When to Use
User asks about Dubai for any purpose: visiting, moving, working, studying, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data.
Quick Reference
| Topic | File |
|---|
| Visitors | |
| Attractions (must-see vs skip) |
visitor-attractions.md |
| Itineraries (1/3/7 days) |
visitor-itineraries.md |
| Where to stay |
visitor-lodging.md |
| Tips & day trips |
visitor-tips.md |
|
Neighborhoods | |
| Quick comparison |
neighborhoods-index.md |
| Downtown, DIFC, Business Bay |
neighborhoods-downtown.md |
| Dubai Marina, JBR, JLT |
neighborhoods-marina.md |
| Jumeirah, Palm, Al Sufouh |
neighborhoods-beach.md |
| Arabian Ranches, Springs, DSO |
neighborhoods-suburban.md |
| Choosing guide |
neighborhoods-choosing.md |
|
Food | |
| Overview & dining scene |
food-overview.md |
| Local & Middle Eastern |
food-local.md |
| International & fine dining |
food-international.md |
| Best areas for dining |
food-areas.md |
| Dietary, alcohol, Ramadan |
food-practical.md |
|
Practical | |
| Moving & settling |
resident.md |
| Transport (metro, taxis, Salik) |
transport.md |
| Cost of living |
cost.md |
| Safety & laws |
safety.md |
| Weather & survival tips |
climate.md |
| Local services (banking, SIM) |
local.md |
|
Career | |
| Tech industry & salaries |
tech.md |
| Business setup & free zones |
business.md |
| Visas (employment, golden, freelance) |
visas.md |
| Startups & funding |
startup.md |
|
Lifestyle | |
| Culture & customs |
culture.md |
| Healthcare & insurance |
healthcare.md |
| Schools & education |
education.md |
| Expat lifestyle & social |
lifestyle.md |
| Driving & car ownership |
driving.md |
Core Rules
1. Identify User Context First
- - Role: Tourist, resident, tech worker, student, entrepreneur
- Timeline: Short visit, planning to move, already there
- Load relevant auxiliary file for details
2. Expat-Centric City
Dubai's population is ~90% expatriate. Nearly every topic involves visa/residency considerations:
- - Employment requires employer sponsorship (until 2024 reforms)
- Golden Visa (10 years) available for investors, specialists, entrepreneurs
- Freelance permits through designated free zones
See
visas.md for current requirements and processes.
3. Cultural Context
Dubai operates under Islamic law with modernized enforcement:
- - Ramadan: Public eating/drinking restricted during daylight
- Dress code: Conservative in malls and public areas
- Alcohol: Licensed venues only; drinking age 21
- Cohabitation: Unmarried couples now legally permitted (2020 reforms)
See
culture.md for detailed guidance.
4. Weather Reality
- - Summer (May-Sep): 40-45°C+ with high humidity — outdoor activities limited
- Winter (Nov-Mar): 20-30°C — peak tourist season
- Indoor culture: Most daily life happens in air-conditioned spaces
See
climate.md for monthly breakdown and survival strategies.
5. Current Data (Feb 2026)
| Item | Range |
|---|
| 1BR rent (Marina) | AED 70,000-110,000/year (~$19K-30K) |
| 1BR rent (Downtown) |
AED 90,000-150,000/year (~$24K-41K) |
| Senior SWE salary | AED 35,000-55,000/month (~$9.5K-15K) |
| Metro monthly pass | AED 350 (Gold), AED 140 (Silver) |
| Brunch (mid-range) | AED 200-400/person |
| School fees (British/American) | AED 40,000-120,000/year |
6. Cost Reality
Dubai is tax-free but expensive:
- - Housing: 30-40% of budget typical
- Schooling: Major expense for families (private only)
- Healthcare: Mandatory insurance via employer
- Car ownership: Common due to limited public transit coverage
- Hidden costs: Housing agency fees (5%), security deposits (5-10% rent)
7. Transit Limitations
Unlike London/Barcelona, Dubai is car-centric:
- - Metro: Two lines, limited coverage (mostly Downtown/Marina corridor)
- Buses: Extensive but slow; connectors to metro
- Taxis/Ride-hailing: Primary transport (Careem, Uber)
- RTA app: Essential for all transport planning
Most residents own or lease cars. See
transport.md and
driving.md.
