Moving to the UAE 2026: a step-by-step guide from the flight to settling in

Moving to the UAE means preparing for dozens of things at once: the flight, the first documents, housing, transport, phone, money. This guide is organised chronologically, from buying tickets to a settled life a month after arrival. All figures and recommendations are based on the recent experience of Russian-speaking residents in the first half of 2026.

The article will be useful to those who have already chosen the country and want a single source of checked information instead of hundreds of scattered chat messages. More on visa routes in the guide to UAE residence 2026, and on money matters in the article on money in the UAE. If you are still comparing countries, see our comparison of 13 destinations.

Flights: what to know before you fly

According to the CEO of Dubai Airports (Khaleej Times, September 2026), the gradual move of flights to Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) will start no earlier than 2027, with flydubai first. Check the airport and terminal when you buy your ticket.

What to know before departure

• A return ticket is not required. In residents' experience, a return ticket is no longer needed to enter the UAE; a one-way ticket is enough
• Cash for the first day. Buy a small amount of dirhams before you fly, for the taxi from the airport, the hotel tourism fee (Tourism Dirham, paid in dirhams) and small expenses. The exchange rate at the airport on arrival is noticeably worse than in the city
• US dollars are the easiest cash to bring. Dollars are accepted at every exchange office, including older notes (the rate may be slightly lower). In the city, the Al Ansari Exchange chain is the most convenient place to change money. Banks (such as Emirates NBD) generally do not change money for tourists: you need an account
• The porter tip. At the airport you can hire a porter for AED 40 (paid at the check-in desk) who will take you almost queue-free through every stage from passport control to the exit

"If you're travelling only with dollars and without a card you can pay with, it's better to buy a small amount of dirhams before you fly for the first day, for a taxi, for example, and to pay the tourist tax at reception. Changing money at the airport on arrival isn't worth it, the rate is much worse."

— Abu Dhabi resident, January 2026

The first day: airport, taxi, SIM card

Taxis and transfers: Careem, Yandex, city taxis

The main thing to understand: taxis in the UAE are not private drivers but fully regulated transport. Drivers wear uniforms, cars have cameras and GPS, and a card terminal is mandatory.

"Here taxis are public transport. Licensed, with a uniformed driver, a meter, GPS, cameras in the car. There's always a terminal. These aren't random guys who downloaded an app and went wild."

— Dubai resident, January 2026

Comparing services:

When you cross an emirate border, AED 20 is added to the meter as an inter-emirate surcharge. This applies to Dubai–Sharjah, Dubai–Abu Dhabi and other routes.

Indicative fares from DXB airport (according to Russian-speaking chats, January–July 2026):

• To the Marina / JBR: AED 80–120
• To Deira: AED 30–50
• To Sharjah: AED 100–150 (including the inter-emirate surcharge)
• To Abu Dhabi: AED 250–350

For your first ride, Careem works well: the app works as soon as you connect to the airport Wi-Fi, and you can pay in cash. You can also take a city taxi at the exit: every car has a card terminal. If you plan to live in Sharjah, bear in mind that Yandex Go does not work there. Careem and city taxis are the only sensible options.

SIM and eSIM: which operator to choose (and why not Virgin)

Phone service in the UAE is a noticeable expense. SIM cards come up 281 times in the chats. The two main operators are du and Etisalat (e&).

Operators and plans:

You can buy a SIM card from either operator right at the airport: the counters are after passport control. You need your passport. Tourist data packages (5–10 GB for 7–30 days) cost AED 80–150.

For permanent residence, a postpaid plan is better value: more data and cheaper per GB. But it requires an Emirates ID.

Avoid Virgin. When you buy a Virgin SIM card, they require you to link a bank card. According to residents' reviews, unlinking it later is "hell". Charges may continue even after the number is disconnected.

eSIM (for those who want service before landing):

• Trip.com: eSIM options for the UAE that can be activated before departure
• Kaspersky eSIM Store: works in 180+ countries, including the UAE
• esimworld: not recommended; according to reviews, the speed is extremely low

Bear in mind that a du eSIM is deactivated when you leave the Emirates, which is inconvenient if you plan trips to Oman or other countries.

Critical for remote work: VPNs are unreliable in the UAE. Some services (VoIP calls via WhatsApp and FaceTime, Skype, some messengers) are blocked at the provider level. YouTube and Microsoft Teams may work intermittently. If your work depends on video calls and blocked services, this is a serious factor to weigh before moving.

"Mobile internet effectively doesn't work. Many services don't work even with a VPN."

