When to Use
User asks about Dubai for any purpose: visiting, moving, working, studying, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data.
Quick Reference
| Topic |
File |
| Visitors |
|
| Attractions (must-see vs skip) |
visitor-attractions.md |
| Itineraries (1/3/7 days) |
visitor-itineraries.md |
| Where to stay |
visitor-lodging.md |
| Tips & day trips |
visitor-tips.md |
| Neighborhoods |
|
| Quick comparison |
neighborhoods-index.md |
| Downtown, DIFC, Business Bay |
neighborhoods-downtown.md |
| Dubai Marina, JBR, JLT |
neighborhoods-marina.md |
| Jumeirah, Palm, Al Sufouh |
neighborhoods-beach.md |
| Arabian Ranches, Springs, DSO |
neighborhoods-suburban.md |
| Choosing guide |
neighborhoods-choosing.md |
| Food |
|
| Overview & dining scene |
food-overview.md |
| Local & Middle Eastern |
food-local.md |
| International & fine dining |
food-international.md |
| Best areas for dining |
food-areas.md |
| Dietary, alcohol, Ramadan |
food-practical.md |
| Practical |
|
| Moving & settling |
resident.md |
| Transport (metro, taxis, Salik) |
transport.md |
| Cost of living |
cost.md |
| Safety & laws |
safety.md |
| Weather & survival tips |
climate.md |
| Local services (banking, SIM) |
local.md |
| Career |
|
| Tech industry & salaries |
tech.md |
| Business setup & free zones |
business.md |
| Visas (employment, golden, freelance) |
visas.md |
| Startups & funding |
startup.md |
| Lifestyle |
|
| Culture & customs |
culture.md |
| Healthcare & insurance |
healthcare.md |
| Schools & education |
education.md |
| Expat lifestyle & social |
lifestyle.md |
| Driving & car ownership |
driving.md |
Core Rules
1. Identify User Context First
- Role: Tourist, resident, tech worker, student, entrepreneur
- Timeline: Short visit, planning to move, already there
- Load relevant auxiliary file for details
2. Expat-Centric City
Dubai's population is ~90% expatriate. Nearly every topic involves visa/residency considerations:
- Employment requires employer sponsorship (until 2024 reforms)
- Golden Visa (10 years) available for investors, specialists, entrepreneurs
- Freelance permits through designated free zones
See
visas.md for current requirements and processes.
3. Cultural Context
Dubai operates under Islamic law with modernized enforcement:
- Ramadan: Public eating/drinking restricted during daylight
- Dress code: Conservative in malls and public areas
- Alcohol: Licensed venues only; drinking age 21
- Cohabitation: Unmarried couples now legally permitted (2020 reforms)
See
culture.md for detailed guidance.
4. Weather Reality
- Summer (May-Sep): 40-45°C+ with high humidity — outdoor activities limited
- Winter (Nov-Mar): 20-30°C — peak tourist season
- Indoor culture: Most daily life happens in air-conditioned spaces
See
climate.md for monthly breakdown and survival strategies.
5. Current Data (Feb 2026)
| Item |
Range |
| 1BR rent (Marina) |
AED 70,000-110,000/year (~$19K-30K) |
| 1BR rent (Downtown) |
AED 90,000-150,000/year (~$24K-41K) |
| Senior SWE salary |
AED 35,000-55,000/month (~$9.5K-15K) |
| Metro monthly pass |
AED 350 (Gold), AED 140 (Silver) |
| Brunch (mid-range) |
AED 200-400/person |
| School fees (British/American) |
AED 40,000-120,000/year |
6. Cost Reality
Dubai is tax-free but expensive:
- Housing: 30-40% of budget typical
- Schooling: Major expense for families (private only)
- Healthcare: Mandatory insurance via employer
- Car ownership: Common due to limited public transit coverage
- Hidden costs: Housing agency fees (5%), security deposits (5-10% rent)
7. Transit Limitations
Unlike London/Barcelona, Dubai is car-centric:
- Metro: Two lines, limited coverage (mostly Downtown/Marina corridor)
- Buses: Extensive but slow; connectors to metro
- Taxis/Ride-hailing: Primary transport (Careem, Uber)
- RTA app: Essential for all transport planning
Most residents own or lease cars. See
transport.md and driving.md.
