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Dubai

United Arab Emirates

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

Plan my move to DubaiRead the guide ↓
Photo: David Rodrigo / Unsplash
Guide sections12
Sourced facts68
Last verified28 Sept 2026
Areas with rent9

Decide

Is this the right city for us?

Dubai at a glance

The basics about Dubai, plus official sources for time, money, weather and safety.

  • The official city portal reports that Dubai's population reached 3,863,600 by the end of 2024.
    dubai.ae ↗
  • Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the UAE; Abu Dhabi is the capital. Arabic is the official language.
    u.ae ↗
  • The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT. The currency is the UAE dirham (AED), pegged at 1 US dollar = AED 3.6725.
    u.ae ↗
  • For official forecasts and weather warnings, use the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) maps and warnings pages.
    mobile.ncm.gov.ae ↗
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  • The UK government's travel advice warns that rip currents can occur at any beach. Swim only at approved beaches with lifeguards and flags showing it is safe.
    gov.uk ↗
  • The Dubai.ae city portal links to popular government services, including bill payments, traffic fine payments and Salik toll accounts.
    dubai.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 28 Sept 2026

Laws & local rules

The working week, Ramadan etiquette, ID, smoking and medicines rules to know before you arrive.

  • Since 1 January 2022, the federal government works Monday to Thursday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm and Friday 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday are the weekend.
    u.ae ↗
  • Private companies set their own days: the UAE fact sheet says most close on Sunday only, while some close on both Saturday and Sunday. Check your contract.
    u.ae ↗
  • During Ramadan, non-Muslims do not have to fast, but they must not eat, drink or smoke in public during fasting hours. Avoid playing loud music in public and dress modestly.
    u.ae ↗
  • Every UAE resident must get an Emirates ID and carry it with them at all times.
    u.ae ↗
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  • You must be 18 to buy tobacco. Smoking is banned in a private car when children under 12 are inside, and Dubai bans shisha in parks, beaches and recreational areas.
    u.ae ↗
  • Some medicines need prior approval from the Ministry of Health and Prevention before you bring them into the UAE. Carry medicines in their original packaging with the prescription.
    dubaiairports.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 28 Sept 2026

Arrive

The first 72 hours

Arriving at DXB

Getting from Dubai International into the city, and what to declare.

  • The Dubai Metro Red Line has stations at DXB Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. You can take up to two pieces of luggage on the Metro, including hand luggage.
    dubaiairports.ae ↗
  • Red Line hours listed by Dubai Airports: 5 am to midnight Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 5 am to 1 am on Friday, and 8 am to midnight on Sunday. Hours can be longer on public holidays.
    dubaiairports.ae ↗
  • Buses leave from stands in the Arrivals areas of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. You need a nol card to ride because buses do not accept cash. You can buy and top up nol cards at the terminals.
    dubaiairports.ae ↗
  • Taxis pick up at Arrivals. Follow the taxi signs to the official rank.
    dubaiairports.ae ↗
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  • When you arrive, you must declare cash and traveller's cheques worth more than AED 60,000 (or the equivalent in other currencies).
    dubaiairports.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 28 Sept 2026

Getting around

nol cards, the Metro and tram, fares and fines.

  • A Silver nol card costs AED 25, including AED 19 of credit, and works on all RTA transport. A Gold card costs the same and gives access to Gold Class cabins at double the regular fare.
    rta.ae ↗
  • Students, seniors and people of determination can get discounted fares with the personal (Blue) nol card. It costs AED 70 with AED 20 credit, and you can recover the balance if the card is lost.
    rta.ae ↗
  • The Metro has two lines: the Red Line (Centrepoint to Expo 2020) and the Green Line (e& to Creek). An 11-stop tram serves the Jumeirah and Dubai Marina areas.
    rta.ae ↗
  • Tap your nol card at the gates when you enter and when you leave. Not tapping can mean an AED 200 fine. Eating or drinking where it is not allowed carries an AED 100 fine.
    rta.ae ↗
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  • Metro fares depend on how many zones you cross. Every train has a cabin reserved for women and children.
    rta.ae ↗
  • The new Metro Blue Line (30 km, 14 stations) is under construction and is due to open on 9 September 2029.
    rta.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 28 Sept 2026

Settle

Home, school, doctor, bank

Neighbourhoods & renting

Ejari registration, fair rent increases, and getting power and water connected.