— Dubai resident, March 2026

Home internet: costs about USD 150 a month (about AED 550). An Emirates ID is required. The contract is usually for 12 months with a penalty for early termination. The providers are du and Etisalat (depending on the area).

The first week: Emirates ID, Amer centre, bank

If you arrived with a visa already (employment, free zone or family; more on the ways to get a visa), the first week goes on three key tasks: getting your Emirates ID, opening a bank account and buying a Nol card.

Emirates ID: the resident's main document

The Emirates ID is the main document of a UAE resident (346 mentions in the chats). Without it you cannot open a bank account, connect home internet, rent a home long term, take out insurance, register a car or get a driving licence.

How to get it: through an Amer centre (also known as Tasheel). Amer is a government-affiliated one-stop service centre. Here you submit documents for visas and the Emirates ID and take medicals. It is not a visa agent or a commercial intermediary but the official channel for submitting documents.

The procedure:

1. Book through the ICA Smart app (recommended) or walk in without an appointment (the queue can take 1–2 hours)
2. Biometrics: photo and fingerprints
3. Pay the government fee: check the current amount on gov.ae. In residents' experience, many intermediaries from the CIS charge 2–3 times the official fee
4. Receiving the card: in residents' experience, usually 5–10 working days, up to 15 days at busy times

Where Amer centres are: there are several in each emirate. In Dubai the main ones are in Deira, Al Barsha and Business Bay. Opening hours vary by centre, so check the specific Amer centre's website before visiting. Come in the morning: queues grow considerably by lunchtime.

An important nuance: to open a bank account you may not need the physical Emirates ID card; a copy of the application receipt is often enough.

"In May I opened a salary card with ENBD. It all took half an hour. And my Emirates ID wasn't ready yet; a copy of the application for it was enough. And I came 'just to ask', and they processed everything on the spot."

— Dubai resident, June 2026

Bank account

For some nationalities, including Russian citizens, opening an account is a separate task: UAE banks have tightened compliance after sanctions, and with a Russian passport it may take several attempts. The main banks Russian speakers use:

More on banks, cards and transfers in the guide to money in the UAE.

NOL card

Nol is the transport card for the metro and buses in Dubai. A Silver card costs AED 25, of which AED 19 is credited to the balance (according to the RTA). A metro trip costs AED 3–7.50 depending on the number of zones. The minimum balance for a trip is AED 7.50.

Nol works only in Dubai. In Abu Dhabi you need a separate Hafilat card for transport, a common pitfall for those who live in one emirate and work in another. Hafilat is sold at the Abu Dhabi bus station and at ITC offices.

A tip: in tourists' experience, on your last day you can try to get the remaining Nol balance refunded at a metro ticket office; check the refund conditions with the RTA.

Transport: metro, buses, car hire

Dubai is designed for cars (59 mentions of "you can't live without a car" in the chats). Walking is comfortable only in Downtown and the Marina, and even then only in the cooler months (November–March). Otherwise the city requires taxis, the metro or your own car.

"Dubai is not a city for pedestrians; you need a car. Hire costs 2.5–3 thousand a month."

— Dubai resident, February 2026

The Dubai Metro

Two lines, Red and Green, cover the main areas: Deira, Business Bay, Downtown, the Marina, JLT, Internet City. But many residential complexes are another 10–15 minutes by bus or taxi from the station.

Fares with a Nol card (Silver):

The Gold Class carriage costs twice the standard fare (AED 6–15 against AED 3–7.50, according to RTA tariffs). The fine for being in an area reserved for a specific category of passengers is AED 100, and for travelling without paying AED 200 (according to the RTA brochure). Trains have a separate carriage for women and children.

Metro stations are open Monday–Thursday and Saturday from 5:00 to midnight, on Friday from 5:00 to 1:00, and on Sunday from 8:00 to midnight (according to the RTA). Intervals, in passengers' experience, are 3–7 minutes at rush hour and 7–10 minutes at other times. Buses complement the metro routes and run to a timetable: check it in the RTA Dubai app.

Car hire: you need a recognised licence; fines from AED 2,000

If you plan to drive, check before you fly whether your national licence is recognised in the UAE; if it is not, get an international driving permit (IDP) in your home country before departure. Russian national licences, for example, are not valid in the UAE without an IDP.

