r/DubaiMallus

I am planning to travel to Kochi on 18th May. The thing is, I am not sure I will get my new Emirates ID by then. UAE pass il puthiya ID and visa ellam ond, but physical copy kittuvo orappilla.

As far as I understand, I will face no issues when exiting UAE, but I heard the physical ID might be required at check-in from Kochi. Can anyone who travelled recently confirm this? Were you asked your Emirates ID at check in/immigration at COK?

Hi everyone, I am going to Kerala from Dubai for the first time. From where can I buy dates chocolates at a very cheap or budget-friendly price in Dubai? Also, what all things should I buy from here for my family and relatives in Kerala? Please suggest 😊

You know that feeling when a good friend introduces you to someone and says "you two will love each other" and they're right? That's what I want to recreate.

I'm putting together a small casual meetup for Dubai Mallus, but with one rule: you don't introduce yourself. Someone else does.

Bring a friend and come ready to tell their story to the room: a short PPT, nothing fancy. No awkward self-introductions, no LinkedIn energy. Just good people, good food and someone who actually knows you doing the talking. Purely about making new friends. That's it.

Coming solo? DM me and I'll pair you with someone so you still have a person in your corner on the night.

Drop a comment or DM if you're interested.

Hey guys, I moved to Dubai about 3 months ago so I'm still trying to figure out the electronics market here. I want to buy an iPhone but I want to get the absolute best deal possible (cheapest in the market obviously lol).

Where do you guys usually buy your phones? Should I go to specific shops in Deira/Bur Dubai or just stick to online like Noon/Amazon? Any specific shop recommendations would be highly appreciated

As per the latest guidelines lines from customs, total amount of liquor you can carry duty free from overseas is now strictly limited to 2L.

Anyone have faced any hassle getting out more than 2L recently via Cochin airport? Strict is how strict now?

Planning to carry 2 x 1L bottle in checked in bag. And to buy duty free buy 2 gey 1 free combo, as coming down for a function at home. How challenging is it now?

Me and my friend went to check the room and we gave 2k to the broker to block the room. he said it is refundable if you want to cancel. we went after 6 days and cancelled the room because we got one cheaper than that. now the broker is making excuse and not willing to give money. what shall I do now?? help guys

He is 57 years old.

For 20 years he woke up early, went to work in this heat, skipped holidays, skipped rest, skipped life itself sometimes… just to keep our family stable.

And after all those years, they fired him with a phone call.

That’s it.

No thank you.
No handshake.
No conversation.
Nothing.

Just a call.

I know this is not a unique story in the UAE. Maybe that’s what hurts the most. So many people spend their entire youth here believing loyalty and hard work will mean something in the end.

Sometimes it doesn’t.

To be fair, this country gave my family opportunities too. My father built us a home back in Kerala. He made investments that now give some rental income. He educated us well. Today me and my husband also work here and live comfortably because of what he sacrificed.

But I keep thinking about the human side of all this.

A man gives 20 years of his life to a company, and in the end he leaves like he never existed.

No farewell.
No dignity.
Not even basic respect.

Most of his salary was unofficial cash salary, so his settlement is almost nothing. Yes, people can say he agreed to it willingly. Maybe he did because survival leaves people with very few choices.

But experiences like this change the way you see life here.

Before all this, me and my husband were planning to buy a small apartment here. A studio maybe. A 1BHK. We thought maybe this country could become “home” one day.

Now I don’t know anymore.

Now our mindset is:
save money,
avoid attachments,
don’t trust stability too much,
always be ready to leave.

Because for many middle class expats here, life feels temporary no matter how many years you spend.

One phone call can erase decades.

People praise the UAE for safety, efficiency, rules, infrastructure — and yes, all of that is true. But sometimes a system can be efficient and still feel emotionally cold.

Ironically, this whole experience made me love India and Kerala more. We complain a lot about our systems back home, and many complaints are valid. But at least people still matter there in ways we only realize after living outside.

