Staying Connected Across Borders
For many Kazakhstani expats living in Dubai, making a simple voice or video call home is not as easy as tapping a button. With the UAE’s strict regulations on VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services like WhatsApp, Skype, and FaceTime, families often find themselves cut off from real-time, affordable communication.
But technology, and the will to stay connected, have paved new paths. Many are now turning to VPNs — Virtual Private Networks — as a digital bridge to keep love, support, and family bonds alive across borders.
The Emotional Cost of Disconnection
When 27-year-old Aigerim moved to Dubai three years ago to work as a hotel receptionist, she didn’t imagine that a simple “good night” video call to her mother back in Almaty would one day feel like a luxury.
“I remember crying the first time I realized I couldn’t call my mom on WhatsApp,” Aigerim says. “It felt like I had moved to another planet, not just another country.”
Thousands like her face the same problem. While Dubai promises a life of opportunity and glamor, it often comes with a hidden emotional cost — isolation. Phone plans offering international calls are often expensive, and not everyone can afford the extra burden every month. That’s when many expats discovered the power of VPNs.
What Is a VPN and Why It Matters
A VPN allows users to create a secure connection to another network over the internet. In simpler terms, it changes your virtual location — allowing you to access services that might be restricted in your actual country.
By using a reliable VPN, users in the UAE can route their internet traffic through countries where WhatsApp calling is allowed, like the UK, Germany, or even Kazakhstan itself. This makes WhatsApp voice and video calls possible — and often, seamless.
But it’s not just about tech. It’s about the people using it.
Stories of Hope and Resilience
For Askar and Dinara, a young couple raising their two-year-old daughter in Dubai, VPNs are more than just a convenience — they’re a necessity.
“Our daughter only sees her grandparents on video calls,” Dinara explains. “They haven’t met her in person yet. We don’t know when we’ll next visit Kazakhstan, so for now, these calls are all we have.”
She laughs softly. “My mother teaches her lullabies over WhatsApp. She sings, and my daughter claps along.”
Their story mirrors that of many others — determined to hold onto their roots, culture, and family connections despite borders and regulations.
The Struggles Behind the Screen
While using a VPN is legal in the UAE for most personal uses, it’s important to understand the gray areas. The government strictly prohibits the use of VPNs to commit cybercrimes or bypass national restrictions for illegal activities. That said, using a VPN just to access VoIP services like WhatsApp calling for personal use generally falls in a tolerated zone — although this is always subject to change and interpretation.
It’s this uncertainty that adds to the emotional load of users.
“I always feel nervous,” Aigerim admits. “Like I’m doing something wrong just to talk to my family. But at the same time, I don’t have a choice.”
Achievements Despite the Distance
Despite the emotional and technical challenges, many Kazakh expats in Dubai continue to thrive — both professionally and personally. They juggle demanding jobs, long hours, and often the stress of adapting to a fast-paced city, all while staying mentally strong by staying emotionally connected to home.
VPNs are just one tool helping them manage that.
Anuar, a fitness coach based in Dubai Marina, says his daily morning routine includes a WhatsApp video call with his younger brother, who is training to become a footballer in Astana.
“I guide him, correct his workout postures, and we share jokes,” Anuar smiles. “That bond keeps me grounded. Without VPN, I would have lost that part of me.”
Choosing the Right VPN: What Expats Need to Know
For those new to VPNs, here are some tips Kazakh expats in Dubai swear by:
- Choose a paid, trusted provider. Free VPNs often lack speed, privacy, and reliability.
- Look for VPNs with multiple server locations, especially in countries where VoIP services are allowed.
- Check if the VPN offers mobile app support, since most calls happen over smartphones.
- Avoid using VPNs for any illegal activities to stay compliant with UAE laws.
Popular VPNs among expats include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark — all known for speed, security, and ease of use.
Living in Two Worlds
Life in Dubai offers endless opportunities — better jobs, vibrant city life, and exposure to global culture. But for many Kazakhs, the heart remains at home. Technology, particularly VPNs, has made it possible to live in two worlds at once: earning a living in the UAE while staying emotionally tied to Kazakhstan.
“It’s not perfect, but it works,” says Dinara. “When I hear my mom’s voice every night, I feel like she’s right here with me.”
Current Trends and Future Outlook
As of 2025, the UAE has slightly relaxed some of its VoIP restrictions, and more apps like Zoom and Microsoft Teams are now accessible. But mainstream apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime remain blocked for voice and video calls — making VPNs the ongoing go-to for expats.
Digital rights groups continue to advocate for wider access, while the tech-savvy generation adapts and innovates.
There are even whispers in online expat forums of startups developing UAE-compliant calling apps tailored to connect workers with families abroad — a sign that change could be on the horizon.
Inspiration Through Everyday Moments
Behind every VPN-connected call is a story — of sacrifice, strength, love, and the everyday courage to build a better life while holding tight to one’s identity. For the thousands of Kazakh men and women navigating life in Dubai, these small wins — a laugh shared on video, a birthday song sung over a call, or even a simple “I miss you” — are the real achievements.
They are proof that technology, used wisely, can be a powerful tool for human connection.
And in a world where distance often divides, that connection is everything.
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