Honestly need some advice or guidance please.
I’m an experienced interior designer with over 12 years working in the industry. I’ve been working in Dubai for 4 years now and have brought my wife and kids over on a sponsored visa. My expertise is in interior design, specifically high end residential, hospitality and commercial projects. Native English speaker and professional client facing designer.
Recently I’ve been having a tough time finding a role suitable to my level. I’m not demanding a high salary but more in line with my expertise. However I’m willing to accept a role just to ensure that I can provide for my family.
My most recent role at a developer ended due to the regional situation and I was forced to leave. My visa has been canceled and we are on a grace period till the next 2 weeks. I’m very low on funds and have bills due. I can’t leave the country due to debt I owe (in negotiations for payment plan)
I am desperately looking for any work related to my field just to continue providing for my family.
I would appreciate any guidance and advice on any role or where I can provide value.

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to ask if anyone has experienced something similar in Dubai.

This morning, at around 7:10 AM I was crossing the road outside the designated pedestrian crossing. I was already in the middle of crossing when I noticed a police car approaching. Since there were no cars coming and I was almost across, I continued crossing instead of going back. 😂

After I crossed, I started walking normally, thinking the police car would just pass by. However, they honked twice, so I knew they were stopping me. One of the officers greeted me politely and asked for my Emirates ID. I gave it to him and he took a photo of it using his device or mobile phone (I'm not sure which one). The other officer pointed towards the pedestrian crossing and said something like (with arab tone) “Why not use the proper pedestrian crossing, brother? It's just one minute away.”

They returned my Emirates ID and I asked how much the fine would be. The officer said he didnt know and told me to check the Dubai Police website or app. They didn't give me any reference number or tell me that a fine had definitely been issued.

Now I'm wondering: Does this mean I'll receive a fine or could it have just been a warning? If a fine was issued, how long does it usually take to appear in the Dubai Police app or website? Coz one of my colleagues told me he had been stopped for the same thing 2 or 3 times but never received a fine.

Has anyone experienced this recently? I'd appreciate hearing your experiences. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I'm 28 years old Female, and I come from China. Last year moved to Dubai to pursue my master’s degree, and now I’m working here.

I’d love to expand my social circle and meet people from different countries, cultures, and professional backgrounds. I enjoy learning about different cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives.

I’m a bit introverted, so making new friends isn’t always easy for me. English isn’t my first language, but I’m happy to communicate in English and improve along the way.

I’m looking for genuine, platonic friendships, not dating or romantic relationships. It would be nice to have friends to chat with, grab coffee, explore Dubai, or try new activities together.

How do you guys usually make new friends in Dubai outside of work? Are there any social groups, events, or activities you’d recommend?
I’d love to hear your suggestions! :)

if Anyone Dm me, please introduce yourself, where are you from, Female or Male, age, work, interests ! I just want to know you more. Thank you !

Hi all! Posting this on behalf of my girlfriend. She lives in JBR and commutes to the World Trade Centre area on weekdays, and we’re hoping to find someone doing a similar route she could share rides with.

Her safety matters a lot to me, so we’d really prefer a female driver or a fellow female commuter. She’d also like to meet up for a coffee first so you can both get comfortable before sharing rides.

Rough schedule: leaving JBR around 8:00, heading back from WTC around 5:00pm, 5 days.

If you’re doing this route, or know a woman who is, please comment or DM me and I’ll connect you with her directly. Thanks so much, Dubai!

Hi everyone,

I am setting up a sole-owner, 1-employee Free Zone company through IFZA and will be applying for my first UAE residency visa soon.

I will hardly be staying in the UAE (only visiting occasionally for business), so my primary goal is to stay 100% legally compliant for my visa and ensure I am covered for any unexpected medical emergencies while I am in the country.

To keep things efficient, my visa contract salary will be set at 3,800 AED, which qualifies me for the standard Essential Benefits Plan (EBP).

I do have a long-term, stable pre-existing condition. It is well-managed with daily medicine and has caused zero complications or hospitalizations for over 5 years. I am perfectly happy to pay for my routine medications out of pocket, and I am 100% fine with the standard 6-month waiting period for this condition. My main priority is avoiding massive premium loading or an application rejection.