8. Neighborhood Matching
| Profile | Best Areas |
|---|
| Young professionals | Dubai Marina, JLT, Business Bay |
| Families |
Arabian Ranches, Springs, Meadows, Mirdif |
| Beach lifestyle | JBR, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach |
| Budget-conscious | JLT, Al Barsha, Discovery Gardens, DSO |
| Tech workers | DIFC, Business Bay, Dubai Internet City area |
| Luxury seekers | Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, Downtown |
Free Zones Context
Dubai has 30+ free zones, each with different rules:
- - DMCC: Most popular, commodities focus, ~AED 15,000/year
- DIFC: Financial services, English common law jurisdiction
- Dubai Internet City/Media City: Tech and media companies
- JAFZA: Industrial, logistics, manufacturing
- Dubai South: Aviation, logistics, near Expo/Al Maktoum airport
Free zone vs mainland trade-offs:
- - Free zone: 100% ownership, but can only trade within zone or export
- Mainland: Need local sponsor (51% unless exempt sectors), but can trade locally
See business.md for detailed comparison and setup costs.
Dubai-Specific Traps
- - Summer underestimation — 45°C+ is debilitating. Plan indoor activities May-September.
- Alcohol assumptions — Only in licensed venues/hotels. No public drinking. DUI = jail.
- Dress code violations — Cover shoulders and knees in malls. Swimwear only at pools/beaches.
- Photography restrictions — Don't photograph government buildings, airports, or people without consent.
- Bounced checks — Criminal offense in UAE. Can lead to arrest and travel ban.
- Debt issues — Unpaid debts can result in travel bans. Settle before leaving.
- Social media posts — Defamation laws strict. Critical posts about UAE can lead to arrest.
- Cohabitation confusion — Legal since 2020 reforms, but not all landlords accept unmarried couples.
- Ramadan rules — No eating/drinking/smoking in public during daylight hours.
- Friday = Sunday — Weekend is Friday-Saturday. Some businesses closed Friday morning.
Legal Awareness
Key laws visitors/residents must know:
- - Drugs: Zero tolerance. Trace amounts can mean 4+ years prison.
- Alcohol: Legal at 21+ in licensed venues only. No public intoxication.
- VPN usage: Legal for legitimate purposes, but using VoIP illegally is not.
- LGBTQ+: Same-sex relationships are illegal. Discretion essential.
- Public displays of affection: Keep minimal. Kissing in public can be prosecuted.
- Swearing/gestures: Offensive gestures can lead to arrest.
See safety.md for comprehensive legal guidance.
使用时机
用户出于任何目的询问迪拜相关信息：旅游、移居、工作、留学或创业。助手需提供基于当前数据的实用指导。
快速参考
visitor-attractions.md |
| 行程规划（1/3/7天） | visitor-itineraries.md |
| 住宿推荐 | visitor-lodging.md |
| 贴士与一日游 | visitor-tips.md |
|
社区 | |
| 快速对比 | neighborhoods-index.md |
| 市中心、DIFC、商业湾 | neighborhoods-downtown.md |
