spouse has entered the country on a visit visa he/she will be able to rent a car provided they have an international driving license.

Whether you buy or rent a car is really up to you. Both are readily available. Taxis are readily available in Fujairah. Well known car rental agencies such as Budget and Avis have offices in the UAE and offer daily, weekly and monthly rates. There are also a large number of car dealerships and used car dealerships. Prices for new vehicles are typically a bit cheaper than in North America. You will not be able to buy a car until your residence visa has been finalized and you have a driving license.

If you have an accident, do not leave the scene. Contact the police. Do not move your vehicle. When the police arrive, have your vehicle registration card, driving license and insurance papers ready for their inspection. They will ask you for your view of what happened and then decide who is at fault. The police will give you a coloured form which will allow you to get your vehicle repaired. Workshops will not repair accident damage without this form.

If you have your residence visa you must obtain a ten year UAE driving license before you can drive. Residents from the following countries can usually obtain a UAE driving license without having to take a driving test: UK, most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. If your driving license is not from one of those countries listed you will have to undergo a driving test.

In the UAE we drive on the right hand side, the same as the USA and Canada. Seatbelts are required and mobile phones are prohibited while driving unless with a hands free set. To counteract speeding, radar cameras and speed bumps are quite common. But in general the traffic rules are much the same as they are in your own country.
A good rule to adhere to is always expect the unexpected. With such a mix of nationalities, driving techniques can also be mixed resulting in some problems.

Housing

You will be taken to your new accommodation during the first few days after your arrival. You will be provided with unfurnished accommodation. Please note that suitable accommodation is usually acquired within the last weeks prior to your arrival so it is not always possible to provide specific information on your accommodation prior to your arrival.
Accommodation is typically located in high-rise apartment building. It will be assigned based on availability and your family status. In recent years Fujairah has experienced a shortage in available accommodation so housing options can be limited.

Pets

Yes you can although you will need to ensure that they are micro-chipped and their vaccinations are all up to date. You will need to apply for an entry permit for your pet on the following website:
http://www.classypets.com/Merchant5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CPTS&Product_Code=FORM0685&Category_Code=PTSFORM
Please let us know as soon as possible if you intend to bring your pet as we will need to find suitable accommodation for you. Not all landlords will accept pets on their property. Please also check with your home country that you are able to take your pet back with you when you repatriate as some countries have strict quarantine laws.

There is a vet in Fujairah – Pets N Us. You can find more information from their website: http://petsnus.net/ The Animal Care Centre in Kalba (about 10 minutes away from Fujairah) also offers boarding during holiday periods:www.animalcarecentre.biz

Quality of Life and Activities

The quality of life in the UAE is very high. The environment is safe and clean; the selection of goods is high; and recreational facilities and events are plentiful. With such a mix of cultures there are many cultural events during the year. Fujairah has many beautiful beaches offering water sports and plenty of outdoor fun such as wadi bashing, camping, hiking, rock climbing and horse riding etc. There is also a bowling alley and cinema for those who prefer indoor fun.

It gets very hot from June to September. Temperatures can reach as high as 50 degrees Centigrade (122 Fahrenheit) in the middle of summer. Most activities take place indoors during this time.
Go to www.weathernetwork.com for more information on the weather in the UAE and the region.

Safety

All foreign residents should register with their Embassy or Consulate. Foreign government offices maintain a current list of patriots and their contact numbers. The Embassy or Consulate will be able to contact you for social events, general announcements or emergencies.

Schools

There are a few schools in Fujairah but most have waiting lists so it is best to contact them early. Most schools will require proof of your child’s previous academic records and a letter from the school in your home country outlining your child’s education.
For information regarding schools in Fujairah visit the following pages:

Fujairah Private Academy:	Website:	http://www.fpa.sch.ae/
	Email:	jcbretth@emirates.net.ae
	Tel:	00971 9 2224001
Our Own English High School:	Website:	www.gemsoo-fujairah.com
	Email:	ourownfj@emirates.net.ae
	Tel:	00971 9 2227127
St. Mary’s School:	Email:	stmaryfuj@emirates.net.ae
	Tel:	00971 9 2282828
Super Baby Nursery	Website:	http://superbabynursery.webs.com/
	Tel:	00971 9 2227126

Visas

An employee’s residence visa can take up to two weeks to process. An employee will arrive in the UAE on an employment visa which will later be changed to a residence visa. A residence visa entitles you to work in the UAE 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 UAE.
If your family members accompany you to the UAE at the same time, they can enter the UAE on a visit visa (depending on nationality) which will later be transferred to a residence visa. This usually takes up to four weeks. If your family members arrive after you, it is best if they arrive after you have your residence visa. Family members can then enter on a residence visa.

Once you arrive in the UAE on an employment visa you cannot leave the country until your residence visa is stamped in your passport. The same applies to family members. However, if a family member needs to leave the UAE before this time, the processing of their residence visa can be delayed until their return to the UAE.

What to Bring and What to Buy

Do ensure that your medicine does not contain a banned or restricted substance. See list of UAE restricted and controlled medicines or drugs. If your medicine contains any banned or restricted substance, it is advisable not to carry them on your flight/travel into the UAE. However, if for medical or emergency reasons, you need to carry any medicines, please ensure that you have a medical prescription from a UAE-licensed doctor, or if treatment was undertaken abroad, you must carry both a doctor’s prescription as well as a detailed medical report, both of which should be suitable attested. You are not permitted to bring more than three month's supply of medicine, as per guidelines of Ministry of Health.
Some drugs that you may be able to purchase over the counter in your home country are considered to be narcotics in the UAE and are not permitted. For example – some analgesics or cough medicine contain codeine which is considered a narcotic in the UAE. Do not bring these drugs into the UAE.

The UAE has an excellent selection of all types of food, clothing furniture and electronics. The relocation allowance provided by the HCT will allow you to purchase everything you need for your new home. However, you may want to bring some personal items which have sentimental value to help make your new home feel more familiar.
Although the UAE has a good selection of English book stores, books do tend to be expensive. Therefore you may wish to bring / ship some books to the UAE. Keep in mind that the college has a well stocked library.

Women

Women do not have to wear veils. Only a woman’s culture, religion and choice determine whether or not she wears a veil. Foreign women dress much the same way as they do in their home countries.

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