Checklist for international students heading to UAE

Embarking on a new adventure in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? As an international student, moving to a new country can be both exciting and daunting. To ensure a smooth transition, it's essential to prepare meticulously. This checklist for international students heading to UAE will guide you through the essential steps to make your move as seamless as possible.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) shares its borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia. It is a federation of seven Emirates - Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. The capital Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the two most popular emirates in UAE. The official religion of UAE is Islam while Arabic is the official language in the country. In UAE, Dubai is the most populous with commercial and financial centres attracting international students from all across the globe.

Also Read: 

• Study in Dubai: Is It Better than USA or UK?
• A Complete Guide for International Students to Study in UAE 2025

5 Packing and Adaptability Essentials Before Moving to Study in UAE

Check out the top tips and advices you need before heading to UAE for your life-changing study abroad experience. 

Clothes to pack 

If you are used to Indian plains, climatic conditions in UAE should not be much of a challenge for you. In October, the weather in UAE is still warm and sunny with clear blue skies. The temperature is usually hot and may reach up to 35° C. The winter months of November to February are the most popular tourist season in UAE with daytime temperatures around 24°C and cool evenings when the temperature dips to about 13°C in the coastal areas and as low as 5 °C in the interiors.

UAE does receive heavy downpours in winter sometimes but only for a short duration. Winters are very dry. Temperatures rise to hover around 30°from March to May. June to September is the hottest season in UAE with 100% humidity and temperature in 40° in the coastal areas. This is the reason, why most public transport facilities and buildings in UAE are air-conditioned. In the desert region inland, humidity is much lower.

Warm clothes for winters and cool cotton clothes with a wrap or jacket for summers should do the trick. Though the dress code is casual in UAE, it is advisable not to take along revealing clothes such as shorts, bikinis, swimsuits, or revealing tops. Women should avoid wearing short skirts in UAE and should always keep their shoulders covered.

Cultural sensitivity

In the Holy Month of Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. Even as an international student of another religion, you will find that you cannot eat, drink or smoke in public places in UAE during fasting hours. Most restaurants remain closed but you may eat in your room or in a secluded area in the accommodation where you live. A few eating outlets open during the day for dine-in customers and some fast food restaurants may allow drive-through or take-outs. However, evenings are like carnivals during the Ramadan period and after the sun sets, restaurants may open for extended hours.

Similarly, in UAE, you should get permission before clicking anybody’s photographs. It is best to avoid clicking photographs of Muslim women, government buildings, airports, telecommunications equipment, docks and other military installations.

Homosexuality is strictly looked down upon in UAE and is considered taboo.

Read: Why are Indian students choosing to study in Dubai in 2025?

Personal safety

While UAE is one of the safest countries to study, it is always a good idea to take normal precautions to keep yourself and your belongings safe. It is also a good idea to carry some emergency numbers in your pocket at all times, which should include the number of a local police station or headquarters, numbers of your contacts in UAE and in India, the number of ambulance and fire stations, and the number of student counsellor at your university or college.

In case of an emergency in Dubai, you can always dial ‘999’ to call the police, ambulance, or a police helicopter.

Other handy tips

It is advisable to drink plenty of water in the heat. The quality of drinking water and food hygiene is generally safe enough but if you are exploring remote areas, you may want to avoid raw salads and ‘shawarmas’.

If you are carrying medicine that is on the list of Controlled Medicines and Medications enforced by the UAE Ministry of Interior and International Narcotic Controlled Board (INCB), you should carry prescriptions issued by licensed doctors, attested by a notary public along with you. Only hospitals in UAE can import medicines, so be sure to carry enough medicines with you to last for the duration of your stay in the UAE.

Mobile Networking

Staying in touch with your family is significant when you shift to an entirely new location for studies. In UAE, the topmost mobile phone and internet services are provided by Du, Virgin Mobile, and Etisalat. Network and internet speeds are fast-paced throughout the UAE. Students are advised to purchase a temporary 'visitors line' until they obtain their residence visa, as soon as they arrive. After getting this visa, they can easily get a postpaid or prepaid plan from any of the service providers in the UAE. 

Checklist for Indian Students to Study in UAE

Make sure to keep most of your items in vacuum-sealed bags to make room for more items in smaller spaces. By following this checklist, you can ensure a smooth transition to the UAE and make the most of your study abroad experience.