Avoiding common mistakes
Even with preparation, many international students in Dubai face avoidable challenges due to lack of local knowledge, cultural differences, or misleading offers. This page outlines the most common traps shared by other students and sheds light onto how to avoid them. By learning from the shared experience, avoidable pitfalls, students can conserve time, money, and the stress of navigating a new country.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Golden Rules to Stay Safe
• Always verify housing and jobs through official channels or referrals
• Read the fine print of any service or contract
• Keep copies of all documents (passport, visa, Emirates ID, NOC) in cloud storage
• Join student groups — Reddit, WhatsApp, university pages — to hear real reviews
• Trust your instinct — if something sounds “too good,” double-check it
Most Misunderstood Concepts
Documents & Rules to Know
• Work regulations: part-time work is limited and regulated — always check with your university
• Traffic fines: monitored digitally, use Dubai Police App
• SIM registration: must be tied to Emirates ID — illegal to resell prepaid cards
Useful Platforms & Sources
• u.ae – Official UAE government portal for education, visas, and laws
• RTA Dubai – All rules related to public transport and driving
• Oliv.com, Bayt.com – Jobs for students and graduates
• Dubai Police App – Check fines and report possible offences