  • Register your tenancy contract in Ejari: tenants, landlords or property managers can register it on the Dubai REST app, on the DLD website or at a Real Estate Trustee Centre.
    dubailand.gov.ae ↗
  • The Dubai Land Department lists the Ejari fee as AED 177.75 through the app or website and AED 220 at a Trustee Centre.
    dubailand.gov.ae ↗
  • Before you renew, use the DLD Rental Index to see the average rent for your area and how much your rent may legally go up. The check is free and gives an instant result.
    dubailand.gov.ae ↗
  • Allowed rent increases range from 0% to 20%, depending on how far your rent is below the area average. Either side must give at least 90 days' notice before the contract ends to change its terms.
    dubailand.gov.ae ↗
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  • When your Ejari is issued, DEWA opens your electricity and water account automatically and sends payment details by SMS and email. The refundable deposit is AED 2,000 for a flat and AED 4,000 for a villa.
    dewa.gov.ae ↗
  • A landlord who wants to evict you when the contract ends, for example to sell or use the property, must give 12 months' notice with the reasons.
    dubailand.gov.ae ↗
External links
Dubai REST app — Dubai Land Department ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 28 Sept 2026

Schools

How KHDA rates private schools, fees and what to bring when you enrol.

  • KHDA inspects Dubai's private schools and rates them on a scale from Outstanding to Very Weak. You can read each school's summary report in KHDA's online directory.
    web.khda.gov.ae ↗
  • School is compulsory from Grade 1. Most schools run from September to June, but Indian, Pakistani and Japanese curriculum schools run from April to March.
    web.khda.gov.ae ↗
  • Every private school publishes a School Fees Fact Sheet. It lists tuition plus extras such as transport, trips and books, and any discounts or scholarships.
    web.khda.gov.ae ↗
  • KHDA regulates tuition, application, registration and re-enrolment fees. It does not regulate fees for services like transport and extracurricular activities.
    web.khda.gov.ae ↗
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  • KHDA confirmed there will be no fee increases at Dubai private schools for the 2026–27 academic year.
    mediaoffice.ae ↗
  • To enrol above Grade 1, bring proof of your child's previous schooling in Arabic or English. Documents in other languages need a legal translation.
    web.khda.gov.ae ↗
External links
KHDA school inspection reports ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 28 Sept 2026

Healthcare

Emergency numbers, mandatory insurance, and finding licensed doctors and clinics.

  • In an emergency, call 999 for police, 998 for an ambulance or 997 for the fire department (Civil Defence).
    u.ae ↗
  • Health insurance is compulsory in Dubai. Employers must give expatriate staff at least the Essential Benefits Plan. If your employer does not cover your spouse and children, you must insure them yourself.
    isahd.ae ↗
  • Since 1 January 2025, employers must buy health insurance for private-sector employees and domestic workers. You need it to get or renew a residence permit.
    u.ae ↗
  • Use the DHA Dubai Medical Registry to check that a doctor or clinic is licensed. You can filter by speciality, language and area.
    services.dha.gov.ae ↗
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  • Dubai Health, an integrated academic health system, runs 6 hospitals, 27 ambulatory health centres and 23 medical fitness centres, plus telehealth and homecare.
    dubaihealth.ae ↗
  • Visitors to Dubai need valid medical insurance that covers at least accidents and emergencies.
    isahd.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 28 Sept 2026

Banking & IDs

Emirates ID, your residence visa steps, UAE PASS and opening a bank account.

  • Residence visa applicants aged 18 and over must pass a medical fitness test and a security check, and apply for an Emirates ID from ICP.
    u.ae ↗
  • To get your first Emirates ID, you need a valid passport, proof of UAE residence and an ICAO-standard photo. Anyone 15 or older gives fingerprints at an ICP centre. The standard service takes about 5 days.
    icp.gov.ae ↗
  • UAE PASS is the national digital identity. You set it up in the app by scanning your Emirates ID and verifying your face, then use it to log in to services and sign documents digitally.
    icp.gov.ae ↗
  • 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.
    centralbank.ae ↗
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  • If your bank or insurer does not resolve a complaint within 15 calendar days, you can take it to Sanadak, the UAE's financial and insurance ombudsman.
    sanadak.gov.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 28 Sept 2026

Driving & cars

Exchanging your licence, fees and road safety.

  • Residents can exchange a valid licence from an approved country for a Dubai licence. In 2025, RTA exchanged licences from 57 countries. Check the RTA list before you rely on it.
    rta.ae ↗
  • For an exchange, you need a valid Emirates ID, an eye test and your original valid licence, plus a legal translation if required. RTA lists the total cost as AED 1,050.
    rta.ae ↗
  • RTA's exchange list includes Canada and the United States. Texas licences are listed separately from the rest of the US.
    rta.ae ↗
  • The minimum age for a car licence is 18. Some visitors can drive on their national licence and exchange it once they become residents, under the 'Markhoos' initiative.
    u.ae ↗
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  • Salik toll gates read a sticker tag on your windscreen as you drive through and deduct the toll from a prepaid account.
    salik.ae ↗
  • UK travel advice warns of a high rate of traffic accidents and widespread speeding. Police can impound your car for traffic violations.
    gov.uk ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 28 Sept 2026

Where people live in Dubai

Average rent a year from official or market surveys, as of 15 Jul 2026. Asking rents for new listings are often higher.