The fine for driving on a foreign licence that is not recognised in the UAE is AED 2,000 to 10,000, and for driving with no licence at all AED 5,000 to 50,000 and up to three months in jail (Federal Decree-Law No. 14/2024, in force from 29.03.2025; amounts according to Gulf News). Some rental agencies say a foreign licence alone is enough; this is misleading. In drivers' experience, in an accident without a valid licence the insurance will not cover the damage, and all the financial liability falls on the driver.

An extra fine many people don't know about: holding a phone while driving is AED 800 and 4 black points, and in Dubai the car may also be impounded for 30 days (according to Dubai Police as reported by Gulf News).

Rental options:

Large rental companies return the deposit a month after you return the car: traffic fines arrive with a delay of up to 2–3 weeks, and the company holds the deposit for that period.

Other traffic fines:

• Parking violation: from AED 200, in drivers' experience (cameras record automatically)
• Speeding: from AED 300 (up to +20 km/h); higher fines and black points for greater excess
• Dangerous driving: a large fine, black points and impoundment of the car (check the amounts on the Dubai Police website)

Everyday life: supermarkets, alcohol, DEWA utilities

Groceries: where to shop and what it costs

The main supermarket chains differ in price segment (188 mentions in the chats):

A grocery basket for one person is about AED 3,700 a month (USD 1,000), according to Russian-speaking chats, January–July 2026. That assumes mid-range shopping and cooking at home. If you eat out regularly and order delivery, the budget grows 1.5–2 times.

Fruit and vegetables are cheaper at markets (Waterfront Market in Deira). Meat and dairy are better value at Lulu and Carrefour. For basic household goods (crockery, towels, small items for the home), DayToDay has prices 2–3 times lower than in the malls.

Alcohol

Alcohol is sold in specialist shops, African+Eastern and MMI (91 mentions in the chats: "where can I buy it" is asked literally every day). You can find the nearest one on Google Maps. In residents' experience, tourists do not need a licence to buy, and residents in Dubai get one free online.

Alcohol is completely banned in Sharjah. This is one of the key differences between the emirates. If you live in Sharjah, you will have to drive to Dubai or Ajman (the nearest shop is on the emirate border). Alcohol prices in the UAE are about 2–3 times higher than in Russia or Europe.

DEWA utilities

DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) is the single supplier of electricity and water in Dubai (28 mentions of "high DEWA bills" in the chats). The main expense is air conditioning, which runs 24/7 for most of the year.

A DEWA bill is AED 600–1,000 a month depending on the size of the flat and the season. In summer (June–September) bills are 30–50% higher because of the maximum load on the air conditioning. In winter (November–March) bills are minimal: the air conditioning runs gently.

A separate expense in some buildings is the chiller fee (district cooling). It is paid not through DEWA but on a separate bill from the management company: AED 200–500 a month. When choosing a flat, check whether the chiller is included in the rent or paid separately.

In Abu Dhabi the equivalent supplier is ADDC, in Sharjah SEWA. Tariffs are comparable.

Furniture and settling in

Flats in the UAE are usually let unfurnished. A minimal set (bed, sofa, table, fridge, washing machine) costs about AED 2,000 if you buy budget options. Dubizzle and Facebook Marketplace are the main platforms for second-hand furniture at good prices.

To move furniture and large items into a flat, you need permission from the building's management company. Approval takes 2–3 days, and the date and time are strictly assigned. Without approval, security may not let the movers into the building.

More on renting in the guide to renting in the UAE.

Healthcare and insurance: what is covered and what isn't

Healthcare in the UAE is paid, for residents too (146 mentions of "healthcare is expensive" in the chats). Without insurance, a GP visit costs AED 200–500 and a specialist consultation AED 300–800. With insurance, the copay (the patient's share) can be 20–50% of the cost of a procedure.

"I can tell you about healthcare: it's hell here, don't get treated here if you can avoid it. I'm on sick leave with symptoms from a cough to diarrhoea (I have none of these). In short, nobody knows what's wrong with me, so I just trek from doctor to doctor, bringing the clinic money from the insurance."

— Sharjah resident, February 2026

Insurance: basic vs good

The cost difference between a man and a woman is AED 2,000–3,500 a year, linked to cover for childbirth and reproductive health. For a family with two adults and a child, good insurance costs AED 20,000–30,000 a year.

"Whoever arranges the health insurance (you or the company; if the company, it will most likely be the basic minimum that won't even cover a blood test)."

— Dubai resident, February 2026

To compare insurance, you can use policybazaar.ae: it aggregates offers from different companies and lets you filter by cover, copay and network of clinics.

Another way to save is public hospitals (Rashid Hospital, Iranian Hospital), where appointments are cheaper and possible without insurance. But the queues are longer, and English is not always available.

