Passport Applications
If you are applying for a UK passport for the first time you should allow 8 weeks from the date the application is received at Her Majesty’s Passport Office in the UK to the passport being delivered to you. . If you are renewing an existing passport it will take at least 6 weeks.
Emergency Travel Documents
Emergency travel documents for First Time Applicants are only issued at the Embassy in exceptional circumstances. Although special measures were put in place by Her Majesty’s Passport Office last summer and the Embassy was able to assist with determining nationalisation, these measures have now been withdrawn.
Notarial Services
Please remember an appointment service is in operation for all Notarial services provided by the British Embassy. In the first instance you should send an email enquiry to consular.uae@fco.gov.uk. Please make sure you bring with you all the original documents needed
PO Box renewal
Residents in the UAE are urged to renew their PO Boxes before the end of January 2015 to avoid fines. Residents can visit any post office, postal agency or visit website www.epg.gov.ae to make the renewal. Residents can visit any post office or apply on line at www.epg.gov.ae to renew. An Emirates ID card is required and applicants can pay by credit card. .
Mobile phones
Using mobile phones whilst driving is illegal don’t get caught out. You can now get a Dhs 200 fine and 4 black points on your licence if you are caught. Click Here for more details.
2015 U.A.E. Public Holidays
Public holiday for 2015 for the UAE have been announced by the UAE Government.
The Abu Dhabi Government has announced the list of public holidays planned for 2015.
“The official reference to determine Islamic occasions, such as the beginning of Ramadan or Haj, is the Hijri Calendar. It is based on the phases of the moon. Hence, the exact dates of Islamic events vary from one Gregorian year to another as they depend on the local sightings of the moon,” the announcement reads.
Public sector workers in the UAE can expect at least 11 more public holidays in 2015.
Although the list of holidays was released only on the Abu Dhabi Government website, most other emirates tend to follow a similar schedule.
All federal ministries, public departments and institutions will be closed on the following holidays:
– January 1, New Year’s Day
– January 3, Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday
– May 16, Israa and Miraj Night*
– June 18, Ramadan expected to begin*
– July 17, Eid Al Fitr*
– September 14, Haj season*
– September 22, Arafat Day*
– September 23, Eid Al Adha*
– October 15, Hijri New Year*
– December 2 and 3, UAE National Day
* Please remember Islamic holiday exact dates are subject to moon sighting and may differ from date given.
According to the website:
– the UAE National Day holiday will be two days,
– Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha will both be three days,
– and the others will be one day
.
Top Tip
Passport Next of Kin Details
Remember to complete the next of kin details in your passport in case of an emergency.
Contact Numbers:
British Embassy
Abu Dhabi Tel: 02 610 1100;
Dubai Tel: 04 309 4444
Gov.uk Website
The UK’s worldwide pages and consular information have moved to the new government’s single website Gov.uk. There is useful information about the UAE on there and it is also the new home of our travel advice.
