Dubai - where all that glitters is gold, diamond or glass, and where the sun shines hot on the multitude of epic skyscrapers and tourist attractions. This metropolitan melting pot of culture is the place to be if you enjoy the finer things in life - from contemporary living and luxury shopping to lavish dining and thrilling adventure. Before moving to Dubai, however, there are a few things you need to know about the religion, culture and customs so you can make the most of your new adventure and not stick out like a sore thumb!
This 20-point checklist will help you navigate Dubai like a seasoned local and ensure that your stay is as magical as an Arabian fairy tale from the day you arrive and throughout your stay.
BEFORE YOU DEPART
Plan your trip a few months ahead to get the best rates for air travel, accomodation and tours. Make sure you have all your documents in order well in advance too.
1. Get your passport, visa, permits and other documentation in order
First things first, you must ensure that your passport and visa are in order, because without them you’re not going anywhere! If you are moving to the UAE for work, the company sponsoring you will probably do most of the hard work for you like applying for your residence visa and work permit, although you will still have to present a passport that is valid for at least six months and clear a health check that includes a blood test and chest x-ray. You will also be required to pass a security check and apply for an Emirates ID card from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
When entering the UAE, take note of the strict custom rules pertaining to religious law, particularly on alcohol and food.
Once you have received your residence visa, you will be able to sponsor and apply for visas on your family’s behalf, and you will be able to open a bank account and obtain a driving licence.
If you don’t have a valid visa or Emirates ID you won’t be able to rent property on an annual tenancy contract. However, with Thirty Sleeps, you can stay for a month at a Thirty Sleeps Sleep Partner with only your passport!
2. Get health insurance
Many people moving to Dubai come over on a Tourist Visa with travel insurance and then convert to a Work Visa. Once your Work Visa is approved, you will get health insurance from your employer. It is now a legal requirement for companies to provide health insurance cover for their employees.
Although public healthcare is available in the UAE, private healthcare is recommended for the best possible care. There are reportedly more private hospitals in the UAE than there are public hospitals so you won’t have any problems finding the right medical care for you.
UPON ARRIVAL
3. Get connected
When you arrive at the airport you can pick up a sim card so you can take advantage of the free wifi available almost everywhere. Getting connected is essential to finding your way around and keeping in touch with family and friends.
4. Get moving
Although public transport is widely available, many taxis do not accept card payments so it’s wise to have cash on hand for travel expenses. To use the Dubai Metro you will need to purchase a Nol card/ticket. It's easy to buy or top-up a card, or add trips to your Nol ticket - just go to a ticket vending machine, ticket office or RTA authorised sales agent. The Metro is quick, clean and efficient, but can become crowded during rush hour. There is also an efficient public bus system to reach places not on the Metro routes, or simply to get around.
5. Find accommodation
As a tourist hotspot, Dubai has plenty of accommodation options; however, you might want to consider an extended stay at a Thirty Sleeps Sleep Partner to earn exciting rewards and benefits to get the most out of your move. Thirty Sleeps is the only sleep program that offers monthly rewards for extended stays of 30+ days at selected hotels, apartments and villas. You can stay as long as you want!
Not only is it cost-effective, flexible and convenient, with no long-term commitments, you can forget the humdrum of contracts, utility bills and maintenance fees, and fulfil your wanderlust instead!
Thirty Sleeps Benefits
- Free to Explore: There are no fees to use our platform, search for accommodation and claim rewards
- Exclusive Rewards: Get vouchers, discounts and benefits simply for staying at our Sleep Partners for 30+ days
- Save Money: Affordable rent with linen & cleaning, bills & utilities included in your stay
- Commitment-free Living: Pre-approved options, flexible terms, convenient facilities & fully furnished, equipped accommodation
- Exciting Destinations: Enjoy the style and charm of our contemporary Sleep Partner locations
SETTLING IN
With the basic essentials covered, settling into Dubai life can be difficult if you don’t know what to expect or how to fully adapt to your new surroundings. Here are a few tips to get you started.
6. Cost of living
Even though you will not pay any income tax in the UAE, the cost of living isn’t cheap. Stats gathered by Numbeo reveal that the monthly costs for a family of four, excluding rent, is estimated at AED 11,792.18, and for a single person, excluding rent, is estimated at AED 3,421.10.
Adding rental costs pushes those numbers a lot higher.
Extended stays at selected hotels in great locations can actually be cheaper (and more convenient) than an annual rental commitment. Find out more at the Thirty Sleeps website.
7. Work culture
The most prominent (and popular) feature of working in the UAE is the complete lack of income tax. Couple that with the fact that some companies also offer their employees a housing allowance, contributions towards your kids’ school fees, medical insurance, and even free air tickets back home, and you fully realise the appeal of living and working in the UAE.
A form of medical insurance is now compulsory if you are on a work visa, and must be provided by your employer.
8. School system
If you’re worried about your children experiencing a severe culture shock having to receive education in a foreign country, don’t stress! There are over 140 international schools in Dubai with a mix of English National Curriculum / British schools, International Baccalaureate and American schools.
9. Safety and security
The UAE is considered to be one of the safest places to live in the world. In the opinion of hundreds of Numbeo users, the level of crime is “very low” all over the country. In Dubai specifically, residents also consider the safety of walking alone at night to be “very high”.
10. Language
English is widely spoken in the UAE because of the large number of expats living in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. While it’s not necessary to learn Arabic, it is respectful to learn some basic Arabic to bond with colleagues and locals. There are also plenty of international bars and restaurants in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai if you’re ever longing for a taste of home.
