Dubai After Dark: Unforgettable Experiences Await

The modern skyscrapers of Dubai make it the perfect destination for the rich and famous. However, people from all over the world come here to enjoy its many shopping malls, souks, parks, beaches, and much more on a budget too!

There are so many features unique to Dubai alone, such as being the city with the largest suspended aquarium. In the Emirates Mall, you can find a massive indoor skiing arena, and its IMG World of Adventure is the largest theme park in the world!

Complete your Emirates booking to reach Dubai from your country's capital city or any key metro city close to you and enjoy a fun-filled vacation time with your family. It is not just wonderful to explore during the daytime but also at night when it comes alive with glowing lights. Here is a look at some exciting ways to spend your time at night in this bustling city:

1) The best way to enjoy fantastic light effects at night in Dubai is by visiting the Dubai Garden Glow. It has some very interesting optical illusions, which make exploring it so exciting. There are many illuminated, brightly coloured scenes here that are striking, enchanting, and lovely.

2) Make a trip to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, right after 6 p.m. Make a trip to its highest floors, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city at night, with surrounding skyscrapers and the city lit up. As you leave the place, you can see the fountain, which glows exotically in many lights and is also the stage for numerous performances.

3) If you love sports, then visiting Dubai’s Dark Padel courts is just what you need. Padel is a new and fast-catching sport that you can best enjoy at night under illuminating neon lights in the play area. Everything gets transformed into such colours, and the sport played in such lighting is exciting and fantastic.

4) In the Dubai Festival City Mall stands a fountain that is the centre stage for fantastic laser light shows every night, which are free to watch. It’s a scene that has impressed many enough to get an entrance into the Guinness World Record twice.

5) Make a trip to the Dubai Fishing Harbour and find the Crystal Clear Watersports Centre to enjoy kayaking at night. You will be kayaking in a glass-bottomed kayak that is lit by beautiful fairy lights. You can also view the impressive skyline at night with all its lights lit up, making a grand scene.



6) Cool at the ice rink in the Dubai Mall, where you can spend hours with friends on skates. It’s open on Friday and Saturday, and it's always filled with people sitting and enjoying themselves with their friends and family.



7) Make a visit to The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah, where you can take a ride on an electric catamaran. Their cruise is indeed exciting as you get to see the Dubai skyline from the waters and also enjoy the Palm Fountain when it is all lit up and impressively shooting water to about 105 metres high.

8) If you are into photography, then you certainly would want to indulge in night photography across the beautiful Dubai skyline. Gulf Photo Plus offers the opportunity to do this through its night photography workshop. You will be taken to various attractions that can be photographed under dazzling lights in different ways.



9) Book an Abra ride across Dubai Creek and enjoy viewing the lovely Dubai skyline. As the night progresses, you can see so many places lit up with different coloured lights, and the entire scene is a must to photograph.

10) How about indulging in a desert safari that gives many experiences such as quad biking, camel riding, barbeque dinners, and sand skiing? The companies that offer such experiences will pick you up at your location in the afternoon and then drop you off the next morning.

You can enjoy exploring such locations at night by opting to fly with Emirates Airlines from your country. Once you have arrived, book into a hotel and pick up those places that you must visit at night to have an exciting time here. These places can be easily reached by cab, and when you get there, you will have a fabulous experience that leaves behind lasting memories.

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All that you need to know about the new UAE visa reforms

Travelling to the UAE has become much simpler with the newest reforms made by the UAE government. Now you can take a luxurious trip to Dubai and the other Emirates in a more relaxed way, since the 60 days visa is finally here! The year 2022 saw a lot of changes being made to the visa reforms for the UAE as well as its residents. It is all about lesser working hours, extended stays for the investors and entrepreneurs coming to the UAE, and a lot more! Below, you can find out more about the 4 major reforms announced by the UAE government in 2022 that you should know about.

