Checklist for moving to the UAE

Putting together a checklist of all the things to do before your relocation can help. Here are some things to get started with.

Before you book any flights to your new city or accommodation, check your and your family's passports. They'll need to be valid for at least 6 months when moving to the UAE. Renewing your passport can take a while depending on your home country and city. Getting this sorted early on can be a big help.

You'll need to obtain a UAE residency visa and/or work permit from immigration authorities. If you've already secured employment, the company or business may sponsor your visa application and handle all the visa paperwork involved.

It's always best to check with your future employer what they'll cover and be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to get any required documents together. Study the visa and financial conditions for foreign workers and their families, or those who are relocating to Dubai or another city for education.

You may have to undergo a health check at a government-approved facility when you get your visa. This is to check for any communicable diseases or conditions. It's also worth speaking with a healthcare professional before you move to find out about vaccinations for you and your family, and to discuss any medication.

Aside from your flights and initial accommodation, there may be other financial outlays that you want to prepare for. If you're planning to move pets, furniture or other household items to your new home, you may want to look at some international moving companies. It's also worth looking at transport costs for when you arrive in Dubai or wherever you're planning to live as an expat.

Check out the airline you're flying with to see how much you'll pay for any extra baggage.

Building up some finances for the move or for start-up costs when you arrive can be useful. Once you've outlined your budget, set yourself some goals to work towards.

If you feel you may not be able to save enough to meet your financial target, look for any areas where you may be able to cut back in terms of your current spending or your planned costs once you move.

Depending on how taxation works in your current country, you may have to let your tax office know you will be relocating to Dubai or the other emirates. It can be a good idea to do this early, just in case there are any tax payments that you haven't accounted for.

When you're working in the UAE you won't pay any income tax. But there is a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 5% on goods and services you buy.

If you're moving to the UAE with children who are in school or tertiary education, take some time to research the local education system and look up the different school and university or college options. You'll be able to find out if there are any school waiting lists you need to join and any school fees you'll need to pay.

You'll need to have your residency visa before you can open a bank account in the UAE. However, if you have a signed employment contract or have set up a business, you can open an HSBC bank account before you leave your home country. You’ll need to provide your Emirates ID within 75 days of opening the account.

You may also be asked for some other documentation, including:

Make sure to take some time to get your documents together. Opening a new bank account may take some time so it's also worth making some preparations. You may want to look into international bank accounts so you can access your money and stay with the same bank.

Explore more: Setting up your finances in the UAE

A fully comprehensive one-way travel insurance policy can cover you during your move. You may need to take out a policy with a travel insurance company that offers insurance for expats.

Consider taking out your travel insurance when you book your flights to cover you if anything were to happen.

While there is a health insurance system for Emiratis, employers in the UAE are responsible for providing health insurance coverage for resident expat workers and their dependents.

Most expats start by renting a home first. You can search for rental accommodation through real estate agents, the media or property websites in your city. Think about proximity to work, schools and education, and other services. Bear in mind that traffic can be congested.

Lease agreements need to be registered with the local authorities. Tenants must provide a passport, residence visa and Emirates ID.

As a foreigner you can buy an apartment or house, but the laws are different in each emirate. In Dubai, an expat can buy freehold ownership rights for up to 99 years, such as a villa. In Abu Dhabi, expats can only buy a floor or apartment, not land.

Explore: 7 steps to buy a property in the UAE

Alongside the excitement of packing and arranging the move, make sure to tie up any financial and other loose ends in your home country for you and your family. This can include:

Read more: Moving to the UAE

Once you have your residence permit and land in the UAE, you'll need to:

Here is some basic information for expats moving to the UAE:

Save these important contacts:

The international dialling code for the UAE is +971.