SHJ

Ajman

United Arab Emirates

Arriving, settling in and working in Ajman: what official sources say, in the order you’ll need it. Every point links to the page it came from.

Plan my move to Ajman Read the guide ↓

Photo: Dovlet Hojayev / Unsplash

Guide sections12

Sourced facts54

Last verified1 Nov 2026

Time zoneDubai

Decide

Is this the right city for us?

Ajman at a glance

The basics about Ajman, plus official sources for time, money and services.

Ajman is one of the Northern Emirates, on the Arabian Gulf between Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. Ajman city is the capital and seat of government.
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The emirate also includes Manama, in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains, and Masfout, near Hatta.
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Ajman shares the 06 dialling code with Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain.
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The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT. The currency is the UAE dirham (AED), pegged at 1 US dollar = AED 3.6725.
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Ajman's government call centre is 80070. The Ajman One app gathers government services, bill payments and city guides, and you sign in with UAE PASS.
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Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Laws & local rules

The working week, Ramadan etiquette and carrying your ID.

The UAE fact sheet says federal and semi-government offices work Monday to Friday, while Sharjah government entities work Monday to Thursday.
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Private companies set their own days: the fact sheet says most close on Sunday only, while some close on both Saturday and Sunday. Check your contract.
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During Ramadan, non-Muslims do not have to fast, but must not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public during fasting hours. Do not play music or dance in public, and dress respectfully.
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Every UAE resident must get an Emirates ID and carry it at all times. Companies may record the details on your card but may not hold the card.
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Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Arrive

The first 72 hours

Arriving

Getting to Ajman from Sharjah (SHJ), Ras Al Khaimah (RKT) or Dubai (DXB) airports.

At Sharjah Airport, Sharjah Taxi runs 24 hours from the arrivals level. Taxis are metered, with an AED 20 airport surcharge.
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Ras Al Khaimah Airport's free passenger bus has a stop in Ajman, opposite Lucky Center.
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RAKTA buses run daily from Ras Al Khaimah to Ajman (AED 20) and from Ajman to Ras Al Khaimah (AED 25).
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Air Arabia coaches link Sharjah Airport with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah.
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Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Getting around

The Transport Authority, parking and the Ajman One app.

Ajman's Transport Authority handles vehicle registration, passenger transport permits and fines payment.
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The Ajman One app shows bus stations and petrol stations, lets you reserve parking by text message and renew vehicle licences.
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RAKTA's intercity buses connect Ajman with Ras Al Khaimah daily, about 5:30 am to 9 pm from RAK.
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For transport questions, Ajman's government call centre is 80070.
ajman.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Settle

Home, school, doctor, bank

Neighbourhoods & renting

Utilities, real estate services and where to look.

Etihad Water & Electricity serves the northern emirates and has a service office in Ajman. Its call centre is 800 3392.
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If you are a new tenant moving into a property whose services were cut off, ask Etihad WE for service activation.
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Ajman's Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation runs its services online through its e-services portal, with UAE PASS login.
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For emergencies, call 991 for electricity and 992 for water.
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Property Finder's Ajman guide lists communities such as Al Nuaimiya, Ajman Downtown, Emirates City, Al Rawda and Al Alia. We could not find a published table of rents by area.
propertyfinder.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Schools

Who supervises private schools and fees.

In Ajman, the federal Ministry of Education (MOE) supervises private schools, including licensing and compliance.
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Schools must apply to MOE to change tuition fees, under set regulations.
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MOE makes periodic field visits, and specialist teams carry out evaluation visits with evidence-based reports.
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The Ajman One app lists public and private schools, universities, institutes and nurseries.
ajman.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Healthcare

Emergency numbers and health insurance.

In an emergency, call 999 for police, 998 for an ambulance or 997 for the fire department (Civil Defence). Call 991 for an electricity failure.
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Since 1 January 2025, employers must buy health insurance before applying for or renewing residence permits for private-sector employees and domestic workers. This applies in every emirate.
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Under the 2025 rule, the basic plan for the northern emirates costs AED 320 a year. Outpatient visits carry a 25% co-payment, capped at AED 100 a visit; medicines carry 30%, capped at AED 1,500 a year.
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The Ajman Government provides health insurance for all its employees.
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The Ajman One app helps you find pharmacies, hospitals and clinics.
ajman.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Banking & IDs

Emirates ID steps and opening a bank account.

To get your first Emirates ID, you need a passport valid for at least 3 months, proof of UAE residence and an ICAO-standard photo. Anyone aged 15 or over gives fingerprints at an ICP centre. The standard service takes about 5 days.
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ICP lists the resident fee as AED 100 for each year of residence, plus a AED 100 smart service fee.
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If you renew your Emirates ID more than a month after it expires, you pay AED 20 a day, up to AED 1,000. Report a lost card to ICP within 7 days.
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To open a personal account, banks usually ask for your Emirates ID (or passport), proof of residence such as a tenancy contract or utility bill, and a letter from your employer. It can take up to four business days.
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A current account comes with cheques and a debit card. A savings account may not allow cheques but pays interest. You can open either or both.
centralbank.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Driving & cars

Licences, traffic files and vehicle services.

The minimum age for a car licence is 18. Under the 'Markhoos' initiative, some visitors can drive on their national licence and exchange it for a UAE licence once they become residents.
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Some expatriate residents can exchange a valid licence from their home country. The UAE portal links to the Ministry of Interior for the list of eligible countries.
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To open a traffic file you usually need copies of your passport and Emirates ID, two photos, an eye test report and, if the traffic department asks, a no-objection letter from your sponsor.
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Ajman's Transport Authority handles vehicle registration and fines payment; services are listed on the Ajman government portal.
ajman.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Thrive

Work, study, belong

Jobs & work

Work permits, job portals, leave and scams.

It is illegal to work in the UAE without a valid work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Employers may only hire you once the permit is issued.
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The UAE portal lists Ajman's Kawader for government roles, and Bayt, NaukriGulf, FoundItGulf, Gulf News Careers and Laimoon for private-sector jobs.
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Never pay money to get a job. The UAE portal says a request to pay for visa processing or a medical test is a red flag, and job seekers do not pay recruitment agency fees.
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After one year of service, private-sector employees get 30 days of fully paid annual leave. Between six months and a year, you earn 2 days for each month worked.
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MOHRE licenses recruitment agencies. You can check with MOHRE that an agency is licensed, or file a complaint.
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If a worker is injured at work, the employer must notify MOHRE within 24 hours on 80060, through the Salama app or by email.
ajman.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Universities & colleges

Who's here and how to check accreditation.

Ajman University has nine colleges, including a new College of Medicine.
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Ajman University says all 46 of its programmes are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
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Before you enrol, check the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) lists of licensed institutions and accredited programmes, linked from the UAE portal.
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Public options across the UAE include UAE University, Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology.
u.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Newcomer support

Places of worship, volunteering and family services.

People of other faiths practise their religions freely in the UAE. Temples, churches and gurdwaras are permitted and operate across the country.
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You can find volunteering opportunities on Volunteers.ae, the national volunteering portal.
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Ajman's 'Life in Ajman' service bundle includes services for people of determination, elderly people and new parents.
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The Ajman One app shows daily prayer times and the nearest mosque.
ajman.ae ↗

Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

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