How to Get a UAE IP Address in 2024 With a VPN
If you want to know how to get a UAE IP address, it’s simpler than you think. A VPN will give you extra online privacy and security for the United Arab Emirates. Plus it will help you access local content and bypass geoblocks. Keep reading for our easy steps to getting a UAE IP address.
Written by Andrej Hadji-Vasilev (Writer)
Reviewed by Jackie Leavitt (Chief Editor)
Last Updated: 2024-01-22T19:13:00+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways:
- Even though both a proxy and a VPN will get you a different IP address, a VPN provider is a more reliable and more secure way of getting an IP address in the UAE.
- CyberGhost is the best VPN to get a UAE IP address, thanks to the great device compatibility, reasonable price and excellent money-back guarantee.
- NordVPN comes in second place because it needs additional server configuration for access to UAE servers, rather than connecting out of the box.
- Private Internet Access (PIA) and VyprVPN are great alternatives, but both struggle with speed.
There are plenty of reasons to want a local UAE IP address. Maybe you’re trying to access United Arab Emirates websites, or you’re browsing and want to add a bit of privacy to your internet usage; the why is all yours — we’re here to give you the how. There are a couple of options, such as a proxy or a VPN, so let’s see how to get a United Arab Emirates IP address.
You can use a UAE local IP address to access geo-restricted content and streaming sites, like Netflix and BBC iPlayer, or to watch UAE content, like Emarat TV, Dubai sports channels and any other online content that you can’t access with a foreign IP. We will suggest three reliable VPNs that make getting a new IP address located in the UAE easy, and our number-one choice is CyberGhost.
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06/21/2021
Cloudwards.net updated this article to include step-by-step instructions on how to get an IP address in the UAE, and updated the list to include four VPN options.
How to Get a UAE IP Address With a VPN
If you want to go the easy route, you can use a proxy to get a UAE IP address — read our best free proxy guide for suggestions — but we don’t recommend it. Proxies are unreliable, they don’t always work and they don’t include security, meaning you are vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Plus, your IP address is unprotected, so your activities can be traced back to you. Our VPN vs proxy vs Tor has more on the subject.
Using a virtual private network is the best way to change your IP address. They have their own security and most don’t keep a log of your online activities. In addition, your IP is protected by unbreakable encryption, allowing you to browse anonymously. Here are three easy steps to get an IP address in the United Arab Emirates.
3 Easy Steps to an IP Address in the United Arab Emirates
- Download and Install a VPN
The example we’re using is CyberGhost — you can visit the website to download the VPN. It’s available on most major platforms and devices, so choose the device you’re using from the menu at the top and install the VPN once the download is finished. The installation wizard is simple — just follow the instructions, and you’ll be done in a couple of minutes.
- Choose a Server in the UAE
Once you’ve installed the VPN, launch the CyberGhost app. To the left of the “connect” button you will find a leftward pointing arrow. Click that, and it will open the list of servers. Then, use the search bar to find UAE as a location.
- Connect to the VPN
After finding the UAE server, just press the “connect” button, and wait for a couple of seconds. You should now be connected to CyberGhost’s UAE VPN server and be using a United Arab Emirates IP address.
The Best Virtual Private Network for a UAE IP Address
Though most of the providers on our best VPNs list will do the job, you need to choose one that’s suitable for the UAE. It will have to have servers there, otherwise you’ll still be stuck. If Netflix is your concern, you’ll also need to make sure it can get past Netflix’s VPN detection system. Read our piece on the Netflix proxy error for more.
1. CyberGhost
More details about CyberGhost:
- Pricing: $2.37 per month (two-year plan)
- Provider website: www.cyberghostvpn.com
Pros:
- Excellent overall feature set
- Up to seven connections at a time
- 45-day money-back guarantee on the longer plans
Cons:
- Low-cost option requires a three-year subscription
- UAE servers aren’t P2P-optimized
CyberGhost is our top choice for an IP address in the UAE for a few reasons. They have servers in Dubai, with great speeds wherever you’re accessing them from. You can connect up to seven devices at a time, or you can install CyberGhost on your router and have all your devices connected while only using a single connection. You can find out more in our CyberGhost review.