Pharmacies and controlled medicines

The main pharmacy chains are Aster and Life. A typical medicine costs AED 42–50. Most medicines are sold under international names: ask for the active ingredient, not the brand name you know from home.

Some medicines (psychotropics, some painkillers, sleeping pills, tranquillisers) are on the controlled list. To bring them in, you need a permit obtained through the UAE Ministry of Health website before departure. In travellers' experience, without a permit the medicine may be confiscated at customs and, in the worst case, the owner detained. The list of controlled substances differs from other countries' lists, so check in advance.

The heat, honestly: 5 months at 40–50 degrees

Heat comes up 983 times in the chats of Russian-speaking UAE residents: it is the number one reason people consider leaving.

Temperature by month

The key factor is not so much the temperature as the humidity. In the coastal emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah), summer humidity reaches 80–95%. The combination of +45 C and 90% humidity feels like a sauna every time you step outside.

What this means in practice

• The air conditioning runs 24/7 and cannot be switched off: without it, mould appears within 2–3 days and appliances overheat
• Even early in the morning in July the temperature does not drop below 34–35 C
• Children cannot play outside. Playgrounds stand empty 5 months a year; all play happens indoors, in malls
• A car in an open car park heats up to 65–70 C inside: the steering wheel burns your hands and the seats are untouchable
• DEWA bills rise by 30–50% in summer because of the air conditioning
• Many residents leave for the summer to Russia, Georgia or Turkey; in the chats this is called the "summer escape"

"There's not enough oxygen in summer. Actually, just like in winter in Moscow, when you're stuck within four walls."

— UAE resident, chat discussion

When is the best time to move

The best time to move is October–November. The heat subsides, and you have 5 comfortable months ahead to adapt: settle in, explore the city, make friends and get used to the rhythm. Moving in June–August is serious stress: you arrive in the hardest period without knowing the city or having your usual routine.

In winter (November–March) the climate really is wonderful: 20–28 degrees; you can walk, swim and do sport outdoors. It is the "golden season" for which many put up with the summer.

The honest conclusion: if you tolerate heat badly, the UAE means 7 comfortable months and 5 months of surviving indoors. Most residents adapt within 1–2 seasons, but some leave precisely because of the climate.

The cost of living: a budget for one person and for a family

The cost of living: 76 mentions of "expensive" in the chats. Below is a summary table of expenses according to Russian-speaking chats, January–July 2026. Prices in dirhams (AED).

Single person

AED 11,000–12,000 a month is the minimum budget with no extras: a studio in a budget area (JVC, Sports City, International City, from AED 4,400 a month), cooking at home, the metro instead of taxis, basic insurance. A comfortable life starts from AED 15,000–18,000 a month: a one-bedroom in a decent area (Business Bay, Al Barsha), taxis, the option of eating out.

Couple

Two people in one flat save on housing and utilities: costs do not double but rise by about 1.4 times. The main saving is on rent. But groceries, transport and insurance multiply proportionally.

Family with a child

A family with a child adds significant items: school (from USD 5,000 a year for a budget one, USD 15,000–25,000 a year for a good international school), rent for a 2–3-bedroom flat (from AED 8,000 a month), a car (hire AED 2,500–3,000 a month, or buy) and child insurance. The area is chosen by the school, not the other way round.

The "no income tax" counter-argument: the UAE has no personal income tax. On a salary of AED 15,000–20,000 a month you keep the whole amount, unlike in countries with 13–40% income tax. This partly offsets the high cost of living, but not fully: rent and healthcare are objectively more expensive than in most CIS and Eastern European countries.

More on work and business in the UAE: salaries, free zones, employment.

Adaptation: expectations vs reality

Language: basic English is enough

Arabic is not needed for everyday life in the UAE (289 mentions of the topic in the chats). Basic English covers 95% of situations: shops, transport, banks, government services. Most signs, menus and documents are in English. The UAE is one of the most English-speaking countries in the Middle East.

There are many Russian-speaking professionals in the service sector: you can find a doctor, hairdresser, estate agent or car mechanic who speaks Russian. The Russian-speaking community is active and well organised through Telegram chats (dozens of active groups for different emirates and topics).

Official documents sometimes need an Arabic translation by a licensed translator (AED 100–150 per document). But for school, in residents' experience, a Google translation is usually enough: full legalisation is needed only for the birth certificate (for a child's visa).