11. Know the best seasons and days to explore
The UAE is notoriously hot in the Summer (and warm in the Winter too). The best time to explore Dubai is from October to March. The weather is gorgeously sunny during the day and cooler in the evenings - perfect for outdoor explorations, pool and beach days! If you can’t avoid travelling during the really hot weather, don’t worry, there are still plenty of air conditioned indoor activities and attractions to keep you cool and entertained.
Remember that weekends in the UAE fall on Friday and Saturday, not on Saturday and Sunday. Friday is the holy day so some attractions may also be closed until early evening.
12. Respect the culture
Although some people are under the impression that Dubai is extremely conservative, you might be surprised to learn that it is in fact home to a diverse melting pot of culture due to the number of expats from all over the world who live and work there. So even though the UAE constitution enshrines Islam as the official religion of the state, Dubai is still accepting of other cultures and religions, and even celebrates Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
There are, however, a few things you do need to respect about the culture, without exception:
- Cover your shoulders and knees in public places and government areas (you can get away with it at the beach);
- No public displays of affection (holding hands is tolerated);
- No drinking of alcohol in public (drinking is permitted in licensed bars and restaurants),
- Don’t take photographs of people without their permission;
- Taking pictures of government and military sites is restricted in the UAE, unless you have a special permit;
- Other public places such as beaches, airports, bridges, cultural sites and free zones also have limitations for photography;
- Don’t swear, point fingers or use rude hand gestures
- Don’t litter (obviously!)
- Follow the rules of the UAE, especially during Ramadan (the Holy Month) when there are more regulations to be aware of.
Dubai’s traditional festivals include:
- Leilat al-Mairaj: The Prophet’s Ascension
- Ramadan: A month of fasting, reflecting and commemorating the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad
- Eid-ul-Fitr: The end of Ramadan - Festival of breaking the fast
- Arafat (Haj) Day: The day Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon on mount Arafat
- Eid-ul-Adha: A 3-day festival also known as the feast of the sacrifice
- Al-Hijra: Islamic New Year
- Mouloud: The Prophet’s Birthday
During these times, it is especially important to respect the practices and beliefs of the locals.
13. Keep your drug prescriptions
Dubai has zero-tolerance laws against the use of drugs, so make sure you have all your prescriptions with you and try not to carry any medicine that the authorities won’t approve of.
FINDING ADVENTURE
Voted one of the top 10 cities to live in the world, you won’t struggle to find adventure in Dubai. With an alluring blend of over-the-top experiences, Arab heritage and luxury shopping, Dubai promises fun and excitement around every corner.
14. Sightseeing
There are endless sightseeing opportunities in the UAE! Choose from the plethora of kid-friendly attractions, outdoor and beach adventures, art, culture and history monuments, markets and malls, and amusement parks to truly experience the marvels of the UAE. As a city of superlatives, Dubai’s architectural masterpieces include the tallest tower in the world, Burj Khalifa, the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with it’s 82 white domes, or the world’s largest flower garden, Dubai Miracle Garden, just to name a few.
15. Desert adventures
Take a break from the glamour and luxury of the city and head to the rolling sand dunes for a traditional desert experience atop a horse or camel, or for something a little more high speed in a Hummer, Jeep, dune buggy or quad bike. Here you can also experience the thrill of sand boarding - something you have to add to your bucket list if it isn’t there already!
16. Water sports
It’s no surprise that water sports and activities are a hit in the UAE, with temperatures soaring to 43 °C (109 °F) and above in the summer months! There's no better way to cool off in Dubai than a dip in the ocean or a trip to the Atlantis Resort, where you can swim with dolphins, scuba dive with sharks or snorkel in the Lost Chambers Aquarium.
Most hotels have swimming pools and some of the Resort Hotels have day passes so you can pay a fee for use of the pool, the private beach (in some cases) and the facilities. The Northern Emirates has some fantastic diving opportunities too!
17. Culture and history
There is no shortage of cultural landmarks in the UAE that capture the rich history and celebrate the vibrant culture of art, music and drama. Visit the Louvre (not that one!) in Abu Dhabi that showcases a host of international artwork, or head to the Dubai Opera, an ultramodern performing arts facility for immersive cultural experiences. Get to know the history of the UAE by paying a visit to the many museums, historical forts, mosques, palaces and tombs.
The most iconic cultural trip you can take is to the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. You can also visit the old part of Dubai, see the Dubai Museum, and take a AED 1 ride across the Creek in a dhow, or get lost in the Spice and Gold Souks.
18. Nightlife
Be prepared for a buzzing nightlife in Dubai! As seriously as Dubai takes home and work life, the social scene is just as important. “Friday brunch” has become a staple event with free drinks and dancing through the night! While Isamic laws prohibit alcohol, non-Muslims are allowed to drink in licensed pubs, bars and restaurants.
19. Shopping
Shopping could well have been at the top of this list since Dubai is internationally renowned for its extravagant retail culture! You can literally shop until you drop in the world’s largest mall, Dubai Mall, or spend a day perfecting your bartering skills at the Gold, Spice and Fragrance Souks.
20. Food
For an eclectic culinary adventure in Dubai, hit the streets for a wide range of international street cuisine or dine in style at any of the luxury hotel restaurants and eateries for a 5-star experience.
As you can see, Dubai is really an awesome place to be with a vibrant mix of culture, history and tourism attractions to suit any and all tastes. If you’re planning to stay and you’re looking for a convenient, affordable and contemporary place to rest your head during your work or travel missions, check out Thirty Sleeps to find amazing accommodation options with rewards every 30 days. It is also an ideal solution for those who do not yet have their Work visa or Emirates ID and are unable to rent on a private annual tenancy.
