UAE residents are looking forward to Ramadan and Eid in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
As the Holy Month approaches, people across the UAE and visitors planning a trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the coming weeks are preparing for Ramadan.
From booking UAE Eid holidays and Dubai Iftar times, to cultural guidelines to observe during the holy month, Ramadan has been making the news this week.
Major news for visas in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have also hit the headlines. Whether looking to work or travel in the region, visa updates are making things easier for people in the GCC after new legislations were revealed. Find out how.
Elsewhere there was a gold-smuggling arrest for an Air India cabin crew employee, new jobs at NEOM in Saudi Arabia and more.
Read on to see the Arabian Business editors’ pick of the biggest news stories of the week.
UAE Ramadan 2023: Dubai and Abu Dhabi iftar times
Ramadan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2023 is expected to begin on March 23, with confirmed dates to be announced as per the moon sighting.
Ramadan is known as a Holy month in the Islamic calendar and is a time when the Islamic community comes together fast and pray. Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, as fasting is known as the one of the five pillars of Islam.
The breaking of fast comes with a meal known as iftar and comes at the same time as the Maghrib prayer. With the Maghrib prayer timing following sunset it will be slightly later each day this year as daylight hours lengthen throughout March and April. Check out the expected 2023 Iftar times in Dubai and Abu Dhabi this year.
Saudi Arabia announces major visa rule change
Residents of GCC countries can now apply for tourist visas regardless of their profession. The announcement was made by the Kingdom’s tourism minister, Ahmed al Khateeb.
The visa will be valid for tourism and Umrah visits and is available in single entry or multiple entry forms. Previously, only certain professions were permitted tourist visas in the Kingdom.
UAE Eid 2023 holiday: How to get nine days off with just three of annual leave in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
UAE workers can look forward to a bumper Eid Al Fitr 2023 holiday next month if they plan holidays carefully.
The UAE has announced prospective holiday dates for occasions such as Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, the Islamic New Year and National Day. Eid Al Fitr is a public holiday that begins at the end of the Holy month of Ramadan.
Kuwait opens door to long-term expat residence with major visa announcement
Previously, there had been a total ban on residency renewal.
Last year, PAM had allowed these expats to renew residence permits with a KWD250 annual fee and an insurance plan. Expats that are aged over 60 with a self-sponsored residency will also be allowed to transfer residence to the private sector.
Air India cabin crew arrested for smuggling 1.5kg of gold
Shafi, a native of Wayanad, was arrested by Customs Preventive Commissionerate at Kochi.
The authority had received confidential information that the accused, who is a member of the Bahrain-Kozhikode-Kochi service, was bringing gold. The accused was alleged to smuggle the gold by wrapping it around his hands and then cover the sleeve of his shirt to pass through the green channel.
Ramadan in UAE: 5 rules to follow
Ramadan is known as a Holy month in the Islamic calendar and is a time when the Islamic community comes together fast and pray.
Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, as fasting is known as the one of the five pillars of Islam. Ramadan begins at the first sighting of the new crescent Moon, lasting for 29 to 30 days, depending on the next moon sighting.
UAE firms must employ more Emiratis by July 1 or face fines
Private sector firms in the UAE with more than 50 employees have clear over the number of Emiratis they employ. By the end of 2022 UAE firms were instructed to make sure a minimum of 2% of employees were UAE nationals.
The MoHRE has sent a reminder, informing firms they have less than four months to achieve the new targets or face fines.
UAE announces new Ramadan food rules
Restaurants and food outlets are required to adhere to the new rules and obtain necessary permits to operate at the daytime during the holy month.
Saudi Arabia reveals tax-free rules in major announcement
The report, citing the minister in talks with British newspaper Financial Times, said multinational companies are exempt from taxes, provided they relocated their regional headquarters to the kingdom this year with the aim of securing lucrative government contracts.
They will be taxed, only for limited profits, Al-Falih said, adding that, most likely those companies will be granted tax relief.
NEOM jobs: Saudi megacity hiring prison guards and bankers
NEOM is progressing fast, with 20 per cent of infrastructure already complete.
The $500bn megacity development in north-west Saudi Arabia will eventually have a population of nine million people and be home to ambitious projects such as The Line, Sindalah and Oxagon.
A look at the jobs currently being advertised by NEOM gives an indication of the sheer scale of the project and the requirements to come in the years ahead. There are currently 230 positions being advertised by the development, in a diverse collection of sectors and a variety of pay grades. NEOM is currently recruiting a Corrections Director. The role is typically a prison warden position and will be a key part of law and order in the city.
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