Culture, Ramadan, restrictions

The UAE is a Muslim country with rules that are liberal for the region, but some restrictions are real:

• Ramadan (about a month, the date moves; 33 mentions in the chats): you may not eat, drink or smoke in public in the daytime. In residents' experience, restaurants are open, but often behind screens. The pace of life slows, and the private-sector working day is usually shortened by 2 hours. For non-Muslims it is unusual the first time, but most adapt. After Ramadan comes Eid al-Fitr with official holidays (the government announces their number each year)
• Alcohol: available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in licensed shops. Completely banned in Sharjah. Drinking in public places is fined
• The laws are strict but predictable. Minor violations bring a fine, not prison. Serious ones (drugs, insulting the authorities, indecent behaviour in public) have real consequences, up to deportation

"Boring, everything's artificial": 291 mentions

This is one of the most frequent disappointments. It is fair for those who expect a European city with history, pedestrian streets and pavement cafes. Dubai is malls, skyscrapers, artificial islands and air-conditioned spaces.

But there are nuances. Al Fahidi is Dubai's historic quarter, with galleries, cafes and museums. Sharjah is the emirate called the cultural capital of the UAE, with art spaces and a world-class book fair. In the desert outside the city there is camping, jeep trips and wadis. In winter there are major events, music festivals and sporting events.

"Everyone's trying to find some paradise that doesn't exist. You always have to put up with something."

— UAE resident

"Not what it looked like on blogs": 59 mentions

A separate category of disappointment is the gap between the bloggers' picture and reality. Bloggers show 5% of life in the UAE: rooftop pools, restaurants with views of the Burj Khalifa, shopping at Mall of the Emirates. Left out of the frame are queues at Amer centres, problems with banks, blocked familiar services, the impossibility of getting a doctor on your insurance and hour-long traffic jams from Sharjah to Dubai.

"A vanity fair of sorts. Everyone lives differently. Some moved properly, on a contract, some in search of a better life. But they all deserve respect, because at the very least they dared to change..."

— UAE resident, May 2026

Practical advice: before moving, read residents' Telegram chats rather than blogs. They discuss real problems, from a VPN that doesn't work to parking fines. That gives a much more accurate picture of everyday life.

Loneliness and community

Loneliness comes up 28 times in the chats, not much against other topics, but each mention reflects a real problem. Everyone is busy with work. Distances are huge: meeting friends "for coffee" means 30–40 minutes by taxi each way. There is no familiar neighbourhood socialising: life happens in closed communities.

The Russian-speaking community forms through Telegram chats, joint events, playgrounds (in winter), Russian restaurants and shops. But you have to look for an active community deliberately: it will not appear by itself. For families with children socialising is easier: school and children's activities create a natural circle of acquaintances.

Fines: what for and how much

The UAE has a developed system of fines. Ignorance is no excuse, and fines arrive automatically (road cameras, GPS in taxis, electronic parking enforcement). The main fines you need to know about:

Paying fines: through the TAMM (Abu Dhabi) or Dubai Police (Dubai) apps. Driving fines can be checked online; they arrive with a delay of up to 2–3 weeks.

Overstay is a separate topic. If you exceed your permitted visa-free stay (according to media citing ICP, 90 days within 180 for Russian citizens and 30 days for citizens of Kazakhstan), the fine accrues from the first day of overstay: AED 50 for each day (according to u.ae). A month of overstay adds up to AED 1,500. The 2026 fine waiver applied only to those who could not leave because of the airspace closure (fines accrued from 28.02.2026), and the related grace period, according to media citing ICP, ended on 9 July 2026; fines are now charged as usual.

Illegal work is a risk for both sides. An employer faces a fine of AED 100,000 to 1,000,000 for each worker without a permit (according to law firms), and a worker faces sanctions under immigration law up to deportation. Employers know the employee is at as much risk as they are and sometimes exploit this, not paying wages or breaking the terms. In residents' experience, with illegal work a complaint to MOHRE (the Ministry of Human Resources) may lead to sanctions for the complainant. That is why it is critical to formalise the employment relationship legally.

Need help moving to the UAE?

Moving to the UAE involves dozens of tasks where a mistake is costly: the wrong set of visa documents, not knowing the driving licence requirements, choosing an unreliable intermediary, missing a visa's expiry date. Parallax supports the move end to end, from choosing the type of visa to getting the Emirates ID and opening a bank account. The company's specialists work on the ground in the UAE, and payment can be made in stages.

If you would like to discuss your situation, fill in a short questionnaire on the UAE residence page and a specialist will get in touch within a working day.