Issue 01 . June 2026Loose change. Sharp eyes.
Souk.Weekly Magazine

Souk Weekly · Guide

Landing in the UAE.

The whole arrival checklist in one place — visa, ID, bank, home, wheels and the small bureaucratic rituals nobody warns you about. Start anywhere.

  1. 01Domestic Helper Contract Basics for UAE HouseholdsA practical UAE domestic helper contract basics guide covering duties, lawful process, pay records and expectations.
  2. 02End-of-Service Gratuity: The Payout You Earn by StayingEnd-of-service gratuity is a statutory payment owed when your UAE employment ends. Knowing roughly how it is calculated, and what can reduce it, helps you plan your exit.
  3. 03Finding a School for Your Kids in the UAESchooling is often the deciding factor in an expat family's move. The UAE offers a dizzying range of curricula and price points, so knowing how to shortlist saves stress.
  4. 04From Foreign Licence to UAE Licence, the Short VersionThe UAE driving licence is either a quick exchange or a full course, depending entirely on the country that issued your current one. Knowing which path you are on saves weeks.
  5. 05Going Freelance in the UAE Without Falling Foul of the RulesWorking for yourself in the UAE means a freelance permit from a free zone, often paired with your own visa. Here is how the pieces fit and what they unlock.
  6. 06Health Insurance in the UAE, and Why You Already Need ItHealth insurance is a legal requirement tied to your residence, usually arranged by an employer. The real question is not whether you have it but what your plan covers.
  7. 07How to Buy a Used Car in the UAE Without GuessingA practical UAE used car buying guide covering inspection, insurance, finance, ownership transfer and cost checks.
  8. 08How to Choose a Health Insurance Plan in the UAEA practical UAE health insurance guide covering network, approvals, exclusions, claims support and family needs.
  9. 09How to File a Consumer Complaint Without Wasting TimeA practical UAE consumer complaint guide covering receipts, timelines, merchant contact, evidence and escalation.
  10. 10How to Handle a Traffic Fine Without SurprisesA practical UAE traffic fine guide covering fine checks, plate details, official payment routes and record keeping.
  11. 11How to Move Apartment Without ChaosA practical UAE apartment moving guide covering notices, movers, utilities, deposits, handover and document folders.
  12. 12How to Open a UAE Bank Account: A Practical ChecklistA practical UAE bank account checklist covering identity, salary proof, address, employer details and first-week setup.
  13. 13How to Prepare Document Attestation for Visa StepsA practical UAE document attestation guide for visa steps, covering originals, translations, timelines and verification.
  14. 14How to Prepare for Rent RenewalA practical UAE rent renewal guide covering notice dates, market checks, maintenance, negotiation and payment planning.
  15. 15How to Register Ejari for the First TimeA practical first-time Ejari guide for Dubai tenants, covering documents, checks, registration routes and common mistakes.
  16. 16How to Renew Emirates ID Without RushingA practical Emirates ID renewal guide covering expiry reminders, documents, application steps and common timing mistakes.
  17. 17How to Set Up a Utility Account After MovingA UAE utility setup guide for new tenants, covering tenancy papers, deposits, meter checks and first-bill habits.
  18. 18How to Set Up Mobile and Home InternetA practical UAE mobile and home internet guide covering coverage, contracts, router placement and cancellation rules.
  19. 19How to Think About a Small Business LicenceA practical UAE small business licence guide covering activity choice, jurisdiction, costs, visas and banking readiness.
  20. 20How to Transfer or Convert a Driving LicenceA practical UAE driving licence conversion guide covering eligibility, documents, tests, eye checks and timing.
  21. 21How to Understand UAE Gratuity Pay Before You ResignA practical UAE gratuity guide covering salary components, service dates, contract details and final-settlement records.
  22. 22Opening a UAE Bank Account Without a Three-Hour QueueSalary account or savings, resident or not yet, the UAE bank account dance has a rhythm. Bring the right documents, ask the right questions, and the IBAN appears almost magically.
  23. 23Picking a Mobile and Home Internet Plan in the UAEGetting connected in the UAE means choosing between operators and deciding postpaid or prepaid. Bundle your home internet and TV thoughtfully and the monthly bill stays sane.
  24. 24Renting in Dubai and the Quiet Power of EjariFound the apartment, agreed the rent, signed the contract. Now meet Ejari, the registration that turns a piece of paper into a legally recognised Dubai tenancy.
  25. 25Salik, Nol and the Invisible Toll of Getting AroundSalik for the toll gates, Nol for the metro and bus. Set both up early, top them up sensibly, and the city's transport network stops surprising you with awkward moments.
  26. 26School Admissions Documents: What Parents Should PrepareA UAE school admissions document guide for parents, covering identity papers, records, health forms and transfer timing.
  27. 27Sending Money Home From the UAE Without Losing It to FeesRemitting from the UAE is easy; doing it cheaply takes savvy. The fee on screen is only half the story, because the exchange-rate margin is where most of your money quietly leaks.
  28. 28Summer Home Maintenance Checklist for UAE ResidentsA practical UAE summer home maintenance guide covering AC filters, leaks, fridge load, balcony checks and emergency contacts.
  29. 29Switching On the Lights: A Guide to DEWA and Your UtilitiesDEWA in Dubai handles your electricity and water, and connecting it is one of the first things a new tenant must do. It is quick if you bring the right tenancy paperwork.
  30. 30The Emirates ID: The Little Card That Runs Your Life HereThe Emirates ID is the single most important card you will carry in the UAE. Understand what it does, how to get it, and what to do the day it expires or goes missing.
  31. 31The UAE Residence Visa, Demystified for the Bewildered NewcomerFrom entry permit to medical to Emirates ID, the UAE residence visa is a relay race of stamps. Here is the order the batons get passed, and where most newcomers fumble them.
  32. 32What to Check in a UAE Rent Contract Before SigningA practical UAE rent contract guide covering payment terms, maintenance, notice periods, deposits and handover notes.
  33. 33What to Do If You Lose a Passport in the UAEA practical guide for losing a passport in the UAE, covering reports, embassy contact, visa records and travel copies.
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