Moving to Dubai overwhelms most expats. We’ve compiled a practical checklist covering visa steps, housing, temporary furniture, car rental, and health insurance. This guide breaks down costs, timelines, and the exact documents you need.
Pre-Move Timeline: 12 Weeks Before Arrival
Start preparation 3 months before arrival. This timeline assumes your employer will sponsor your residence visa (the standard route for expats in Dubai).
Week 1–2: Gather Documents
You’ll need originals and attested copies. Attest means certified (typically by your country’s ministry of foreign affairs). The UAE embassy requires:
- Valid passport (minimum 6-month validity).
- Marriage certificate (if applicable) attested by your country’s foreign ministry.
- Birth certificate attested by your country’s foreign ministry.
- Educational qualifications (degree, diploma) attested.
- Medical fitness certificate (conducted in your home country; your employer specifies the clinic).
- Police clearance certificate from your current country.
Attestation takes 2–4 weeks. Start immediately. Costs vary: UK attestation costs 35–50 GBP per document, Indian attestation costs 500–1,000 INR per document.
Week 3–4: Secure Employment
Your employer must sponsor your UAE residence visa. Confirm with your employer’s HR department:
- Employment contract signed.
- Visa sponsorship letter issued (typically in Arabic).
- Security clearance completed.
- Health insurance plan offered by company (many offer 100% employer-paid).
Request your employer’s visa processing centre contact and timeline. Most employers partner with outsourced visa handlers (MEWA, ICP Outsourcing, Tamm). Ask for the direct contact.
Week 5–6: Apply for Visa
Your employer’s visa handler submits your application to the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA). Processing takes 5–10 working days. You’ll receive:
- Entry permit number (email from ICA).
- Approval letter (for airport entry).
Print both. You cannot board your flight without the entry permit number.
Week 7–8: Book Accommodation
This is critical. Don’t arrive without a confirmed rental. Options:
- Employer-provided accommodation (best case; skip this step).
- Corporate housing agent (often free to expats; employer may subsidise).
- Direct booking via Booking.com or Airbnb (temporary, 2–4 weeks).
- Furnished apartment for 1–3 months (bridge housing).
Book temporary housing first (Airbnb, Booking.com). Short-term furnished apartments cost 250–400 AED/night for 2-bedroom units. Budget 7,500–12,000 AED for a month.
Week 9–10: Arrange Shipping or Furniture
If bringing personal items, arrange shipping now. UAE customs clearance takes 2–3 weeks. Shipping costs: 2,000–5,000 AED for a standard 20ft container from UK or Europe.
If buying furniture locally, order now for April–May delivery. IKEA, Homes & More, and Ace Home Centre have 2–4 week delivery slots.
Week 11–12: Pre-Departure Preparation
- Book flights (arrive on weekday; weekday flights are cheaper and easier for airport procedures).
- Notify your bank and insurance providers of your departure.
- Arrange temporary car rental for arrival (book 1 week before departure).
- Confirm accommodation check-in date and time.
- Arrange medical fitness certificate appointment (submit to employer).
Visa and Residence Process in Dubai
The Residence Visa Steps (Timeline: 3–4 weeks)
- Employer submits sponsorship application to ICA with your documents.
- ICA approves and issues entry permit number (5–10 working days).
- You enter UAE using entry permit. This is your temporary visa (30 days).
- Upon landing, your employer’s sponsor submits residence visa application to General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA).
- GDRFA issues residence visa (14 days typical processing). This is your 2–3 year legal visa.
Critical: You must exit UAE before your 30-day entry permit expires (around 4 weeks after landing) if the residence visa is not issued. Most people travel to Oman or Saudi Arabia for a 1-day visa run. Cost: 300–600 AED round-trip flight.
Documents Required in Dubai (Originals)
- Attested passport copy.
- Medical fitness certificate issued in home country.
- Attested educational qualifications.
- Employment contract.
- Sponsor letter from employer.
Ask your employer’s HR department for the complete checklist. Checklists vary by visa category (employee, investor, investor child, spouse).
Estimated Costs (per person)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Attestation of documents | 500–2,000 AED |
| Medical fitness certificate | 200–400 AED |
| Police clearance certificate | 200–500 AED |
| Visa application fees | 0 AED (employer pays) |
| Residence visa issuance | 0–400 AED |
| Total | 900–3,300 AED |
Most employers cover visa and medical costs. Ask your HR department.
Housing: First Month to First Year
Week 1–2 (Arrival): Stay in Temporary Furnished Apartment
Cost: 250–400 AED/night, 2-bedroom. Duration: 14–21 days while viewing permanent rentals. Booking: Airbnb, Booking.com, or corporate housing agent.
This gives you time to explore neighbourhoods without pressure. Visit 3–5 properties before committing.
Month 1 (Weeks 3–4): Secure 1-Year Rental
Most landlords require 1-year contracts. You now have your residence visa and employment contract, which they’ll verify. Rental prices vary dramatically by neighbourhood and season.