New Visa Schemes

A newly expanded golden visa program, a new 5-year green visa, multiple tourist visas, and an on-demand employment permit are among the many immigration changes introduced by the United Arab Emirates government in 2022. These can be considered the primary entry and exit visa changes in the history of the UAE.

Under these new reforms, investors and entrepreneurs worldwide can apply for a business visa without needing a sponsor or host. Furthermore, the new 5-year tourist visa does not require a sponsor anymore. It lets the visa holder stay in the UAE for 90 days, their stay can be extended for another 90 days. Temporary work visas have been introduced for foreign workers - those coming to work in the UAE on probation or project-based work.

Study/Training Visa: This visa type is for individuals or students who want to attend any educational course, training, or internship program. The student or training visa can be sponsored by academic and research institutions in the public and private sectors.

Family Visa: Formerly, parents could only sponsor their children under the age of 18 years. However, with the new reforms coming into effect, male children can now be sponsored for up to 25 years. Children having any kind of disabilities are also eligible to receive special rights. Furthermore, unmarried daughters can be supported by their parents indefinitely.

Work Visa: This is introduced for individuals searching for better job opportunities within the UAE. This visa does not require a sponsor or a host. It will be granted to individuals with a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent, recent graduates from the world's top 500 universities, and those who are recognized as first, second or third skill levels according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Green Visa: The green visa is issued to skilled workers, freelance workers, self-employed people, etc. This five-year visa lets its holders bring their families to the UAE without requiring a sponsor or an employer. Other requirements include a Bachelor's degree or equivalent and a minimum salary of AED 15,000.

Golden Visa: The UAE has announced a 10-year golden visa for many professionals and investors. This includes people investing "Dh2 million plus" in the real estate market, scientists, skilled workers, extraordinary students, talent-filled artists, and entrepreneurs.

Workers Reforms

No more stressing about lock-in periods with your employer contract! The United Arab Emirates government has abolished the 3-year cap on fixed-term employment contracts. Now it will allow the employer and employee to decide on the length of time they want to work together.

From October, the validity of the free local visa issued in the United Arab Emirates was reduced from 3 to 2 years. The grace period for leaving the country of UAE to have a residence visa cancelled has increased from 30 days to 60 to 180 days in most cases, depending on the type of visa.

From February 2022, workers can choose part-time work in addition to their primary job under the new labour law without requiring permission from their employer. They only need a part-time work permit and ensure they only work 144 hours every three weeks to avoid burnout and keep themselves healthy and safe.

Another great news is that now workers can change jobs more quickly because the new law prohibits employers from withholding workers' permits and forcing them to leave the country when the employment relationship ends. Instead, workers will be allowed to stay in the country and change their job. Employers will also be liable to make all the payments for recruitment costs without deducting any charges directly or indirectly from the employee's end.

4-Day Workweek

A good news for those who have always wished for their weekends to be longer! From January 1, 2022, the United Arab Emirates has shortened the work week and changed the weekend for the public sector. The work week has been changed from Monday to Thursday, with Friday being a half day. Official working hours are 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Thursday and noon on Fridays. However, Sharjah has shifted to just a 4-day work week from January 1, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday making up the new weekend.

Emiratisation Law

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has made it compulsory for firms that have 50 or more employees that 2% of the company's qualified employees must be Emiratis. This will increase by 2% annually, reaching 10% by 2026. If this target is not met, a penalty of AED 6,000 per month will be collected from January 2023 for every Emirati who has not been hired. This would cost a firm AED 72,000 per year. The fine will be increased by AED 1,000 per year. Additionally, the fee levied as a fine will be more for bigger firms with more than 100 or more employees.

These were the 4 new reforms the UAE government made in 2022. We would like to see more such reforms into general laws of the government that will take the economy of the UAE to the next level and make this country every investor's go-to choice of land for their investments!

About The Author

Robeena Brown is a travel blogger & destination expert living in UAE and works for local tourism companies like Arabiers. If you have been looking forward to touring Dubai, getting a visa, extending your stay, and exploring the city, you can follow her on social media.

