Men outnumber women 3 to 1 in Dubai, and this is one of the bigger barriers according to many single folks in the UAE. There’s just a lot of competition. It may take longer to find a partner, but it’s doable. [2] X Research source While roughly 75% of the population speaks English, you may run into language barriers with some of the women you approach. [3] X Research source
Expats outnumber Emirati nationals by a fair bit, and most of those expats speak English, so you won’t be alone if you’re moving from an English-speaking country. It may take a bit of time to find your tribe, but making friends and finding dates won’t be impossible.
It’s also illegal for a non-Muslim man to marry a Muslim woman in the United Arab Emirates, so the family may not be fond of you dating their daughter. [6] X Research source Dowries are still common in Dubai, so many families are weary of certain foreign nationals dating their daughter, since they may not abide by the dowry system. [7] X Research source
Jumeirah Lake Towers, Palm Jumeirah, and Barsha Heights are all popular areas if you’re looking to meet expats and explore Dubai’s vibrant nightlife. Many bars and nightclubs have ladies night for single women! It’s illegal to dance or be drunk in public, so keep that in mind when you leave a bar or club. [9] X Research source
These meetups are typically going to be very welcoming to newcomers, especially since everyone remembers what it’s like to be new in Dubai. The site, Meetups, is among one of the most popular options for these groups. InterNations and Facebook are also great sites to check.
Remember, casual hookups are not all that common in Dubai, so don’t get on Tinder expecting to have a one-night stand. Many Tinder users in Dubai have mentioned that there are a lot of scammers, so be careful before you share any personal information and always meet up in public.
Make sure that you download Bumble before you go to the UAE. It’s not available in the app store there.
Love Habibi is another popular option for religious people in Dubai. It’s not exclusively for Muslims, but most users are religious.
You might say, “You seem like an interesting person. Would you be interested in going on a date sometime?” or, “I’d love to get to know you more. Do you want to go on a date with me next weekend?” Offer to take women to dinner or grab a cup of chai. Chai cafes are extremely popular for a reason! Don’t suggest grabbing a drink if you don’t know a girl drinks or not. Many women in Dubai don’t consume alcohol at all, even if they aren’t Muslim.
You may notice a lot of wealth flashing in Dubai. Avoid overdoing it with the fancy designer brands and gold jewelry. It’s considered bad form for a date.
You can even be arrested for being too forward with a woman in Dubai, so keep it subtle, go slow, and don’t be too pushy.
Dubai does have a reputation for being less strict than the rest of the UAE, but you never know when someone will take offense.
The same goes for one-night stands at hotels or your home. It used to be illegal for unmarried couples to cohabitate—even at hotels. It’s not illegal anymore, but you may catch some side eye from your neighbors if they see you.
Nobody should be isolated because of their sexuality. While it can be risky, if you do want to use an LGBTQ dating app, use a VPN so that you can’t be tracked. [23] X Research source
