India was the leading destination for outward personal remittances from the UAE during 2018, according to figures included in the annual report of the UAE Central Bank, released this week. An analysis of the Central Bank report carried in the Abu Dhabi daily newspaper, The National, showed that 38.1 percent …
Read More »Revealed: UAE expats who send most money
Remittances, which are essentially the money earned abroad and sent home by expatriate workers to their families, are the backbone of some economies outside the Gulf. Remitted funds are mainly used to cover the costs of basic expenses of dependents, including housing, food, education and medical bills. They also boost …
Read More »UAE Cabinet approves new rule for retired expats
The UAE Cabinet on Sunday approved a series of plans, including one that allows expatriates to stay on in the country long after they retire. The Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has also adopted a resolution …
Read More »Indian and Pakistani expats face a gold vs currency dilemma
Demand for gold in the UAE is getting some serious competition now — from the currency exchange market. Rather than buy gold now, despite the near 6 per cent drop in prices since the start of the year, a good number of consumers, especially those from the Subcontinent, are using …
Read More »New UAE student visa will give families relief, says official
The new long-term visa for students in the UAE will have a positive social impact, besides making the country a more attractive destination for foreign students and universities, a senior official said. In an interview, Mohammad Abdullah, managing director of Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), said the five-year residence visa …
Read More »Lebanese expats cast votes in historic elections outside Lebanon
The voter turnout in the UAE for the Lebanese elections — held overseas for the first time on Friday — was the highest in six Arab countries where they were held, a media statement said. Lebanese expatriates flocked to their missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on Friday and made …
Read More »Kuwait parliament’s committee approves fees on expat remittances
Kuwait Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee approved bills on Sunday stipulating fees on expatriates’ financial remittances to parties outside the country. Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) quoted MP Salah Khorshed, the committee chairperson, as saying in a statement that the commission approved the bills with consent of two-thirds of the members …
Read More »Screening of expat workers in UAE starts February 4
The UAE Government will start security background checks of foreign workers from February 4, official sources said. “The security screening of job candidates means that they will have to produce good conduct certificates from their home countries, or the country, or countries, of their residence for work, or study, for …
Read More »Two new hospitals to cater to expats with basic insurance
Recognising that nearly 70 per cent of expatriates fall in the basic insurance package under the mandatory health insurance scheme in Dubai, Aster DM Health Care group plans to open two hospitals for affordable care in Dubai catering to the needs of this class. Dr Azaad Moopen, founder chairman and …
Read More »