ChatGPT Plus free for all Dubai residents? Here’s the truth behind the social media claim

ChatGPT

If you have been scrolling through social media recently, you may have come across posts claiming that ChatGPT Plus is now free for all Dubai and UAE residents. The idea quickly caught fire online, but is it really true? Here's what you need to know.

What is ChatGPT Plus?

For those unfamiliar, ChatGPT Plus is the paid version of OpenAI’s popular chatbot. It costs $20 a month (around Dh72) and offers extra perks like access to the powerful GPT-4o model, faster responses, and better availability during busy times.

So, where did the free access rumor start?

The buzz started after reports emerged that the UAE was the first country to offer premium ChatGPT features for free to all citizens and residents. The claims seemed to come from interpretations of a press release by OpenAI, which announced a major partnership to build Stargate UAE, a massive AI data center in Abu Dhabi.

The release stated:

“The UAE will become the first country in the world to enable ChatGPT nationwide—giving people across the country the ability to access OpenAI's technology.”

However, it did not say that ChatGPT Plus would be free.

What's the reality?

As of now, OpenAI has not officially confirmed any plans to make ChatGPT Plus free for UAE residents. When asked, ChatGPT itself clarified that while reports suggest a wider rollout of the service, there’s no announcement or update on the paid version becoming free.

What is Stargate UAE?

The Stargate UAE project is a major AI infrastructure initiative involving OpenAI, G42, Oracle, NVIDIA, and others. It's designed to provide powerful compute resources in the region and will help scale AI use across key sectors like healthcare, education, and transport.

No, ChatGPT Plus is not free for all UAE residents — at least not yet. You can still use the free version of ChatGPT in the UAE, which includes limited access to GPT-4o and other features, but if you want the full experience, the subscription still applies. Always wait for official word before believing the hype.