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Top 10 places to visit on your next trip to Dubai

If you see photos of Dubai taken from space, it looks like a piece of glittering jewellery in the dark. This City of Future, in the United Arab Emirates is fast becoming an exporter of science and technology to the world. Even though it may seem like all malls and air-conditioning, this is a desert city that has a stirring influx of cultural institutions, galleries as well as shopping complexes that are aimed at attracting a new generation of visitors. This Arab city is filled with endless adventure and fun activities, making it the ideal location for experiencing fun, thrill, and entertainment on your holidays.

If you are still thinking about applying for a Dubai visa, check out the following points that will give you all the reasons to satisfy your wanderlust in Dubai.

Dubai Frame

This stunning architecture portrays a metaphorical connection between the old and new city. The Dubai frame is said to be the largest picture frame in the world, a giant structure of a gold frame standing 500 feet tall with striking glass lifts that take tourists to the top. Tourists are allowed to walk on the clear glass walkway across the entire 313-foot width.

Burj Khalifa

One of the most renowned skyscrapers, Burj Khalifa (829.8m) is the tallest building in the world. It is said that a trip to Dubai is incomplete without visiting this marvel of architecture. At the heart of the city, this tallest freestanding structure in the world shouldn't be missed by any chance. The interesting part is you can go to the top observation deck on the 124^th floor to enjoy the aerial view of the city from such a height.

Global Village

This is a theme park that can not only entertain a little kid, but also a man in his sixties. This massive park is very popular among people and is considered the ideal destination for a family day out. Filled with concerts, dining, attractions, and rides around the world, it’s the perfect place to spend a great time with your friends and family members.

XLine Dubai Marina

Have you heard of the XLine Dubai? Get the chance to fly belly-down across skyscrapers, highways, and swimming pools across the city of Dubai with XLine Dubai. This is one of the steepest, longest, and fastest urban zip lines in the world. If you are an adventure seeker, book the best Dubai packages that include this thrilling ride that you will remember forever.

Ski Dubai

Another place to add to your bucket list is Ski Dubai. It's the largest indoor ski slope in the world that offers a unique experience even to the professionals in this field.

Dubai Aquarium

If you're visiting Dubai, make sure you're not missing out on the great Dubai Aquarium. With 140 colourful fish and other sea species, there are high chances that you will never see such a great aquarium like this again. Holding 10 million litres of water, it also has one of the largest collections of sand sharks in the world.

Burj Al-Arab



Even though its height is much lower than the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al-Arab is the tallest hotel in the world at a height of 321 metres. Situated in its dedicated island, this architectural marvel reflects the traditional dhow in full sail. Dhow is a kind of merchant ship operating around the emirate for centuries now. At nightfall, it becomes a kaleidoscope of colours – a must-watch for someone visiting Dubai for the first time.

Deira



There is no dearth of interesting places to visit when you’re in Dubai. That being said, not visiting Deira will be a huge miss when you are travelling to this Arab city. It's an area of twisting roads as well as home to a melee of people and cultures. Located on the northern side of the city, Deira is known for its various points of interest, a reason why tourists throng the streets of this place all the time.

The Dubai Fountain



The Dubai fountain falls on the list of the top ten places to visit in Dubai because it's one of its kind when its illuminated jet moves in time based on renowned musical pieces. Whether you are travelling with family or alone, on a business or pleasure trip, it's a must-see place to see when you're in the city.

Dubai Creek



A significant part of Dubai that holds both the ancient and modern culture together, Dubai Creek is the place that separates the city from Deira. If you want to know how it all began before Dubai was so popular in the world, visiting this place should be on your list of the best places to go in Dubai.

On top of these ten best places to visit in Dubai, there are also various adventures that you would love to experience like a helicopter ride, skydiving, camel safari, and so on. So book your flight tickets fast and stay prepared to experience the adventure of a lifetime at the City Of Gold.

