Your first month in Dubai decides how expensive and stressful the rest of the year is. The order matters: phone and transport first, a temporary home, then the paperwork that unlocks a yearly lease, a bank account and your family's visas.
Week 1: phone, transport, a bed
- SIM card: du, e& (Etisalat) or Virgin Mobile, from the airport or any mall with your passport. Prepaid is fine until your Emirates ID arrives.
- Nol card: buy it at any metro station. Silver is the standard card; Gold is first class. Top up in the station or the Nol Pay app.
- Apps: RTA Dubai (metro, buses, Nol), Careem and Uber (taxis), Talabat or Noon (delivery), DEWA (utilities), UAE PASS (government ID login).
- A place for the first weeks: a monthly bed space, partition, room or studio with bills included and no yearly contract. Families: a furnished monthly flat.
Weeks 2–3: visa, Emirates ID, bank
- Your employer (or free zone) handles the entry permit change, medical test and Emirates ID biometrics. Keep copies of everything.
- Open a bank account once the Emirates ID application is in; many banks open with the application receipt. You'll need it for salary and cheques.
- Order a cheque book if you'll sign a yearly lease: most landlords still want post-dated cheques.
Week 4: choose where to live for the year
Pick the area by commute first: live on your office's metro line. Then budget, then lifestyle. Our cheapest areas guide and which accommodation is best help you decide. Families: start with family apartments.
| Area | From / month | Typical | Live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Qasimia (Sharjah), Dubai | AED 1,800 | AED 3,000 | 2 |
| Hor Al Anz, Dubai | AED 2,300 | AED 2,300 | 1 |
| Deira, Dubai | AED 2,700 | AED 2,800 | 2 |
| Al Rashidiya (Ajman), Ajman | AED 2,800 | AED 3,000 | 2 |
| Al Baraha, Dubai | AED 3,100 | AED 3,100 | 1 |
| International City, Dubai | AED 3,300 | AED 3,500 | 5 |
| Al Quoz, Dubai | AED 3,950 | AED 3,950 | 1 |
| Bur Dubai, Dubai | AED 4,000 | AED 4,000 | 1 |
Unwritten rules worth knowing
- The working week is Monday to Friday for most companies; Friday afternoon is short in government offices.
- Dress modestly in malls and government offices; swimwear belongs at the beach or pool.
- During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public in daylight where it's posted, and expect shorter office hours.
- Never pay a rent deposit before a viewing, and never hand over your passport as "security". Read how to avoid rental scams.
Tell us what you need
Budget, area and move-in date. We'll WhatsApp you matching places, free.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first when I arrive in Dubai?
Get a SIM card and a Nol card, book a monthly place with bills included, then start your residence visa, Emirates ID and bank account.
Where should I stay in my first month in Dubai?
A monthly bed space, partition, room or studio with bills included and no yearly contract, close to the metro line your office is on.
Can I open a bank account in Dubai without Emirates ID?
Most banks need at least your Emirates ID application and residence visa; some accept the application receipt while the card is printed.