What does the change mean? Companies and individuals should expect delays and plan to file time-sensitive applications as soon as possible.

• Implementation time frame: Approximately June 6 through July 7. Some countries also begin to slow down one week before Ramadan.
• Visas/permits affected: Visas and work permits.
• Impact on processing times: Applicants should expect reduced business hours, especially on Fridays, and delays in processing. The Eid al-Fitr holiday immediately following Ramadan will close offices for three to 10 days, depending on the country.
• Business impact: Delays may affect start dates and business schedules.

Background: Countries across the Muslim world will observe the month of Ramadan, expected to begin around June 6 or 7 and end around July 5 or 6. Exact dates are confirmed closer to the start of the lunar month. During the month, Muslims increase self-reflection and fast during daylight hours. As such, many countries with majority Muslim populations limit business hours.

In the United Arab Emirates, government offices will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the private sector will generally conduct business from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., depending on the office.

The Eid al-Fitr holiday, immediately following Ramadan, will close offices for three or more days in countries across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Knowing the difference can be quite useful.  It can give you a sense of how you’re supposed to act in a foreign setting, especially when you have no idea where to start. It can also help you understand why others from a different culture behave as they do. But in our experience, the mistake many companies make is thinking that knowing cultural differences is enough — that discovering the key differences is all you need to master to be effective across cultures.

If the problem your employees face is that they simply don’t understand cultural differences, a solution focused on defining cultural differences makes all the sense in the world. But if, like in most instances, the real problem is that your employees can’t adapt and integrate their behavior across cultures, these solutions focused simply on differences likely won’t give you the bang for your buck that you’re expecting.

When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.

Contact powerofdifference@relocationafrica.com now to find out more