| 迪拜码头、JBR、JLT | neighborhoods-marina.md |
| 朱美拉、棕榈岛、Al Sufouh | neighborhoods-beach.md |
| Arabian Ranches、The Springs、DSO | neighborhoods-suburban.md |
| 选择指南 | neighborhoods-choosing.md |
|
美食 | |
| 概览与餐饮场景 | food-overview.md |
| 本地与中东美食 | food-local.md |
| 国际与高端餐饮 | food-international.md |
| 最佳美食区 | food-areas.md |
| 饮食禁忌、酒精、斋月 | food-practical.md |
|
实用信息 | |
| 移居与安顿 | resident.md |
| 交通（地铁、出租车、Salik） | transport.md |
| 生活成本 | cost.md |
| 安全与法律 | safety.md |
| 天气与生存指南 | climate.md |
| 本地服务（银行、电话卡） | local.md |
|
职业发展 | |
| 科技行业与薪资 | tech.md |
| 公司注册与自由区 | business.md |
| 签证（工作签、黄金签、自由职业签） | visas.md |
| 创业与融资 | startup.md |
|
生活方式 | |
| 文化习俗 | culture.md |
| 医疗与保险 | healthcare.md |
| 学校与教育 | education.md |
| 外籍人士生活与社交 | lifestyle.md |
| 驾驶与购车 | driving.md |
核心规则
1. 首先明确用户背景
- - 身份：游客、居民、科技从业者、学生、创业者
- 时间线：短期旅行、计划移居、已在此地
- 加载相关辅助文件获取详细信息
2. 以外籍人士为中心的城市
迪拜人口约90%为外籍人士。几乎所有话题都涉及签证/居留考量：
- - 就业需雇主担保（截至2024年改革前）
- 黄金签证（10年）面向投资者、专家、创业者
- 通过指定自由区申请自由职业许可
详见 visas.md 了解当前要求与流程。
3. 文化背景
迪拜在伊斯兰法律框架下运行，执法方式现代化：
- - 斋月：白天禁止公开饮食
- 着装规范：商场及公共场所需穿着保守
- 酒精：仅限持证场所；饮酒年龄21岁
- 同居：未婚伴侣现已合法（2020年改革）
详见 culture.md 获取详细指南。
4. 天气实况
- - 夏季（5-9月）：40-45°C以上，湿度高——户外活动受限
- 冬季（11-3月）：20-30°C——旅游旺季
- 室内文化：大部分日常生活均在空调环境中进行
详见 climate.md 了解月度数据与生存策略。
5. 当前数据（2026年2月）
| 项目 | 范围 |
|---|
| 一居室租金（码头区） | 70,000-110,000迪拉姆/年（约1.9万-3万美元） |
| 一居室租金（市中心） |
90,000-150,000迪拉姆/年（约2.4万-4.1万美元） |
| 高级软件工程师薪资 | 35,000-55,000迪拉姆/月（约9,500-15,000美元） |
| 地铁月票 | 350迪拉姆（金卡），140迪拉姆（银卡） |
| 早午餐（中档） | 200-400迪拉姆/人 |
| 学费（英制/美制） | 40,000-120,000迪拉姆/年 |
6. 成本实况
迪拜免税但生活成本高昂：
- - 住房：通常占预算30-40%
- 教育：家庭主要开支（仅私立学校）
- 医疗：通过雇主强制购买保险
- 购车：因公共交通覆盖有限而普遍
- 隐性成本：房屋中介费（5%）、押金（租金的5-10%）
7. 交通局限
与伦敦/巴塞罗那不同，迪拜以汽车为中心：
- - 地铁：两条线路，覆盖有限（主要为市中心/码头区走廊）
- 公交：网络广泛但速度慢；连接地铁
- 出租车/网约车：主要出行方式（Careem、Uber）
- RTA应用：所有交通规划必备
大多数居民拥有或租赁汽车。详见 transport.md 和 driving.md。
8. 社区匹配
| 人群画像 | 最佳区域 |
|---|
| 年轻专业人士 | 迪拜码头、JLT、商业湾 |
| 家庭 |
Arabian Ranches、The Springs、The Meadows、Mirdif |
| 海滩生活方式 | JBR、棕榈岛、朱美拉海滩 |
| 预算有限者 | JLT、Al Barsha、Discovery Gardens、DSO |
| 科技从业者 | DIFC、商业湾、迪拜互联网城区域 |
| 奢华追求者 | 棕榈岛、Emirates Hills、市中心 |
自由区背景
迪拜拥有30多个自由区，各有不同规则：
- - DMCC：最受欢迎，以大宗商品为主，约15,000迪拉姆/年
- DIFC：金融服务，适用英国普通法
- 迪拜互联网城/媒体城：科技与媒体公司
- JAFZA：工业、物流、制造业
- 迪拜南城：航空、物流，靠近世博城/阿勒马克图姆机场
自由区与大陆公司对比：
- - 自由区：100%所有权，但仅限区内交易或出口
- 大陆：需本地担保人（非豁免行业为51%），但可在本地交易
详见 business.md 了解详细对比与注册成本。
迪拜特有陷阱
- - 低估夏季——45°C以上令人疲惫。5-9月安排室内活动。
- 酒精误区——仅限持证场所/酒店。禁止公开饮酒。酒驾=入狱。
- 着装违规——商场内需遮盖肩膀和膝盖。泳装仅限泳池/海滩。
- 摄影限制——未经同意不得拍摄政府建筑、机场或他人。
- 空头支票——在阿联酋属刑事犯罪，可导致逮捕和旅行禁令。
- 债务问题——未偿债务可能导致旅行禁令。离境前需结清。
- 社交媒体发帖——诽谤法严格。批评阿联酋的帖子可导致逮捕。
- 同居困惑——2020年改革后合法，但并非所有房东接受未婚伴侣。
- 斋月规则——白天禁止公开饮食吸烟。
- 周五=周日——周末为周五至周六。部分企业周五上午关闭。
法律意识
游客/居民必须了解的关键法律：
- - 毒品：零容忍。微量即可判4年以上监禁。
- 酒精：21岁以上仅限持证场所。禁止公开醉酒。
- VPN使用：合法用途允许，但非法使用VoIP不允许。
- LGBTQ+：同性关系违法。必须谨慎行事。
- 公开示爱：保持克制。公开接吻可能被起诉。
- 咒骂/手势：冒犯性手势可导致逮捕。
详见 safety.md 获取全面法律指导。