Note: The photographs in this article have been borrowed from wikipedia.org under the Creative Commons license. Each photograph has been linked to its host page on wikipedia.org.

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UAE road trip guide

If you have been to UAE a couple of times and think that you have experienced the best of the destinations, well, think again. You truly haven’t seen the best of the UAE if you have not been on a road trip in this stunning country.

Just book a great flight with Air Arabia and plan a great trip with your loved ones. Embark on a road trip to explore and vacation at some super clichéd place.

Here is a list of the top drive destinations across the Emirates.

Drive to Al Qudra

This is a short road trip and will take you just 45 minutes to reach Al Qudra, where you can plan a day full of fun and frolic with your family. This region has grown increasingly popular because of wildlife spotting and scenic views. Spot some rare bird species, and you might see the Arabian Oryx. Do not come back until you have seen the sunset.

Drive to Khasab



Take this enchanting road trip of about two and a half hours, and you will love the smooth drive. Plan a weekend getaway from Dubai in this beautiful city in Oman, which is also famous as the Norway of the Middle East’ because of its multiple fjords. Spend the time here exploring the Oman Fjords, Khasab Castle, and Khasab Fort.

Drive to Fujairah



Fujairah is about one and a half an hour drive away, and the road trip is simply loved because of the spectacular views and the scenic routes. This is just the right destination to explore with your friends and family as there are numerous activities to enjoy such as fishing, sailing, snorkelling, and deep-sea diving.

Drive to Jebel Hafeet



If you want to drive to a mountainside destination in UAE, just head for Jebel Hafeet, which is just a two-hour drive away. The winding drive takes you to the top of the Hajar mountain range, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding. Explore the region to learn about its ancient history and spend some time with nature.

Drive to Dibba



Dibba is another popular spot among road trippers, and the getaway is about one and a half hour’s drive away. Enjoy the panoramic and laid-back pace of life here and explore the UAE’s east coast. Laze on the beaches and find a perfect spot for diving. You can even take dhow cruises into Musandam.

Drive to Sharjah



Sharjah is about a 40-minute drive from Dubai, and the road trip will take you to the Ghost Town’ or ‘the Buried Village.’ It is a great spot for seasoned explorers and is sure to appeal to nature lovers and photographers. The trip would take you back to the mysterious past of the city with picturesque mosques and houses adorned with mosaic tiles and decorative wallpaper.

Road trips are indeed a great way to spend some quality time together with your loved ones. And if you are in the UAE, those trips become all the more memorable and amazing excuse of the unique experiences and destinations.

Note: Some of the pictures in this post are courtesy of wikipedia.org and have been borrowed under the creative commons license. Each borrowed picture has been linked to its host page on wikipedia.

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Discover the Arabian History - Top Historical Places to Visit in UAE

The United Arab Emirates have become a prominent destination for luxury lifestyle and superlative tourist attractions over the last two decades. However, behind this sophisticated world, lies a humble and deeply rooted culture that are still meticulously preserved and cherished. Discover the rustic charms of the UAE and take a trip to an era that existed long before the country got swarmed with rising skyscrapers and luxury malls. Here’s a peek into the best historical places of UAE one should definitely visit on their UAE trip.

Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai


The Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai is said to be the oldest existing building in Dubai. It was built to stock artillery and weapons and as a prison for defaulters. Located at the south of Dubai Creek, the fort now houses the Dubai museum that offers a glimpse into the bygone eras of Dubai’s traditional lifestyle. A visit to the fort offers visitors a chance to get acquainted with Dubai’s heritage as it is now home to some of the unique collection of authentic paintings, dioramas and antique assortments of pottery, weapons and other tools. The attraction lets you comprehend Dubai’s extraordinary progress from a modest settlement to a pioneering modern city.

