Dubai FAQs: Your Questions Answered

It depends on your nationality. Citizens of ~100 countries (including US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia) get visa-free entry for 30-90 days. Others need a pre-arranged visa. Check the official UAE government portal for your specific country.

Main options: Employment Visa (employer sponsors), Freelance Visa (self-sponsored via permit), Free Zone Visa (company setup), Remote Work Visa (for location-independent workers), Golden Visa (10-year, for investors/talent), and Investor Visa. Each has different costs and requirements. See our full Visa Guide.

Employment visa: Free to you (employer pays ~AED 3,000-7,000). Remote Work visa: ~AED 3,000-8,000. Freelance visa: AED 12,000-20,000/year. Free Zone company: AED 15,000-50,000/year. Golden Visa: AED 5,000-10,000 in fees plus your investment.

Employment visa: 2-4 weeks. Remote Work visa: 2-3 weeks. Freelance/Free zone: 2-4 weeks. Golden Visa: 1-2 months. These are estimates — actual times vary based on document completeness and processing volumes.

Yes, on most residence visas. Requirements: Minimum salary AED 4,000/month + accommodation allowance (or AED 3,000 with company housing). You can sponsor spouse, children (any age if unmarried), and sometimes parents. Golden Visa holders can sponsor unlimited family.

A 10-year renewable residence visa that's self-sponsored (no employer needed) and has no minimum stay requirement. Qualification routes: Property investment (AED 2M+), business/entrepreneur, specialized talent (doctors, scientists, etc.), outstanding student. Major benefit: independence from employer.

You get a 30-day grace period to either find new employment, switch to another visa type (freelance, Golden Visa), or leave the country. You can also convert to a job-seeker visa for up to 180 days while looking. Don't overstay — it creates problems for future applications.

Single person: AED 8,000-15,000/month for a comfortable lifestyle (rent, food, transport, entertainment). Couple: AED 15,000-25,000/month. Family: AED 25,000-50,000+/month including school fees. These are ballpark figures — your lifestyle choices significantly affect costs.

For UAE income: Yes — no income tax, capital gains tax, or wealth tax. But your home country may still tax you (US citizens are taxed on worldwide income regardless). Also: 5% VAT on goods/services, housing fees, and various government charges. 'Tax-free' doesn't mean 'no costs.'

Minimum: AED 100,000-150,000 beyond your first year's rent. This covers: security deposit (5-10% rent), agent fee (5% rent), DEWA/chiller deposits (AED 4,000-7,000), furniture if unfurnished (AED 10,000-30,000), visa costs if self-sponsored, and emergency fund. Arriving underfunded creates stress.

It's the Dubai tradition. Landlords prefer 1-4 cheques for the full year. More cheques (e.g., 12 monthly payments) are rare and carry a premium. You'll need a UAE bank account with a chequebook. This is changing slowly but annual/quarterly payments remain the norm.

Depends on the category. Housing: Similar or slightly cheaper for equivalent quality. Food: Groceries 10-20% more expensive; dining similar. Transport: Cheaper (fuel, taxis). Healthcare: Insurance-based, varies. The big difference: no income tax, which can offset higher costs for high earners.

Yes, once you have Emirates ID. Major banks (Emirates NBD, HSBC, Mashreq, FAB) all serve expats. Requirements: Emirates ID, passport with visa, salary certificate. Some digital banks (Liv.) open accounts even faster. Americans may face some restrictions due to FATCA reporting requirements.

Wide range: Studio (AED 30,000-60,000/year), 1BR (AED 50,000-120,000/year), 2BR (AED 70,000-180,000/year), Villa (AED 150,000-500,000+/year). Location matters enormously — Marina/Downtown at the high end, areas like International City at the low end.

Young professionals: Dubai Marina, JLT, Downtown. Families: Arabian Ranches, Springs, Mirdif. Budget-conscious: JLT, Discovery Gardens, International City. Beachfront: JBR, Palm Jumeirah. Each has different vibes, walkability, and amenities. Visit before committing.

Short-term (1-2 years): Furnished is easier, no furniture purchase/selling. Long-term: Unfurnished is cheaper annually and you get what you want. Unfurnished savings can be AED 10,000-20,000/year on the same apartment.

Ejari is the official tenancy registration with Dubai Land Department. Cost: AED 220. Required for: DEWA connection, internet installation, visa address updates, school enrollment. Your landlord or agent usually handles the registration. Don't skip it.

Yes — almost always. Typical negotiation: 5-10% off asking price, number of cheques (4 vs 1), parking included, agent fee reduced. If paying 1 cheque (full year upfront), you have more leverage. Always research comparable units before negotiating.

Typically 2-3 weeks if actively searching. View 8-12+ places, visit neighborhoods at different times. Don't rush — you're locked in for 12 months. The right apartment significantly affects your quality of life.

