UAE · Middle East
Moving to Dubai
Dubai quick facts
Cost of living in Dubai
Getting set up in UAE
Residence visa & Emirates ID
Your residence visa and Emirates ID are the master keys to Dubai — no salary account, postpaid SIM, lease, or driving-licence exchange happens without them. Here's the real sequence and what actually trips newcomers up.
Read the full step-by-step guideConvert your driving licence
If your country is on the RTA exchange list you can swap your licence with no theory or road test — just an eye test and fees. If it isn't, you go through a driving institute and tests. Here's the current reality, not the outdated version.
Read the full step-by-step guideOpen a bank account
In Dubai a proper bank account follows your residency, not the other way round. Once your Emirates ID and salary certificate are in hand, a current account opens in days — but the salary-transfer setup and minimum-salary thresholds are where newcomers get tripped up. Here's the real sequence.
Read the full step-by-step guideHealth insurance
In Dubai, valid health insurance is not optional and not really your purchase to make — your employer must provide a DHA-compliant policy, and proof of it is a condition for issuing and renewing your residence visa. Here's what the law actually requires and where the basic plan stops.
Read the full step-by-step guideGet a SIM card & mobile plan
The UAE has just two networks — e& (Etisalat) and du — and every SIM is registered to your Emirates ID or passport, so there is no anonymous pay-as-you-go. The bigger newcomer shock: app-based calls over WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Skype are blocked, so plan how you will call home before you land. Here is the real path to a working number.
Read the full step-by-step guideIncome tax & your salary
Your Dubai salary arrives with zero income tax deducted — the UAE has no personal income tax, so the figure on your offer letter is broadly what hits your account. There is no personal tax return to file here. The nuances that matter: a 9% corporate tax and 5% VAT do exist (but not on your salary), and your home country may still tax you. Here is what is true and what to check.
Read the full step-by-step guideEach guide has verified costs, timelines, required documents, and the non-obvious gotchas — sourced from official government pages.
Essential Arabic phrases
What to know before you go
Respect Ramadan fasting hours
CriticalDon't eat, drink, or smoke in public during daylight in Ramadan, even if you're not fasting. Many restaurants close until iftar; offices run shorter hours.
Know the alcohol rules
CriticalAlcohol is legal for non-Muslims 21+ in licensed hotels, bars, and clubs. Drinking in public or being visibly drunk in public is an offence. Never drink and drive — the limit is effectively zero.
Keep public behaviour modest
ImportantPublic displays of affection beyond hand-holding can draw complaints, and aggressive or rude gestures (including online) can carry real legal consequences.
Dress smart-casual but cover up in public
ImportantDubai is liberal by regional standards, but in malls, souqs, and government buildings keep shoulders and knees covered. Beachwear stays at the beach and pool.
Greet with your right hand
Good to knowShake, eat, and pass items with the right hand. When greeting someone of the opposite sex, wait to see if they extend a hand first — some prefer not to.
Friday-Saturday is the weekend
Good to knowSince 2022 the UAE work week runs Monday-Friday, with Friday a half-day for many and the weekend on Saturday-Sunday. Friday midday prayers still shape the schedule.
Top industries & employers
Real estate & construction
Emaar, DAMAC, Nakheel, Aldar
A defining Dubai industry — master-developers behind Downtown, the Marina, and the Palm.
Finance & fintech
Emirates NBD, Mashreq, DIFC firms
The DIFC free zone hosts global banks, asset managers, and a fast-growing fintech cluster under English common law.
Aviation & logistics
Emirates, dnata, DP World, Etihad
Emirates and Jebel Ali Port (DP World) make Dubai a global air and sea hub; huge expat employers.
Tourism & hospitality
Jumeirah, Emaar Hospitality, Atlantis
Tens of millions of annual visitors drive a vast hotel, F&B, and events sector.
Technology & startups
Careem, Noon, Talabat, e&
A regional startup hub anchored by Dubai Internet City and the Careem/Noon ecosystems.
Trade & commodities
DMCC, DGCX, Gulftainer
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre is one of the world's largest free zones for gold, diamonds, and commodities trade.
Where to go in Dubai
Alserkal Avenue
Hidden gemCulture · Al Quoz
Converted-warehouse arts district packed with galleries, a cinema, and specialty cafés.
Local tip: Go on a gallery-opening night — it's where Dubai's creative crowd actually gathers, not the malls.
Al Fahidi (Bastakiya)
Neighborhood · Bur Dubai
Restored old quarter of wind-tower houses, courtyards, and the city's history.
Local tip: Take the cheap abra (water taxi) across the Creek for AED 1 — the best-value ride in the city.
Ravi Restaurant
Hidden gemFood · Satwa
Legendary no-frills Pakistani eatery that's been a Dubai institution for decades.
Local tip: Cash, plastic chairs, and a queue of every nationality — eat the way long-time residents do, not at brunch.
Kite Beach
Nature · Umm Suqeim
Clean public beach with a running track, water sports, and the Burj Al Arab as backdrop.
Local tip: Locals come early morning or after work to walk the track; the food trucks beat the hotel beach clubs on price.
Dubai Marina & JBR Walk
Neighborhood · Dubai Marina
High-rise waterfront district with a promenade, beach, and endless dining.
Local tip: Skip peak-heat hours — the Marina walk is best after sunset when it cools and comes alive.
Burj Khalifa & Downtown
Landmark · Downtown Dubai
The world's tallest building, the fountains, and Dubai Mall.
Local tip: Watch the free fountain show from the Souk Al Bahar bridge instead of paying for an At The Top ticket on a clear evening.