You made it
to Dubai. Now
own every step.
The first 30 days decide everything — whether you feel settled, confident, and ahead of the game, or drowning in government websites at midnight. This is the difference.
Already sorted. You're ahead of most people who land and figure it out as they go.
Du and Etisalat both have kiosks in arrivals. Don't leave without one — you'll need it immediately.
This single card unlocks your bank account, Ejari, driving licence — practically everything. Every day you delay costs you. Go to a typing centre within 48 hours of landing.
What happens: They fill in the ICP form (~AED 30–70, takes 15 min), book your biometrics appointment, give you a confirmation slip. Emirates ID arrives in 5–10 working days.
The thing nobody tells you: Banks accept your confirmation slip reference number before the physical card arrives. Don't wait — open your bank account the same week.
No account, no salary. If you don't have your Emirates ID yet, a digital bank gets you set up in 10 minutes — no ID required. Don't wait.
Once you have your Emirates ID: Emirates NBD is the most reliable full-service bank — 1,000+ ATMs, best for salary accounts. FAB if you earn AED 10K+. HSBC if you need global banking.
Documents needed: Passport + residence visa + salary letter on company letterhead + any proof of address (hotel booking works).
💸 Use Wise for transfers home — saves AED 200–400 each time →
Your tenancy legally doesn't exist without this. Schools, banks, and visa renewals all need it. Don't let your landlord delay you — you're entitled to this within days of moving in.
Who registers it: Your landlord or agent should do this. Push them. You can also self-register via the Dubai REST app.
Cost: AED 220. Time: Same day online, or next day at an Ejari centre.
You'll need it for: Bank accounts, Emirates ID, school enrolment, vehicle registration, visa renewal. Keep the PDF somewhere permanent.
15 minutes on the DubaiNow app. You need your Ejari number first. Don't leave this until you're in the dark — literally.
District cooling: Many buildings use Empower or Emicool for AC — separate from DEWA. Your landlord will tell you which applies. Register with them separately — cooling is often your biggest bill in summer.
Legally required in Dubai. Your employer provides the minimum — it's almost never enough. One private hospital visit without real coverage costs AED 1,000–5,000+. Don't learn this the hard way.
What expats actually want: International health insurance with access to Mediclinic, Cleveland Clinic, or American Hospital. Starts ~$150/month for an individual.
Best option: Allianz Worldwide Care is the most popular among long-term Dubai expats — recognised everywhere, excellent claims process.
🏥 Get a free Allianz expat quote — takes 2 minutes →
Dubai without a car is Dubai on hard mode. If your home country is on the conversion list, you skip the test entirely. Most people don't know they qualify — check before you book a single lesson.
Not on the list? Lessons + test required. Most expats pass within a few attempts. The test has improved significantly — it's fair now.
What you need: Emirates ID + passport + original foreign licence + eye test (~AED 30 at any optical shop) + passport photo.
Cost: AED 400–800 depending on nationality and tests required.
Don't just survive.
Own the first month.
"I wish I'd found this before I landed."
Every guide on this site has been written by someone who's actually done the paperwork, paid the deposits, sat in the queues. No AI filler. No government website rewrites. Just what actually works.
"Moved from London with three weeks' notice. Found this on Reddit, spent one evening going through it, woke up with a plan. The Emirates ID guide alone saved me a wasted trip."
"I've moved countries four times. Dubai was the smoothest because of this checklist. Bank account open on day three. Ejari registered in week one. I felt in control the whole time."
Get the full First 30 Days
checklist as a PDF.
Every item above, plus 39 more. Timings, costs, exact steps. Sent in 60 seconds.
12,000+ expats already have this. No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
Dubai in 3, 5 or 7 days.
Done properly.
Most people get to Dubai, see the Burj Khalifa, eat at a mall, and leave wondering what all the fuss was about. The people who love it know where to actually go. That's what this is.
Weekend in Dubai ✈️
3 days. Pick one neighbourhood, go deep — don't try to see everything.
You're here to do deals.
We'll handle the rest.
Dubai rewards people who show up prepared. Whether it's your first trip or your fifteenth, the details that trip people up are always the same. Here's how to avoid every single one of them.
The things that make
or break the trip
The logistics that cost people meetings, deals, and credibility. How to get them right.
Business trip checklist 💼
The things that trip people up — handled before you land.
Reach the people who just decided
to build their life in Dubai.
12,000+ new Dubai residents use Dubai Checklist every month — at the exact moment they're choosing banks, insurance, schools, movers, and services. There is no warmer audience in this city.
- Listed in the relevant directory category
- Company name, description, and website link
- User enquiry form — leads sent directly to your inbox
- Listed on category pages matching your service type
- Gold 'Featured' badge — shown first in your category
- Mention in relevant checklist guide articles
- Affiliate link integration — earn from each referred signup
- Priority placement across all relevant guide pages
- Monthly performance report: clicks and enquiries
- Category exclusivity — you are the only provider shown
- Dedicated feature article written about your business
- Embedded CTAs inside all related checklist items
- Co-branded "Recommended by Dubai Checklist" badge
- Newsletter feature to 12,000+ subscribers
- Quarterly strategy call with our team
— before they come to you.
The businesses our readers look for, every single day.
Let's talk.
Tell us about your business. We'll reply within 24 hours with a specific proposal — no sales pitch, just a straight conversation about fit.
We reply within 24 hours. No automated responses. No sales sequences.