Pricing is excellent, with the three-year plan getting you a very affordable price and three free months. To add to this, they’re covered by an excellent 45-day money-back guarantee on longer plans, which is more than the competition offers.
Overall, CyberGhost is a wallet-friendly way of getting a fast connection to the UAE, with the only downside being the lack of P2P-optimized servers in Dubai.
- *The $56.94 price under the 2-year plan is billed yearly after the first two years.
- Unlimited GB
- 7
- Yes
2. NordVPN
More details about NordVPN:
- Pricing: $3.48 per month (two-year plan)
- Provider website: www.nordvpn.com
Pros:
- Excellent security with NordLynx protocol
- No limit on data
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- UAE servers aren’t available out of the box
- Previous data center breach
With a proprietary protocol that’s tailored toward speed and security, plus five servers in the UAE, NordVPN is a solid choice for getting an IP address for the UAE. There is no data limit, which makes it perfect for streaming. The UI is very simple to navigate, and we get into more detail about things in our NordVPN review.
Unfortunately, when you first start up NordVPN, the UAE servers aren’t available. You need to do additional configuration to get access to them. That’s why — even though the VPN is secure and fast — NordVPN comes in second place on our list. (For the steps, see our FAQ section.)
At the end of the day, if you’re willing to go through extra steps to configure NordVPN, it’s a solid choice. The VPN’s two-year plan provides the best value, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. Private Internet Access
More details about Private Internet Access:
- Pricing: $2.19 per month (three-year plan)
- Provider website: www.privateinternetaccess.com
Pros:
- Great device compatibility
- Built-in ad blocker
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Inconsistent speeds
- Struggles with some streaming services
Private Internet Access has a large server network, which includes a VPN server in the UAE. It comes with an app for almost every device or platform out there, and a built-in ad blocker that works remarkably well. Security-wise it’s great, too, and you can find out more about it in our PIA review.
Pricing is good, with a two-year plan that nets you two extra months, and a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you get cold feet. You can even pay with cryptocurrencies (bitcoin, bitcoin cash and ethereum are all accepted).
All things considered, the only thing that puts PIA at the second spot is the inconsistent speeds, and the fact that it struggles with any streaming service that’s not Netflix (like Hulu), which means you might have trouble accessing UAE content.
- 10
- Yes
4. VyprVPN
More details about VyprVPN:
- Pricing: $5 per month (one-year plan)
- Provider website: www.vyprvpn.com
Pros:
- Proprietary Chameleon protocol bypasses any VPN blocks
- Reliable no-logs policy
Cons:
- Speeds aren’t that great
VyprVPN is another great choice for getting a UAE IP address. The server in Dubai comes with the proprietary Chameleon protocol, which hides the fact that you’re using a VPN. There is also their own DNS leak protection solution, VyprDNS, that protects your data from man-in-the-middle attacks. You can find out more in our VyprVPN review.
Pricing-wise, VyprVPN is pretty expensive, but you can save money by opting for the yearly plan. The 30-day money-back guarantee has you covered in case the VPN doesn’t live up to your expectations, which is a nice addition.
All things considered, VyprVPN is a great way to get an IP address in UAE, but it still comes in last because it fails to deliver the speeds of our other two suggestions.
- Unlimited GB
- 30
- Unlimited GB
- 30
More plans
- Includes 3 Users, $99 per year per additional user, Multiple User Management. Global Business Servers, Dedicated Account Manager
- Unlimited GB
- 3
- Includes 3 Users $99 per year per additional user, Multiple User Management, Your own dedicated server, Fast and easy deployment
- Unlimited GB
- 3
Why You Need a United Arab Emirates IP Address
Your IP address might look like a weird telephone number to you, but to the websites you visit and online services you use, it’s basically your location ID. If you try to access content that’s restricted to a country you’re not physically located in, you’ll get blocked. That said, by changing your IP address, you can make it look like you’re in that country.