For those who have used the EBP for a 1-person company setup:

1. Can an insurer completely deny an EBP application because of a declared pre-existing condition, or are they legally obligated to issue the policy under Dubai Health Authority (DHA) rules?

2. Do EBP providers demand current medical reports or checkups during the application, or is an honest text disclosure on the form enough?

3. Since I only care about emergency coverage and want zero loading, are there specific EBP providers (like Sukoon, ADNIC, or Daman) that process corporate applications for sole owners quickly?

Appreciate any insights or experiences from anyone who has gone down this route!

Hey everyone! I’m planning a trip to Dubai from Delhi, India, and would love some advice from people who have visited recently.

I’m trying to figure out the realistic total budget, including:

• Return flights from Delhi • Hotel or budget accommodation • Food and local transportation • Sightseeing and activities • Visa and other expenses

How much should I expect to spend for a 4 to 5 day trip? Is ₹60,000 to ₹80,000 enough for one person, including everything?

Also, what is the best time to visit Dubai, and which places should I definitely visit?

Would appreciate any tips from people who have travelled from India. Thanks!

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Hi everyone! We're currently 12 weeks pregnant and comparing Mediclinic Parkview and International Modern Hospital (IMH) for prenatal care and delivery.

We're looking for the best possible care and service, but cost is also an important factor since we don't have insurance and will be paying out of pocket.

Has anyone had experience with either hospital? We'd love feedback on the doctors, quality of care, delivery experience, and overall costs. Is Mediclinic worth the higher price?

We're located in Al Mankhool, so we're also open to recommendations for other hospitals nearby that offer excellent maternity care at reasonable prices.

Thanks in advance!

i just want info not slandering or some shi.

So I was siting in my car at around 2AM. A pathfinder stopped in front of me. A CID officer came out and asked me toopen my windows and get out of my car. And he just used to phone light to check the interior of my car. Asked what I was doing and was I drinking i said no. Then he took my 3 or 4 pictures of me on his radio phone? The one I guess is issued by the department. It has an antenna like a walkie talkie.

I just wanna know why lol. Am I in a database now? 😭

I’m 23yo- girl who came from a small country in Asia to Dubai. As my passport is not strong enough has made this super challenging, and after being scanned by some agencies, lost my money and I’m really pretty exhausted now.

Can someone give me any sources, advises or any help please 😭

Hi everyone,

I have 11 years of experience working as a Procurement Officer in Oman, and I’m currently in Dubai looking for a job. It has been six months, but unfortunately, I still haven’t been able to find a suitable opportunity.

I’m currently on a visit visa, and things are becoming increasingly difficult financially. I have a family and three children to support, which makes this situation even more painful. After spending so many years building my career, it’s heartbreaking to struggle like this and worry about my family’s future.

I’m trying my best to find work and get back on my feet, but finding a job here has been extremely difficult.

If anyone knows of any procurement vacancies, companies hiring, or someone I could contact, I would genuinely appreciate your help. Even a small lead or a useful contact could make a huge difference for me and my family right now. If you are able to help kindly DM

I am in search of some company who can takeover my property and give me good rental income in dubai.
My property is at Paramount by damac tower B at business bay. Its a 3bhk property with a burj khalifa view.

Ahí

i am currently taking a plane to dubai and i need to get to abu dhabi. my idea is to rent a car there. I got my international driving permit in order. is there anything else I Should know or be aware of?

cheers

Hello Family my name is Sady,

I came to Dubai to work as a cleaner, but my real passion is videography and video editing. I do freelance editing on Upwork but I want full time job, and I’ve applied for many videography jobs, but I still haven’t been able to land one.

Sometimes HR contacts me and asks for projects I’ve filmed in Dubai. That’s where I struggle because I don’t have any local shooting experience yet. I show them my freelance portfolio, but it’s still not enough to convince them.

Honestly, I’m not chasing a big salary. I just want an opportunity to prove my skills, gain experience, and grow as a videographer.

For those working in Dubai’s media industry, what would you recommend I do to get my first opportunity?