Moving to Dubai can be straightforward if the setup is done in the right order, but several local quirks can create problems for new arrivals. The main issues involve phone numbers, WhatsApp, banking, address proof, rental contracts, credit cards, transport, utilities, and lease payments.
Phone numbers and SIM cards
A UAE phone number is useful for many daily tasks because local services often connect delivery, bank tracking, and rescheduling through WhatsApp. If WhatsApp is not set up with the UAE number, some processes can become more difficult.
New arrivals may be offered a tourist SIM at the airport, but some tourist SIMs include only 1 GB and last only one day. It is better to get a tourist SIM with a longer validity period and keep it active as long as possible before converting it to a postpaid plan.
The UAE separates tourist or foreigner SIM plans from local plans, and in some cases the tourist options may be better. Once an Emirates ID is available, the tourist SIM can usually be converted to a postpaid local SIM while keeping the same number.
There can be small restrictions when signing up multiple family members. For example, the same person may not be allowed to sign up for several plans on the same day, which can complicate adding multiple people under similar phone arrangements.
The two main mobile providers mentioned are Etisalat and Du. Some promotions, such as bonus monthly data, may require autopay to be enabled. Autopay may require an actual UAE credit card, not just a debit card.
Credit cards and bill payments
Foreign credit cards usually work for ordinary spending, such as taxis, restaurants, and general purchases. Problems are more likely with local services, where an app or billing system may reject a foreign credit card.
A UAE Visa debit card may work in many places, but it may not count as a true credit card for certain local services. For example, enabling autopay for a mobile plan may require an actual credit card.
A UAE credit card can be useful for:
- activating autopay for services;
- qualifying for mobile plan bonuses;
- earning points or rewards;
- building local credit history;
- accessing restaurant discounts or travel rewards.
If a bank will not issue unsecured credit based on a salary or work contract, it may be possible to get a secured credit card by placing a deposit. For example, a deposit of 100,000 dirhams may become the credit limit.
Most UAE credit cards are denominated in dirhams. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar, but foreign spending may still involve currency conversion. First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank were mentioned as banks with travel cards not denominated only in dirhams. These may be useful for people who spend heavily outside the UAE.
Banking and proof of address
Opening a personal bank account usually requires proof of address. This is commonly provided in one of two ways:
- a hotel letter confirming the person is staying there;
- an Ejari, which is the government-recognized rental contract or ownership record.
A hotel may provide an address letter if the stay is longer than about 10 days. For that reason, it may be better for a new arrival to book one hotel for more than 10 days instead of moving between several short stays or using Airbnb, especially during the initial setup period.
An Ejari is more reliable than an ordinary rental agreement because banks and other institutions recognize it. It is the official registered rental contract or ownership record. It is important to obtain one when renting or buying a property.
A standard rental agreement alone may not be enough for banking or official purposes. Airbnb or room rental arrangements may not provide an Ejari.
Only one person can be listed on an Ejari for a rented place, even if rent is being shared with a spouse, friend, or other household member.
Banks also typically ask for proof of source of income. This may include:
- a work contract;
- investor visa documentation;
- investment or company details.
It is better to open the personal bank account soon after arriving and setting up status in the UAE. If a person waits months after forming a company, a bank may ask for the company’s operating history and income records before opening an account.
After applying for a bank account, it may take a few days to receive the card. A week is a safer planning assumption. Once the card arrives, online banking can usually be activated. Leaving the country before the account opening is completed may cause problems, and the bank may void the process.
Choosing a bank
The large local banks mentioned include:
- First Abu Dhabi Bank;
- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank;
- Emirates NBD;
- Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank.
First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank may be tougher for account opening. Emirates NBD and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank may be easier.
Foreign banks in the UAE include Standard Chartered, HSBC, and Citi. Other local options mentioned include Emirates Islamic Bank, RAKBANK, and Mashreq.
Dubai Mall has a section with many bank branches, making it a practical place to compare account options in person.
Most banks allow accounts in multiple currencies, such as US dollars, through the banking app. Domestic electronic transfers within the UAE are generally straightforward.
Renting property and lease payments
Renting in Dubai can involve payment customs that may be unfamiliar. Landlords may ask for a full year of rent in advance. If rent is not paid annually, landlords often require physical cheques.
This creates a common setup problem:
- A landlord wants cheques.
- A cheque book requires a UAE bank account.
- A bank account often requires proof of address.
- Proof of address may require a hotel letter or Ejari.
This is why staying in a hotel for more than 10 days at the beginning can help. The hotel letter may allow bank account opening. The bank account can then provide a cheque book. The cheque book can then be used for a rental lease.
Rental payment schedules may be negotiable. A landlord may accept three, four, six, or twelve cheques per year. These cheques are usually written in advance and deposited on agreed dates.
Cooling, utilities, and building services
Some apartments are advertised as “chiller free.” This means air conditioning costs are included rather than billed separately. Since air conditioning is used heavily throughout the year, this can affect total housing costs.
Utility providers mentioned include DEWA and Empower, though there may be others depending on the building or area.
Many buildings include a pool and some form of gym. The quality of the gym varies by building.
Cleaning services are easy to arrange through apps, and some buildings may also provide or coordinate these services.
Transport in Dubai
A car is not always necessary for getting around Dubai. Uber is convenient and generally high quality, often using vehicles such as Lexus cars. However, taxis are usually much cheaper.
The Careem app can be used to book taxis and other car services. Careem is a local ride-hailing platform that was later bought by Uber. Using taxis through Careem may save money compared with Uber.
Public transport exists and the metro works well where available, but coverage is limited. It may not be practical to rely on public transport for daily life unless the person’s home and destinations are close to covered routes.
A car may be useful for:
- driving to Abu Dhabi;
- driving to Ras Al Khaimah;
- visiting desert areas;
- touring neighborhoods;
- making trips outside central Dubai.
Vehicles, insurance, and petrol are described as relatively inexpensive. Petrol is especially cheap compared with many other countries.
When buying a car, it is important to look for “GCC spec.” GCC-spec vehicles are configured for Middle Eastern heat and dust. Imported vehicles from places such as Canada may have more maintenance issues in local conditions and may have lower resale value.
Delivery services
Dubai has extensive delivery options, including food and many other goods. Delivery platforms mentioned include Deliveroo, Talabat, and Careem.
Some services offer monthly plans for unlimited delivery. Food delivery is available 24 hours from various providers.
Practical setup order
A practical sequence for a new arrival is:
- Get a UAE tourist SIM with more than one day of validity.
- Set up WhatsApp with the UAE number.
- Stay in one hotel for more than 10 days if an address letter is needed.
- Use the hotel letter or Ejari to open a bank account.
- Remain in the UAE long enough to receive the bank card and activate online banking.
- Request a cheque book if renting property.
- Consider a UAE credit card, especially if autopay or local billing systems require it.
- Convert the tourist SIM to a postpaid plan once the Emirates ID and banking setup are in place.
- Arrange housing with an Ejari where possible.
- Decide whether taxis, Uber, Careem, short-term car rental, or buying a GCC-spec car best fits the expected lifestyle.
The key point is that Dubai works efficiently when the setup follows the local system. Problems usually arise when someone lacks a UAE number, UAE WhatsApp setup, proper address proof, a bank account, a cheque book, an Ejari, or an actual UAE credit card.
