دبي دليل البداية

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is about 15-25 minutes from Downtown and Business Bay by car.

The Metro Red Line stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, and taxis, Careem and Uber all run from the arrivals level.

Al Maktoum International (DWC) in the south is used mainly for cargo and some airlines, and is far from the city.

Summer flights are busy on Fridays and around school holidays, so book early.

Many nationalities get a visit visa on arrival for 30 to 90 days. Check the current rule for your passport before you fly.

Most residents get a residence visa through an employer, a freelance permit, a company they own, or property investment.

The Virtual Working Programme gives remote workers a one-year residence visa. You need proof of a steady income and health insurance.

After entry, the usual steps are a medical test, fingerprints for your Emirates ID, and the residence stamp or digital visa.

The Emirates ID is the card you will use for banking, phone lines, tenancy contracts and clinics, so apply for it first.

Overstaying a visa is fined for each day, so renew or leave before it ends.

Summer (Jun-Sep) is very hot and humid, often 40-45°C (104-113°F). Most life moves indoors or to the evening.

Winter (Nov-Mar) is the best season, with 20-30°C days that suit beaches, parks and long walks.

Rain is rare, but heavy storms can flood roads quickly, as they did in April 2024.

Everything indoors is air-conditioned, so carry a light layer even in summer.

Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year. Opening hours change and many places are quieter in the day.

Police

Ambulance

Fire and civil defence

Dubai Police non-emergency line, also available in the Dubai Police app

Save these numbers in your phone before you need them.

The RTA runs the Metro (Red and Green lines), the Tram, buses, water buses and the abras across the Creek. One Nol card pays for all of them.

Buy a Nol card at any metro station and top it up in the Nol Pay app or at machines. Eating and drinking on the Metro is fined.

Official RTA taxis run on a meter. Careem and Uber also work well and show the price up front.

Roads use Salik toll gates. Your car needs a Salik tag with balance, or you are fined for each crossing.

Many nationalities can swap their home driving licence for a UAE one. Others must take lessons and a test at a driving school.

Cross only at marked crossings. Jaywalking is fined, and drink-driving is not tolerated at all.

The two mobile operators are e& (formerly Etisalat) and du. Both sell prepaid SIMs in shops and at the airport, and you need your passport or Emirates ID.

Home fibre internet comes from e& or du. You usually need your Emirates ID and a tenancy contract to sign up.

Voice calls on WhatsApp and FaceTime are restricted. Licensed apps such as Botim and C'me handle calls, and messaging and video work normally.

Coworking spaces and cafes with good Wi-Fi are easy to find in Business Bay, Downtown and the Marina.

Currency: UAE Dirham (AED), pegged to the US dollar at about 3.67.

Local banks include Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB and First Abu Dhabi Bank. Digital banks such as Wio and Liv also open accounts for residents.

To open an account you usually need your passport, Emirates ID, residence visa and a salary letter or proof of address.

There is no personal income tax. VAT is 5% and is added to most prices.

Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, but keep some cash for taxis, abras and small shops.

Wise and other transfer apps work well for sending money home.

Dubai Marina, JBR and JLT: towers, beach access and the Metro, popular with young professionals.

Downtown and Business Bay: central, walkable and close to offices, with higher rents.

Jumeirah, Dubai Hills and Arabian Ranches: villas, parks and schools, popular with families.

Deira, Bur Dubai and Al Barsha: older or further out, and usually cheaper.

Register your tenancy on Ejari (through the Dubai Land Department). You need it for utilities, internet and your visa.

Rent is often paid in one to four post-dated cheques. Only sign a cheque you can cover, because a bounced cheque can lead to a police case.

DEWA supplies electricity and water. Sign up with your Ejari and Emirates ID and expect a refundable deposit. A housing fee of 5% of yearly rent is added to the bill.

Dubai has food from almost every country, from shawarma and Indian biryani to fine dining.

Try Emirati dishes such as machboos and luqaimat, and a cup of karak chai.

Old Dubai around Al Fahidi and Deira has some of the best cheap meals in the city.

Alcohol is served only in licensed hotels and venues. Supermarkets keep pork in a separate section.

Friday brunch is a well-known tradition in the big hotels.

Kite Beach and Jumeirah Public Beach are free and busy on winter weekends.

Safa Park and Zabeel Park are the biggest city parks, with running tracks and shade.

The Al Qudra cycle track and lakes are a favorite for cyclists and bird watchers in winter.

The Hajar Mountains and Hatta are about 90 minutes away and good for hiking and kayaking when it is cooler.

Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain are the classic Downtown visit.

The Museum of the Future and the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood cover the modern and the old city.

Cross the Creek by abra for AED 1 and visit the gold and spice souks in Deira.

Global Village runs each winter, and desert safaris are easy to book. Louvre Abu Dhabi is a day trip away.

Padel, tennis, golf and gyms are everywhere, and many buildings have their own pool and gym.

Running clubs meet at dawn on the Marina and Jumeirah paths, and the Dubai Marathon takes place each January.

Indoor options such as ice rinks and climbing walls fill the hot months.

The work week is Monday to Friday, and the weekend is Saturday and Sunday. Some firms still work on Saturday, and Friday prayer is at midday.

Health insurance is mandatory in Dubai. Employers must cover employees, and you must arrange cover for your family.

Private schools are rated by the KHDA. Good places fill early, so apply many months ahead. Fees vary a lot.

Dress modestly in malls and old neighborhoods, and keep swimwear to beaches and pools. Public rudeness and public displays of affection can bring fines.

Tipping is usually 10-15% at restaurants if a service charge is not already added.