Varies hugely by industry and role. Examples: Entry-level (AED 8,000-15,000/month), Mid-career (AED 15,000-35,000/month), Senior/Executive (AED 35,000-100,000+/month). Finance, tech, and consulting tend to pay more. Always research market rates for your specific role.

Most private companies: Sunday-Thursday or Monday-Friday (5-day week). Government: Monday-Friday. Some businesses work Saturday. Friday is the holy day (like Sunday in Western countries). Working hours typically 9am-6pm but varies by industry.

Yes, legally via the Remote Work Visa (AED 3,000-8,000/year) if you earn $3,500+/month from foreign employment. Working on a tourist visa is technically not permitted, though enforcement is minimal for remote workers. For long-term plans, get proper visa.

End-of-service benefit (like severance). Calculation: 21 days salary per year for first 5 years, 30 days per year after that. Paid when you leave employment. It's a significant benefit — don't forget to factor it into your total compensation.

No. English is the de facto business language in Dubai. You can live and work here for years without Arabic. That said, learning basics (greetings, thank you) is respectful and can help in certain situations like government offices.

UAE has strong wage protection (WPS system requires documented salary payment). File complaint with MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources). Don't resign until resolved — visa is tied to employment. Many disputes are resolved in favor of employees.

Extremely safe. One of the lowest crime rates in the world. Violent crime is essentially non-existent. You can walk anywhere at night, leave belongings unattended. Main 'safety' concerns: driving (aggressive) and summer heat (dangerous outdoors). For women, it's generally safer than most Western cities.

October-May: Excellent — sunny, warm (20-35°C). June-September: Brutal — extremely hot (40-50°C), high humidity. Summer requires AC-to-AC living. Many expats take extended summer holidays. Plan your outdoor activities for cooler months.

Yes, but controlled. Available in: licensed restaurants/bars (mostly in hotels), licensed shops (MMI, A&E). You need a license to buy from shops (easy to get). No drinking in public, no being drunk in public. Expensive: AED 40-80 per cocktail in bars.

More relaxed than you might think. Normal Western clothing is fine in most areas — shorts, t-shirts, sundresses acceptable in malls, restaurants, residential areas. Cover up more at: government buildings, religious sites, older areas (Deira, Bur Dubai). Beachwear only at beaches/pools.

Yes, for many families it's excellent. Benefits: Very safe, good international schools, diverse environment, family-friendly culture, excellent healthcare, outdoor activities (in winter). Challenges: Summer heat limits outdoor time, school fees are high (AED 30,000-100,000+/year), transient friendships.

It requires intentional effort — Dubai is transient. Join: sports clubs, gyms (F45, CrossFit), hobby groups, professional networks, Meetup.com, InterNations. Say yes to every invitation initially. Real friendships take 3-6 months to form. Many feel lonely initially — it's normal.

Homosexuality is technically illegal in UAE. In practice, many LGBTQ+ expats live in Dubai discreetly without issues, but you cannot be openly out. No same-sex partner visas. Public displays of affection (any orientation) are frowned upon. Consider carefully whether this trade-off works for you.

UAE national identity card issued to all residents. Part of visa process — you do biometrics, then receive it. Takes 5-15 days after biometrics. Digital version available in ICP app within 2-3 days. You need it for: banking, housing, telecom, government services, and much more. It's your most important document.

For 6 months after becoming a resident. After that, you must convert to UAE license. Some nationalities (UK, US, most of Europe) can directly convert (no test). Others must take the UAE driving test. Conversion cost: ~AED 1,000. Test cost: AED 5,000-10,000 including lessons.

No — healthcare is insurance-based. Health insurance is mandatory for residents. If employed, employer must provide it. If self-employed, you arrange your own (AED 5,000-15,000/year). Quality is excellent — many UK/US-trained doctors. Costs without insurance are high.

Yes, with planning. Requirements: microchip, rabies vaccination (30+ days before travel), UAE import permit, health certificate from origin country. Some breeds restricted. Process takes 4-8 weeks. Many use pet relocation services (AED 5,000-15,000). Check breed restrictions before committing.

Technically yes — it's desalinated and treated. But most expats drink bottled or filtered water due to taste and old building pipes. Options: water filter, 5-gallon bottle delivery (AED 8-10 each), building water coolers. Personal choice.

UK-style Type G (three rectangular prongs). Bring adapters if coming from countries with different plugs. Electronics are 220V — same as UK/Europe. US 110V devices may need voltage converters, not just adapters.

Metro: Excellent for Marina ↔ Downtown ↔ Deira corridor. Taxis/Uber/Careem: Affordable and everywhere. Buses: Coverage varies. Some areas are very walkable (Marina, Downtown, JLT). Many people live without cars, especially if near Metro. Monthly transport budget: AED 500-1,500.