Before you move · and after
Handy apps and links for moving to the UAE
The apps and websites our guides mention, plus a few for everyday life, in one place: what each is for and when you’ll need it. Official government services are marked.
54 apps and websites · Last checked 4 Oct 2026 · Information, not advice: a listing isn’t a recommendation
Start here
Set these up before you fly
- UAE PASS · The national digital ID app: sign in to most government services
- DubaiNow · Dubai’s all-in-one app: bills, fines, visas, driving and more
- Dubai REST · Land Department app: check agents and listings, register Ejari
- Bayut · Rental listings, area guides and rent data
- Property Finder · Rental listings and past rents by building
- RTA Dubai · Metro, tram, buses, nol cards, parking, driving licences
- Careem · Rides and taxis, plus food, grocery and other deliveries
- Dubai Police · Pay fines, report minor accidents, check travel bans, report eCrime
Before you fly
6Tell HMRC you’re leaving (form P85)Official
Tell HMRC you’ve left the UK, for UK tax (online once you’ve gone)Before you fly
Check your State Pension and NI recordOfficial
See your State Pension forecast and NI gaps before you goBefore you fly
FCDO travel advice and email alertsOfficial
The UK government’s advice for the UAE, with alerts when it changesBefore you fly
Emirates Drug EstablishmentOfficial
Free permit to bring narcotic or controlled medicinesBefore you fly
MOCCAE pet import permitOfficial
Import permit for your dog or cat, from the UAE environment ministryBefore you fly
KHDA school directoryOfficial
Inspection ratings and fees for Dubai’s private schoolsBefore you fly · Dubai · Abu Dhabi: ADEK
Government and ID
7UAE PASSOfficial
The national digital ID app: sign in to most government servicesFirst 30 days
ICPOfficial
Federal identity authority: Emirates ID, residence and visasFirst 30 days
GDRFA DubaiOfficial
Residence visas, renewals and family sponsorship in DubaiFirst 30 days · Dubai
MOHREOfficial
Labour ministry: check your work contract and file complaintsFirst 30 days
Dubai PoliceOfficial
Pay fines, report minor accidents, check travel bans, report eCrimeFirst 30 days · Dubai
DubaiNowOfficial
Dubai’s all-in-one app: bills, fines, visas, driving and moreFirst 30 days · Dubai
TAMMOfficial
Abu Dhabi’s government services in one app and websiteFirst 30 days · Abu Dhabi
Finding and running a home
7Dubai RESTOfficial
Land Department app: check agents and listings, register EjariFirst 30 days · Dubai · Abu Dhabi: TAMM
Rental Disputes CenterOfficial
Dubai’s tribunal for rent, deposit and eviction disputesLiving there · Dubai
DEWAOfficial
Dubai electricity and water: connect, move in, pay billsFirst 30 days · Dubai · Abu Dhabi: TAQA
EmpowerCompany
District cooling (air-con ’chiller’) supplier for many Dubai towersFirst 30 days
BayutCompany
Rental listings, area guides and rent dataBefore you fly
Property FinderCompany
Rental listings and past rents by buildingBefore you fly
dubizzleCompany
Classified ads, including rooms and some owner listingsBefore you fly
Phone and internet
5e&Company
Mobile and home internet (formerly Etisalat)First 30 days
duCompany
Mobile and home internetFirst 30 days
BotimCompany
Licensed internet voice and video calling, plus paymentsFirst 30 days
ZoomCompany
Video calls homeBefore you fly
Microsoft TeamsCompany
Video calls home (free personal version)Before you fly
Getting around
5RTA DubaiOfficial
Metro, tram, buses, nol cards, parking, driving licencesFirst 30 days · Dubai
SalikOfficial
Dubai’s road tolls: buy a tag, top up, check balanceFirst 30 days · Dubai · Abu Dhabi: Darb
CareemCompany
Rides and taxis, plus food, grocery and other deliveriesFirst 30 days
UberCompany
Rides, including driverless robotaxis in parts of DubaiFirst 30 days
BoltCompany
Book Dubai Taxi and other carsFirst 30 days
Health
1DHA appOfficial
Dubai Health Authority: appointments, results, medical fitnessFirst 30 days · Dubai · Abu Dhabi: Department of Health
Food and shopping
5CarrefourCompany
Big supermarkets in the middle of the market, with app deliveryFirst 30 days
SpinneysCompany
The supermarket that feels most like home, with deliveryFirst 30 days
Waitrose UAECompany
Familiar UK brand and products, in-store and onlineFirst 30 days
Lulu HypermarketCompany
Good-value hypermarkets, with online shoppingFirst 30 days
Union CoopCompany
Good-value Dubai co-op supermarkets, with app deliveryFirst 30 days · Dubai
Lifestyle
14Visit Dubai and Dubai CalendarOfficial
Official Dubai tourism site: events calendar and what’s onLiving there
Website ↗App available
talabatCompany
Food delivery, plus 20-minute groceries (tMart)First 30 days
DeliverooCompany
Restaurant takeaway deliveryFirst 30 days
Careem FoodCompany
Food delivery and DineOut restaurant deals, in the Careem appFirst 30 days
InstaShopCompany
Groceries and essentials from local shops and supermarketsFirst 30 days
KibsonsCompany
Fresh fruit, veg and groceries, next-day deliveryFirst 30 days
The EntertainerCompany
Buy-one-get-one-free deals on dining, activities and hotelsLiving there
Website ↗App available
PlatinumlistCompany
Tickets for concerts, shows, attractions and eventsLiving there
Website ↗App available
JustlifeCompany
Book home cleaning, handyman, AC cleaning and salon at homeLiving there
Website ↗App available
Work and making friends
2LinkedInCompany
Jobs and your new network: set your location before you landBefore you fly
British Chamber of Commerce DubaiCompany
Business events and networking (formerly British Business Group)Living there
Moving your things
2Dubai CustomsOfficial
Rules for clearing your shipped personal effectsBefore you fly · Dubai · Abu Dhabi has its own customs
BAR (British Association of Removers)Company
Find or check a BAR member remover for an overseas moveBefore you fly
How we choose what’s listed. Services our guides mention, official ones first, plus a few well-known everyday apps. We check every link before each release and show the date. No one pays to be listed and we don’t use affiliate links. Spotted something out of date? Email hello@theglobalocal.com.