.webp)
In any case, moving to another country can be quite a complicated process, so it's important to consider all the nuances and differences between Dubai and the expat's home country. In this article we will look at important elements such as medical insurance, education, how to move your pet, nuances regarding moving with children and obtaining a driver's license. In general, we will cover all the main points that a foreign national needs to know when moving to Dubai.
An expat needs to think through all the details of their move to Dubai in advance in order to avoid stress and unforeseen situations. For example, it is important for a future resident to decide on the right type of visa and prepare all the necessary documents for obtaining it. It is also necessary to remember the peculiarities of moving to Dubai with children and animals and consider the issue of transportation of furniture and other necessary valuables to the UAE.
There are several types of visas for moving to Dubai: employment visa, investor visa, retirement visa, student visa and a dependent visa. Each type of visa has specific requirements for their obtaining, however there is a list of general documents you will need that applies to all types:
In order to be eligible to work, you need to find an employer who will be willing to pay all the associated costs of the paperwork for employment in Dubai and begin the process of obtaining a work visa. This process begins the moment you are in your home country, where the employer can start the process of applying to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emirates (MoHRE) on your behalf for a work permit. The minimum age for employment in the UAE is 18, and the country has no other restrictions, except that after the age of 65, the company must pay a higher fee for the employee, and the employee must apply annually to the MoHRE for a work permit.
Once you have moved to Dubai and received permission from MoHRE to work, your employer must apply for your employment visa within 60 days at the Emirate's General Directorate of Residency and Alien Affairs. This is followed by the processing of an Emirates ID card and other employment cards. Each visa is issued for 1-3 years and can be renewed before it expires.
The residence visa is proof that the employee is sponsored by the company in which he or she is employed. In most cases, the entire process of obtaining a work visa, health insurance, Emirates ID and Labour Card falls under the responsibility of the employer. The labour card should always be carried with you, as the labour authorities can check this document at any given time. If the company has not taken on the costs or responsibility of obtaining a work visa for an employee, then its price will depend on the level of qualification of the employee. The approximate fee is AED 7K (USD 1,9K).
Generally, the relevant documents for employment visas include an education certificate, the contract of employment or a copy, a certificate of non-criminal record and a two-month work permit from the employer. Residents can also apply for probationary work permission from the Ministry of Labour and will be valid for up to three months.
Note: Individuals with specialised talents, researchers in the fields of science and knowledge (doctors, scientists, inventors) and creative individuals in the field of culture and art, are entitled to apply for a 10-year golden residency visa in the UAE. All categories of applicants must have a valid employment contract in a specialised field of priority in the UAE. There are also additional conditions such as the mandatory accreditation of scientists by Emirates Scientists Council, patents, world awards for achievements or discoveries, among many more. This long-term visa will also have unrestricted renewal status and will apply to immediate family members of the applicant.
The investor visa in Dubai is divided into four types:
There are a couple of important factors to consider:
The required documents to obtain the investor visa include the title deed, contract of sale and purchase, passport copy of the property owner, current visa copy (tourist or visit) and photographs (passport size).This type of visa provides advantages such as an Emirates ID card, driver's license and family/dependent sponsorship. An important nuance is that if you invest in real estate off-plan, you can get a visa only after the completion of all construction work. Also, the bearer of the visa is not allowed to stay outside the emirate for more than 6 months in a row. The renewal cost for an investor visa directly depends on the type. For example, a 3-year visa can be extended from AED 13K (USD 3.6K) to AED 15K (USD 4.1K).
Note: Obtaining a student visa in the UAE is sponsored by accredited universities/colleges. In the case of other types of visas such as investor, retirement and dependent, foreign citizens pay all the costs themselves.
Before moving to Dubai, an expat is recommended to independently study the information regarding the residential areas of the emirate in order to get a rough idea of the rental market. After collecting the information, the next important step is to find an experienced realtor or real estate agency, which can help one open a bank account, look for suitable real estate options and sign a tenancy contract. The professional help will save time and effort of the expat when searching for property and passing all the necessary procedures.
It is obligatory for all UAE residents to apply for an identity card with 15 digits - an Emirates ID. The applicant must fill the eForm at one of the approved typing centres or through the online portal on the website of Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC). For expats, the registration fee for Emirates ID card is AED 100 (USD 27) for each year of residency validity for all age groups, plus AED 70 (USD 20) for service fees. People of Determination and people who are subject to the Social Security Law are exempted from the registration fees for Emirates ID card.
