For doctors on the way to Dubai, and for those who have just landed in the UAE, this guide brings together the apps and websites that make daily life easier. In Dubai, there is an app for almost everything. You can access convenient online government services, order grocery deliveries to your door in under an hour, and even get your car filled with petrol while it is parked outside your home or workplace. All UAE sites and apps are available in both English and Arabic, and some offer additional languages.
Here is a practical list of the most useful apps and websites for doctors once they land in Dubai.
Government Services
These apps and websites handle most of the routine government interactions a new resident needs, from digital ID to police services and emirate-wide service portals.
- UAE Pass app: Secure national digital identity for citizens, residents, and visitors in the UAE. Lets you verify your identity, access government and other services, and digitally sign and authenticate documents and transactions.
- UAE ICP: Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship website and app for residency, visa, and business services.
- TAMM: Website and app for a wide range of Abu Dhabi Government services.
- Abu Dhabi Police: Website and app for contacting Abu Dhabi Traffic Police, including reporting accidents and checking traffic fines.
- Dubai Police: Website and app for contacting Dubai Police, including reporting a crime, checking traffic fines, and applying for a police clearance certificate.
- Dubai Now: One-stop website and app for residency, housing, utilities, health, travel, police, registered charity donations, and society services in Dubai.
Banking
Many large international banks, such as Citibank, HSBC, Barclays, and Deutsche Bank, have branches in the UAE and can open a UAE account for you. It is also worth considering a local bank account, as many offer good promotions and credit card offers.
- Mashreq Neo (Mashreq Bank): Awarded “The Best Mobile Banking App” in the Middle East 2020 by World Finance.
- Liv (Emirates NBD): The UAE’s first digital-only banking app.
- YAP (RAKBANK): Smart digital banking app.
- Skiply: App for managing school payments for fees, trips, and more. Cards from any bank work.
- ADIB mobile banking app: From Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, named Best Bank in the UAE by Global Finance Awards 2023.
Property Search
For both rentals and sales, these two platforms cover the bulk of available listings across the UAE.
- Bayut: Search for sale or rental properties. Also includes area guides and property valuations.
- Property Finder: Similar to Bayut for sale and rental listings. From experience, Bayut tends to be updated more regularly.
Utilities
In the UAE, a single company supplies water and electricity for each emirate. Each has a website and app to check usage, pay bills, or report faults.
- DEWA: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.
- ADDC: Abu Dhabi Distribution Company.
- SEWA: Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority.
- Etihad WE: Etihad Water and Electricity, for other emirates.
Communications
You can use WhatsApp for text and voice messages, but live voice and video calling are blocked in the UAE unless you use a VPN. Mobile phone companies offer international calling packages, and you can use Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, Botim, or GoChat for video calling.
Mobile phone, home internet, and TV packages
- Du
- My Etisalat UAE
- Virgin Mobile: Mobile phone and home internet.
Video calling
Travel and Transport
- RTA: Roads and Transport Authority Dubai. Website and app for all driving and public transport services in Dubai.
- Darbi: Abu Dhabi Integrated Transport Centre. Website and app for all driving and public transport services in Abu Dhabi.
Map and GPS apps
Taxi services
Self-drive and car-share rentals
Hire a driver for your own car
- Zofeur: On-demand pay-per-minute chauffeur service. Can drive you home safely in your own car after a party.
- Smartdrive (Dubai): Book a driver by the hour or day, for short or long trips.
Petrol delivery, car wash, tyre, or battery change at your doorstep
Car servicing and repair with free pick-up and delivery
School Search and Reviews
For doctors relocating with children, these sites publish reviews, ratings, and detailed information on schools across the UAE, including curriculum, fees, and inspection results.
Grocery Delivery
For deliveries in under an hour from a range of local shops for a small fee:
- Instashop
- El Grocer
- Carrefour: Large supermarket chain with free scheduled deliveries for orders over 125 AED, or a small fee for 60-90 minute delivery.
- Kibsons: Online grocery delivery with many British products from Sainsbury’s and M&S. Free delivery.
- Noon: Online grocery delivery with discounts. Scheduled or fast delivery. Free deliveries above a minimum order value.
- Fresh to Home: Fresh meat, seafood, and groceries.
- HeroGo: Discounted fresh fruit and vegetable boxes, saving surplus produce from going to waste.
Meal Delivery Apps
The major food delivery platforms in the UAE cover most restaurants in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with strong coverage of international cuisines.
Online Shopping
For general online shopping, electronics, household goods, and fashion, the following platforms have the widest selection and most reliable delivery.
Secondhand: Buy and Sell
For furniture, cars, and household items at moving-in or moving-out time, the secondhand market is active and worth using.
Discounts and Loyalty
Loyalty programmes and discount apps in the UAE are well worth signing up for. Many cover supermarkets, fashion, dining, and entertainment, and several are linked to major retail groups.
- The Entertainer: Offers and discounts at many hotels, restaurants, and leisure attractions. Some banks (HSBC, FNB/RMB Private Bank) give free membership to account holders.
