Dubai (UAE): Everything You Need to Know

Dubai, one of the wealthiest emirates of the UAE federation, has a population of ~ 3.79 million. Being a desert area, the temperature remains above 40°C in summer and touches 14°C in the coldest winter. One of the theories about the name Dubai suggests that the name Dubai comes from the word “Daba,” which means a market near the city. Some say that the word Daba refers to a locust that once infested there. 

Dubai meets the Gulf of Persia from the southeastern coast. This creates a long coastline with very famous beaches, such as Jumeirah Beach, Kite Beach, and La Mer Beach. Along with these beaches, there are several resorts, parks, and entertainment venues for tourists and the public. The crossroads from Europe, Asia, and Africa pass from Dubai. This makes it a hub for trade, business, and tourism. 

One of the main reasons behind the tremendous development is their ruling government. As every emirate of the UAE federation has its own ruler, Dubai also comes with visionary leadership. The Makhtum rulers have made policies that align with economic diversification, infrastructure development, and international relations. 

Dubai Geography

Dubai is located on the southeastern Persian Gulf coast of the UAE. It is surrounded by other UAE emirates, such as Abu Dhabi, which covers the south border, and Sharjah, which comes on the northeast. The southeast side of Dubai’s border is shared with the Sultanate of Oman. Dubai is approximately 52 feet above sea level. On the world map, it is located in the Middle East on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula. 

Even though Dubai is not the capital of the UAE, it is more populous and economically influential than any of the other emirates. It covers an area of 4114 square kilometres which is famous for its several landmarks, such as Burj Khalifa and Jebel Ali Seaport. Moreover, there are desert landscapes, coastal areas, waterways, wadis, and flat terrains in Dubai. At the same time, the artificial infrastructure and islands, such as Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, have enhanced its overall attractiveness. 

Jebel Ali Port, the busiest port in the entire UAE, is located in Dubai. This port also has the credit of the largest man-made harbor, with a size of 134 square kilometers. Along with the large size of Jebel Ali Port, it also comes with 67 berths, 19 million TEUs (Twenty Feet Equivalent Units), and several expansion plans. This port makes Dubai an international hub of trade in global markets. 

Dubai Climate

Dubai lies in the tropical region and is known for its tropical climate. It has only two seasons, summer and winter. However, climate change is occurring, and rainfall is increasing with time. Its climatic and weather conditions are affected by both the desert conditions and the proximity of the sea. 

Summer

The summers of Dubai remain between June and September. The day temperature in Summer remains around 38°C. Sometimes, it can reach up to 50°C. On the other hand, nights of summer in Dubai are pretty cool and can fall down to 26°C. This temperature is milder than that of other Middle Eastern cities like Riyadh. The proximity of the sea results in both extra problems and mildness in temperature. It results in high humidity levels, strong thunderstorms, cyclones, and windy weather conditions. Even though there is high humidity and moisture, rainfall is very scarce in Dubai. 

Winter

The winters start in October and end in April, with a time span of about six months. January is the coldest month of Dubai’s winters, with the lowest recorded temperature of 5°C. However, on average, the temperature remains 22°C in the daytime and 14°C in the winter’s nights. The winters of Dubai are characterized by high precipitation and thunderstorms. 

Dubai Government 

Dubai has a constitutional monarchy led by the Al-Makhtoum family. The remnants present in Dubai date back to 3000 BCE. According to these remnants, the agricultural processes and palm tree growth started in 2500 BCE. Later, in 700, the Umayyad, the islamic rulers, started the trade of fish and pearls with other continents, such as Asia. The best part of Dubai’s history started when the Al-Maktoum dynasty started. Before Makhtoums, Dubai was dependent on Abu-Dhabi. The founders of the Maktoum dynasty broke the settlement and took Dubai from the Abu Falasa clan in 1841. 

The business in Dubai started thriving when they signed an agreement with the British, which provided full tax exemption to all foreign traders. Moreover, Sheikh Al-Makhtoum convinced the British steamship line to make Dubai a port of call. Likewise, they signed several business contracts, which increased business in this region and the population. The people from different parts of the world started to live there for trade and business. 