Expats in Dubai have to undergo a medical examination in order to qualify in applying for a visa. The medical test consists of two parts: a blood test and a chest X-ray. The medical screens patients for diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, Hepatitis B & C and Tuberculosis. The price for a regular medical examiner in Dubai is AED 320 (USD 90).
The most common type of rental housing in Dubai is a long-term lease. The tenancy contract is concluded for a period of one year and in the future can be either extended for the same period of time or terminated.
Payments for the rental of property are often made by a single cheque which can result in the tenant receiving a discount on rent if paid in one go. Such a form of rental payment is also a form of security, because the tenant won't want to vacate the property before the ending of the tenancy contract. A single cheque is dated on the day the keys of the real estate are handed to the tenant.
Since the amount for paying rent can be quite large, the most common type of payment in Dubai is through three-four cheques throughout the year of the tenancy. Therefore, at the time of signing the contract, the resident needs to have the necessary amount in their bank account to pay for the rental for the first three months. In addition, expats need to take into account the percentage commission of the property agent, a deposit of 5% for unfurnished apartments and 10% for furnished units (calculated from the annual rental price).
There are additional expenses for the EJARI, DEWA (utilities) and internet fees. The EJARI is a system that regulates the tenancy contract between lessors and tenants in Dubai. Registration of a tenancy contract with an EJARI costs AED 220 (USD 60) at the typing centre. Registration of the contract with EJARI via the app costs AED 172 (USD 47).
DEWA activation charges:
AED 100 (USD 27) for connecting electricity and water (small meters)
AED 300 (USD 81) for connecting electricity and water meters (large meters)
AED 10 (USD 3) for registration
The price for a basic home internet package in Dubai constitutes around AED 300 (USD 81) per month, whereas a premium package can costs more than AED 1,000 (USD 272).
The minimum balance when opening a personal or business bank account in Dubai should be AED 3K (USD 816), however a minimum balance is not required to open a salary account. A personal account can be opened within 1-3 days at any bank in the Emirate, while the approximate period for opening a company bank account in the UAE is from 2 weeks to 2 months (it depends on the type of organization).
Additional costs may include account balance letter - AED 50 (USD 13), a release letter - AED 50 (USD 13) and a no liability certificate - AED 60 (USD 16). A chequebook is issued for the first time for free, but if this is lost, the cost of obtaining a new one will constitute AED 25 (USD 7).
Citizens of the US and those from European countries are subject to the same requirements for moving to the country as all other citizens. Expats passports should be valid for a minimum of six months after the visa is issued.
Advance visa arrangements are not required for the passport holders of Andorra, Republic of Ireland, Ukraine, UK, Vatican City and the US in order to visit the UAE. Expats can visit the immigration service at Dubai International Airport and their passport will be stamped with a free 30‑day visit visa. In the future, this visa can be extended no more than twice for the same period. The extension of this document will require the payment of certain fees which amount to AED 850 (USD 230) each time.
The passport holders of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland can obtain a multiple-entry 90‑day visit visa that's valid for six months from the date of issue. Citizens of above-mentioned countries can also apply for a pre‑arranged visit visa if their 90‑day visa on arrival has been fully utilized.
For a longer stay in the country, it will be necessary to apply for a visa: employment visa, investor visa, retirement visa, student visa or dependent visa. It is also necessary to have a medical examination to complete the visa process.
Possible property shipping methods to Dubai include air freight and sea freight. There is no need to transport furniture from one country to another, because expats can rent furnished apartments in Dubai. Moreover, foreign nationals can buy furniture and essentials in the city's home stores like IKEA, Pan Emirates, Home Center, The One, Dwell and so on. Expats can also purchase second-hand furniture on portals such as ExpatWoman.com, UAE.Dubizzle.com, CashConverters.ae and UAE.Souq.com.
Air freight is the fastest transit mode. The time of air cargo transportation to Dubai from countries such as the US and the UK constitutes approximately 2-4 days.Estimated air freight shipping costs from the US to the UAE:
Estimated air freight shipping cost from the UK to Dubai constitutes GBP 1.57 per 2.2 lb plus GBP 45 per shipment.
The cheapest method of moving things to Dubai is via sea freight, but shipment can take some weeks to arrive. The cost of shipping personal goods depends on the weight, chosen transport method and combined size of the consignment. The duration of the sea freight to Dubai from countries such as the US and the UK constitutes approximately 16 to 28 days.
