Palash Academy

🇦🇪 Pre-Departure Guide

Dubai / UAE — Know before you fly

Everything Indian students need to prepare for Dubai / UAE: arrival, first week, culture, emergency contacts, and packing.

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Departure Checklist

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1Valid passport (6+ months validity)
2UAE student visa approval letter from university
3University admission letter
4Medical fitness certificate
5Passport-size photographs (10+)
6Proof of financial support
7Accommodation booking
8Prescription medicines
9Modest clothing for UAE culture
10Digital copies of all documents

Arrival Essentials

At the Airport (UAE GDRFA)

  • Indian passport holders get visa on arrival (valid for 30 days, extendable)
  • You will need a student residence visa for studying full-time
  • Carry university admission letter and medical fitness certificate
  • No currency declaration limit but amounts over AED 100,000 should be declared

Student Residence Visa

  • Your university will sponsor your student visa (not arrival visa)
  • Requires Emirates ID, medical test, and fingerprints
  • Process takes 2–4 weeks — plan ahead
  • UAE ID (Emirates ID) is issued with residence visa

First Day Essentials

  • Report to university international office on Day 1
  • Begin Emirates ID and medical fitness process
  • Set up ADCB / Emirates NBD / Mashreq bank account
  • Get a UAE SIM (Etisalat/e& or du) with your passport

First Week Checklist

HIGH

Report to university and begin visa process

University will initiate the student residence visa. Carry all original documents.

HIGH

Open a UAE bank account

ADCB, Emirates NBD, Mashreq — student accounts available. Some require residence visa.

HIGH

Get a UAE SIM

Etisalat (e&) or du — plans from AED 30–50/month. Buy with passport at airport or mall.

HIGH

Complete medical fitness test

Required for residence visa. University or approved centers. Results in 1–2 days.

HIGH

Apply for Emirates ID

Biometrics and photo at ICP center. Required within 30 days of visa.

HIGH

Attend university orientation

Get student ID, building access, and meet academic advisor.

MEDIUM

Get RTA Nol card (Dubai) or Hafilat card (Abu Dhabi)

For metro, bus, and tram. Student concession available.

LOW

Register for university library and online portals

Access digital journals, campus Wi-Fi, and student services.

Cultural Briefing

Do's

  • • Dress modestly in public — cover shoulders and knees outside malls/beaches
  • • Respect Ramadan — no eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daytime
  • • Greet with "As-salamu alaykum" — it's always appreciated
  • • Rise when elders enter a room
  • • Remove shoes when entering someone's home
  • • Use right hand for eating and passing items

Don'ts

  • • No public display of affection — illegal and offensive
  • • Do not photograph people without permission, especially women
  • • Do not criticize the UAE government or royal family
  • • Drinking alcohol only in licensed venues — never in public
  • • Dress codes: no revealing clothing, swimwear only at beaches/pools
  • • No swearing, rude gestures, or using VPNs for illegal activities

Pro Tips

  • ★ RTA app and Careem are essential for transport in Dubai
  • ★ Indian food is everywhere in UAE — Karama (Dubai) is the Indian district
  • ★ Tax-free salary and zero income tax is a genuine advantage after graduation
  • ★ The UAE weekend is Saturday–Sunday (changed in 2022 from Fri–Sat)
  • ★ Extreme heat (40°C+) from May–September — most activities are indoors

Weather & Packing Guide

Winter (Nov–Mar)

18–28°C

Nov–Mar

  • Light to medium clothes
  • One light jacket for evenings
  • Closed-toe shoes
  • Light formal wear

Summer (Apr–Oct)

35–48°C

Apr–Oct

  • Very light breathable cotton
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+
  • Sunglasses
  • Light indoor layers (heavy AC everywhere)
  • Lip balm and moisturizer

Local Resources for Indian Students

Indian Grocery Stores

  • Lulu Hypermarket
  • Carrefour (Indian section)
  • Karama Market (Dubai)
  • Indian Grocery stores in Al Nahda / Deira (Dubai)

Places of Worship

  • Hindu temples (Dubai & Abu Dhabi)
  • Multiple mosques in every area
  • Gurudwara Sri Guru Nanak Darbar (Dubai)

Indian Restaurants

  • Karama area (Dubai) — dozens of options
  • Ravi Restaurant (Dubai)
  • Punjab Grill, Rajdhani, Ashiana (luxury options)

Student Communities

  • Indian Student Forum at UAE universities
  • Kerala, Gujarat, Punjabi associations in UAE
  • Facebook: Indians in Dubai / Indians in Abu Dhabi