SHJ

Sharjah

United Arab Emirates

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

Plan my move to Sharjah Read the guide ↓

Photo: Ainur Kamaev / Unsplash

Guide sections12

Sourced facts51

Last verified1 Nov 2026

Time zoneDubai

Decide

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Sharjah at a glance

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

Sharjah is one of the seven emirates of the UAE. Its dialling code is 06, and it has Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) and ports including Port Khalid and Hamriya Port.
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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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Sharjah government entities work Monday to Thursday, unlike federal offices, which work Monday to Friday.
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The University of Sharjah describes Sharjah as the third-largest emirate and the cultural capital of the Middle East.
sharjah.ac.ae ↗

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 at SHJ

Getting from Sharjah International Airport into the city or on to other emirates.

Sharjah Taxi runs 24 hours from stands on the arrivals level of each terminal. Family and ladies-only taxis are available.
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Airport taxis are metered, and trips starting at the airport carry an extra AED 20 surcharge.
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You can book a taxi on 600 525 252, through your hotel, or with the online form from the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA).
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Air Arabia coaches link the airport with Dubai (Al Ghurair Centre, AED 20 single) and Ras Al Khaimah (AED 30 single), as well as Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Check times before you travel.
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External links

Getting to and from the airport ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

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

Getting around

Taxis, coaches and buses to other emirates.

The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) can be reached on 600 525252.
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Sharjah Airport's transport page links to Mowasalat (route 15) for public bus routes and timetables.
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RAKTA runs daily buses between Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah for AED 27, about 7:30 am to 9 pm.
rakta.gov.ae ↗
Ras Al Khaimah Airport's free passenger bus stops at the Muwaileh Bus Stand in Sharjah.
rakairport.com ↗

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

Settle

Home, school, doctor, bank

Neighbourhoods & renting

Utilities, tenancy services and where to look.

Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) handles power, water and gas. You can request a move-in or move-out online, and new connections through SEWA e-services.
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SEWA's enquiries line is 600566665. For an electricity emergency, call 991.
sewa.gov.ae ↗
Sharjah City Municipality offers tenancy contract services, including a request for details of a tenancy contract.
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Property Finder's Sharjah guide lists communities such as Al Majaz, Al Khan, Al Qasimia, Muwaileh, Aljada and Tilal City. We could not find a published table of rents by area.
propertyfinder.ae ↗

External links

SEWA e-services ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

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

Schools

Who regulates private schools and approves fees.

The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) regulates private education in Sharjah and supervises and monitors schools.
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SPEA approves tuition fees, curricula, programmes, activities and assessment methods.
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SPEA evaluates school performance and issues reports on the results.
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SPEA's remit covers private schools and training centres that provide education and vocational training.
spea.shj.ae ↗

External links

Sharjah Private Education Authority ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

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 Sharjah Health Authority's Department of Health Insurance covers UAE nationals. Since January 2020 it has covered all Sharjah citizens.
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Emirates Health Services runs Aldhaid Health Center, a primary care centre in Sharjah.
ehs.gov.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.
icp.gov.ae ↗
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 and traffic files.

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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The UAE portal sends Abu Dhabi residents to TAMM and Dubai residents to RTA. For Sharjah, check the Ministry of Interior's services before you apply.
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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 Sharjah job seekers services 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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Every point links to its official source.✓ Verified 1 Nov 2026

Universities & colleges

Who's here and how to check accreditation.

The University of Sharjah lists 14 colleges.
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The American University of Sharjah says its students and faculty come from more than 100 countries. It is going through reaccreditation with the US Middle States Commission (MSCHE).
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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 and volunteering.

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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During Ramadan, the UAE portal advises non-Muslims not to decline gifts or invitations to share an iftar meal.
u.ae ↗
The American University of Sharjah says its students and faculty come from more than 100 countries.
aus.edu ↗

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

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