The UK to Dubai port-to-port transport estimated shipping cost varies from GBP 1,900 to GBP 2,400 and depends on the size of the cargo and its specific destination. These moving costs are for a three-bedroom house in a 20 ft container and for a four-five-bedroom house in a 40 ft container.
The estimated sea freight shipping cost from the US to Dubai starts from USD 900 (for 20 ft containers) to USD 2K (for 40 ft containers).
According to the legislation of the UAE, all pets (dogs/cats) imported into the country must obtain an import permit issued by the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) before entering the country. The permission is valid only for 30 days and all pets must be imported into the country exclusively as manifest cargo.It is necessary to issue a veterinary passport, to chip a pet, to administer vaccinations against rabies, and to determine the titer of antibodies of the rabies virus in the blood serum of the pet thirty days after vaccination, before importing an animal to the UAE. The owner of the pet is obliged to treat the pet for external and internal parasites at least 14 days before the trip.It is forbidden to import fighting breeds of dogs into the UAE: all kinds of Pit Bulls, Japanese Toes, Wolf-Dog hybrids, all kinds of Mastiffs, Rottweilers, American Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, Boxer, Perro de Presa Canario and any mixed breeds of the above-mentioned dogs.It is also forbidden to import cats and dogs under the age of four months into the UAE. Each person with personal registration of documents for the import of animals into the country has the right to import two pets only. If a specialized service for the transportation of animals was engaged in the registration of documents, MOEW allows the import of up to five animals per person.
Required documents include:
Note: The official website of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment provides a list of low- and high-risk countries for infestations. A list of all vaccinations and immunizations for cats and dogs can be viewed in more detail here as well.
There is no age limit for a child to move to Dubai with his/her parents. If an expat is planning to move with children to Dubai, then it is necessary to take the below factors into account:
Required documents for a UAE family visa include a certificate from the employer, registered tenancy contract, latest utility bill, marriage certificate attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in both their home country and in the UAE, attested birth certificates of children, passport copies and photos of those being sponsored, medical clearance certificates and a copy of the employment contract. It is necessary to prove an existing marital relationship by submitting an attested marriage certificate in Arabic or translated into Arabic by a professional translator and notarized in order to sponsor the wife.
Note: The entire data verification process can take up to one month and cost is AED 2K (USD 545).Expats who have over the age of 18 have to pass a medical examination at government-approved health centres in Dubai in order to obtain a family residency visa. All applicants are tested for two communicable diseases: HIV and pulmonary tuberculosis.Schooling in the UAE requires some obligatory documents, which are necessary to prove the authenticity of a child's education and to establish his/her academic performance. The list of usually required documents includes:
Basic Guidelines:
Monthly living expenses without rent for a single person (including food, clothing, healthcare and transportation) constitute approximately AED 3.4K (USD 939), while expenses for a family of four is around AED 12K (USD 3.2K).
Price comparison in Dubai and Washington, DC:
Price comparison in Dubai and London:
When buying or renting a home in Dubai, all purchases, sales and lease agreements are protected at the legislative level. There is a system of transparent transactions here, due to which expats can be confident in their investments in real estate in Dubai.
In order to rent a property, a tenant has to conclude a tenancy contract with a lessor. The tenant must also provide the following identification documents: a copy of his/her passport, a valid residence visa and Emirates ID, as well as post-dated cheques covering payments for the agreed lease period. Tenancy contracts must be registered in RERA's online portal through the EJARI system. Registration is mandatory in order to connect the utility services. Any rental disputes between the lessor and the tenant in Dubai can be regulated with the help of Dubai's Rent Dispute Settlement Centre.
Expats in Dubai can buy real estate only in special zones designated by the government which are known as freehold areas. Such areas are located in sought-after neighbourhoods of the city like Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Arabian Ranches, Discovery Gardens and so on. As mentioned earlier, you can look at some neighborhoods or properties in advance, but without a real estate agent, you can neither rent it yourself nor buy it. In this case, an agent will be able to find the most suitable property for you based on your preferences and needs, as well as assisting with the financial component.
Due to the fact that the UAE is a country with minimal taxes, there is no income tax on purchased real estate or rental revenue in Dubai, compared with the United States, for example. There are only several commissions which are required when purchasing a property in Dubai:
Fees for NOC - approximately AED 500-5K (USD 136-1.3K).
Fees for registration (nearly 4% of the total purchase price of the real estate).
