Dubai Time Zone: The Complete Guide
Your complete guide to time in the UAE's global business hub
Whether you're coordinating with Dubai investors, planning a stopover at the world's busiest international airport, or tracking the DFM opening β understanding Dubai's time zone (and unique weekend) is essential for global business.
Dubai operates on Gulf Standard Time (GST), which is UTC+4 year-round. Like most of the Middle East, the UAE does not observe daylight saving time, keeping time calculations consistent throughout the year.
But the real surprise for visitors? The UAE weekend is Friday-Saturday, not Saturday-Sunday. This shifted from the traditional Friday-only weekend in 2022 to better align with global financial markets.
β‘ Quick Facts: Dubai Time Zone
Time Zone Details
- β’ Zone: GST (UTC+4)
- β’ Full Name: Gulf Standard Time
- β’ Daylight Saving: Not observed
- β’ DST Period: Year-round
Location & Region
- β’ Coordinates: 25.2Β°N, 55.3Β°E
- β’ Region: Middle East & Turkey
Best Overlap Windows:
Need exact conversions? Try our Time Converter or Meeting Planner
Explore the Complete Guide
Business Hours
Shops, banks, malls, and the Friday-Saturday weekend
Best Time to Visit
Weather, Ramadan, events, and avoiding summer heat
Remote Work Guide
Working with Dubai teams across time zones
24 Hours in Dubai
The city's daily rhythm from dawn prayers to late nights
Best Time to Call
Optimal calling times from major cities worldwide
Stock Market Hours
DFM & ADX trading times for global investors
UAE Holidays
Ramadan, Eid, National Day, and what to expect
Digital Nomad Guide
Coworking, remote work visa, and cost of living
Time Difference
Dubai time compared to NYC, London, Mumbai
Travel Planning
Flight times, visa tips, and airport advice
Understanding Dubai Time
The Friday-Saturday Weekend
Until 2022, the UAE had a Friday-only weekend (with some organizations taking Thursday afternoon off). The shift to Friday-Saturday was designed to improve work-life balance and better align with global financial markets. Sunday is now a full working day β this catches many Western visitors off guard!
Strategic Time Zone Position
Dubai's UTC+4 position makes it a global business hub. Morning meetings catch the end of the Asian business day (Tokyo, Singapore), while afternoon meetings overlap with European markets. Late afternoon can even catch early morning US East Coast.
Dubai Time vs Major Cities
| City | Difference | When it's 12 PM in Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| π‘ London | -4 hours | 8:00 AM |
| ποΈ Mumbai | +1:30 | 1:30 PM |
| π¦ Singapore | +4 hours | 4:00 PM |
| π Istanbul | -1 hour | 11:00 AM |
| π½ New York | -9 hours | 3:00 AM |
| π Hong Kong | +4 hours | 4:00 PM |
| π¦ Frankfurt | -3 hours | 9:00 AM |
| π Riyadh | -1 hour | 11:00 AM |
* Times shown use standard time. During DST transitions, differences may vary by 1 hour. See detailed time differences β
Need to schedule a meeting with Dubai?
Find the perfect meeting time (and remember β their weekend is Friday-Saturday!).
πLaunch Meeting PlannerPractical Tips for Dealing with Dubai Time
π’ For International Business
The best time for UK-Dubai calls is 10 AM - 2 PM GMT, catching Dubai's afternoon. For US East Coast, 8-10 AM ET reaches Dubai's late afternoon/early evening. Remember that Friday is off in Dubai β schedule important calls Sunday-Thursday only.
βοΈ For Travellers
Dubai International (DXB) is a major transit hub. Flying from Europe? Minimal jet lag (3-4 hours). From the US East Coast, expect significant adjustment (9 hour shift). Dubai's 24-hour culture helps β many attractions and malls stay open very late. Check our Jet Lag Advisor for tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between Dubai and New York right now?
Dubai is 9 hours ahead of New York during Eastern Standard Time (EST). When it's 9:00 AM in New York, it's 6:00 PM in Dubai. During US daylight saving time (EDT), the difference reduces to 8 hours. Dubai does not observe daylight saving time.
Does Dubai use daylight saving time?
No, Dubai and the UAE do not observe daylight saving time. Dubai remains on Gulf Standard Time (GST, UTC+4) year-round. This means while Dubai's clocks never change, the time difference with countries that use DST (US, UK, Europe) shifts twice annually.
What time does the Dubai Financial Market open and close?
The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 2:00 PM GST, Sunday through Thursday. Note: UAE's weekend is Friday-Saturday, not Saturday-Sunday. For New York investors, that's 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM ET. For London, it's 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM GMT.
What is the best time to call Dubai from the UK?
The best time to call Dubai from the UK is between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM GMT, which reaches Dubai during their business hours (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM GST). Morning UK calls catch Dubai's afternoon perfectly. Remember Dubai's weekend is Friday-Saturday, not Saturday-Sunday.
What are Dubai working days and weekend?
Dubai's working week is Sunday through Thursday. The weekend is Friday-Saturday (changed from the traditional Friday-only weekend in 2022 to better align with global markets). Government offices work Sunday-Thursday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Private sector typically 9 AM to 6 PM.
How many hours ahead is Dubai from London?
Dubai is 4 hours ahead of London during GMT (winter). When it's 12:00 PM in London, it's 4:00 PM in Dubai. During British Summer Time (BST), the difference reduces to 3 hours. This makes UK-Dubai scheduling relatively convenient for business calls.
What time zone is Dubai UAE in?
Dubai is in Gulf Standard Time (GST), which is UTC+4. All of the UAE uses the same time zone. GST is shared with Oman, Mauritius, and the Seychelles. It's one hour behind India (IST) and one hour ahead of Moscow (MSK). Dubai never changes clocks for daylight saving.
What is the best time to call Dubai from India?
Dubai is 1.5 hours behind India (IST). The best time to call Dubai from India is between 11:30 AM and 7:30 PM IST, which covers Dubai's full business day (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM GST). This convenient time difference makes India-Dubai business communication easy.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
This overview is just the start. Explore our detailed guides on specific topics: