The ultimate expat guide to living in Dubai- here’s everything you need to know

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Deciding to move away from your country can be a huge jump for anyone. Moving from the US to the UAE (and Dubai), a country with a very different lifestyle can be a real culture shock. Failing to do enough research or preparing properly for life in the UAE, could make your move quite stressful. In order to help you make sure this fate doesn’t befall you, and to help you understand how different life may be in Dubai, we have written this complete expat guide to Dubai to help you through establishing your new life in the UAE. Hopefully, it will help a little in regards to lining up your expectations with reality. First things first, how will you get a job? Let’s take a look:

Employment

Generally, a large number of people who decide to move to the United Arab Emirates do so for work-related reasons. This is usually because they have either been offered a position within a company there or are aiming to establish their own business in the country. As is the case in most countries, the visa type you get often depends on the reasoning behind your relocation. So, if you are already employed by a company or have been offered a position, you can apply for a work visa. This makes things quite easy for you in terms of the paperwork as it’ll mostly be managed by the company. Work visas are also the ones with the simplest requirements, so that will make things a lot easier for you.

Alternatively, if you are an entrepreneur, you can also apply for an investor visa or you can apply for a student visa if you are an international student who is thinking of moving to Dubai for educational purposes. A major reason why people move to the UAE is favorable rates for tax-free-income. Taxes apply on certain levels of income but compared to other countries, are markedly reduced if not completely waived. That is something many potential movers look forward to when researching about beginning their new job in the UAE. However, what you might not know that employers have very high expectations from their expatriate employees. This oftentimes includes working long hours and high demands. Make sure this is clearly agreed when signing your contract. You should also get used to…

Accommodation

When it comes to finding a home in Dubai, things can become slightly tricky, especially for US expats. You might be used to paying rent on a monthly basis but, in Dubai, though this option is often available, many landlords prefer to take payments in one go or in four installments divided over the year. It becomes imperative for an expat to be aware of this detail and discuss it with the landlord beforehand. You’ll have to plan your expenses accordingly and have a clear-cut-agreement with your landlord.

Furthermore, you might think that being tax-free will lead to a more luxurious lifestyle compared to the one you had in America. However, the truth is that accommodation can be a lot more expensive in the UAE. Accommodation in Dubai is on par with some of the world’s most expensive cities. Hence, if you don’t do your research, you could potentially end up living in small flats while paying exorbitant rent. It’s important to carry out adequate research and find a home that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg.

The weather

Something that many migrants, tourists, and other new arrivals to Dubai are not prepared for is the dramatic change in the temperature when you start living in Dubai. Even if you’ve been living in the hottest parts of the USA, nothing compares to the heat in the UAE. To put it simply, when you move to the UAE, you will discover a new definition of heat.

Going out during the day can prove to be exceptionally difficult, especially when you are new to the country, although you will eventually get used to such a change. Fortunately, all buildings in Dubai are centrally-air-conditioned; hence, you don’t have to worry about the heat too much on a day-to-day basis. However, when purchasing a home or deciding on which one to rent, be certain to make sure it is one which is centrally air-conditioned thus ensuring there are no unpleasant shocks awaiting you when you move to the UAE.

The food

Let’s not forget that before oil in the UAE was discovered, most of the country consisted of endless stretches of desert without the new fancy skyscrapers. Hence, it’s no surprise that only a few crops grow in this part of the world and the main influences to the food scene in UAE came from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the East African coast. However, with all the development in recent years, the amount of organic food produced in Dubai and UAE has significantly increased and there are even some local food chains famous for producing and selling locally-grown crops.

Needless to say, the local food is probably a lot different from what you might be used to but most expats don’t have any problems adjusting to the food. However, if you happen to be one of the rare ones that do, there are a lot of western restaurants and fast-food chains around the city to satisfy everyone’s taste. Also, one thing that surprises most expats is that in Dubai, brunch is the most important meal of the day. And people can have more of them in a single day! Having brunch with friends/family/coworkers/someone you just met is very common. Keep this in mind and prepare your stomach (and wallet) for this. Finally, if you want to taste more different dishes before you decide what you like and what you don’t, it’s probably a good idea to check out the Taste of Dubai festival (every year in March).

Local laws

For an American, possibly the most difficult part about adjusting to life in the UAE are the different local laws. This includes alcohol bans, restrictions on unmarried individuals living together, and much more. The legal system of the country is well-established, and the authorities are extremely strict when it comes to ensuring that all the laws of the country are followed properly. So, be sure to read up on the major legal differences before moving. Also, when you’re living in the UAE, be sure you aren’t doing something which would have been totally acceptable in America but could lead to serious criminal consequences in the UAE. This leads me to the next point…

Bureaucracy

For newcomers, Dubai can cause headaches when it comes to bureaucracy. You want to buy alcohol? You need a permit. Want to drive in Dubai? You need a special permit. Want to work/reside in Dubai? You need a permit(s). Try to learn as much as you can before moving to Dubai to ease this initial period of adjustment that can drive a lot of people crazy.

Cultural awareness

An expat guide to Dubai can’t be complete without talking about cultural awareness. Sure, Dubai is by far the most liberal emirate in the UAE. However, don’t forget it still is an Arab emirate and most of the local culture is influenced by Islam. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong in this, it’s just different. For example, don’t be surprised if you’re not greeted by a lady. Many women feel uncomfortable in the presence of a man. Additionally, short dresses and miniskirts are not accepted in public places even though it’s completely fine to wear them in the city’s tourist hotspots. Furthermore, don’t forget that Muslim people pray five times per day; don’t be surprised if you see someone dropping whatever they’re doing to go for prayer. Public display of affection is also a big no-no.

Traveling around

Most cities in the UAE are not very pedestrian-friendly. Dubai has a good public transport system but this doesn’t connect all parts of the city. The best way to get around in most cities in the UAE are the local buses. They can take you anywhere but in most cases aren’t as frequent as one might wish. Hence, owning a car is probably the most convenient way of getting around. Sure, navigating in the notorious Dubai traffic isn’t a walk in the park. Directions are usually given via landmarks and the highways can be very difficult; one wrong turn can cost you an extra hour of driving! It also doesn’t help that…

Healthcare in Dubai

Finally, before we round up this expat guide to Dubai, we need to mention a few words about healthcare. The city’s network of hospitals and doctors is comparable to the highest international standards. The major private hospitals are equipped with some state-of-the-art medical equipment. Government hospitals aren’t as well-equipped as their private counterparts but are still more than decent.

Furthermore, all employers must take care of healthcare expenditures for all of their employees. This is something you should know before signing any work contract. Also, when choosing a health plan, it’s advisable to choose one of the larger better-known brands; smaller clinics and hospitals may not provide the quality of care expected by most expats. Fortunately, there are companies like SafetyWing that were created with the very goal of servicing remote workers.

Living in the UAE might be a huge change when moving from America. However, major cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi are known to be extremely enjoyable places to live in, offering great entertainment and lifestyle. So, as long as you do your research and take the proper precautions, you are sure to love living there!

Helpful resources for traveling to Dubai

For cheap flights to Dubai, use this Qatar Airways coupon to save up to 20% on your Dubai flight.

For renting a car in Dubai, save 15% with this AutoEurope discount code.

For saving on travel insurance, check out this special offer by SafetyWing.

To save on accommodation, use this link to get 15% off on all accommodation bookings in Dubai.

Did you ever consider moving to Dubai? What do you think about this expat guide to Dubai? Did you get some useful tips from this article? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

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