Sources
The UAE government portals and official sources Dubai Practical uses to verify every fact, fee, and regulation on the site.
Dubai Practical cites UAE government portals as its primary source for all official information — visa rules, fees, tax regulations, healthcare requirements, and more. This page lists the authoritative portals we rely on, grouped by topic, so you can verify any information directly.
Always verify directly
Federal portals
These portals cover UAE-wide federal law and services applicable across all seven emirates.
| Portal | What it verifies |
|---|---|
| u.ae | Federal government portal — general laws, services, e-government |
| ica.gov.ae (ICP) | Federal residency, entry permits, UAE ID (non-Dubai) |
| mohre.gov.ae | Labour law, employment contracts, EOSB, Wage Protection System |
| fta.gov.ae | VAT, Corporate Tax, Excise Tax registration and rules |
| mod.gov.ae | Ministry of Defence — not commonly needed for expat guidance |
Visas & residency
Visa and residency rules are administered at emirate level (Dubai uses GDRFA; other emirates use ICP).
| Portal | What it verifies |
|---|---|
| gdrfad.gov.ae (GDRFA Dubai) | Dubai entry/residency visas, Golden Visa, status check, fines |
| ica.gov.ae (ICP) | Federal residency and entry permits for non-Dubai emirates |
| icp.gov.ae Smart Services | Online visa applications, Emirates ID status |
Healthcare
Health regulation is partly federal (Ministry of Health) and partly emirate-level (DHA for Dubai, DOH for Abu Dhabi).
| Portal | What it verifies |
|---|---|
| dha.gov.ae (DHA) | Dubai health authority — mandatory insurance, clinics, licensing |
| doh.gov.ae (Abu Dhabi DOH) | Abu Dhabi health regulation, mandatory insurance (Thiqa/HAAD) |
| haad.gov.ae | Abu Dhabi health insurance plans and requirements |
Real estate & property
Property transactions, tenancy, and real estate agent licensing are regulated by the Dubai Land Department and RERA.
| Portal | What it verifies |
|---|---|
| dld.gov.ae (DLD) | Dubai Land Department — property registration, DLD fees, RERA |
| rera.gov.ae (RERA) | Real estate regulatory authority — agents, brokers, rental disputes |
| ejari.gov.ae | Tenancy contract registration, rental renewal |
Education
Private school licensing, inspection ratings, and fee caps are managed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai.
| Portal | What it verifies |
|---|---|
| khda.gov.ae (KHDA) | Dubai private school inspection ratings, fees, licensing |
| adek.gov.ae (Abu Dhabi ADEK) | Abu Dhabi school regulation, ADEK ratings |
| shamil.sharjah.gov.ae | Sharjah government services portal (education and social) |
Transport
Driving licences, public transport fares, and drone regulations are managed by RTA and GCAA.
| Portal | What it verifies |
|---|---|
| rta.ae (RTA) | Road & Transport Authority — driving, Nol cards, bus/metro fares, parking |
| gcaa.gov.ae (GCAA) | Civil Aviation Authority — drone regulations, pilot licensing |
Tax
VAT, Corporate Tax, and Excise Tax are administered by the Federal Tax Authority. Policy is set by the Ministry of Finance.
| Portal | What it verifies |
|---|---|
| tax.gov.ae (FTA) | VAT, Corporate Tax, Excise Tax filings, registered agents |
| mof.gov.ae (Ministry of Finance) | UAE tax policy, double-taxation treaties, public clarifications |
Utilities
Electricity and water connections in Dubai are managed by DEWA. Sharjah uses SEWA, Abu Dhabi uses ADDC/AADC.
| Portal | What it verifies |
|---|---|
| dewa.gov.ae (DEWA) | Dubai electricity and water — connection, bills, Salik |
| sewa.gov.ae (SEWA) | Sharjah electricity and water authority |
Bookmark these portals