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Whether you're new to town or have been here for a while, there are some essentials that can be found on every single Dubai expat's person. These items, tangible or otherwise, keep Dubai running. They're quite ubiquitous, and having them is a complete necessity, especially if you want to make your life while going around town much easier.
Do you have some of these items on your person right now?
Nol Card
Metros, buses, trams and ferries provide seamless public transportation all across Dubai. Dubai Metro, for example, is a great mode of transport that bridges the city's old and new districts.
To access this multilayer transport network, all you need is a Nol card - available at all Metro stations - for a small fee.
Emirates ID
Residents know, they can never, ever leave home without an Emirates ID. This card tells authorities that you are a bonafide UAE resident. You also need to show it at certain establishments like hotels and government offices.
It's no secret that Dubai, and the UAE to a larger extent, runs on WhatsApp. Almost every single person in the country uses the instant messaging platform to communicate with family, friends and colleagues. Some companies even have WhatsApp groups dedicated to keeping staff members in the known about workflow whilst in office - or outside of it.
The Rules
Remember the adage 'mind the signs'? It's true for Dubai. Most rules and regulations are conveniently posted in highly visible or public areas for each resident to abide by. Apart from that, consular offices around town issue circulars regarding things their expats can or cannot do in Dubai.
A (legal) VoIP application
Technically speaking, Voice over Internet Protocol remains, technically, disallowed in the UAE. But there are exeptions. Expats use these apps to communicate with their families back home; because let's face it, we all get homesick. You can either use C'Me or Botim which are government approved video calling applications. You'll have to pay either Dh50 or Dh100 per month to use them.
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