How to get by as a new expat in Dubai

Expats at all level and from varied nationalities have been flocking to Dubai to make their fortunes for many decades.

Dubai is perhaps the most popular of all the Gulf State emirates for expats looking to further their careers and increase their bank balances whilst living a life they couldn’t imagine back in the home country. Year-round sunshine and tax-free salaries exert a strong pull, with most of those who’ve been lucky now living in a city which is also a major tourist destinations for its luxury resorts and upscale shopping malls. The importance to Dubai of expatriate professionals and tourists is obvious as, in 1980, just million people lived in the UAE as against its current population of 9.5 million, thus making clear the fact that expatriates have been the driving force behind building and populating the region.

In spite of the region’s many changes and the new drive towards eliminating the expatriate presence, it’s still a major attraction for professionals hoping to further their careers and make loads-a-money. Life in the UAE isn’t as straightforward as in the past, but the opportunities are still there, as is the luxury lifestyle. One way to adjust in a hurry is to join up with one of the many expat group activities, thus making new friends and learning new skills. One necessary adjustment is the incredible heat, with newcomers unable to imagine temperatures which hit the high 40s Celsius – until they actually experience it. Air-con is a lifesaver and, fortunately, is found just about everywhere including bus stops!

Expats reassigned to Dubai probably won’t feel the need to become fluent in Arabic, as just about everyone in the city has English. Just a few words such as ‘Inshallah’ – said whilst hoping for a positive outcome – and ‘yallah’ – hurry up – will do just fine. However, one absolute essential is to become aware of the city’s rules and regulations on behaviour such as being drunk in public, taking photos of strangers and a good number of other rules which may seem illogical at best to newly arrived expats. Taking these laws seriously will avoid arrest, imprisonment, deportation and a few even more unpleasant outcomes.