In the following time, the artificial pearl industry affected the business of Dubai and resulted in the great depression. This led the ruler to go for other ways to expand Dubai. However, world wars and the collapse of the pearl business led to poverty. In 1958, Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum expanded the Dubai businesses with the discovery of oil and gold export business. In 1971, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with other emirates of the UAE, introduced their currency, Riyal. Dubai and Abu Dhabi, due to their expansion of business and political activity, are the only emirates that have veto power. 

Sheikh Makhtuom bin Al Rashid Makhuom, the current ruler of Dubai, used oil reserves to develop the city’s infrastructure and business. Due to its tax-free and internet-technology area, Dubai is known as Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City. 

Government Structure of Dubai

The government of Dubai mainly depends upon the Supreme Council of Rulers. The rulers in this council design the policies of Dubai, elect the president and vice-president of Dubai, and elect the prime minister of Dubai. The prime minister will appoint a Council of Ministers for the cabinet. They will look after the formation and execution of federal policies. 

The government of Dubai has a third council known as the Federal National Council (FNC). This council is composed of 40 members of parliament. They are responsible for examining the new legislative policies, advising the cabinet ministers, and questioning them for their accountability. 

What Is the Foreign Policy of Dubai?

The foreign policy of Dubai is based on the principles of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first President of Dubai. The core of his principles lies in justice in international dealings, peaceful resolutions for disputes, and support for International institutions, such as the United Nations (UN). They support the UN in maintaining stability and providing protection to the interests of weak and small parts of the world. 

Along with the verbal support, Dubai sent $7 billion for the aid of 42 countries in 2018. In 2020, Dubai again provided 1685 metric tons of medical aid in 120 countries. You can understand the foreign policy of Dubai through the following points: 

• The UAE supports all the forces that are trying to restore peace and stability and fight against extremism and terrorism. They provided the US, UN, NATO, and EU access to ports and territories for this purpose. At the same time, they have introduced finance laws to freeze the accounts of known terrorists.
• The UAE government supported the US fight against Al Qaeda. Moreover, they provide military and financial support to the Yemen government to fight against rebels and start humanitarian initiatives. 
• To restore peace in Syria, the UAE provides political support, welcomes Syrian refugees, and provides financial support of $750 million. 
• The UAE government and Israel signed an agreement to normalize the tension in the region. They stopped Israel’s plans to annex more and more Palestinian lands. 

What are the Transportation Conditions like in Dubai?

With the increase in business and development, the population of Dubai also increased. Due to this, Dubai became the most congested city in the Middle East. In order to plan and provide transportation facilities to such a large population, the Roads and Transportation Authority (RTA) was created in 2005. They developed an integrated transport system not only in Dubai but also with the neighbouring countries and emirates. 

The transportation in Dubai is done through different things, such as the following: 

Roads 

There are two main highway series, E and D. They make a complete network joining major and minor roads in Dubai. Some of the most famous roads in Dubai are the following: 

• Sheikh Zayed Road 
• Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed Road 
• Al Khail Road 
• Dubai Al Ain Road 
• Jumeirah Beach Road 
• Al Maktoum Bridge Road 
• Hessa Street 
• Business Bay Canal Road

These roads provide multiple routes to avoid traffic jams and congestion. 

Taxies 

Taxes are very costly in Dubai. They can cost 1.5 AED per km. When the taxis are called from the call center, the charge is about 12 AED; if called from the road, they will charge 5 AED. According to a 2015 record, there were 9497 taxis in Dubai. The most famous taxi companies in Dubai include the following: 

• Cars Taxi 
• National Taxi 
• Cititaxi 
• Metro Taxi

The Dubai residents can book them using different apps like Cream, Uber, or Dubai Taxi. 

Dubai Metro 

Dubai Metro operates in three lines. The Red Line is the first line, and the construction started in September 2005. It moves in a span of 52.1 km. This line starts from the eastern part of Dubai, known as Rashidya, to the western part, Uptown Mirdif and Jebel Ali. The red line stations are present in all the main areas of Dubai, such as Dubai International Airport, Deira, Dubai Marina, Dubai International Trade Center, and many others. 

