South African Expats in UAE

For many countries, UAE is a good place to invest and foster good relations. Its strategic location has attracted people from Africa, South Africa, Asia, and America. In addition to its good geographical location, the UAE has evolved its laws, making it an ideal legal system. The UAE laws are a blend of Sharia and civil laws. However, South Africans have recently found the UAE a land of opportunities.

The UAE government has allowed many expats to enter on a job visa. With so much diversification in the UAE, the employment opportunities for expats are getting better. In fact, South Africans have made it in different sectors of the UAE, including healthcare and hospitality. They are known for their professionalism in the corporate world. However, most of them have climbed the ladder on a managerial and technical level, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

It has surprised South African expats that there is no income tax. This allows them to save money for the future or even send some back to their home country. With better earnings in the UAE, they have also raised their living standards.

The UAE is known for its luxurious lifestyle. It has modern buildings, excellent healthcare, and an international educational system for expats. International schooling intends to educate children according to international standards for their good careers.

When it comes to the safest countries in the world, the UAE is considered one of them. It has a low crime rate, stringent criminal laws, and strict enforcement. Therefore, South Africans find the UAE a secure country to live in, especially when they want to move with their families.

South Africans need to learn the social and cultural norms in the UAE. Interacting with UAE nationals could mean meeting someone from a culture opposite to their own, so the element of respect is mutual. Therefore, South Africans must be mindful of their UAE dress codes and public behavior.

South Africans contribute to the dynamic population of the UAE. They have broadened the horizons of the commercial sector by offering diverse experience and expertise in different sectors. However, you may not find too many restaurants offering South African food, but you can find those items in international supermarkets, giving you the feel of the South African culinary scene.

The UAE offers comfort and diversity, yet South Africans have challenges like other expats.

• Expensive Homes

Accommodation could be expensive in the UAE, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These two emirates have become global business hubs and are becoming overpopulated. Therefore, South Africans should look for residency in Ajman or Sharjah, which are equally good in terms of accommodation and have economical rates.

• Climate Change

Indeed, because of its location, South Africans may need to be made aware of the rising hot temperatures in the UAE. However, South Africans find it much more humid in the UAE and have considered doing indoor activities more than outdoor activities in the summer.

• Laws in the United Arab Emirates

South Africans might find laws complicated in the UAE. They are not familiar with Sharia laws. However, the UAE has international and civil laws to resolve matters for non-Muslims. Lawyers with vast experience and clients can handle issues of South Africans, whether they are related to family or labour laws.

• Homesickness

Many people come to the UAE to earn better incomes for their families, and they get homesick as well. Though there is technology, the challenges of missing family from time to time remain.

Like other expats, South Africans can also survive in the UAE. They have to plan out a few things before relocating to the UAE:

• Finance Management

It is important to budget as the currency rates are different. Though there is no income tax, school fees and healthcare could be expensive for the new South African expats. Therefore, they have to budget for the major expenses.

• Familiarity with Culture: Very Important factor

South African culture is rich in its own way, but UAE culture is modest and has Islamic values. For example, Ramadan is one of the holy months observed in the UAE by Muslims. Although South Africans cannot relate to this fasting month, they should be respectful and not visit restaurants during fasting hours.

• Communities and Social Groups

South Africans should get involved with communities that have other South African expats in the UAE. It will help them network better, and they will have the support of their own people in the UAE, making things easier for themselves.

• Acceptance of the Culture

The South Africans must understand that the UAE is a Muslim country, and so it will have a prohibition on a few food items such as alcohol. They should visit desert safaris and markets to explore UAE culture more.

• Combating Climate

Summers could be hot for South Africans. They shall remain hydrated throughout the summers, ensuring better health in the UAE.

The legal system of the UAE assures the protection of expats’ rights. However, South Africans also have rights in the UAE regarding their residency, employment, and immigration to UAE. The following provisions for South Africans to ensure their safety in the UAE:

• Labour and Employment Rights

Working in the UAE can be challenging sometimes, but the UAE labour and employment laws have ensured fairness and justice in employment disputes. These are usually related to contracts or long working hours. Sometimes, the disputes escalate to unpaid salaries and non-payment of gratuities. Also, if their South African clients are discriminated against or harassed at work, the labor lawyers in the UAE will fight for them.

• Visas and Residency

South Africans can obtain resident visas if they fulfill the legal immigration requirement to the UAE. In most cases, the family or the employer has to sponsor such a visa for the expat. However, lawyers ensure legal compliance, avoiding legal penalties in the future.

Legal consultants are available for South Africans in the UAE. They fight for their clients based on their expertise. However, many lawyers have also thought about changing their way of working. They have become comfortable using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods for an amicable settlement out of court. Criminal cases are now chosen for litigation as they are more serious than civil ones.

South Africans are entitled to the same healthcare services as other expats. However, whether their employer provides them with health insurance and decides the compensation limit depends on their job. If workers’ compensation is not paid well, South Africans can hire lawyers for their employment disputes and compensation.

Relocating is good for better career opportunities. Though there are challenges for expats in the UAE, the local expat communities are helpful. They are fully guided on how to survive in the UAE, especially when embracing their cultural and social norms. Never be afraid to relocate anywhere in the world.

Ask The Law South Africa is a special service created for the South Africans living in UAE. We offer legal advice and legal services to South African expatriates on very reasonable prices. We are an Emirati law firm owned by most senior Emirati lawyer, Advocate Mr Mohammad Ebrahim Hassan Al Shaiba.