Dubai expat life: What you really need to know before moving

When people talk about Dubai expat life, the experience of foreign nationals living and working in Dubai, often on long-term visas. Also known as life as a foreign resident in the UAE, it’s not the glamorous social media feed you see—it’s rent hikes, strict public behavior rules, and figuring out if your salary actually covers basics. You might think Dubai is all yachts and five-star hotels, but if you’re moving here, you need to know what happens when the sun goes down and the tourist mask comes off.

One of the biggest surprises? Cost of living in Dubai, the actual monthly expenses for housing, transport, food, and utilities for a single person or couple. Also known as Dubai living costs, it’s not cheap unless you’re willing to live far from the city center or skip every non-essential expense. A $2,000 budget won’t get you a decent apartment near Palm Jumeirah. Even $50,000 AED a year feels tight when you factor in DEWA bills, school fees, and transport. And don’t assume your home country’s salary translates here—many expats live paycheck to paycheck, even with good jobs.

Dubai cultural rules, the unwritten and written social laws that govern behavior for foreigners, from public displays of affection to dress codes. Also known as UAE etiquette, these rules affect everything from how you hold hands to whether you can share a hotel room with your partner. You can’t just act like you’re in New York or London. Public affection? Fines or worse. Wearing shorts to the mall? Fine. Wearing them to a mosque? Big problem. Even chewing gum in the metro can get you fined. These aren’t suggestions—they’re enforced laws, and tourists and expats alike get caught.

And then there’s Dubai visa, the legal permission required to live and work in Dubai, which ties your residency to your employer or property ownership. Also known as UAE residence permit, it’s not something you apply for casually. If you lose your job, you have 30 days to leave or find a new sponsor. No job, no visa. No visa, no apartment. No apartment, no stability. This system keeps expats tied to their employers, and many stay in jobs they hate because the alternative is packing up and leaving.

What about safety? Dubai safety for foreigners, how secure expats feel walking alone, using apps, or dating in public spaces under local laws. Also known as travel safety in UAE, it’s surprisingly high—but only if you follow the rules. Women can walk alone at night, but not in revealing clothes. Couples can share a hotel room, but only if they don’t make a scene. Apps like Grindr are blocked. Even WhatsApp voice calls can get flagged if they’re too frequent. You’re not in danger from crime—you’re in danger from misunderstanding the culture.

There’s no single story to Dubai expat life. Some thrive. Some barely survive. Some leave after six months. Others stay for decades. What you find here depends less on your income and more on how well you adapt to rules that don’t exist back home. The posts below don’t sugarcoat it. They show you the real numbers, the hidden fines, the hotel check-in traps, the banned apps, and the exact costs of eating, renting, and dating here in 2025. You won’t find fluff. Just what you need to know before you book your flight.