Looking for Canadian Expats in the United Arab Emirates?

Is the UAE a good move for Canadians? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what Canadian expats in the UAE wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• It's stable, safe, and tax-free. Standout scores: 89% of expats in the UAE rate political stability positively, 94% personal safety, and 70% find bureaucracy easy (vs. 38% globally).

• Careers and the economy are strong. 92% rate the state of the economy positively and 80% say the move improved their career prospects, against a global average of 55%.

• It's polished, clean, and international. Canadians praise the infrastructure and global community, with 90% rating the opportunity to travel positively and 85% the quality of medical care.

• English gets you everywhere. 80% find it easy to get by without the local language, well above the 48% global average.

• The heat and thin nature wear on people. Only 50% rate the climate and weather positively, 55% air quality, and 64% the natural environment (vs. 84% globally).

• Healthcare costs add up. There's no universal healthcare for expats, and Canadians describe it as expensive.

• Costs bite. Just 38% rate housing affordability positively and 41% the general cost of living, with pricey schooling and food.

• Belonging can be slow. Only 47% say making local friends is easy in a transient community.

For Canadians, the UAE offers safety, stability, strong careers, and a polished, tax-free base with easy travel. The trade-offs are the heat, the cost, and paying out of pocket for healthcare. It rewards ambitious professionals more than those seeking balance.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our Canadian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Of course, expat living in the UAE is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow Canadians is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the Emirati way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other Canadians in the UAE, residing in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharyah and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Canadians in Dubai or Canadians in Abu Dhabi.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for Canadian food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the Emirati InterNations Community:

• Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from Canada in the UAE.
• Obtain and share insider tips in our the UAE Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get maple pancakes in Dubai.
• Search the InterNations Places database for the UAE to get information on institutions from your home country, including the Canadian embassy.

From the tiny emirate of Ajman to the richest city in the world, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly Canadian expats in the UAE.

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in the UAE. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional Emirati shawarma, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Abu Dhabi’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see the beautiful wildlife conservations and sanctuaries of Ras Al Khaimah as well as other beautiful landmarks in the UAE.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from Canada and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Hello from our Canadians living in the UAE!