A newly installed paid parking zone sign in Morocco cluster, International City, Dubai. EXPAT MEDIA

Paid parking is officially coming to International City, with parking zone signs now installed across the popular Dubai neighbourhood ahead of the February 2026 rollout. The installation of parking zone signages began this week, and as of Friday (December 26), most clusters already had clearly marked zones in place, including International City's China Cluster and Morocco Cluster. A notice sent to property owners, seen by Expat Media, confirmed that Dubai parking operator Parkin will “implement regulated parking services across International City,” with paid parking operations officially starting on February 1, 2026.

How much will parking cost in International City?

A Parkin representative told Expat Media that International City will fall under parking zone 621Q, with the following rates: • Dh2 for 30 minutes • Dh3 for 1 hour • Dh6 for 2 hours • Dh9 for 3 hours • Dh12 for 4 hours • Dh15 for 5 hours • Dh18 for 6 hours • Dh22 for 7 hours • Dh25 for 16 hours The move aims to address what residents have long described as a worsening parking crisis in the area. International City has struggled with parking shortages for years, with residents frequently raising concerns about commercial vehicles occupying residential parking spaces. Pickup trucks, minibuses, school buses, delivery motorcycles, and even private taxis have been blamed for taking up limited slots in the densely populated community. “While I am sad that I will now have to pay for parking, I am also happy that they will finally have tight policing of violators here,” Leah, a long-time resident of International City, told Expat Media, echoing similar sentiments from tenants and residents in the popular neighborhood. “It’s become such a nightmare that if you come home after 6pm, you will likely not find proper parking space,” she added.

What about residents and parking permits?

Parkin clarified that residential owners will still receive some relief under the new system. Each residential unit in buildings with no existing parking is eligible to apply for one complimentary parking permit. Units with more than one vehicle will need to pay for additional parking subscriptions. Parking permits are available for residential units only. Applications for residential parking permits open on January 15, while paid parking subscriptions can be applied for starting February 1. Applications can be submitted via the Parkin mobile app and Parkin website.

Part of a wider Dubai parking overhaul

The changes in International City come as part of Dubai’s wider parking reforms rolled out across 17 key areas in 2025, as Parkin introduced new and revised tariffs to improve parking management and ease traffic congestion in high-demand districts. Under the updated structure, parking fees across Dubai ranged from Dh2 for short stays in some locations to Dh36 for 24 hours in others. Monthly subscriptions started at Dh300, while annual packages reached up to Dh4,040, depending on the area. Free parking was retained in several zones, including Sundays and official public holidays, as well as designated free periods for worshippers during prayer times near mosques. New and revised tariffs were introduced in areas such as Al Sufouh 2 (Zone F), Al Qusais 1, Al Karama, Dubai Maritime City, Al Kifaf, Mirdif, and Al Jaddaf, alongside education and residential hubs including Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Sports City, Dubai Studio City, and Jumeirah Village Triangle. According to Parkin, the citywide adjustments were designed to “improve the efficiency of public parking use while responding to the varying needs of residents, workers and visitors.” With signs now firmly in place, residents of International City have just over a month to prepare for a paid parking system that many hope will finally bring order to one of Dubai’s most parking-challenged neighbourhoods. ICA/Expat Media
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