UAE Civic Life: Document Attestation, Ejari, DEWA & Salik
Daily civic paperwork in the UAE runs through MOFA attestation, Ejari tenancy registration, DEWA utilities, and Salik tolls.
Foreign documents used in the UAE — degrees, birth and marriage certificates, commercial papers — must be attested through the MOFA chain: home-country attestation, UAE embassy, then MOFA in the UAE. Tenancy contracts in Dubai are registered on Ejari, utilities are activated through DEWA, and the Salik toll system covers Dubai's tolled roads. Our guides walk through attestation, Ejari registration, DEWA activation and transfer, Salik tags and top-ups, and the civic paperwork residents handle most.
All Civic Life Guides (UAE)
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Ejari is the official register of tenancy contracts at the Dubai Land Department. Every tenancy in Dubai must be registered. You need the registered e-Contract Registration Certificate to connect DEWA. You also need it to sponsor family visas. And you need it to use the Rental Disputes Centre. You can register online in the Dubai REST app or on the DLD website. Or you can register in person at a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre.
7 steps · ~25 minutes (trustee centre) / minutes online · AED 177.75 online / AED 220 trustee centre2026-Latest
If you are a tenant, you start electricity and water through the DEWA "Activation of Electricity/Water (Move-in)" service. You can use dewa.gov.ae or the DEWA Smart App. You need a registered Ejari first. When you enter a valid Ejari number, the form fills in your details for you. You do not need to upload any documents. Next, you pay the refundable security deposit and the activation charges. DEWA connects your supply within 15 working hours of payment. This is stated in DEWA's service guide.
5 steps · Minutes to apply; supply within 15 working hours of payment · Deposit AED 2,000 (flat) / 4,000 (villa) + activation AED 155/3302026-Latest
Salik is Dubai's electronic toll system. You stick an RFID tag on your windshield. The tag is linked to a prepaid account. Each time you pass one of Dubai's 10 toll gates, the toll is charged to your account automatically. Toll prices change by time of day. At peak times you pay AED 6. Off-peak you pay AED 4. It is free from 1:00 to 6:00 AM. On Sundays the price is a flat AED 4. Since 1 June 2026, 5% VAT is added on top, so you pay AED 6.30 / AED 4.20. If you pass a gate without a registered tag, you get a fine. You also get a fine if your balance is too low and you do not top up within 5 days.
7 steps · Minutes to buy and activate · Tag about AED 100–122.50 incl. AED 50 prepaid credit (varies by channel); tolls per crossing2026-Latest
The NOL card is Dubai's contactless smart card for public transport. You can use it on the Metro, the tram, buses, and the waterbus. You can also use it for RTA parking. Dubai is divided into 7 zones. Your fare depends on how many zones you cross. Silver is the standard card. Gold gives you access to Gold Class cabins, at double the fares. Blue is personalised. It protects your balance and gives concession fares. The Red Ticket is a disposable paper ticket for occasional trips.
7 steps · Minutes to buy; top-up instant via app/machines · Silver/Gold AED 25 (incl. AED 19 credit); Blue AED 70 (incl. AED 20 credit); Red Ticket AED 22026-Latest
Dubai tenancy disputes go to the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC). The RDC is part of the Dubai Land Department. You file your case online. You pay a fee of 3.5% of the annual rent or the claimed amount. There are minimum and maximum limits on the fee. The system books your first session for you. The session is at least 7 days after you pay. The judgment comes to you by email. If your claim is AED 100,000 or more, you can appeal within 15 days. You can also enforce the judgment through an execution file.
7 steps · First session at least 7 days after payment; full timeline varies · From AED 500 (3.5% of annual rent / claim, capped)2026-Latest
When you leave a Dubai property, send a DEWA Move-Out (deactivation) request. You can use the website, the Smart App, or a Customer Happiness Centre. Your real-estate management company can also do it. You get a reference number. DEWA disconnects the supply. Your final bill arrives within 36 hours. After you pay it, you can ask for your security deposit back, by IBAN transfer or by cheque. Are you moving to another home in Dubai? Use Move-To instead. Your deposit moves with you.
7 steps · Final bill within 36 hours; disconnection per your move-out date · AED 125 (small meters) / AED 300 (large meters) + AED 10 knowledge + AED 10 innovation2026-Latest
Home internet in the UAE comes from two providers: e& (Etisalat) and du. e& publishes its Neo fibre plans from AED 399/month for 1 Gbps. du's current home-internet prices were not published on the official du pages reviewed. Check them on du.ae. Apply in the provider's app, on its website, or in a store. Then a technician installs the connection.
7 steps · Application in minutes; technician visit on your selected date/time (e&) · From AED 399/month (e& Neo 1 Gbps); du prices vary — confirm on du.ae2026-Latest
Foreigners may buy freehold property in Dubai's designated freehold areas. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) issues the title deeds. A sale of a ready property is completed at a Real Estate Registration Trustee centre. It takes about 25 to 30 minutes. A mortgaged sale has extra bank steps. Off-plan purchases are registered in the provisional register through Oqood.
7 steps · 15–30 minutes at a trustee centre (ready sale); 1 business day (Oqood initial sale) · Sale fee 2% seller + 2% purchaser + title deed AED 250 + trustee fee2026-Latest
The UAE has three main ways to marry. You can have a Sharia marriage. You can make a marriage contract through the Ministry of Justice (eMarriage). Or, if you are a non-Muslim, or a Muslim who is not a UAE citizen, you can have a civil marriage at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court. Non-Muslims can also complete the marriage formalities at their embassy or consulate, or at their place of worship. Fees start at AED 50 (MOJ) or AED 300 (ADJD civil, standard).
7 steps · MOJ contract: 1 day; ADJD civil: up to 10 working days standard, 1 working day express · MOJ: AED 50; ADJD civil: AED 300 standard / AED 2,500 express2026-Latest
Non-Muslims who live or invest in the UAE can register a will. They can use the DIFC Courts Wills Service or the Abu Dhabi Civil Wills Office. Registration is what makes the will legally valid. If there is no registered will, the Abu Dhabi civil intestacy rules apply. The surviving spouse gets half. The other half is shared equally between the children.
7 steps · Varies — confirm on difccourts.ae / adjd.gov.ae · DIFC Full Will from AED 10,000 (single); ADJD regular will registration AED 9502026-Latest
Pet imports into the UAE go through MOCCAE (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment) and its import-permit system. The requirements, fees, and timelines change. Secondary sources also give conflicting key figures. So check the current checklist on moccae.gov.ae before you book travel. Do not rely on fee or timeline figures from non-official sites.
6 steps · Varies — confirm on moccae.gov.ae · Varies — confirm on moccae.gov.ae2026-Latest
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and essential rules for civic life in United Arab Emirates.
How does document attestation work in the UAE?
A document is attested in its home country, then by the UAE embassy there, then by MOFA in the UAE. Each step has its own fee and requirements. Confirm the chain for your document type on the MOFA website.
What is Ejari and how do I register?
Ejari is Dubai's system for registering tenancy contracts. Your landlord or a typing centre registers the contract with DLD; the Ejari certificate is needed for DEWA, visas, and licence renewals.
How do I activate DEWA for a new home?
Activate DEWA through its website or app after your Ejari is registered. You pay a security deposit (refunded when you close the account) and the connection fee. Activation is usually completed within a day.
What is Salik and how do I pay tolls?
Salik is Dubai's electronic toll system. Buy a Salik tag, link it to your vehicle, and top up the balance online or at petrol stations. Tolls are deducted automatically as you pass a gate.
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