In a busy café in Dubai Marina, 29-year-old Olga Ivanova taps her phone with a smile. It’s 7 AM in Moscow, and her mother just finished making tea. Through a crystal-clear WhatsApp call, they talk about everything—how her niece is growing, what the weather feels like, and what kind of dumplings they’re making today.
This moment feels ordinary. But in Dubai, it’s far from simple. Without a Virtual Private Network (VPN), Olga wouldn’t even be able to make that WhatsApp call.
For thousands of Russian expats in the UAE, especially in Dubai, VPNs are more than a tech tool—they’re a bridge to home.
Why WhatsApp Calls Are Blocked in the UAE
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services like WhatsApp, Skype, and FaceTime are blocked in the UAE due to regulatory and licensing restrictions. The government controls telecommunications through licensed providers such as Etisalat and du, both of which offer paid internet calling plans via their own apps.
This restriction poses a real challenge for expats. Many are far from family and depend on voice and video calls for regular communication. While text messaging still works, it’s not enough.
For Russians living in Dubai, where the cost of living is high and emotions often run even higher, being unable to hear a familiar voice without restrictions feels like a daily struggle.
The VPN Fix: Quiet but Life-Changing
That’s where VPNs come in. A VPN masks your IP address and encrypts your internet connection, allowing users to access websites and services that are otherwise restricted in the UAE.
“Using a VPN is how I stay sane,” says Alexei, a 35-year-old logistics manager who moved to Dubai in 2022. “If I couldn’t speak to my wife and daughter back in St. Petersburg daily, I don’t think I could handle the stress of working here.”
The process is fairly simple: users download a trusted VPN app on their phone, connect to a server outside the UAE—often in Europe or Russia—and launch WhatsApp to make calls.
Though it’s a grey area legally, many residents quietly rely on VPNs to maintain their emotional well-being.
Behind the Screens: Real Lives, Real Struggles
Lilia Petrova moved to Dubai in early 2023 to work as a digital marketing executive. Her dream was always to live in a fast-paced city, earn well, and support her parents in Russia. But the reality hit hard.
“You can be surrounded by skyscrapers and luxury, yet feel incredibly lonely,” she shares. “I cried the first week because I couldn’t talk to my father. I could see his face on video but couldn’t hear him. That’s when someone at work suggested a VPN.”
Lilia now makes video calls twice a day. She says it’s helped her stay focused, sleep better, and feel more connected to the people who matter.
VPNs have become an emotional and mental health tool—unofficial, unsung, and yet deeply powerful.
How Expats Stay Safe While Using VPNs
Using VPNs in the UAE is legal—but only if it’s not used to commit a crime. Many people, however, don’t fully understand where that line is.
Here’s how users like Olga and Alexei stay safe:
- Use trusted VPN providers like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark.
- Avoid free VPNs, which are often unreliable and can leak data.
- Never use VPNs for illegal activities like fraud or accessing restricted websites beyond VoIP.
- Always check for updates to ensure strong encryption.
“I treat my VPN like my house key,” says Olga. “I don’t lend it, I don’t use shady apps, and I never talk about it loudly.”
Living in Dubai: More Than Glamour
Dubai often appears like a dream destination: gold-plated cars, luxury malls, futuristic architecture, and endless sunshine. But behind the glamour, real people live real lives—filled with responsibilities, homesickness, and mental pressure.
For many Russian expats, the challenge is double-edged. The Ukraine-Russia war has caused tension in many circles. Some feel the need to keep a low profile, making it even harder to socialize and build support networks.
“In Dubai, your friends become your family, but your family is still back home,” says Lilia. “That gap can eat you up if you don’t find ways to stay emotionally grounded.”
For her, VPN wasn’t just a tool—it became part of her mental wellness strategy.
Success Stories Made Possible by Staying Connected
Olga, who works as a freelance graphic designer, says her career only took off because she could keep in touch with Russian clients. “They wanted voice calls, instant changes, and trust. Without VPN, I would’ve lost half my contracts.”
Alexei, who recently started a food delivery business for Slavic cuisine in Dubai, says his mother’s voice notes and calls helped him recreate authentic recipes. “She guided me over WhatsApp video from her kitchen. Today, I serve 300+ customers a month—all thanks to those calls.”
These aren’t just conveniences—they are real examples of how digital connection through VPNs fuels ambition and success.
What’s Happening Now: The Ongoing VPN Reality in 2025
As of mid-2025, VPN use remains a quiet reality in the UAE. Authorities have cracked down on misuse, but many residents continue using them discreetly for personal communication.
New platforms like Telegram and Signal are growing in popularity, and VPNs often make those even more effective for voice and video communication.
Meanwhile, discussions around digital freedom and global connectivity are ongoing. Many hope that future reforms could make WhatsApp calls legal one day.
Until then, people continue to work smart, stay careful, and remain connected—one encrypted call at a time.
The Message: Innovation Meets Emotion
What makes the VPN story in Dubai inspiring isn’t just the technology—it’s the emotion behind it.
It’s about the mother in Moscow who teaches her son to make pancakes over a VPN call.
It’s about the freelancer whose client in Kazan wants to hear her voice before finalizing a design.
It’s about the young girl who listens to her grandma’s bedtime story through a tiny phone screen in Deira.
In a city that thrives on speed, ambition, and luxury, the most precious currency is still human connection.
And for now, that connection quietly runs through a VPN.
Do follow UAE Stories on Instagram