Downtown Dubai

Central Dubai, around Burj Khalifa
1 bedroomAED 133,000
2 bedroomAED 223,000
SinglesCouplesNear the centreGood transit
Source: Dubai Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Business Bay

Central Dubai, next to Downtown
1 bedroomAED 104,000
2 bedroomAED 148,000
SinglesCouplesNear the centreGood transit
Source: Dubai Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Dubai Marina

New Dubai, by the coast
1 bedroomAED 103,000
2 bedroomAED 157,000
SinglesCouplesNightlifeGood transit
Source: Dubai Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)

New Dubai, inland
1 bedroomAED 79,000
2 bedroomAED 113,000
FamiliesCouples
Source: Dubai Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Al Barsha

Inland, near Mall of the Emirates
1 bedroomAED 74,998
FamiliesGood transit
Source: Dubai rent guide: 15 areas where a one-bedroom still costs under Dhs80,000 — Gulf Business (Property Finder Community Insights, June 2026) ↗

Deira

Old Dubai, east of the Creek
1 bedroomAED 66,000
2 bedroomAED 109,000
Lower rentGood transitSingles
Source: Dubai Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Dubai Silicon Oasis

Inland, east Dubai
1 bedroomAED 65,000
StudentsLower rentFamilies
Source: Dubai rent guide: 15 areas where a one-bedroom still costs under Dhs80,000 — Gulf Business (Property Finder Community Insights, June 2026) ↗

International City

Inland, east of the city
1 bedroomAED 61,000
2 bedroomAED 82,000
Lower rentStudents
Source: Dubai Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Al Nahda

Northeast Dubai
1 bedroomAED 56,000
2 bedroomAED 72,000
Lower rentFamiliesGood transit
Source: Dubai Rental Market Report H1 2026 — Bayut ↗

Average advertised (asking) rent for apartments by area, first half of 2026, trimmed mean of listings on Bayut.com. These are listing prices, not Ejari-registered contract rents.

Thrive

Work, study, belong

Jobs & work

Work permits, job-seeker visas, leave and where to find vacancies.

  • It is illegal to work in the UAE without a valid work permit. Your employer applies to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for it.
    u.ae ↗
  • If you qualify, a job-seeker visit visa lets you look for work for 60, 90 or 120 days without a sponsor. You need a bachelor's degree and must meet skill-level or university-ranking conditions.
    u.ae ↗
  • Dubai Careers is the official portal for Dubai government jobs. For private-sector roles, the city portal points to Bayt, GulfTalent, Indeed, NaukriGulf and LinkedIn.
    dubai.ae ↗
  • After one year of service, private-sector employees get 30 days of fully paid annual leave. After six months, you earn 2 days for each month worked.
    u.ae ↗
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  • Private-sector employees can file a labour complaint with MOHRE online. MOHRE aims to settle it within about 14 working days, and otherwise refers it to court.
    mohre.gov.ae ↗
  • To work in the UAE with a foreign degree, you may need to have it formally recognised. First verify it with a trusted partner, then apply for recognition.
    u.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 28 Sept 2026

Universities & colleges

Who regulates Dubai's universities and how to check a programme is recognised.

  • KHDA reports 33 higher education institutions in Dubai offering 432 programmes, mostly bachelor's and master's degrees.
    web.khda.gov.ae ↗
  • Universities in Dubai's free zones are regulated by KHDA. Those outside the free zones are accredited by the federal Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).
    web.khda.gov.ae ↗
  • International branch campuses in areas such as Dubai International Academic City, Knowledge Village and Dubai Silicon Oasis go through KHDA's quality-assurance process.
    web.khda.gov.ae ↗
  • Before you enrol, check that both the institution and the programme are listed in KHDA's education directory. After you graduate, you can have your degree attested by KHDA for work in Dubai.
    web.khda.gov.ae ↗
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  • For a foreign degree, recognition depends largely on the university's ranking. Degrees from universities ranked in the top 200 only need their validity checked.
    u.ae ↗
External links
KHDA higher education directory ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 28 Sept 2026

Newcomer support

Places of worship, libraries, volunteering and support services.

  • People of other faiths practise their religions freely in the UAE. Temples, churches and gurdwaras are permitted and operate across the country.
    u.ae ↗
  • Dubai Public Libraries are open to residents as well as citizens. Members can borrow books, use free internet and join events.
    dpl.dubaiculture.gov.ae ↗
  • You can volunteer through Volunteers.ae, the national platform, or the Dubai Volunteering Center, set up by the Community Development Authority.
    u.ae ↗
  • Seniors aged 60 and over can get the Thukher card for discounts on healthcare, shopping and transport. RTA also gives them free parking and 50% off public transport.
    dubai.ae ↗
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  • People of determination can get free RTA parking permits and free public transport. Dubai Health's Reaya homecare service is on 800588. The child protection hotline is 800988.
    dubai.ae ↗
Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 28 Sept 2026

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