Commission of the real estate agent, which is up to 5% of the purchase price of the property.
Moreover, expats can obtain a residence visa by investing in property. The residence visa is not necessary when buying property, but it is necessary to have a valid passport in order to confirm the identity of the owner. Title deeds are issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
Note: Expats must consider legal obligations applicable to their home countries. For instance, when buying a property in the UAE, US citizens must remember possible ongoing tax liabilities such as rental income, dividend payments and other requirements in the United States.
There is no income, corporate or capital gain taxes for residents and expat workers in Dubai unlike in the US and the UK. Individuals in the US are subject to federal graduated tax rates from 10% to 39.6%, while corporations are subject to federal graduated tax rates from 15% to 35%. In the UK, individuals have to pay income tax if they earn more than GBP 12.6K. And the rate for income from GBP 12.6K to GBP 50.3K constitutes 20%. There are also no taxes levied on Dubai's residents' international pension plans, while foreign pension plans of the US and UK residents are subject to taxation.If expats are not tax residents in Dubai, they will have to pay their income taxes back in their home countries. In order to obtain a Tax Residency Certificate in the UAE, the expat needs to fulfill one of the following criteria:
However this document is not available for all expats, because the home country of foreign nationals must have a 2-year tax avoidance agreement with the UAE. For example, the US does not have such a treaty with the UAE while the UK had signed this agreement with the UAE on 12 April 2016.5% of annual rent is added to the bill for residential tenants when renting a property in Dubai. Expats must pay 4% of a property tax if they transfer any property in Dubai to their name. There is also a tourist tax, which is levied on any visit to a hotel in Dubai for a nights stay which adds 10% to your bill.Departure tax is charged during the purchase of an airplane ticket, which will land or take off at one of Dubai's airports. This tax is included in the price of the airplane ticket. But members of the cabin crew, transit passengers and children under two years of age are exempt from paying the departure tax.Value Added Tax (VAT) in the UAE is levied only at a national level of 5%, except for specific products which are harmful to human health or the environment. For example, alcohol is heavily taxed upon import into the country at 50%. You have to pay another 30% if you have a liquor license and the alcohol was bought for home consumption. Excise duties are levied from tobacco (100%), energy drinks (100%) and carbonated beverages (50%).Food, healthcare, petroleum products, bicycles, education, financial and social services and the residential property sector are exempt from VAT (with certain exceptions) in the UAE while in the UK the standard rate of VAT for most goods and services constitutes 20%. The US does not utilize a VAT system, instead, there is a sales tax: at a rate from 0% to 15%, depending on the state.
It is mandatory for all residents to have health insurance in Dubai and residency visas cannot be issued without insurance. Private insurance providers offer four main types of medical insurance:
Employers in Dubai have to provide health insurance to their employees, but they are not required to cover dependents. The average cost of comprehensive medical insurance for a family in Dubai constitutes AED 43.3K (USD 11.8K) and for families without children - AED 36K (USD 10K) per year.Expats can have access to public hospitals and clinics only if they have a health card. This card offers basic health care coverage. The approximate health card fees constitute AED 100 (USD 27) for the age of 0-9, AED 200 (USD 55) for the age of 10-17 and AED 300 (USD 81) for the age of 18+. In order to obtain a UAE health card it is necessary to have a passport copy, covering letter from a sponsor, visa application copy, two passport size photographs and a completed application form.
If an expat has an international driving license, then he/she does not need to re-pass for a license in Dubai. This applies to citizens of countries such as US, Great Britain, Australia, Austria, Turkey, Bahrain, South Africa, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Romania and Saudi Arabia.
If the driver's license does not fall under the international category, then the expat has to study at a driving school, pass a theoretical and practical exams and pay all the necessary fees that come with it. It will cost approximately AED at 4.5K to AED 7K (USD 1.2K to USD 2K) to obtain a driving license, presuming that you pass on the first attempt. The driving schools in Dubai offer theory classes in three languages: Arabic, English and Urdu.
The level of salary depends directly on the specialization and qualifications of the employee, as does the company in which he or she will be working. Some of the highest paid professions in Dubai are chemical and petroleum engineers, artificial intelligence specialists, doctors, financial analysts and CFO's. The average salary in Dubai is approximately AED 306K (USD 83K) per year. The most typical annual salary in the emirate is AED 99K (USD 27K).The list of highly demanded occupations in Dubai in 2021 include:
