Frequently asked questions — Dubai

Real questions from APEX clients in Dubai: matching, booking, hotels, travel, dress code.

What dates are best for a trip to Dubai?

High season — October to April, peak is November-February. That's when most of our clients are in town and the programme of events (concerts, sport, openings) is dense. March — Dubai World Cup and Art Dubai, one of the keystone windows. For a first visit and for premium-format meetings the best time is January-February: weather 22-28°C, every venue is open, the New Year crowds have already gone.

Does the model need a visa?

For Russian models a UAE visa on arrival (30 days) covers the trip and resets after a month-out gap. For frequent travel — a one-year business visa. We solve this at the agency level; the client doesn't have to think about it.

How quickly can a model be matched for tonight?

In Dubai short-notice requests work less smoothly than in Moscow. If the request comes in on Thursday evening for nine that same night — selection can take 2-4 hours and the choice will be limited. Better to plan one to two days ahead, in high season five to ten. For first meetings with a new client — minimum 24 hours for coordination.

Dinner at Nobu / Zuma / La Petite Maison — can you book it?

Yes, we hold relationships with the maître d's at the keystone DIFC, Downtown and Atlantis venues. Nobu in Atlantis — three to five days ahead in high season; Zuma DIFC — one to two weeks for Friday-Saturday; La Petite Maison — one to two weeks. For private rooms — add another week.

Yacht in Marina — how is it organised?

Private yacht 40 to 100+ feet, with crew (captain, steward). Agreed five to seven days ahead at minimum: route, length (usually 4-6 hours), catering. Yachting season — October to May. Summer is workable but uncomfortable in the heat. On the Palm (The Pointe, Atlantis The Palm) — a separate category, closer to the beach club format.

Dune drives or a private camp in the desert?

Yes, we run those. For premium clients — a private camp (Al Maha Resort, Banyan Tree Al Wadi, Bab Al Shams) or a private tour with dinner in the desert, falconry display, Bedouin traditions. Whole day or overnight — your choice. Agreed five to ten days ahead, for special dates a month.

Do you work with clients from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain?

Yes. That's a real share of the Dubai client base — guests from neighbouring Gulf countries fly in for weekends. Format — usually short (24-48 hours), with raised privacy demands. Some of our models speak Arabic, which is often valued by clients from the region.

Medical certificate / passport at a hotel meeting?

At the five-star Dubai hotels — Burj Al Arab, One&Only, Atlantis The Palm, Bulgari Hotel Dubai, Armani Hotel, Waldorf Astoria — there are no questions to guests at reception, provided everything is set up correctly. At less-premium hotels and at rented apartments they may ask, that's normal. The model is ready.

Abu Dhabi — do you work there?

Yes. Distance 140 km, 80 minutes by car. For "meeting at a hotel in Abu Dhabi" — the transfer factors into the rate. Our locations in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace, St Regis Saadiyat, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island, Louvre Abu Dhabi for the cultural programme. Often a combined format: two days Dubai plus one Abu Dhabi.

Travel to Oman, Saudi Arabia?

Oman (Muscat) — for private weekend trips, Shangri-La Al Bustan Palace, Chedi Muscat. Saudi Arabia — we work with Riyadh Season (a major event from October to March), but with a mandatory business visa and a stricter format for public conduct. Coordination two to four weeks ahead, visas — the client's or the agency's responsibility depending on the format.

Do the models speak Arabic?

Two or three in our Dubai base hold Arabic at conversational level, one is fluent. Farsi — two or three. English — all of them. Russian — most (around 80% of the Dubai base are Russian-speaking models with permanent or seasonal placement in the UAE).

Which languages does the manager work in?

The manager works in Russian and English. For clients from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar — communication is more often in English; if needed, contact runs through a separate Arabic-speaking coordinator (on request).

Which currency for payment?

Preferably USD or AED in cash. International USD bank transfer — accepted. USDT crypto (TRC-20) — by agreement. Bank transfer to a Russian account — possible, with the relevant rates and fees factored in.

Deposit on the first booking?

In Dubai — 50% twenty-four hours before the meeting, balance on meeting. For longer scenarios (24-48 hours) — up to 75%. For the major formats (Dubai World Cup week, Art Dubai, New Year's Eve) — 100% prepayment, agreed individually.

New Year holidays in Dubai?

December 25 to January 5 — one of the busiest periods of the year. Booking needs to happen in September-October. Pricing on these dates carries a 30-50% surcharge over the base. Programme — December 31 dinner at a restaurant with a view of Burj Khalifa (At.mosphere, Cé La Vi, Pierchic), the firework at midnight (one of the largest in the world), yachting on January 1.

Which hotels offer the most privacy?

Burj Al Arab (all room service routed through a private butler, no traditional reception traffic), One&Only The Palm (villa format, separate entrances), Bulgari Hotel Dubai (private island Jumeirah Bay), Mandarin Oriental Jumeira (one of the calmer five-stars). For maximum privacy — a rented villa on Palm with its own entrance; usually for 24+ hour scenarios.

Can we meet at my rented villa?

Yes. It counts as a client's private location, agreed without further questions. For a first booking — confirmation of the address at the coordination stage is preferred; for returning clients — on the day, no fuss.

Do you work with couples?

Yes, a separate category. About 10% of the Dubai base is ready for the "for couples" format. Coordination is more detailed — expectations, boundaries, level of participation. Minimum slot — 3 hours.

How do I cancel or reschedule a meeting?

Twenty-four hours ahead — free, no questions. Later but before the meeting — a 30% compensation if the model is already en route or has dressed for the meeting. On the day of the meeting an hour before — half the slot. Rescheduling with the same model — if she's free, no penalty. In high season for cancellations on Dubai World Cup day or New Year's — check with the manager, terms are individual.

What's not part of your format?

Meetings under two hours. Public receptions without a specific client. Sharing model photos with third parties (in the UAE — additional legal risk). Covert photos, video recordings of meetings. Investigative scenarios (requests from people pretending to be someone else). Work with clients who can't confirm their identity at the manager's level.