- Share Rewards: Loyalty programme for Majid Al Futtaim group (Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Malls, Carrefour, Vox Cinemas, and others).
- Blue Rewards: Loyalty programme for Al Futtaim fashion, sports, home, and lifestyle brands (IKEA, Marks & Spencer, ToysRUs, and others).
- Shukran: Loyalty programme for the Landmark Group (Centrepoint, Home Box, Oasis Mall, Shoemart, and others).
- Groupon: Deals and coupons for shops, restaurants, hotels, and leisure.
- Smiles UAE: Deals, discounts, and rewards for online shopping and food delivery.
Medical
For doctors and their families, the following apps cover Dubai Health Authority services, pharmacy delivery, and general health needs.
- Dubai Health Authority App: Access to DHA’s Smart Services, including managing appointments, lab results, and medications.
- Life Pharmacy App
- JustLife: Online pharmacy delivery in 30 minutes.
Home Services
Home cleaning, maintenance, and at-home salon services on demand
Laundry and dry cleaning with pick-up and delivery
Recycling
- Recapp: Free collection of plastic and metal cans. Paper is also collected with premium membership.
- Take My Junk: Free collection for unwanted or broken furniture and appliances.
Pet Services
If you are relocating with pets, these services cover food and supplies, boarding, grooming, vet care, and international pet relocation.
- PetHaus.com: Pet food and supplies.
- ThePetShop: Pet food and supplies, pet grooming, and international relocations.
- Dubai Kennels and Cattery: Vet clinic, pet boarding, and international relocations.
- Pawsome Pets: Pet boarding and international relocations.
- My Second Home: Pet boarding, pet grooming, and dog training.
Tourism, Leisure, and Entertainment
- Booking.com: Search and book hotels, attractions, flights, and car rentals.
- Privilee: Membership for access to the UAE’s best beach clubs, five-star hotel pools and beaches, and gyms.
Events, shows, and concerts
Cinema
- Cinema UAE
- OSN+: Movie and TV streaming subscription serving the Middle East and North Africa region.
Kids
Activities and discounts for kids and families:
Local News and Information
For local news, regional reporting, and lifestyle features, these are the main English-language publications in the UAE.
Language Learning
You can learn Arabic on Duolingo.
How Allocation Assist Supports Doctors Relocating to the UAE
Relocating internationally as a doctor means working through several stages, from licensing and job placement to settling into a new healthcare system and helping your family settle in. As a medical recruitment and healthcare jobs consultancy in Dubai, our team helps with this process at each stage.
Key Areas of Assistance
- Licensing and regulatory navigation, guiding physicians through credentialing requirements specific to the UAE.
- Role identification and placement, matching specialists with positions aligned to their clinical expertise and career objectives.
- Relocation and family logistics, coordinating the practical side of the move for the whole family.
- Ongoing support, keeping in touch with relocated doctors and helping them settle into life in the UAE.
For internationally trained specialists, that support makes the move into the UAE healthcare system smoother, letting them focus on patient care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app is essential for digital identity in the UAE?
UAE Pass is the national digital identity app for citizens, residents, and visitors. It lets you verify your identity, access government services, and digitally sign documents and transactions.
Can I make WhatsApp voice or video calls in the UAE?
Live voice and video calling on WhatsApp are blocked in the UAE unless you use a VPN. WhatsApp text and voice messages still work normally. For video calls, you can use Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Botim, or GoChat, all of which are widely used here.
What are the best apps for property search in Dubai?
Bayut and Property Finder are the two main platforms for sale and rental listings. Both offer area guides and property information. Bayut tends to be updated more regularly.
Which utility provider do I use?
It depends on which emirate you live in: DEWA for Dubai, ADDC for Abu Dhabi, SEWA for Sharjah, and Etihad WE for the other emirates. Each has a website and app to check usage, pay bills, and report faults.
What are the most useful apps for getting around Dubai?
For taxis, Careem and Uber. For maps, Google Maps and Waze. For public transport in Dubai, the RTA app. In Abu Dhabi, the Darbi app. For self-drive rentals, Ekar and UDrive. If you need someone to drive your own car home, Zofeur or Smartdrive.
Which apps help with finding schools in the UAE?
Which School Advisor, Schools Compared, Good Schools Guide, and Edarabia are the main resources for school search and reviews in the UAE.
What is the best app for grocery delivery in Dubai?
There are several good options depending on what you need. Instashop and El Grocer for fast delivery from local shops. Carrefour for supermarket scheduled or fast delivery. Kibsons for British products from Sainsbury’s and M&S. Noon Grocery for discounts. Fresh to Home for fresh meat and seafood. HeroGo for discounted fresh produce.
How do I access healthcare services digitally in Dubai?
The Dubai Health Authority App gives you access to DHA’s Smart Services, including managing appointments, lab results, and medications. The Life Pharmacy app and JustLife offer pharmacy delivery, with JustLife delivering in 30 minutes.
Can I learn Arabic using an app?
Yes. Duolingo now offers Arabic, alongside many other languages.
