A Comprehensive Guide on Moving to the UAE

Jump right in:

• [Visa types & work permit requirements](#the-guide-to-visa-types- work-permit-requirements)
• Relocating your household goods & pets to the UAE
• Everything you need to know about finding a new home
• Work & job opportunities in the UAE
• [Health insurance & the healthcare system in the UAE](#health-insurance-the-healthcare-system in-the-uae-explained)
• What does life look like living as an expat in the UAE
• Understanding the education system in the UAE
• Opening a bank account & managing your taxes in the UAE

Whether you are relocating to the UAE to advance your career, be closer to loved ones, or are simply looking for a fresh start, you will need to know how to get a UAE visa or work permit. The UAE visa application process is easy. For most expats, your employer will process the visa paperwork and apply on your behalf. Many companies will do this for the dependents of employees as well, including covering all visa costs.

There are several visa types available for the UAE. If moving to the UAE as a self-employed worker, you will need to register yourself in one of the UAE’s many “free zones.” There are nearly 40 of these zones within the seven emirates, but only a handful sponsor self-employed visas. The requirements for the self-employed visa fluctuate from emirate to emirate, but on average expats will only need to license their business within a free zone and rent an office space.

Read our complete guide on visas & work permits in the UAE

The process of moving to the UAE is easy for many expats. With the promise of tax-free salaries and year-round warm.

There is a long list of what is permitted in the UAE, but expats should also be aware of what is prohibited. For example, if moving to the UAE with pets, be aware that certain dogs categorized as “fighting dogs” may not be brought into the Gulf country.

Alcohol is tolerated in the UAE, but there are restrictions on the amount of you can bring into the country. Medicine also faces restrictions and expats are only permitted to bring a three-months supply upon arrival in the country. Even medicine that is considered mild or over-the-counter in other countries may be controlled in the UAE and require a health permit from the Ministry of Health.

Although housing prices are high, the cost to furnish an apartment in the UAE is relatively cheap. Unless expats have sentimental attachment to their goods, they can purchase most of what they need in the UAE.

There are no required vaccinations to move to the UAE. Depending on any travel you may want to do around the surrounding Middle Eastern countries, expats may want to consider hepatitis A and B shots as well as a rabies vaccine just to be on the safe side.

Read our complete guide on relocating to the UAE

The biggest expense expats will face in the UAE is accommodation. Although housing in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are easy to come by and there are many types of houses to choose from, expats can expect to spend at least half of their paycheck on rent.

Utilities in the UAE are also expensive as air conditioning is needed year-round. There is not much needed to rent a house in the UAE. As relations between tenants and landlords used to be fraught in the UAE, nowadays there are steep consequences for whoever breaks a lease early. Landlords in certain areas are also forbidden from raising rent prices more than a certain percentage every year.

Buying a house as a foreigner is easy. Some expats can even qualify for a special type of visa simply by owning property in the UAE. However, just like renting, owning a house in the UAE is not cheap.

Read our complete guide on housing in the UAE

Landing a job in the UAE can be competitive but not necessarily difficult. Most jobs are posted on regional job sites, company pages, and platforms. Salaries vary a lot depending on your experience, industry, and which emirate you’re in finance, tech, healthcare, construction, hospitality, and education all have their own ranges. There’s no set minimum wage in the entire country, each company decides and regulate a fair salary, but some companies have their own salary bands.

The big draw for many expats is the no-income-tax rule, but keep in mind there’s no state social security for expats. Instead, your employer will provide private health insurance and an end-of-service gratuity based on how long you’ve worked. Maternity leave in the private sector is a mix of paid and unpaid time, depending on your tenure, but the mandatory time is a minimum of 60 days, while the public sector often has better benefits.

If you’re thinking of starting your own business, free zones in places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi make it possible for foreigners to own 100% of their company in certain industries, with easier licensing and tax perks, though setup costs and visa fees can add up.

Read our complete guide on working in the UAE

Public healthcare is only available to Emirati nationals at little to no cost. Foreign residents must pay in order to use the same services, or they can opt for private healthcare only. Health insurance in the UAE is costly but worth it. Foreigners from across the globe flock to the emirates for various procedures, a trend termed “medical tourism.” Dubai, in particular, plays hosts to thousands of medical tourists every year and is home to some of the best hospitals in the Middle East.

The process to find a doctor is largely done online. After asking fellow expats and doing your own research, expats should narrow their search to a few doctors as there can often be long waitlists to see a specialist.

Expats keen on giving birth in the UAE can rest assured that mother and baby are in good hands. Unlike some western countries, Emirati hospitals permit newborn children to sleep in the same hospital room as their mothers because the UAE believes this is an important part of the initial bonding process.

Read our complete guide on insurance & healthcare in the UAE

Living as an expat in the UAE often means enjoying a modern, international lifestyle, great career prospects, tax-free salaries, and great infrastructure, especially in places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The country is famous for its high-rise city living, efficient public transport, and a big mix of people from around the world, which helps newcomers settle in.

At the same time, the cost of living is high, especially for rent, international schools, and some lifestyle choices. You’ll also need to adjust to local laws and customs, since the UAE is shaped by Islamic traditions, so things like dress codes, public behavior, and alcohol rules are stricter than in many Western countries. All in all, it’s an exciting place for those looking for career opportunities and a global atmosphere, but it’s best if you’re willing to adapt to a new cultural environment.

Read our complete guide on living in the UAE

Education in the UAE is diverse and has almost an equal number of public and private. If you’re moving with kids, you would be glad to know that there is a lot of daycare centers in most parts of the country. Most nurseries use British, American, IB, Indian, or other international programs, and English is the main language. Popular nurseries and schools in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi often have waiting lists, so applying early is a must.

For primary and secondary school, there’s a split: public schools are for Emirati nationals, while expat families almost always choose private international schools. For university, the UAE is home to respected places like United Arab Emirates University, American University of Sharjah, NYU Abu Dhabi, and loads of international campuses. There are also plenty of language schools for Arabic and English if you want to brush up on your skills. While education standards are high, school fees can be one of the biggest costs for expat families, so it’s important to plan ahead and research your options.

Read our complete guide on education in the UAE

The UAE’s reputation as “tax free” is part of what makes it so popular among expats. However, this does not mean there are no taxes; it just means there is not much tax in the UAE when compared to other countries. There is no income tax in the UAE, but the tax rate on rent still affects expats as do excise taxes on harmful substances such as sodas and tobacco products. It is easy to open a bank account in the UAE, although expats will need to be in the country in order to do so. This is a requirement by many banks because account holders will be required to sign certain documents in person.

Expats without a residence visa, such as during the visa processing time, may only open a savings account. If an expat wants to, they can get around this stipulation by opening an account with an international bank that is available both in the UAE and their home country. You can also use your international card for financial transactions in the country. Some of the best banks and easily accessible bank accounts in the UAE are international banks.

Read our complete guide on banking & taxes in the UAE