Hatta Heritage Village, Hatta Mountains


Get a gist of an Emirati village at the Hatta Heritage Village. Sprawling at the foothills of Hatta mountainous region, this restored settlement is one of the oldest traditional mountain village sites of UAE. The entire village, right from the architecture to the interiors is made out of locally used materials of Bedouin era. Located at the outskirts of Dubai, this also happens to be a popular offbeat excursion for Dubai visitors.

Al Bidya Mosque, Fujairah


Known as the oldest mosque of UAE, Al Bidya Mosque or the Ottoman Mosque is a simple mud and brick structure consisting of the main hall and four domes made in simple geometrical patterns. The exact date of the mosque’s construction is unknown but it is still a functional place to offer prayers. Located at Dibba village in Fujairah, a visit lets you appreciate its simplicity as well as enjoy the sweeping panoramas of the Hajar Mountains and the nearby Persian Gulf.

Al Bastakiya, Dubai


Sometimes, it is quite hard to fathom that Dubai was once a simple village settlement that consisted of trade merchants, pearl divers, and fishermen. However, if you visit the Al Bastakiya neighbourhood in Dubai, you will get the exact idea of Dubai’s humble settlements. Away from glitz and chaos of the modern city, this sleepy township filled with earthy toned buildings, serene Arabian courtyards and winding alleys are a soothing retreat to visit. A stroll through these narrow lanes reminds you of the simple lifestyle of Dubai locals before its surge to be a global metropolitan. Al Bastakiya is one of the historical places to visit in UAE that should be on your Dubai travel bucket list.

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization


Here’s a UAE attraction that offers you everything you need to know about Islam. This stunning museum located at Sharjah’s scenic Corniche Street flanked by the on the Majarrah Waterfront offers you an insight into the Arabian culture and has over 5000 Islamic artefacts from all over the world which includes scriptures, calligraphy, carvings, handiworks, paintings to name a few. One of the main attractions not to be missed is the zodiac mosaic in the huge central dome.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi


An iconic landmark in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an absolute beauty to watch and a popular attraction to visit in Abu Dhabi. The grandeur and splendour of the architecture will leave you awe-struck. This majestic mosque sprawling 1,380 feet is the largest mosque in UAE and can accommodate over 40,000 worshippers. This white pure white marble structure accentuated with touches of gleaming golden designs will catch your attention with its sheer simple beauty. Inside the mosque, you will be surrounded with grand crystal chandeliers, intricately woven carpets, intricate designs with semi-precious stones and marble mosaics. The courtyard leading to the mosque is considered to be etched with the largest marble mosaic in the world. The mosque is a beautiful blend of traditional and modern Islamic architecture and looks mesmerizingly beautiful when illuminated during the night.

Qasr Al Hosn Fort, Abu Dhabi

This fort is a popular and one of the oldest landmarks of Abu Dhabi. Known as the White Fort, this structure with conical towers was first built as a watchtower to protect Abu Dhabi’s one and only fresh water well. Later, it became the abode of the ruling family. Today, it is a national monument and is a place for cultural discovery. The fort lets you journey through the life of Arabian artisans and the rich history of the country. Qasr Al Hosn Festival is an 11-day festival held annually where you can enjoy art, music and live performances showcasing UAE’s heritage.

Hili Archaeological Park, Abu Dhabi


Located in Al Ain in Abu Dhabi, Hili Archaeological Park takes you back into the bronze age. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this archaeological site dates back to Umm an-Nar period (about 2500 BCE to 2000 BCE) is the largest bronze age site in UAE. The exhibits comprise of early settlements, tombs, and underground water canals. All these archaeological sites have been integrated into a verdant, well-manicured landscaped garden dotted with fountains and green plants which makes it an ideal spot to enjoy a quiet time amid nature and history.



These attractions are a great way to understand that UAE is more than just sophisticated cities and opens up a new window of new experiences and knowledge for UAE visitors. So next time you apply for Dubai visa online and plan your Dubai tip, expand your vision to its neighbouring emirates as well and journey through its cultural experiences. The seamless blend of modernity with traditional heritage will make your UAE travel experience worth cherishing a lifetime.

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