The Green line is shorter than the Red line, with a total length of only 22 km. It starts from Etisalat in the east and ends at Dubai Creek in the west. As it covers mainly residential and commercial areas, its stations pass from Deira, Al-Rigga, Al Qusais, Riyadh, Dubai Creek, and Al Fahidi. 

Bus 

The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) controls Dubai’s bus system. They have developed 193 routes, and 1616 buses run on these routes. These buses have about 1500 bus stations, which are equipped with air-conditioned shelters. In some areas of Dubai, they have launched night buses for 11 stations. 

Dubai Economy 

The economy of Dubai depends upon trade, tourism, real estate, financial services, and transportation. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Dubai’s calendar year 2023 was $116.779 billion. There are several things which contribute to the overall GDP, such as the following: 

• Trade 
• Real Estate 
• Construction 
• Tourism 
• Financial Services 

Dubai has created several free zones for business development and growth. These zones provide tax-free ownership and friendly regulations for businesses. The main business zones of Dubai are given below: 

Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) 

DIFC provides infrastructure, tax relaxations, and regulatory support to banks, insurance firms, asset management companies, and investment firms. Due to this zone, Dubai is considered the financial hub of the Middle East. 

Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ)

JAFZ provides tax-free areas to about 7,000 companies, both national and multinational. This zone includes different trade, manufacturing, and shipping businesses. This is a suitable place for business as it provides easy access to the world’s largest port, Jebel Ali Port. 

In the very same manner, several other zones contribute to the development of different sectors, such as technology, marketing, construction, etc. 

What is the Currency of Dubai? 

The currency of Dubai is the Dirham, which is symbolized by AED. Dirham is subdivided into fills; 100 fills make one Dirham. The coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and one Dirham are available. Moreover, the bank provides notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 dirhams.  

History of Dubai Dirham

Before 1971, different currencies were used in Dubai, including the Indian rupee and the Gulf rupee. In 1966, Qatar and Dubai jointly launched the Riyal. On May 19, 1973, the UAE Central Bank developed the UAE Dirham. At first, it pegged to the British pound, but later, in 1997, it pegged to the US dollar. 

Dubai Business

Business in Dubai comprises mainly real estate, infrastructure, construction, e-commerce, technology, tourism, and financial services. For instance, in 2024, there’s a contribution of 13.6% of the transportation and storage sector to Dubai’s GDP.  Several factors make Dubai an optimal space for business, such as the following: 

• Dubai lies at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe. This strategic location of Dubai helps businesses to export and import easily. For example, Dubai has an 8-hour flight range for two-thirds of the world. 
• Its world-class airports, seaports, and logistic companies support the trade between international bodies. Its logistics and freight services are ranked 25th in the world. 
• Tax-free zones, business-friendly policies, and ownership policies attract businesses from all over the world due to safety and growth opportunities. 

Business License in Dubai

Considering the countless growth opportunities in Dubai, every businessman wants to start a business there. To start a business in Dubai, you need to get a business license. This will keep your business legal and protect it from financial penalties. If you don’t have previous experience in getting your business licensed, you can follow the steps given below: 

• First, you need to select a business name. This name should follow the UAE guidelines for company names. 
• Then, you have to mention all the activities of your business in the license. There should be a maximum of ten activities in the license of each company. 
• You need to select a legal structure for your business from the options: Sole proprietorship, Limited Liability Company (LLC), and Partnership. To make the right selection about the legal structure of the business, you should consider the management and liability ownership of the business. 
• Now, you have to fill out the application form and submit information to the Department of Economic Development (DED). 
• When your application is approved, they will ask for the documents, such as passport copies, Emirates ID, NOC (Non-Objection Certificate), and a complete business plan. 
• You may need several other approvals from different government departments, such as the Ministry of Health, municipality, and financial departments. At the same time, you may need to submit your rental contract along with other documents. 

You need to pay a fee while applying for a license. This fee depends upon the type of license and location of your business. This fee varies from AED 12,000 to AED 50,000, and you need to pay it every year to renew your license.