Perhaps you are trying to watch local Arab TV or fancy streaming your favorite series on Icflix. If it’s restricted to the UAE and you’re not there, you’ll be blocked. The same goes for Netflix. Though it is available in other countries, there may be programs or movies that aren’t shown in Dubai. Read our piece on the Netflix VPN ban or how to watch Arabic TV in USA for more on that.
The reason for those blocks is license restrictions. To broadcast a show, the company must obtain a license for each country in which it wants to air it. Some programs may not be suitable for certain countries. For example, they may be in a particular language or there may not be enough demand for them. If Netflix is the thing you’re after, you can dive straight into our best VPN for Netflix article.
There’s also the possibility you’ll want to access financial services. Maybe you want to log in to your bank account online. Chances are you won’t be able to do so. Many banks and other companies forbid online banking from other countries as a precaution against fraud, so you may need to change your IP address to gain access.
Online Censorship in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates are heavily restricted when it comes to what users can and cannot access with their internet connection. One of the most popular issues was Skype being blocked by the UAE internet service provider, something that has been happening on and off for the past couple of years. Even though the authorities lifted the ban on Skype for Business during COVID, Skype remains blocked with most internet provider options.
It’s not just Skype, though, with the United Arab Emirates also blocking use of other VoIP apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, leaving users severely limited when it comes to communication. You can use a VoIP VPN to access blocked apps.
It’s worth mentioning that a VPN service like the ones we suggested above will help you bypass the WhatsApp ban in Dubai and other restrictions. However, be careful what you use the VPN for if you don’t want to get in trouble.
Dangers of Using UAE IP Addresses
It’s OK to use a UAE or Dubai IP address, but you should be aware of some things. Online discussions that may seem innocent can be punished if they are deemed to insult religion or offend the state. Under different laws, punishments range from imprisonment and jail time to fines of up to $272,000 (1 million dirham).
Government surveillance is a possibility, too, with social media being monitored. Plus, Abu Dhabi launched Falcon Eye in 2016, which is a surveillance system that enables the monitoring of people.
You should also keep in mind the risk of cybercrime. In 2016, Symantec reported that the UAE was the victim of the second highest number of cyberattacks in the Middle East. Another report by Norton Security showed that almost 4 billion dirham ($1 billion) had been stolen from victims in 2017. Check out our best VPN for UAE for more on the country.
Final Thoughts
You should now know how to get an IP address in the UAE safely. For the best protection, you should use a VPN because they have great security and your activities will be kept private.
Any of our recommendations above will do the trick, but CyberGhost is the best choice. It has its VPN servers in the UAE and will get you into streaming providers. The 45-day refund window should give you enough time to try it.
Do you prefer CyberGhost’s all-around excellent package, or would you rather go for the security-driven VyprVPN? Maybe you’re willing to do the extra steps required to configure NordVPN? Or is it PIA and its excellent built-in ad blocker that has your attention? Let us know in the comments, and thank you for reading.
FAQ
A Dubai IP address is a unique IP address used to identify you to the websites and online services you’re visiting that indicates that you’re located in Dubai. If you’re not physically there, you can use a Dubai VPN server address.
You can get a VPN in the UAE by downloading a VPN service with UAE servers, such as CyberGhost, NordVPN, Private Internet Access or VyprVPN.
Multiple VPN providers offer data centers with servers in the UAE, but CyberGhost is the best option for a UAE IP address.
Unfortunately, there is no reliable free VPN that offers an IP address in the UAE. However, you can use the money-back guarantees that VPN providers offer if you change your mind about the service you’re using. By all means avoid a Dubai IP address proxy — they’re not safe.
Out of the box, NordVPN is set to use its NordLynx protocol, which doesn’t work on the UAE servers. To get access to these servers, follow these steps: Settings menu > “auto-connect” > disable “choose a VPN protocol and server automatically” > change the VPN protocol to OpenVPN (TCP). Then under the “advanced settings,” choose to enable obfuscated servers [OpenVPN (TCP)]. When you head back to the server selection screen, you should see the UAE servers near the bottom of the list.