Practical Guides to Living and Working in the UAE
UAE Inform is an independent guide to living, working and doing business in the United Arab Emirates. Every guide is tied to the authority that publishes the rule — ICP and GDRFA for visas, MOHRE for jobs, the FTA for tax, the CBUAE for banking, the RTA for driving, KHDA and ADEK for schools — and is dated when it is checked, so you get the actual fee, deadline or threshold rather than a rough summary.
New to the UAE? Start with the expat guide. Looking for something specific? Pick a topic below, or look up an acronym like ICP, MOHRE or KHDA in the glossary.
Guides by Topic
Visas & Residency
Golden and Green visas, family sponsorship, attestation, police clearance, and what to do after a rejection.
Working in the UAE
Labour Law and MOHRE rules on contracts, salary, leave, gratuity, changing jobs and resigning.
Money & Banking
Bank accounts, sending money home, credit cards and loans, mortgages, end-of-service gratuity and investing.
Family Life
Schools and fees, family neighbourhoods in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, maternity, kids' healthcare and moving with children.
Education
KHDA, ADEK and SPEA school ratings, curricula, application timelines, nurseries and universities.
Healthcare
DHA, DOH and MOHAP, mandatory insurance, hospitals, finding a doctor, medication rules and emergency care.
Driving & Transport
Licences, traffic fines and black points, Salik and parking, car registration, and Etihad Rail passenger trains.
Property & Renting
Rent-increase rules in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, rental disputes and deposits, and setting up utilities.
Doing Business
Company setup, mainland and free zones, corporate tax and e-invoicing, business banking and Emiratisation.
Moving to the UAE
Visa types, Emirates ID, cost of living, renting, public holidays, and choosing between the emirates.
Sports & Fitness
Free running tracks across the emirates, the Dubai Fitness Challenge, and training around the climate.
Glossary
Plain-language explanations of UAE acronyms and systems — ICP, MOHRE, KHDA, CBUAE, Ejari, Salik and more.
Arabic readers: UAE Inform بالعربية
Most-Read Guides
- UAE visa status check: ICP, GDRFA and what "cancelled" means
- Good conduct certificate: which nationalities need police clearance
- UAE visa rejected: finding the real reason and reapplying
- Changing jobs: labour ban, visa transfer and gratuity
- Police clearance by country: India, Pakistan, Philippines and more
- Etihad Rail passenger trains: routes, fares and booking
- Universities in the UAE and how accreditation works
- Car registration renewal: fees, testing and grace periods
- UAE public holidays 2027
- Cost of living: sample monthly budgets
How Guides Are Made
- Sourced from the regulator. Fees, fines, dates and thresholds come from the authority that sets them, never from aggregator blogs.
- Dated and re-checked. Each guide shows when it was last updated, and time-sensitive pages are reviewed when the rules change.
- Independent and free. No company pays to appear in a guide or listing, and there is no paywall or sign-up.
More on the about page. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Places Across the Emirates
The directory lists businesses, parks, attractions and services city by city. Start with Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, or see the most-used lists: the best running tracks in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi.
New in UAE
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UAE Inform?
UAE Inform is an independent, English-language guide to living, working and doing business in the UAE. Its guides cover visas and residency, employment, banking, schools, healthcare, driving, renting and company setup, and each one is tied to the authority that publishes the rule. It is free to read, and nothing requires an account.
Where should I start if I am moving to the UAE?
Start with the expat guide. It walks through visa types, getting an Emirates ID, opening a bank account, renting, getting a driving licence and choosing between the emirates, and links to the detailed guide for each step.
How do I check my UAE visa status?
Use ICP's free File Validity service for visas and entry permits issued in every emirate except Dubai, and the GDRFA Dubai service for Dubai-issued ones. The visa status guide explains both, and what a cancelled status means for you.
How do I get an Emirates ID as a new resident?
New UAE residents apply for an Emirates ID through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). You need a valid residence visa, your passport, and biometric registration at an authorised centre. The Emirates ID guide covers each step.