Living in Dubai: the ultimate expat guide
Everything you need to know for a successful life in Dubai.
Dubai is surely the city hosting the most spectacular projects! Most populated town of the United Arab Emirates, located on the Persian Gulf, it is a surprising city which leaves no one indifferent. It has already seduced thousands of expatriates: 82% of its population is made of foreigners.
Dubai attracts skilled professionals, in particular in the high technologies and trade sectors.
Generalities
Get an overview of living in Dubai with general information to discover the destination.
Discover Dubai
The UAE is a country with over 9 million expats — and this alone says a lot. Dubai is the ...
The local culture in Dubai
Dubai, like most of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the most desirable job destinations ...
How to develop your social circle in Dubai
Moving to a new country or city is not always easy, especially when you're leaving behind your ...
Formalities
Find out more on visas, passports and entry requirements to travel to Dubai.
Travelling to Dubai
Travelling to Dubai is easy as it is the world's busiest airport in terms of international passengers. Therefore, flights are available from ...
Visas
All you need to know on work visas, work permits, working holiday visas and residence permits to live and work in Dubai.
Work permit for Dubai
Modern, vibrant, and cosmopolitan, Dubai attracts millions of visitors annually, as well as expatriates. With its dizzying skyscrapers and ...
Work
Dive into the Dubai labour market, legal framework and tips on how to find a job in Dubai.
Finding a job in Dubai
Home to 9 million expats, the UAE is a very popular relocation destination. If you are employed by ...
The labor market in Dubai
Dubai is one of the most desirable destinations for any expat in a peaceful and secure country. ...
Jobs in Dubai
Discover professional opportunities in Dubai and boost your career.
Accommodation
Explore real estate or temporary rentals in Dubai. Find out more about renting or buying a house or a flat, real estate agents, leases and rental agreements.
Accommodation in Dubai
One of the first things you will need to settle when relocating to Dubai is accommodation. If you ...
Buying property in Dubai
Dubai is like a drug; from the minute you step into the city as a tourist, the love affair starts. ...
Find your ideal home in Dubai
Explore real estate listings in Dubai to buy or rent your next home.
Study
Universities, training courses, student visas, registration procedures: all you need to know about being an international student in Dubai.
Health care
Understanding the healthcare system in Dubai: public and private health system, health insurance...
Bank
Navigate the banking system in Dubai: how to choose a bank and open a bank account.
Transport
From public transports to renting or buying a car, explore the best options to getting around in Dubai.
Transport in Dubai
The desert inhabitants of the United Arab Emirates have used camels to get around for over 4,000 years. Before the 1970s, Dubai had very few cars and ...
Driving
Essential information on driving requirements in Dubai, driver's license exchange and international permits.
Driving in Dubai
To drive in Dubai, you will need a local driver's license. There is a list of 30 countries for which no driving test is required. Moreover, you ...
Removal
Moving to Dubai? Find useful information and tips to organize your move.
Leisure
Sports, leisure, culture and other activities expats can enjoy in their spare time in Dubai.
Things to do on weekdays and weekends in Dubai
Dubai is often called the city that never sleeps. People tend to associate Dubai with luxury hotels ...
Things to do in Dubai alone, with your partner or with friends
There is so much to discover in Dubai. If you don't believe us, just hop on the largest Ferris ...
Sports activities in Dubai
People generally tend to associate Dubai with skyscrapers and highways, which is true. However, the ...
Articles from the magazine
Why buying property beats renting in Dubai
Renting a home in Dubai as an expat is becoming more and more challenging. Faced with skyrocketing rents, more and more expatriates are considering real estate purchases to continue living in the city. What are the benefits of this investment? How can one become a homeowner in Dubai? Here are some insights and practical advice.
The real expat life in Dubai: Beyond the glitz
Is Dubai truly the new haven for foreign ultra-rich and bold investors? Beyond the city's superficial image, expats reveal a different reality—a far more ordinary daily life than the extravagance seen online. Let's uncover the other side of Dubai.
Why Dubai is opening its government agencies to foreign talent
The United Arab Emirates is still facing significant labor shortages despite its multiple strategies to fill in the gaps. In Dubai, the impacted public sector is opening its doors to international talent. But the Emirate doesn't want to limit itself to simply recruiting foreign workers. Behind this vast recruitment campaign is a broader project to attract more investors and foreign talent.
Abbey in Dubai: "I love to escape the bustle of the city to the peace of the desert"
Abbey comes from England. She moved to Dubai four years ago with her husband who was offered a job there. They now have a one and a half years old son and a grumpy cat.
Emma in Dubai: "Just embrace the region and learn as much as you can"
Emma and her husband landed in Dubai since one year. Working in the airline industry, this Australian expat gives us her sincere testimony about a country in constant evolution.
The Dubai adventures of a British expat couple
Ruth from London landed in Dubai in February 2015 following her husband to his new post. They will be staying for another year before moving back to the United Kingdom. A freelance writer, Ruth shares with Expat.com her everyday life in the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai lures expat retirees with a five-year retirement visa
While most Middle East countries are facing an expat exodus, the UAE is looking to attract more of them. Dubai has just announced its new strategy to attract and retain expat retirees: a retiree visa that will be renewable every five years. Here's what you need to know if you've always dreamed of retiring to one of the world's most developed and prosperous cities.
Dubai welcomes nearly 100,000 expatriates amid the crisis
The number one city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai stands out in terms of immigration. Its economic prosperity has left everyone speechless. After a sudden demographic drop in the early days of the pandemic, Dubai started welcoming new immigrants in the fall of 2020. So how has this city become a favorite expat destination within the past two years?