Living here slowly teaches you to detach emotionally.
To not expect loyalty.
To not expect permanence.
To quietly prepare for exit at all times.

And honestly, that’s a very sad way to live.

My dad spent his youth building a life here.

In the end, he left with a phone call.

So my point is if the system is this just let it be ..

Watching my father leave after 20 years with just a phone call changed something in me emotionally.

It reminded me that for many expats, no matter how long you stay, you are always living a temporary life.

Working 9-5 Monday to Friday.
Salary comes on 5th finished on 30th.

Salary alland income generate cheyyunna arelum indo? We should actually create a group or Meetup so that we can actually build something outside our job.

I hope all you guys are playing with credit cards, welcome bonuses and cashback

I just got a credit card and I have to spend 10k to get welcome bonus, but In reality I cannot spend

I want your suggestions, what you all did in this situations?

What you guys bought in card and sold somewhere for cash and repaid the card ?

Any ideas appreciated, so many mallus, south Indians, Indians, Africans, arabs pretty much everyone doing, so dont judge me, if you have ideas share please that's it

Anyone visited the newly reopened Al Mamzar Beach after renovation? How is it? Is it too crowded and when is the best time to visit. How is the parking availability.?

I heard there are nice running tracks now..

Thinking of going to Salalah during the Eid holidays from Dubai/UAE

Is this a good time to visit Salalah?

Would love to hear from anyone who has already explored it during Eid or summer season.

A few things I’m trying to understand:
- What’s the best way to explore Salalah? flight + local taxi, group tour, etc.?
- How many days are ideal?
- Any must-visit places or hidden gems?
- Any trusted travel partners or tour packages you would recommend?

Trying to keep it budget friendly as well 😅

Would appreciate any tips, experiences, or things to avoid.

Which are the best naadan fish curry meals spot in Dubai?

I work in the UAE and need advice on how to handle a salary issue without immediately risking my job.

Last month, my employer informed all employees they would only pay part of the salary and the remaining amount would be paid later due to business conditions. Since many of our clients are hotels, I understood the situation and did not raise a complaint.

However, at month end, the company suddenly paid me an additional amount. The money was auto-debited toward my credit card dues the same day. The next morning, management asked me to return that amount and later stated that management had “never approved” that payment.

This month, they paid everyone their full salary but deducted a large amount from my salary, saying it was recovery of a “loan” taken last month. But the amount deducted was actually part of my salary payment, not a loan.

I later learned the company is still making decent profit and may simply be passing financial pressure onto employees.

I do not want to lose my current job, but I also do not want to be taken advantage of further.

If I don't get paid then I would default my rent due for this month, and my landlord charges AED 2,000 etc for cheque default and gives maximum 1 month, then thrown out won't even let us take our things.

What would be the best way to handle this professionally in the UAE? Should I first document everything and approach HR/management again, or should I consider speaking with MOHRE if this continues?

Please note: I am not looking for any handouts.

I know there are feeding rooms in every malls in Dubai. Has anyone noticed a feeding room in the building where BLS centre ( deira or burdubai) is ?

I have this concern as i will visit the Bls to take first passport for newborn. It might take long time and last time i visited it was very crowded.

Anybody knows how much it would cost for spouse visa renewal? Dubai Visa. Anybody have any contacts? Better if they have tabby option!

Whats the best option to send items to UAE. My husband is in dubai and i will be moving too soon. We already have all the household items like mostly kitchen stuff (not appliances) so when we take a home we won't have to buy anything new unless cost of transportation is too high. If anyone has send stuff from kerala to uae please let me know the company u used and the cost.

Hey guys, any good running spot suggestions. I normally do kite beach. Looking for alternatives

Any suggestions for a birthday celebration venue, such as a party hall, a restaurant hall, or any other indoor location? The gathering will be for 10–15 people and should be budget-friendly.

Hey Looking to travel somewhere like Georgia/Azerbaijan, or any nearby country during the Eid holidays.

Any recommendations for Chill adventure/group tour organisers ?? Or Travel communities

Or Anyone interested in travelling together ?