Unblock Websites in Dubai Easily with BullVPN

As we know, many countries today still lack internet freedom, such as China, Russia, North Korea, and Dubai or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of them.

If you are planning to travel to this country for work or leisure, besides preparing your budget, Big Bull  wants to tell you that preparing for your internet connection is the most important thing. You won't be able to access certain familiar websites or applications when you are there. Knowing how to handle this and finding ways to access websites in Dubai is essential before you travel.

Nowadays, communication and access to information are so fast that they are beyond control, prompting some countries to implement stricter internet access policies. If you are still unsure what is a VPN and how it can help solve this problem, follow Big Bull  and let's find out!

Why does the United Arab Emirates (UAE) block certain websites and applications? 

Before diving deep into how to access websites in Dubai, we must first understand why the internet is restricted here. It mainly comes down to two reasons:

1. Telecom Monopoly

The government grants exclusive rights to local network providers (like Etisalat and du) to offer Voice over IP (VoIP) services, resulting in free calling apps being blocked.

2. Geo-Blocking

Streaming platforms for movies and music from Thailand or the US often block IP address from foreign countries due to copyright and licensing restrictions.

Content Type	Reason for Unavailability	Examples of Apps / Websites
VoIP (Voice/Video Calls)	Policy protecting local telecom providers	Line, WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime
Streaming (Thai/International)	Geo-blocking due to copyrights	TrueID, Viu, iQIYI, Hulu, BBC
Prohibited Content	Violates the country's laws and morals	18+ Adult websites, Online gambling

Websites and Applications Blocked in Dubai (UAE) 

Big Bull  has compiled a list of popular apps and websites so you can see which ones will give you trouble accessing if you don't prepare beforehand.

Social Media Blocked in Dubai

• Line: A popular communication app in Asia. It cannot be used in Dubai.
• Snapchat Calling: You can send text messages via Snapchat, but voice or video calls remain blocked in Dubai.
• Messenger: A communication app bundled with Facebook, but Messenger cannot be used when in Dubai.
• WhatsApp Calling: You can send messages on WhatsApp, but voice or video calls are not available.
• Skype: A voice and video calling platform. It cannot be used in Dubai.
• Discord: A primary app for game streaming, chatting, and voice/video calling. It is banned in Dubai.
• FaceTime: Apple's FaceTime feature is also blocked in Dubai.

Streaming Channels, Music, and Videos

These platforms are not directly blocked by the Dubai government, but you won't be able to access Thai-zone content due to copyright restrictions.

• Twitch: A live streaming platform focused on video games. It cannot be used in Dubai.
• Disney Plus: A popular channel for movies and cartoons. Its usage is restricted/blocked in Dubai.
• Viu: A platform gathering Asian series and dramas. It is blocked in Dubai.
• iQIYI: A platform primarily focusing on Chinese series and movies. It is banned in Dubai.
• WeTV: A channel for watching movies and series. It is blocked in Dubai.
• BBC iPlayer: A live streaming channel from the UK. It cannot be watched in Dubai.
• Hulu: A popular American streaming channel for movies, TV shows, and live broadcasts. It cannot be watched in Dubai.
• Joox: A highly popular music listening app. It cannot be used in Dubai.
• TrueID: A popular app compiling movies, series, and cartoons in Thailand. It cannot be accessed while in Dubai.

Other Miscellaneous Websites Banned in Dubai

• Adult (18+) or pornographic websites are strictly blocked in Dubai.
• Some VPN websites or VPN service providers cannot be accessed in Dubai.
• Political websites are also inaccessible due to Dubai's national policies.
• Websites offering voice calls over the internet are blocked in Dubai.
• Websites related to unauthorized cryptocurrency trading or exchange are banned in Dubai.
• Websites that provide or promote online gambling or betting are blocked in Dubai.

Alternative Communication Apps Allowed in Dubai

Many of you might have heard that even though Dubai blocks calls on LINE, WhatsApp, or FaceTime, the UAE government isn't completely heartless. They have approved "alternative applications" for legal voice and video calling, such as BOTIM, GoChat, VoICO, or C'Me.

Sounds good, right? But in reality, most tourists and expats working in Dubai choose to solve this issue by using a VPN in Dubai rather than switching to these apps. Big Bull has summarized the main reasons below:

1. Monthly Subscription Fees Required

Alternative apps like BOTIM do not offer free calling services like LINE or WhatsApp. Users must pay for an additional VoIP internet package with local network providers like Etisalat or du, which adds an extra monthly expense.

2. Inconvenience for People Back Home

Imagine wanting to video call your family or friends in Thailand. You'd have to ask everyone back home to download BOTIM or GoChat just to talk to you. This creates unnecessary hassle and complication for your loved ones.

3. Unfamiliar Functions and Less Smooth Experience

The convenience, sticker systems, or group chat features we are used to in our main apps better suit our daily lifestyles. Being forced to switch to a new app suddenly when traveling abroad often disrupts communication and feels unnatural.

How Should You Prepare Before Traveling to Dubai?

Reading this far, many might start worrying that they won't be able to easily contact people back home or watch their favorite series while resting. Honestly, don't overthink it! The easiest and most effective way to access websites in Dubai is to prepare to use a VPN in Dubai. This helps hide IP address and changes your virtual location back to Thailand or other countries. Just like that, you can use your apps normally.

Pre-Travel Tips

• Download the VPN application in advance: You should finish downloading and subscribing to a package while still in your home country. If you try to download it in Dubai, the VPN provider's website will likely be blocked.
• Choose a VPN with diverse servers: This gives you options to switch servers if one is crowded or if you want to watch content from different countries.
• Focus on legal usage: Using a UAE VPN to contact family, discuss work, or stream content is completely normal. However, Big Bull strongly advises avoiding its use to access websites that violate local laws.

For anyone looking for a way to unblock websites or wanting to access blocked websites in Dubai (UAE) without any hassle, you can download BullVPN on your device. To use it, simply open the app and select a server in the country of the content you want to watch (e.g., choose a Thai server to use LINE calls or watch Thai online TV). Just like that, the problem of accessing websites in Dubai will be completely gone.

The advantage of using a Dubai VPN with BullVPN is that the system has proprietary routing specifically designed to bypass blocks, ensuring smooth usage of various apps. Furthermore, it prioritizes your privacy with a No-Logs Policy, making your UAE VPN usage safe and securing your data from leaks. It's an essential item that Big Bull recommends having on your device for peace of mind while traveling.