Your First Week in Dubai: Day-by-Day Guide

You just landed. Your visa is stamped. Now what? The first week in Dubai is critical — get the essentials sorted quickly and you'll hit the ground running. Mess it up and you'll be playing catch-up for months.

This guide covers exactly what to do each day, in the right order. I've done this myself and helped dozens of others navigate it. Follow this sequence and you'll avoid the chaos.

📅 Day 1: Land, Connect, Orient

Focus: Get connected and find your bearings. Don't try to do too much — jet lag is real.

✅ Get a UAE SIM Card

This is genuinely the first thing you should do, even before leaving the airport. You need a local number for:

• OTPs for every app and service
• WhatsApp (the primary communication method here)
• Bank account verification
• Landlord and agent contact

Where to buy: Etisalat or du counters at DXB airport (Arrivals). Both are similar quality. Tourist SIM costs AED 55-100. Once you have Emirates ID, you can convert to a resident plan.

✅ Get to Your Accommodation

Options from the airport:

• Metro: AED 10-15, runs 5am-midnight (slightly later on weekends)
• Taxi: AED 80-150 to most areas, metered
• Careem/Uber: Similar to taxi, often slightly more

If arriving late, take a taxi. The metro doesn't run 24/7.

✅ Check In, Rest, Explore Locally

If you're in a hotel or short-term rental:

• Connect to WiFi, set up your SIM
• Download essential apps: Careem, Talabat, Google Maps
• Walk around the immediate area to orient yourself
• Find the nearest supermarket (Carrefour, Spinneys, Lulu)
• Don't schedule anything important — recover from travel

❌ Don't Do Today

Don't try to open a bank account, sign a lease, or make major decisions. You need Emirates ID for most of this anyway.

📅 Day 2-3: Emirates ID & Medical

Focus: Get your Emirates ID process started. This unlocks everything else.

✅ Complete Visa Medical (if not done)

If your employer/sponsor hasn't already arranged this:

• Go to an approved medical fitness center
• Tests: blood test (HIV, Hepatitis B/C), chest X-ray (TB)
• Cost: AED 250-350 typically
• Results take 24-48 hours

✅ Emirates ID Biometrics Appointment

Once medical is cleared, you need to give biometrics for your Emirates ID. Options:

• ICP typing center: Walk-in or appointment via ICP website
• AMER center: Government service center, often faster
• Your PRO handles it: Many companies arrange this for you

What to bring: Passport, entry stamp page, passport photos, medical fitness certificate, visa copy.

Timeline: Biometrics appointment takes 15-30 minutes. Your physical Emirates ID card arrives 5-15 days later. But you get a digital copy much faster.

✅ While Waiting: Start Housing Research

Use the downtime to research neighborhoods and browse listings. Don't schedule viewings yet — wait until you have Emirates ID (digital is fine) or you'll waste time.

📅 Day 3-4: Open Bank Account

Focus: Get a UAE bank account. You need this for salary, rent payments, and utilities.

✅ Choose a Bank

Main options for expats:

✅ What You Need

• Emirates ID (digital accepted by most banks)
• Passport with residence visa
• Salary certificate or employment letter
• Proof of address (hotel booking works initially)

Timeline: Same-day account opening for most banks. Debit card arrives 5-7 days later. You can use the account immediately for transfers.

✅ Set Up Online Banking

Download your bank's app immediately. Set up online transfers, card controls, and notifications. You'll use this constantly.

📅 Day 4-5: Housing Search Begins

Focus: Start viewing apartments. This is often the most time-consuming part of settling in Dubai.

✅ Define Your Criteria

Before contacting agents:

• Budget: Monthly or annual? (Rent is paid 1-4 cheques)
• Location: Near work? Metro? Beach? Nightlife?
• Size: Studio, 1BR, 2BR?
• Furnished vs. unfurnished: Unfurnished is cheaper long-term
• Parking: Included or extra?

✅ Where to Search

• Property Finder: Most comprehensive listings
• Bayut: Good alternative, similar inventory
• Dubizzle: More private landlords, sometimes better deals
• Facebook groups: "Dubai Apartments" etc. — hit or miss

✅ Schedule Viewings

Contact multiple agents. Schedule 4-6 viewings per day if serious. Best times: morning (before heat) or evening (after work hours).

✅ Understand Rental Costs

Total move-in costs are more than just rent:

• Annual rent (or quarterly payments)
• Security deposit (5-10% of annual rent)
• Agent fee (5% of annual rent)
• Ejari registration (AED 220)
• DEWA deposit (AED 2,000)
• Chiller deposit if applicable (AED 2,000-5,000)

📅 Day 5-7: Transportation & Apps

Focus: Get mobile. Set up the apps and transport options you'll use daily.

✅ Get a Nol Card (Metro)

Even if you plan to drive, get a Nol card:

• Works on Metro, buses, trams, water taxi
• Red/Silver card: AED 25 (AED 6 fee + AED 19 credit)
• Available at any metro station or RTA office
• Top up via RTA app or machines

✅ Download Transport Apps

• Careem: Most popular ride-hailing
• Uber: Works here too, similar prices
• S'hail / RTA Dubai: Public transport planning
• Salik: Toll payment (if driving)

✅ Consider Car Rental

If you're not in Marina/Downtown (walkable areas), consider a short-term rental while you get settled:

• Daily rental: AED 80-150/day (economy cars)
• Monthly rental: AED 1,500-3,000/month
• Popular apps: Ekar (car-sharing), Udrive, traditional rentals
• You can drive on your home country license for 6 months, then need UAE license

✅ Essential Apps to Set Up

• DEWA: Electricity and water bills
• Emaar / developer app: Building services (if applicable)
• Talabat / Deliveroo: Food delivery
• Carrefour / Noon: Grocery delivery
• ICP UAE: Emirates ID digital copy
• UAE PASS: Government services login
• Al Hosn: Health records and vaccination

✅ Convert Phone Plan

Now that you have Emirates ID, visit Etisalat or du to convert your tourist SIM to a resident plan. Typical cost: AED 100-200/month for unlimited calls and 10-20GB data.

✅ End of Week 1 Checklist

By the end of Day 7, you should have:

• ✅ UAE phone number (working SIM)
• ✅ Emirates ID biometrics completed
• ✅ Digital Emirates ID in ICP app
• ✅ UAE bank account opened
• ✅ Started apartment viewings
• ✅ Nol card for metro
• ✅ Essential apps installed
• ✅ Basic orientation of the city

Week 1 Survival Tips

💰 Money

• Bring enough cash for the first few days (AED 1,000-2,000)
• Most places accept cards, but you'll need cash for some things
• ATMs everywhere, look for fee-free options from your bank

☀️ Weather

• Drink water constantly — dehydration sneaks up on you
• AC is aggressive — bring a light layer for malls and offices
• Sunscreen is essential, even for "quick" outdoor moments

🚗 Getting Around

• Traffic is worst 7-9am and 5-8pm
• Metro is excellent for Dubai Marina ↔ Downtown ↔ Deira
• Taxis are affordable — don't hesitate to use them

📱 Communication

• WhatsApp is king — everyone uses it, including businesses
• VoIP apps (FaceTime, WhatsApp calls) work fine
• Business hours: Sunday-Thursday in most cases

Frequently Asked Questions