What are the Business Policies in Dubai?

In Dubai, you will find three main areas for Business: the Mainland,  Free zones, and Offshores. Registration is required to start a business in these places in the Department of Economic Development (DED). Moreover, the business owners have 100% ownership and several tax exemptions, such as corporate, import, and export tax. However, a local distributor is required to enter the UAE market. 

What is a Dubai Business Visa?

Business people, such as entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals, can enter Dubai through the Golden Visa. In this business visa, they are provided with a 5 to 10-year residency permit, full business ownership, and several tax exemptions. 

Dubai Immigration

 The General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) handles all immigration matters in Dubai. They have designed several policies for international mobility, safety, and compliance with Dubai’s foreign residency laws. Dubai immigration offers different types of visas, depending on the applicants’ scenarios. 

• Work Visa or Employment Visa  
• Investor Visa 
• Golden Visa 
• Student Visa 
• Retirement Visa 
• Freelance Visa 

How can I Immigrate to Dubai?

To make the process of immigration to Dubai easy and smooth, you can follow the steps given below: 

1. Select the type of visa that matches your goals and situation. 
2. Prepare all the required documents, such as a valid passport, passport-size pictures, source of income, medical tests, etc. 
3. Submit all your documents and pay a processing fee to the immigration department or your respective visa agency. 
4. Wait for your visa approval, and it can take a few weeks to months. If your visa gets approved, you will be given your visa and Emirate ID. 

How Much Money do I Need to Immigrate to Dubai?

The required amount of money is different for every type of visa. However, according to the general estimate, the monthly income should be between AED 18,000 and AED 30,000. With this monthly income, you can easily enjoy all the facilities of life in Dubai, including the expenses of housing, transportation, food, etc. 

Residence in Dubai

A residence visa is required to live in Dubai. This residence visa can be any of the following: 

• Employment Residency Visa 
• Business Visa 
• Investment Visa 
• Family Visa 
• Freelance Visa 
• Retirement Visa 
• Remote Work Visa 

Each residency visa will have different requirements. First, you should consider your situation, skills, budget, and goals and then proceed through any of the above-mentioned residence visas. 

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Dubai Residency?

Every type of Dubai will cost a different amount of money. However, the simple 2 to 3-year Dubai residence visa can cost you between AED 3500 and AED 5400. These are not exact figures; everyone has a different situation and will face different expenses. Here are some estimates about the different residence visas: 

• For a 2-year Family residence visa, it will cost between AED 400 and AED 1200. 
• To get an investor residence visa, a deposit of AED 2,000,000 in any UAE bank is required. 
• A Golden visa of 2 years needs an investment of AED 750,000. 

Dubai House Prices

The prices of Dubai houses start from AED 1,300 per square foot. This price depends upon the location, condition, size, and type of house. Apartments are the least expensive options for accommodation, starting from AED 1,300 per square foot. The price of a bedroom apartment starts from $200,000. However, the villas are much more expensive than apartments, with an average price of $871,000.

Can I Live in Dubai Without a Job?

Yes, you can live in Dubai without a job. You can use the jobseeker visa, family visa, investment visa, or Golden visa for this purpose. However, if someone doesn’t have investment and business to start in Dubai, they need to choose the jobseeker visa. You need to meet the conditions mentioned for a jobseeker visa, and you can live there for 60, 90, or 120 days to search for a job. 

What Is the Easiest Way to Get Residency in Dubai?

The easiest way to get residency in Dubai is through a Golden visa. For this visa, you need to buy a real estate property of a minimum of $2 million. However, if someone doesn’t have such an investment, they can apply for an employment visa, for which the employer will take care of a work permit and other costs. 

What are the Policies for Foreigners Living in Dubai?

Foreigners need to have an immigration visa. They should have documents related to temporary residency, sponsorship, health insurance, etc. To open a bank account in Dubai, foreigners need a valid passport, residence visa, Emirate ID, proof of residence, and salary statement. Foreigners don’t need to pay tax on their salaries.