New to the UAE? 5 women-only groups in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and beyond to help you settle in and feel at home

Those first days, weeks, and months in a new country can feel overwhelming. You need familiar, friendly face as you navigate unfamiliar streets, shops, and hidden lanes leading to your new home.

The good news:  In places like the UAE, there’s no shortage of welcoming communities ready to help. And if you’re a woman just arriving, there are plenty of women-only groups to make the transition easier.

Here are five to get you started.

Dubai-based Ipshita Sharma started the group after noticing that her advice on Facebook was gaining traction. She began receiving five to ten direct messages a day, many from women who were lonely and struggling to make friends. “Some had moved here alone and couldn’t find a social circle; others came with their husbands, but all their friends were their husband’s,” she explains. “So I started a WhatsApp group to arrange a coffee meetup for anyone who wanted to hang out.” Within two hours, more than 300 women had joined. “Our first meetup was planned for 20 women, but 35 showed up,” she recalls.

Since then, the community has grown stronger—and most importantly, its members are always there for each other

As the tagline for their website says, you can sit with them (Mean Girls reference for the win!). It’s a platform to seek, share advice. You will notice how comfortable women feel sharing their most personal problems under ‘anonymous’ tag, with others immediately rushing to offer comfort and solutions. It has over 40.3k members on Facebook, and it’s just growing by the day. You are sure to find your tribe!

With over 31,000 members, this Facebook group is a lively and supportive space for women to connect, share experiences, and feel at home in a new country. Whether you’re looking for practical tips on daily life, rent, medical advice, school runs, job opportunities, or even shopping recommendations, this group has you covered.

This group is not just about job offers, it’s a great way to connect with a network of strong, career-focused mums. They host regular events, giving you the chance to meet like-minded women and grow your circle, especially if you’re job hunting in the UAE.

Bookworms, this one’s for you! With a close-knit community and April Lane as co-ordinator of about 1,500 members, this group is all about celebrating the love of reading. Members share their favourite books, take part in summer reads, and join fun reading challenges, voting on titles that fit the theme. Posts encourage engagement—asking what you’re currently reading, your favorite genres, and your latest completed book. Plus, there are can’t-miss events for readers looking to connect offline.