Travel Advice

TIPS TO ASSIST WITH YOUR VISIT TO ABU DHABI

The time zone for the UAE is GMT/UTC +4
Electricity is 220/240V 50Hz
Three-pronged square plugs are used throughout the UAE (the same as those used in the UK)
The UAE country telephone code is +971

VISA INFORMATION

Visa’s are required by all, except GCC nationals (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman).

Citizens of the following countries will be issued with a free-of-charge VISIT VISA upon entry to the UAE:
USA, UK, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Canada, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Citizens of other countries can apply for a visa online or to their nearest UAE embassy.

FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATION

It is expected that NAVDEX and IDEX will, together, attract a high volume of visitors to Abu Dhabi. There will therefore be high demand for accommodation within the city and flights to and from the Capital.

Visitors are recommended to plan and secure their travel arrangements well in advance of the event.

TAXATION INFORMATION

Value Added Tax or VAT is a tax on the consumption or use of goods and services levied at each point of sale. VAT is a form of indirect tax and is used in more than 180 countries around the world. The end-consumer ultimately bears the cost. Businesses collect and account for the tax on behalf of the government. For more info click here.

What is Tax Free Shopping?

PHOTOGRAPHY

Visitors to Abu Dhabi should avoid photographing women in general, and particularly national women, without their permission. It is always courteous to ask before photographing people. There are few other restrictions on photography in the emirate – only military, government and airport installations are not allowed to be photographed.

DRESS CODE

The attitude to dress in Abu Dhabi is very relaxed, but visitors (men as well as women) are advised to show respect for local culture and customs in public places by avoiding excessively revealing clothing.

WOMEN TRAVELLERS

Whether travelling alone or with their families, women do not experience special restrictions of dress or behaviour in day-to-day life in Abu Dhabi. Women play a full and active part in the life of the country and foreign women visitors can be assured they will be readily accepted and welcomed.

WATER

Tap water in Abu Dhabi is desalinated but generally safe to drink. Bottled water is usually very reasonable to buy at local stores (around AED 1 per bottle) and probably your best bet.

Abu Dhabi Airport, Multi-Faith Prayer Room

Reflecting our commitment to embed the UAE’s values of respect, acceptance and diversity a multi-faith prayer room is available for any passengers of different faiths.

Please find the below link to find the Multi-Faith Prayer Room in the maps.
http://wayfinding.abudhabiairport.ae/en

Please type “Prayer Room” in the search box shown
Select the Multi-Faith Prayer Room from the results
The location will be highlighted in the map.

All prayer rooms are wheelchair accessible.

ALCOHOL & DRUGS

Alcohol is served to non-Muslims in all major hotels and licensed restaurants. Public drunkenness, drinking and driving and drug use are not tolerated.

The Ministry of Health’s Drug Control Department publishes lists of restricted drugs and medications that may otherwise be prescribed in travellers’ home countries, so travellers must take special care to ensure that their medications or other substances are not restricted before travelling.