UAE visa-free travel; Petrol price increase; Holiday date revealed; Saudi announces recruitment guidelines – 10 things you missed this week

Meanwhile, the country has announced petrol prices for the month of September, with the cost of filling up at the pump going up once again.

People in the UAE are also looking forward to a winter break of up to 24 days.

It comes as the country recorded the hottest day on record, with temperatures reaching 50.8°C.

In Saudi Arabia new recruitment guidelines were published and news emerged highlighting modern working patterns in the Kingdom.

Check out 10 of the biggest stories on Arabian Business this week.

UAE visa-free travel: Over 80 nationalities can enter with a visa on arrival

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) grants visa-free travel for over 80 countries.

Citizens from 115 other countries will still require pre-approved visas before arriving in the UAE.

The ministry has also urged those seeking specific visa information to visit the official ministry website, adding that they must remain informed about entry requirements.

UAE announces diesel, petrol price change for September 2023

The UAE has revealed its petrol prices for September, following its usual practice of monthly revisions.

Following a rise in August, petrol prices saw a further increase in September.

Throughout the past year, petrol prices in the nation have undergone fluctuations, but they presently stand considerably higher in comparison to the rates recorded during the same period last year.

UAE holidays: 24-day winter break dates revealed

UAE pupils and teachers go back to school for the new academic year on Monday, August 28, following a summer break of around nine weeks.

While families and education workers have been preparing to start the new school year, many are already looking ahead to the next extended holiday.

The academic calendar for the 2023-2024 school year have already been revealed, with term dates announced by the UAE cabinet earlier in the year. With most schools breaking up for the winter term on Friday, December 8 and January 1 usually being a public holiday in the United Arab Emirates it means a holiday of more than three weeks is expected.

Saudi Arabia announces new recruitment guidelines

Saudi Arabia has announced new guidelines for recruitment in the Kingdom.

Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has introduced the new rules for recruitment agencies in the country.

The new rules are introduced to demand quality services from companies involved in recruitment and ensure efficiency and satisfaction. The ministry said that recruitment companies of all sizes must provide a measurable level of performance and conduct business with transparency.

UPS fires Dubai staff, shuts down ISMEA region HQ

UPS has shut down its Dubai-based district office for the India subcontinent, Middle East and Africa (ISMEA) regions as part of a restructuring plan that has left many jobless, a source told Arabian Business.

The source said that between 100 and 120 employees were laid off at the delivery giant’s Dubai district office. When reached for comment, UPS did not confirm the figure but stated that they were “constantly evolving” their business.

The source said the staff were informed about the decision in early July when they were handed their one-month notice period.

UAE records hottest day of year as scorching temperature hits 50.8°C

The UAE scorching summer reached new heights as the hottest day of the year has been reported, according to the National Centre of Meteorology.

The country’s hottest moment came in Abu Dhabi in the middle of the afternoon, when thermometers measured an annual-high of 50.8°C.

The peak was measured at 2.45pm in Owtaid in the Al Dhafra region.

UAE visit visa: Types, cost, process explained

The UAE government has implemented various visa schemes in the country to attract and retain tourists, residents and professionals in the country.

The UAE has launched ambitious tourism targets, which aim to attract $123bn, as well as 40m hotel guests a year, to the economy by 2031.

There are several visa choices for visitors looking to make their way to the UAE, here is all you need to know about the visa types, their costs and processes.

UAE’s first licensed Din Tai Fung opens in Dubai

Dubai’s popular Taiwanese restaurant has announced the opening of its first licensed venue. Located in Bluewaters Island, the new space will be the brand’s first standalone licensed restaurant in the United Arab Emirates.

The new Din Tai Fung restaurant opened its doors to the public on Saturday, August 26.

Spanning across two floors, the venue will feature a cocktail bar and new menu items.

UAE announces cloud-seeding tests as it looks to create artificial rain

The UAE is launching a series of cloud-seeding tests as it looks to research artificial rain in the country.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), through the United Arab Emirates Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), announced a field campaign to investigate the performance of different cloud seeding materials with and without electric charge.

The innovative research drive will be conducted out of Al Ain International Airport in collaboration with Stratton Park Engineering Company (SPEC), a US-based company specialising in cloud physics research and instrumentation.

Saudi jobs: 2.4m freelance papers and 378,000 flexible work contracts

Saudi Arabia is embracing modern working patterns, with large numbers of freelance permits, flexible contracts and remote positions available in the Kingdom.

Statistics on modern work patterns in Saudi Arabia show that in the first half of this year, 2,358,000 freelance work papers, 377,800 flexible work contracts, and 115,000 remote work papers were issued.

Companies accepting remote work numbered 7,800.