Whether you're a business owner, remote worker, or citizen simply looking to experience something different, you’ve probably considered moving to Dubai, and why not?
Dubai is a city that offers something different, something modern, sleek, and future-forward. It's a city that focuses on promoting innovative business ventures, works of art moulded into towering skyscrapers, and environmental greenery weaving through urban districts. It’s a place where residents can enjoy top-quality education and healthcare, world-class cuisine, futuristic infrastructure, and globe-leading utilities.
If you’re ready to experience what Dubai has to offer, contact RelocateUAE today for a free consultation.
Dubai is an exciting prospect for expats and businesses alike, but before you start packing, make sure you've completed these steps to moving you or your business to the UAE.
The first step in any move is to understand if you like what Dubai has to offer. This includes understanding the geography and climate, the culture and language, and the general flow of life in the Golden Tiger. Dubai is steeped in Islamic traditions, but as nearly 90 percent of its citizens are expats, the city has a little something for everyone. Arabic is the official language, but most businesses, services, and residents know English as the lingua franca for business and international communication. As for climate and geography, Dubai is known for its expanses of flowing desert dunes and long turquoise ocean coastlines. The weather is hot, but air conditioning is common, and the locals know how to stay cool enough to ride bikes around the city's many recreational areas. Speaking of, recreation is the name-of-the-game in Dubai, and activities from dune buggies to skydiving to watersport are all available and easily accessible.
The first step to moving to any country is getting a visa. Employment visas are the most common as you will likely need to have an income, but if you’re a business owner, you will bring your income with you (more on that further down.) Other visa types exist, including retirement visas for those over the age of 55, residence visas if you’re sponsored by an established Dubai company, and more. Having a visa is how you (and your loved ones if you’re moving to Dubai with family) can qualify for public healthcare services, the schooling system, and more. They will also be necessary when you apply for a UAE ID card, which is critical to using several of the city's services and for finding work. You will also need it to register with a bank and if you intend on looking for work.
Once you move to Dubai with family or on your own, you will need a place to live, and there are two major categories of home in the city: rented or purchased. Renting in Dubai should feel familiar to you. You sign a lease with your landlord, pay monthly rent, and either renew the lease when it expires or move on to another property. You should expect to pay a security deposit upfront, as well as a few months rent, and you may be obliged to cover agency fees, utility connections, and maintenance costs. RelocateUAE can help with this step as they can become rather confusing. On the other hand you have the option to buy a home, which can be more complicated but better long-term. Real estate in Dubai is a booming market and investments now pay off well down the road. While it has higher initial costs, buying a home in Dubai is a sound investment. RelocateUAE is a smart guide in this circumstance because we understand the real estate market well, with contacts and resources we can leverage to get you a beautiful home for you and your family.
If you’re moving to Dubai and want to bring your business with you, or as a result of wanting to move your business with you, RelocateUAE is the only specialised organisation you will need. We’ll help you get a business licence and help you choose which type. We can help you register your business with the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) and decide which economic zone fits your business the best. There are advantages to each one, whether it’s the standard mainland zones, the freedom-charged freezones, or the tax-haven heaven of the offshore zones. We’ll even help you establish a company name by showing you what is available and what time of language resonates with your desired market demographics. Business setup in the UAE and Dubai is fairly straightforward, but you still need to go through paperwork. You will need to apply for visas and work permits, fill out multiple applications, and open a corporate bank account, which comes with even more requirements. With RelocateUAE, all you need to do is sign on the dotted lines, and we’ll have your business up and running in Dubai in no time.
Once you’ve gone through the process of getting your residency, home, moving your business, and succeeding in moving to the UAE, it’s time to start living. Dubai is a city of luxury, with a high standard of living,modern amenities, and diverse attractions. These, of course, come at a price, but you may be surprised at how low the cost of living in Dubai is. Dubai is by no means an inexpensive city to live in, but compared to major cities in Europe or North America, it's usually cheaper. The education system in Dubai is high-quality and features numerous international schools — great for keeping continuity for your children. Most of these schools even have international branches if you elect to send your child abroad.While your children are in school, you’ll likely need to find a job, and the options for expats are numerous and varied. You will need to observe local customs and legal requirements, but RelocateUAE can help with that as well. Our job doesn't end until you're comfortable in your new home, and Dubai itself.
Work Visa: If you want to work in Dubai, you will need a work visa, though if you already have a job waiting, the company should take care of this for you. You will need a medical test, photos, passport copies, an educational certificate, and a sponsor, usually your company. This will grant you two years of residency.
Investor Visa: If you have a business, you can apply for an investor visa. You’ll need to present a valid business licence, photos, passport copies, and take a medical test. You will also have to pay a security deposit of between AED 10,000 to AED 20,000 that is refunded once the visa is up. The time for this visa varies depending on investment amount, but those with more than AED 500,000 invested are eligible for a five year residency.
Retiree Visa: If you are at least 55 years of age you can apply for a five year retiree visa in Dubai. Requirements for this visa are similar to others and include either having property in the UAE worth at least AED two million, having a savings of at least AED one million, or having an income of at least AED 20,000 per month.
Moving to Dubai can be intimidating, but with RelocateUAE, this process can become exciting. Dubai is a world-renowned city, and for good reason: its amenities are new and modern, its business culture is friendly and innovative, its infrastructure is world-class, and its prices, while expensive for the region, are cheaper than most large cities in Europe or North America. Dubai is as eager to have you as you are to move to it, and with RelocateUAE, you don’t even have to worry about the normal trials and tribulations that come with an international move. If you’re ready to see what Dubai can offer you, your family, and your business, contact us today for a free face-to-face consultation.
.svg){kind=icon}
