Expats applying for residency in the UAE will be tested on their knowledge of local cultures and traditions, the Federal National Council said on Monday, adding further hurdles for foreigners planning to work in the oil-rich nation.
"Too many people don't know anything about our culture - there are many nationalities - and every resident needs to know something about this country," Ahmed Shabeeb al-Dhahiri, first deputy speaker of the Federal National Council, told UAE daily Khaleej Times.
Expatriates account for more than 80 percent of the population of the UAE, which relies on foreign workers to fuel its economy.
But the number of expats is predicted to decrease as people working in construction and real estate lose their jobs and return home.
Dhanin said a committee, which will be made up of members of various ministries, would be set up by October to create strategies to improve expats' understanding of the country, the newspaper reported on Tuesday.
He said the series of questions would be "easy" but that applicants would have to pass in order to get their residency visa.
The test will include questions like "what is the country's official religion?" and "what is the country's flag?".
The test, while apparently easy, is the latest in a line of hurdles being created as the UAE attempts to regain its national identity, and could discourage people from moving to the country. The newspaper did not say whether current expat residents would be expected to sit the exam.
Expats applying for residency in the UAE will be tested on their knowledge of local cultures and traditions, the Federal National Council said on Monday, adding further hurdles for foreigners planning to work in the oil-rich nation.
"Too many people don't know anything about our culture - there are many nationalities - and every resident needs to know something about this country," Ahmed Shabeeb al-Dhahiri, first deputy speaker of the Federal National Council, told UAE daily Khaleej Times.
Expatriates account for more than 80 percent of the population of the UAE, which relies on foreign workers to fuel its economy.
But the number of expats is predicted to decrease as people working in construction and real estate lose their jobs and return home.
Dhanin said a committee, which will be made up of members of various ministries, would be set up by October to create strategies to improve expats' understanding of the country, the newspaper reported on Tuesday.
He said the series of questions would be "easy" but that applicants would have to pass in order to get their residency visa.
The test will include questions like "what is the country's official religion?" and "what is the country's flag?".
The test, while apparently easy, is the latest in a line of hurdles being created as the UAE attempts to regain its national identity, and could discourage people from moving to the country. The newspaper did not say whether current expat residents would be expected to sit the exam.
Last week, the UAE announced expats must earn a minimum monthly salary of 10,000 dirhams ($2,724), up from 6,000 dirhams previously, if they are to be able to bring their families over to live.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?section=theuae&xfile=d...
http://business.maktoob.com/20090000007071/UAE_to_start_culture_test_for...
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