Daily Life

Yes, but only in licensed venues - hotel bars and restaurants, standalone licensed clubs, and licensed off-licences (like MMI or African + Eastern stores). You cannot buy alcohol in regular supermarkets or street restaurants. Abu Dhabi is more permissive than Sharjah (which is completely dry). Home delivery of alcohol is available in Dubai through apps like MMI or Maritime & Mercantile International. Purchasing without a licence is technically illegal for Muslims; non-Muslims need no personal licence to buy from licensed venues.

The expat social scene is exceptionally vibrant - particularly in Dubai. Friday brunch is the cornerstone of the week: hotel brunches from 12–4pm with food and drinks. Rooftop bars, beach clubs, desert camping trips, and sports leagues (football, padel, cricket, running clubs) are all popular. Meetup.com and local Facebook/WhatsApp groups help newcomers integrate quickly. The international community is genuinely welcoming to new arrivals - most expats remember being new themselves.

Yes - the UAE is one of the safest countries in the world for women. Street harassment is rare and taken seriously by authorities. Women drive, work at senior levels, travel solo, and go out independently without issue. The main adjustments are cultural: modest dress in public, awareness of conservative norms in certain spaces. In Dubai particularly, women have considerable freedom in practice. The UAE also has specific domestic violence laws and strong legal recourse for harassment.

Ramadan requires adjustments but is manageable. You must not eat, drink, or smoke in public spaces during daylight hours - including in your car. Restaurants are closed for service during the day but many offer delivery and some have screened-off sections. Work hours are reduced by 2 hours. Evening after iftar (sunset) is social and festive - tent dining, special menus, and family-oriented activities. Many expats find Ramadan evenings genuinely enjoyable for the cultural experience.

Yes, but the process is involved. Dogs and cats require: a microchip, valid rabies vaccination, health certificate from an accredited vet, import permit from UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), and an official Apostilled health certificate. Some breeds of dogs are banned (Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and similar). Quarantine is not required for animals coming from approved countries (EU, UK, US, Australia etc.) if all documentation is in order. Budget AED 2,000–4,000 ($550–$1,090) for all documentation and vet fees.