The India-UAE relationship goes back centuries. When, with the discovery of oil in 1960, a large number of Indians emigrated to the UAE in search of better job opportunities. Today, Indians in cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are well-known populations, accounting for almost 27% of the total population of the UAE. Indians in Dubai not only make up a significant part of the workforce, but have also made their way to various sectors, such as cooking and entertainment, etc. In this article, we are going to examine how is life for Indians in Dubai like. Stay tuned!
How is life for Indians in Dubai?
On a short-haul flight, you can reach Dubai from India. That’s why Indians consider Dubai their home, where they can freedomly decide on their religion and culture.
After the creation of a significant Indian community in Dubai, Indians enjoy a comfortable life in Dubai. There is no shortage of facilities and stores that sell Indian products and Indian supplies in Dubai. Below are some of the conditions of Indian living in Dubai:
- About food
For people who miss spices, pickles and the taste of Indian cuisine, we have to say that there are so many Indian restaurants in Dubai that you don’t feel at all that you eat in Dubai and it’s quite like you’ve eaten Indian food in India. Although Indians living in Dubai have tested luxurious and delicious dishes from all over the world, to the point that Middle Eastern Shawerma has replaced their favourite food Pani Puri. Dubai also has many Indian stores, so that in downtown Dubai Indians can easily buy Indian products. From Indian clothing and gold to supermarket products.
- About school
There are many Indian schools in Dubai that teach students with ICSE and CBSE curriculum. However, most parents prefer their children to attend English or American schools.
- About language
Most residents of Dubai speak English. With the road signs, storefronts, information boards, are in English too. Under these circumstances, Indians may face difficulties communicating and doing their jobs in the city. But it’s not too far from expected to see another Indian immigrant in these situations and he’ll help you do your jobs.
- Indian’s festivals
This is the paradise you were looking for. Because there are several Indian associations in it that organize regular events, outing and tournament and celebrate religious and cultural festivals. So Indians never feel lonely when there are clubs and associations that celebrate their religious culture and celebrations in Dubai. Indian festivals are held with great enthusiasm in Dubai. Indian immigrants also attend the festivals and visit their relatives during Eids, Diwali and Christmas, on UAE’s National day too.
- About religious
Indian immigrants have great freedom because of religious freedom in Dubai and different places of worship for different religions. Along with the large number of mosques in Dubai, Dubai is also a place for Churches, a Sikh Gurudwara and Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temples.
- Indian entertainments
Indians in Dubai can also see the beautiful Bollywood and Hollywood movies in the cinema such at Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam films, that are screened in the most cinema chain in Dubai. You can often see Indian artists performing in Dubai such as actors, singers, musicians and comedians, as well as participating in exciting performances in Dubai. You can enjoy Dubai’s glamorous live nights like your Bollywood nights in India.
Cricket fans are delighted that Dubai has a stadium special to this sport, known as the Dubai International Stadium, which hosts the matches for the Asian Cup and Indian Premier League.
So living in Dubai can be very exciting for Indians. Of course, they should also make savings according to the cost of living in Dubai.
The advantage of becoming a resident of Dubai
Dubai and the UAE are a good jumping off point for those who love to travel because it is the confluence of east and west. Several countries such as Sri Lanka, Maldives, Azarbaijan and more issue visas to UAE residents on arrival or do not require a visa at all, which applies to the law if you reside in Dubai as an Indian. So Indians who enjoy touring new destinations are very happy to live in Dubai. They can also travel overland to neighbouring countries.
What opportunities are there for Indians in Dubai?
Indians in Dubai are present at all economic levels, including entrepreneurs and white collar professionals. Dubai allows anyone, regardless of nationality, to work in the city and achieve the success they deserve. Would you like to work in Dubai but don’t know where to start? Be sure to read a complete guide on how to get a job in Dubai on our blog, because all the tips for finding a job have been checked. Below we will explore some of these opportunities:
- Indian presence in various industries
Indian immigrants residing in Dubai also have an active presence in various industries such as health care, banking, education, retail and more. They have the opportunity to establish their own company with a local partner in the free zones.
Indian entrepreneurs have been the driver behind the city’s most famous brands and franchises like Lulu Hypermarket, Landmark group, Jumbo electronic, Danube and Aster DM health care.
- Indians’ presence in investment
Indians also have the opportunity to invest in Dubai’s profitable property market. They can invest in Freehold areas that are for foreign investors. Freehold districts in Dubai are the place for the most popular property developments, from luxury properties to affordable prices. Indians can use different options in these properties like apartments, duplexes, villas and townhouses, to invest or build their dream home. Another important point is that you can get UAE residency by buying a property in the UAE!
With the announcement of long-term residency visas and retirement visas in Dubai, Indians have found a greater sense of permanence and belonging to what’s called a second home. Several Indian investors and businessmen in the UAE were able to obtain a 10-year residency visa, known as a Golden Card visa, such as َ Anoop Moopen, managing director of AZTEC Group, Kamal Vachini, Group Director at Al Maya group and Nisha Jagtiani, Group Director at Landmark group.
Public investors, property investors and students with certain requirements can benefit from this type of visa.
Dos to be followed as an Indian expat in Dubai
As an Indian immigrant in Dubai, you have to do the following:
- Your passport and visa are your most important documents in the UAE. Always be sure that your passport and visa are valid for at least 6 months.
- Keep your personal documents a safe place. For if you lose them or they are stolen and abused, it will also be a problem for you.
- Islam is the main religion in the UAE. You must respect the worship of Muslims that is performed 5 times a day.
- Be aware of local laws and the impact of not complying with your conditions and situation before moving to the UAE.
- Be sure to cross the street only from pedestrian crossings. Because the equipment doesn’t always give you a way.
- Be sure to get a valid work permit from the Ministry of Labor before you start working in the UAE. Check out Dubai work visa and permit for more information.
- Before traveling to the UAE, be sure to provide comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical expenses abroad.
- Never disrespect UAE national symbols such as flags and other national symbols.
- Special considerations should be observed during The Month of Ramadan for Muslims. In this way, from sunrise to sunset, you are not allowed to drink, eat or smoke in public circles.
- Always keep your ID card with you
- Do these things before you leave the Emirates, such as cancel your work visa, and settle everything including bank account, credit card, phone connection, etc.
What not to do in the UAE as an Indian expat
Things you shouldn’t do in the UAE:
- Don’t sign any cheques unless you have the amount of money you want in your bank account
- Don’t mistreat by women. If they don’t want to talk to you, don’t keep talking. Don’t stare at them. And anything else that might offend or upset women.
- Don’t take pictures of anything, especially women and families.
- Don’t carry any medicines before you’ve checked its name with the list of banned drugs in the UAE.
- Do not drive without a license issued in the Emirates. Also don’t drive when you’re drunk.
- Don’t insist on doing anything when it’s forbidden in the UAE.
- Do not disrespect Islam and the ruling family.
- Don’t take pictures of local incidents like fires and don’t publish it online, as it’s a crime.
- Don’t smoke in public spaces when smoking is forbidden
- All extramarital sex is illegal and punishable
Conclusion
Reading this article, you realized that Dubai has many options for welcoming Indians. They have become an integral part of Indian society and many opportunities have been provided to flourish their talents in Dubai. Plus the structure of life in Dubai for Hindi is more than you can imagine, with the high standards of safety, excellent infrastructure and state of the art facilities and services. If you’ve ever suspected you of moving from India to Dubai, the points we’ve explained to you above will definitely convince you for this migration.
This was the life form of Indians in Dubai from our ban. To know all the tips on how to get a Dubai residency visa, we recommend you to review how to get residency Dubai visa as well.