Living In Dubai As An Expat- 17 Important Things To Know

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 ultimate expat guide to living in Dubai to help you establish your new life in the UAE. Hopefully, it will help a little in regards to lining up your expectations with reality.

Let’s start from the beginning…

Why Consider Living In Dubai?

Why consider living in Dubai, you ask? Well, imagine a city where the sun always shines, the shopping bags are as heavy as the gold souks, and the skyscrapers try to tickle the clouds…

A Tax Haven on Earth
First off, Dubai is like that cool uncle who never asks for money at family gatherings. It’s a tax-free haven​​. Yes, you heard that right and we’ll get in the details later in this article…

The Melting Pot of Cultures
Dubai is a veritable melting pot of cultures, boasting a vibrant expat community that makes up a significant portion of the city’s population​​.

Safety First, Questions Later
If Dubai were a superhero, it would definitely be Captain Safety. It’s one of the safest cities in the world, with incredibly low crime rates that make walking home at night as worry-free as browsing through a mall.

Shopper’s Paradise
Calling all shopaholics: Dubai is your mecca. From the labyrinthine alleys of traditional souks to the gleaming corridors of some of the world’s largest shopping malls, retail therapy in Dubai is just another Tuesday​​.

An Architectural Wonderland
For those who like their buildings tall and their architecture ambitious, Dubai is a dream come true​​.

The Foodie’s Delight
If food is your language of love, Dubai speaks it fluently. The culinary scene here is as diverse as its populace, offering everything from street food to Michelin-starred dining experiences​​.

Visa And Residency

First, let’s start with the UAE Golden Visa- a star-studded pass, reserved for investors, entrepreneurs, specialized talents, researchers, and bright students that gives you a long-term residency (5 or 10 years, take your pick) and a warm embrace into the UAE family.

Another option is the Remote Work Visa, a one-year, renewable visa that allows expats to live in Dubai while working for an overseas employer.

For those not ready to commit to a long-term relationship that is the Golden Visa or the Remote Work Visa, Dubai offers a more casual dating option: the Tourist Visa available for 30 to 90 days.

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 is 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.

Enjoying this post? Then you may also like this long-term travel packing list.

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 on 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 is 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 that 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. 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 with 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 is 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 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 Dubai 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!

Education System

Dubai’s international schools are like mini-United Nations assemblies with students from all corners of the globe. The city’s schools offer a smorgasbord of educational curricula, including British, American, IB, Indian, and French just to name a few, and choosing the right curriculum for your child might be a bit confusing. The British curriculum ends with the GCSEs and A-Levels, the American system culminates in a high school diploma and AP courses, while the International Baccalaureate (IB) offers a comprehensive program from nursery to the end of high school. Many schools in Dubai are very competitive and the fees range from reasonable to ridiculously expensive, depending on your requirements.

Understanding Dubai’s Tax-Free Status

Now, we finally got to one of the most important parts of living in Dubai- its legendary tax-free status. It’s true, Dubai has no personal income tax but generating income from real estate changes the game; rental income is subject to taxation.

For businesses, the narrative gets a bit more nuanced. While there’s no federal corporate tax for most businesses, the oil and banking sectors do contribute to the state’s coffers. Additionally, Free Zones offer tax benefits and customs duty relief for companies, making them an attractive option for international business.

Safety In Dubai: Crime Rates And Emergency Services​​

We’ve all seen videos on YouTube of people leaving their cars unlocked or getting forgotten wallets and phones (in cafes or elsewhere) being returned to the rightful owner. Dubai’s crime rates are very low, and in its posh neighborhoods, practically non-existent. The reason for this is that local authorities are very strict on portraying Dubai as an ultra-safe modern city through a combination of strict laws and omnipresent surveillance. However, there are parts of Dubai (mostly where lower-class immigrants live) that are not as heavily surveilled and not as safe as the city’s more posh parts, however, even there, crime rates are nothing to worry about.

Recreation & Leisure

When it comes to entertainment, living in Dubai offers a little bit of something for everyone. First, Dubai is home to a myriad of beach clubs that are the epitome of seaside leisure, offering everything from DJ parties and water sports to quiet corners for introverts who want to just chill and read by the sea. Thrill-seekers can explore the desert that surrounds the city from all sites and sports junkies can try anything from simple yoga or gymming to watersports, kite surfing, rugby, and even indoor skiing. And last but not least, let’s not forget the thing that Dubai is probably most famous for- shopping.

Expat Communities And Support Groups

Social Media Platforms: The Facebook group Expats in Dubai has close to 150,000 and offers helpful tips about living in Dubai for expats and also serves as a great way to connect to other expats in Dubai.

Meetup: Meetup.com is a platform where expats organize and attend events based on shared interests like hiking, reading groups, sports, etc.

Internations: Internations is a global network specifically designed for expats and its Dubai chapter is one of its most active ones, regularly hosting all kinds of events and activities.

Specific Country Clubs and Associations: Many nationalities have their own dedicated clubs or associations in Dubai and it’s likely that your country has one too.

Sports and Hobby Groups: Whether you’re into cricket, photography, or yoga, there’s likely a group or club in Dubai that shares your passion.

Parenting groups: platforms like Dubai Mums are a great resource for mothers in Dubai, whether for sharing information or meeting like-minded expats.

Pros And Cons Of Living In Dubai

Last but not least, we’ll wrap up this guide to living in Dubai with a few of the most common pros and cons of staying here.

Pros:

Tax-Free Earnings: we discussed far and wide the benefits of Dubai’s tax-free lifestyle and this is still one of the main reasons why so many expats choose to move here.
World-Class Infrastructure: Dubai boasts a modern infrastructure that rivals any global metropolis.
Cultural Melting Pot: With expatriates making up a significant portion of the population, Dubai is a melting pot of cultures, cuisines, and traditions.
Safety: As mentioned earlier, Dubai offers a level of safety and security that is the envy of cities worldwide.

Cons:

Cost of Living: While you might be earning tax-free income, Dubai’s cost of living is not to be underestimated.
Climate: With great sunshine comes great responsibility—namely, the responsibility to stay hydrated and sunscreened.
Cultural Adjustments: Adapting to Dubai’s local customs can be at times, challenging.
Traffic: While Dubai’s roads are wide and well-maintained, they’re also often congested and rush hour often feels like a nightmare.

More 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.

Have you ever considered moving to Dubai? Was this expat guide to living in Dubai helpful? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Like it? Pin it.