General advice for anyone travelling abroad

The news of Tori Towey has served as a reminder to all that travelling and even relocating abroad carries with it big risks.

While most parts of Australia and other western countries have similar values to that of Ireland, there are countries that have completely different values and with those values, laws rules and customs that may seem in part harsh by those of western liberal democracies

There have been calls to the Irish Government to increase the warning for travellers to the Gulf region in particular the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in recent weeks because of the Tori Towey case.

Especially if you are unaware of the local laws and customs. Just as this case has pointed this out.

Here is some general advice when travelling abroad. It is important to remember that the customs and laws of any transit airport hub or final destination are not the same as those in Ireland and other Western Countries.

Even if there are Social Media Influencers and Government departments promoting otherwise.

General to do list check your countries department of Foreign Affair and Trade website, there is information available for Irish citizens and due to the number of expats living in Dublin, information for Australian citizens and the United Stated citizens is also included.

Due to the free travel zone with Northern Ireland the information for the United Kingdom has also been included.

This applies to all destinations. Particularly for the Gulf Region. Where it is known that the laws seem very severe when compared with western standards.

The focus will be on the UAE as this is a popular destination for a lot of people, including the promise of a better cost of living. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are also major transit hubs thanks to the popularity of Emirates and Etihad airlines respectively.

The UAE has become a popular destination for a lot of people, especially over the last 10 to 20 years thanks in part to the increase of flights from Etihad Airways and Emirates. This has also been seen as a positive to international airlines such as Emirates and Etihad Airways, both which employ international cabin crew from all over the world.

The UAE offer tax free living and a lower cost of living compared with Ireland. For example, the mid-market rate for the as provided by Wise as of July 24 was €1.000 EUR = ?.?3.985 AED with €1.000 EUR getting approximately ?.?3.985 AED. Revolut was slightly less.

There have been reports, including in the Irish Independent and the Irish Times, who have released a number of opinion pieces in recent weeks that are in stark contrast to the glossy image often presented on social media.

Here are a few to think about (a premium Irish independent is required)
Ellen Coyne: The Irish expats airbrushing Dubai’s dark side are laundering its image to clean their own conscience

‘Travel warnings for Irish going to Dubai need to be increased,’ says lawyer who sparked Tori Towey campaign for freedom

Julia Molony: The glitz and glam of the Dubai dream can’t conceal glaring human rights abuses

Ordeal in Dubai: ‘Tori Towey bears the scars of domestic violence and burden of debt’

Here are a selection of headlines from the Irish Times (a subscription is needed to access)

Behind the luxury image, Dubai’s laws and customs create issues for expatriates

‘You see a lot of unfairness’: Irish in Dubai describe parallel lives

The laws and customs in the entire Gulf region may appear harsh compared with those of Ireland and other western countries.

Dubai is very unsafe for women

Heading abroad? Here is where to go to get information.

check entry requirements – apply for any entry visas that may be needed.– this can be handy if plans subsequently need to change.

Take copies of all documents needed – this can be handy if replacement documents are needed.

Reach out to the embassy of your country in all travel destinations, ask for the requirements and get proper legal advice if needed.

Always check the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website   before booking any trip and especially if those plans include the travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)  even if only in transit and not leaving the airport.

For the Expats living in Ireland, also check with the Government that issued your passport, also reach out to your countries Embassy or Consulate in Dublin for all destinations you are heading to. Below is specific information for Australian and United States Citizens.

Australian Citizens will need to access the Smartraveller need to check the UAE page.  Whereas, those with a United States Passport here is your specific information for the UAE

For those that are citizens of The United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Foreign Travel Advise

While each country has their own specific page, don’t be afraid to see what other countries are warning their citizens about especially with calls in recent Irish press to to the government to ensure that the warnings are going to help

While the UAE has a diverse resident population as evident on social media and with their two biggest airlines Emirates and Etihad. The UAE is a Muslim Country.

It is imperative that everyone remembers that the laws and customs are vastly different to those in Ireland and other Western Countries, with even the smallest things like swearing not being tolerated.

Here are a few handy tips to ensure that you are relatively left alone and allowed to a comeback home and to travel to the UAE again (or transit through the UAE)

Alcohol consumption: the legal drinking age is 21 years; however, it is illegal to drink alcohol in public places, and being intoxicated in public can result in fines or even jail time. This is restricted to non-Muslim residents.

As reported by many of the international news sites in the last few weeks, The UAE has recently arrested a number of people for terror related offences as their 2013 Sentences were expiring, in a move that has shocked their families.

Before jetting off it is imperative that an individual checks that all medications, prescription and over the counter are legal in the UAE.

Do Not under any circumstances, take recreational drugs into the UAE.

There is a zero tolerance on illegal drugs across the Middle East, Asia and many parts of the world.

If the person, who is heading to the UAE is on any medication here are the instructions, to check is a permit is needed and how to apply. Some medications will need a permit.

This can be done  by visiting the UAE Ministry of Health website.

Download the Annex to Travellers Guidelines (PDF 331KB) under Resources.

You need to apply for a permit through the UAE Ministry of Health website

For further information contact the UAE Ministry of Health by e-mailing [email protected] or calling +971 800 11111

Always keep the medication in their original container with a letter from the Prescriber and the original prescription.

Do not take more than 30 days’ worth of each medication.

In addition to the above and for general travelling with medications, always keep the medication in their original container with a letter from the Prescriber (usually a Medical Doctor) and the original prescription.

Do not take more than 3 months’ worth of each medication.

There have been many individuals arrested in Dubai for drugs some receiving lengthy sentences, including life imprisonment and even the Death Penalty.

If you have ever been to Dubai or Abu Dhabi then it’s important to check that there are no issues with the legal system or that there are no travel bans placed by the UAE government, more information can be found here.

The Team at Detained in Dubai can also be of assistance

This is important as the travel bans also apply to the following areas of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which also includes: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia in addition to the United Arab Emirates.

What to do if you land in hot water in Dubai, contact the Embassy of the country of your citizenship that serves the UAE and then contact the team at Detained in Dubai. they have an app as their website is blocked in the UAE

Have a video pre-prepared to send to the media outlets back home and to family and friends. Have something prepared for the media and Government ministers internationally.

Have an emergency fund to cover the full cost of your return home from your actual destination. This can also be very useful to assist with changing flights.

Detained in Dubai is a service that was started in 2008 by Middle East justice expert Radha Stirling, they have services for anyone going to the Middle East, either as a transit passenger or for their holiday.