8. Neighborhood Matching
| Profile |
Best Areas |
| Young professionals |
Dubai Marina, JLT, Business Bay |
| Families |
Arabian Ranches, Springs, Meadows, Mirdif |
| Beach lifestyle |
JBR, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach |
| Budget-conscious |
JLT, Al Barsha, Discovery Gardens, DSO |
| Tech workers |
DIFC, Business Bay, Dubai Internet City area |
| Luxury seekers |
Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, Downtown |
Free Zones Context
Dubai has 30+ free zones, each with different rules:
- DMCC: Most popular, commodities focus, ~AED 15,000/year
- DIFC: Financial services, English common law jurisdiction
- Dubai Internet City/Media City: Tech and media companies
- JAFZA: Industrial, logistics, manufacturing
- Dubai South: Aviation, logistics, near Expo/Al Maktoum airport
Free zone vs mainland trade-offs:
- Free zone: 100% ownership, but can only trade within zone or export
- Mainland: Need local sponsor (51% unless exempt sectors), but can trade locally
See business.md for detailed comparison and setup costs.
Dubai-Specific Traps
- Summer underestimation — 45°C+ is debilitating. Plan indoor activities May-September.
- Alcohol assumptions — Only in licensed venues/hotels. No public drinking. DUI = jail.
- Dress code violations — Cover shoulders and knees in malls. Swimwear only at pools/beaches.
- Photography restrictions — Don't photograph government buildings, airports, or people without consent.
- Bounced checks — Criminal offense in UAE. Can lead to arrest and travel ban.
- Debt issues — Unpaid debts can result in travel bans. Settle before leaving.
- Social media posts — Defamation laws strict. Critical posts about UAE can lead to arrest.
- Cohabitation confusion — Legal since 2020 reforms, but not all landlords accept unmarried couples.
- Ramadan rules — No eating/drinking/smoking in public during daylight hours.
- Friday = Sunday — Weekend is Friday-Saturday. Some businesses closed Friday morning.
Legal Awareness
Key laws visitors/residents must know:
- Drugs: Zero tolerance. Trace amounts can mean 4+ years prison.
- Alcohol: Legal at 21+ in licensed venues only. No public intoxication.
- VPN usage: Legal for legitimate purposes, but using VoIP illegally is not.
- LGBTQ+: Same-sex relationships are illegal. Discretion essential.
- Public displays of affection: Keep minimal. Kissing in public can be prosecuted.
- Swearing/gestures: Offensive gestures can lead to arrest.
See safety.md for comprehensive legal guidance.
1---2name: dubai3description: Navigate Dubai as visitor, resident, tech worker, student, or entrepreneur with neighborhoods, transport, costs, visas, and local insights.4---56## When to Use78User asks about Dubai for any purpose: visiting, moving, working, studying, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data.910## Quick Reference1112| Topic | File |13|-------|------|14| **Visitors** | |15| Attractions (must-see vs skip) | `visitor-attractions.md` |16| Itineraries (1/3/7 days) | `visitor-itineraries.md` |17| Where to stay | `visitor-lodging.md` |18| Tips & day trips | `visitor-tips.md` |19| **Neighborhoods** | |20| Quick comparison | `neighborhoods-index.md` |21| Downtown, DIFC, Business Bay | `neighborhoods-downtown.md` |22| Dubai Marina, JBR, JLT | `neighborhoods-marina.md` |23| Jumeirah, Palm, Al Sufouh | `neighborhoods-beach.md` |24| Arabian Ranches, Springs, DSO | `neighborhoods-suburban.md` |25| Choosing guide | `neighborhoods-choosing.md` |26| **Food** | |27| Overview & dining scene | `food-overview.md` |28| Local & Middle Eastern | `food-local.md` |29| International & fine dining | `food-international.md` |30| Best areas for dining | `food-areas.md` |31| Dietary, alcohol, Ramadan | `food-practical.md` |32| **Practical** | |33| Moving & settling | `resident.md` |34| Transport (metro, taxis, Salik) | `transport.md` |35| Cost of living | `cost.md` |36| Safety & laws | `safety.md` |37| Weather & survival tips | `climate.md` |38| Local services (banking, SIM) | `local.md` |39| **Career** | |40| Tech industry & salaries | `tech.md` |41| Business setup & free zones | `business.md` |42| Visas (employment, golden, freelance) | `visas.md` |43| Startups & funding | `startup.md` |44| **Lifestyle** | |45| Culture & customs | `culture.md` |46| Healthcare & insurance | `healthcare.md` |47| Schools & education | `education.md` |48| Expat lifestyle & social | `lifestyle.md` |49| Driving & car ownership | `driving.md` |5051## Core Rules5253### 1. Identify User Context First54- **Role**: Tourist, resident, tech worker, student, entrepreneur55- **Timeline**: Short visit, planning to move, already there56- Load relevant auxiliary file for details5758### 2. Expat-Centric City59Dubai's population is ~90% expatriate. Nearly every topic involves visa/residency considerations:60- Employment requires employer sponsorship (until 2024 reforms)61- Golden Visa (10 years) available for investors, specialists, entrepreneurs62- Freelance permits through designated free zones63See `visas.md` for current requirements and processes.6465### 3. Cultural Context66Dubai operates under Islamic law with modernized enforcement:67- **Ramadan**: Public eating/drinking restricted during daylight68- **Dress code**: Conservative in malls and public areas69- **Alcohol**: Licensed venues only; drinking age 2170- **Cohabitation**: Unmarried couples now legally permitted (2020 reforms)71See `culture.md` for detailed guidance.7273### 4. Weather Reality74- **Summer (May-Sep)**: 40-45°C+ with high humidity — outdoor activities limited75- **Winter (Nov-Mar)**: 20-30°C — peak tourist season76- **Indoor culture**: Most daily life happens in air-conditioned spaces77See `climate.md` for monthly breakdown and survival strategies.7879### 5. Current Data (Feb 2026)8081| Item | Range |82|------|-------|83| 1BR rent (Marina) | AED 70,000-110,000/year (~$19K-30K) |84| 1BR rent (Downtown) | AED 90,000-150,000/year (~$24K-41K) |85| Senior SWE salary | AED 35,000-55,000/month (~$9.5K-15K) |86| Metro monthly pass | AED 350 (Gold), AED 140 (Silver) |87| Brunch (mid-range) | AED 200-400/person |88| School fees (British/American) | AED 40,000-120,000/year |8990### 6. Cost Reality91Dubai is tax-free but expensive:92- **Housing**: 30-40% of budget typical93- **Schooling**: Major expense for families (private only)94- **Healthcare**: Mandatory insurance via employer95- **Car ownership**: Common due to limited public transit coverage96- **Hidden costs**: Housing agency fees (5%), security deposits (5-10% rent)9798### 7. Transit Limitations99Unlike London/Barcelona, Dubai is car-centric:100- **Metro**: Two lines, limited coverage (mostly Downtown/Marina corridor)101- **Buses**: Extensive but slow; connectors to metro102- **Taxis/Ride-hailing**: Primary transport (Careem, Uber)103- **RTA app**: Essential for all transport planning104Most residents own or lease cars. See `transport.md` and `driving.md`.105106### 8. Neighborhood Matching107108| Profile | Best Areas |109|---------|------------|110| Young professionals | Dubai Marina, JLT, Business Bay |111| Families | Arabian Ranches, Springs, Meadows, Mirdif |112| Beach lifestyle | JBR, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach |113| Budget-conscious | JLT, Al Barsha, Discovery Gardens, DSO |114| Tech workers | DIFC, Business Bay, Dubai Internet City area |115| Luxury seekers | Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, Downtown |116117## Free Zones Context118119Dubai has 30+ free zones, each with different rules:120- **DMCC**: Most popular, commodities focus, ~AED 15,000/year121- **DIFC**: Financial services, English common law jurisdiction122- **Dubai Internet City/Media City**: Tech and media companies123- **JAFZA**: Industrial, logistics, manufacturing124- **Dubai South**: Aviation, logistics, near Expo/Al Maktoum airport125126Free zone vs mainland trade-offs:127- Free zone: 100% ownership, but can only trade within zone or export128- Mainland: Need local sponsor (51% unless exempt sectors), but can trade locally129130See `business.md` for detailed comparison and setup costs.131132## Dubai-Specific Traps133134- **Summer underestimation** — 45°C+ is debilitating. Plan indoor activities May-September.135- **Alcohol assumptions** — Only in licensed venues/hotels. No public drinking. DUI = jail.136- **Dress code violations** — Cover shoulders and knees in malls. Swimwear only at pools/beaches.137- **Photography restrictions** — Don't photograph government buildings, airports, or people without consent.138- **Bounced checks** — Criminal offense in UAE. Can lead to arrest and travel ban.139- **Debt issues** — Unpaid debts can result in travel bans. Settle before leaving.140- **Social media posts** — Defamation laws strict. Critical posts about UAE can lead to arrest.141- **Cohabitation confusion** — Legal since 2020 reforms, but not all landlords accept unmarried couples.142- **Ramadan rules** — No eating/drinking/smoking in public during daylight hours.143- **Friday = Sunday** — Weekend is Friday-Saturday. Some businesses closed Friday morning.144145## Legal Awareness146147Key laws visitors/residents must know:148- **Drugs**: Zero tolerance. Trace amounts can mean 4+ years prison.149- **Alcohol**: Legal at 21+ in licensed venues only. No public intoxication.150- **VPN usage**: Legal for legitimate purposes, but using VoIP illegally is not.151- **LGBTQ+**: Same-sex relationships are illegal. Discretion essential.152- **Public displays of affection**: Keep minimal. Kissing in public can be prosecuted.153- **Swearing/gestures**: Offensive gestures can lead to arrest.154155See `safety.md` for comprehensive legal guidance.
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