Neighbourhood Pricing (1-bedroom apartment, verified April 2026)
| Neighbourhood | Monthly Rent | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Bay | 2,000–3,000 AED | Apartment, furnished | Budget, central |
| Downtown Dubai | 2,200–3,500 AED | Apartment, furnished | Central, schools |
| Deira / Bur Dubai | 1,600–2,500 AED | Apartment, shared spaces | Ultra-budget |
| Al Barsha | 2,500–3,500 AED | Apartment, newer | Family-oriented |
| Dubai Marina | 3,500–5,500 AED | Apartment, beachfront | Premium location |
| Jumeirah | 4,000–6,500 AED | Villa/apartment, residential | Quiet, spacious |
New expats typically choose Business Bay or Downtown (central, affordable, modern).
Rental Process in Dubai
- Find property on Dubizzle.ae (local classifieds) or estate agent websites (Jones Lang LaSalle, CBRE, Emaar Realty).
- Submit offer and pay 5% of annual rent as holding deposit (non-refundable if you cancel).
- Sign contract (1 year typical). Landlord provides attested contract.
- Register tenancy contract with Tenancy Dispute Resolution Centre (TDRC) (mandatory). Cost: 150–500 AED depending on rent.
- Landlord provides Property Rights registration document (essential for utilities setup).
Lease Terms to Understand
- Security deposit: 5% of annual rent (required, refundable at contract end).
- Payment structure: Pay landlord directly (bank transfer) or via TDRC escrow account (safer for tenants).
- Rent increase: Limited to 5% annually for renewals (Dubai Law).
- Furnished vs. unfurnished: Furnished rentals cost 20–30% more but include furniture (you save 2,000–4,000 AED on IKEA purchases).
- Utilities: Landlord pays common area; tenant pays own unit electricity/water (typically 300–600 AED/month).
Furniture and Household Setup
Month 1 Options
Option A: Rent furnished apartment (2,500–4,000 AED/month). You move in and don’t buy anything. Saves initial capital, ideal if you’re unsure about long-term stay.
Option B: Rent unfurnished and buy furniture (initial cost 3,000–8,000 AED for 1-bedroom essentials). Furnishing takes 4–6 weeks via IKEA (most affordable). Furniture is yours; you don’t waste money renting.
Budget Furniture Costs for 1-Bedroom Apartment
| Item | IKEA Cost | Homes & More | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed + mattress | 600–1,200 AED | 800–1,400 AED | 1 week |
| Sofa | 1,200–2,000 AED | 1,500–2,500 AED | 2–3 weeks |
| Dining table + chairs | 600–1,000 AED | 800–1,200 AED | 1 week |
| Wardrobe/storage | 400–800 AED | 600–1,000 AED | 1 week |
| Kitchen items | 300–500 AED | 500–800 AED | 1 week |
| Total | 3,100–5,500 AED | 4,200–7,000 AED | 4–6 weeks |
IKEA is significantly cheaper. Most expats buy IKEA and upgrade to nicer furniture after their first year.
Rental Services (Better Than Buying If Unsure)
Furniture rental companies (Rent4.me, Furnituredubai.com) charge 150–300 AED/month per major piece. A fully furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs 800–1,500 AED/month in rentals. This is 2–3x the cost of buying, but you avoid capital outlay and can return everything when you leave.
Choose buying if staying 2+ years. Choose renting if unsure about commitment.
Car Rental and Transportation
Weeks 1–4: Temporary Car Rental
Cost: 80–120 AED/day for economy car (book Fox or Thrifty, not airport). Duration: 2–4 weeks while exploring. Best for: Flexibility, avoiding commitment, testing neighbourhoods.
Book Fox Al Wasl or Thrifty (offline locations) to avoid airport markups. A 4-week rental at 100 AED/day costs 3,000 AED but includes flexibility.
Month 2 Onwards: Monthly Rental or Car Purchase
Monthly rentals cost 65–90 AED/day for a 30-day contract (1,950–2,700 AED/month). This is equivalent to a car payment without capital outlay.
Buying a used car costs 8,000–25,000 AED. Second-hand prices:
- Toyota Corolla (2020): 18,000–22,000 AED
- Honda Civic (2020): 19,000–23,000 AED
- Nissan Sentra (2019): 12,000–16,000 AED
- Hyundai i10 (2018): 9,000–13,000 AED
Buying makes sense if staying 3+ years. Monthly rentals suit 1–2 year expat stints.
Registration and Insurance (For Purchased Vehicles)
- Car registration with RTA: 600–900 AED annual fee.
- Comprehensive insurance (required): 400–800 AED annually for budget sedans.
- Registration takes 1 week through RTA.
RTA online portal handles registration; ask car dealer to facilitate.
Public Transport Option
Nol card (prepaid transit card) costs 25 AED, then load credit (50–500 AED per trip approximately 2–4 AED per journey). Metro is efficient but doesn’t reach residential areas. Use metro + taxis + buses for a car-free lifestyle. Estimated monthly cost: 300–500 AED. Viable only if you live near metro and work near metro.
Health Insurance Setup
Employer-Provided Insurance (Most Common)
Most employers offer health insurance, often 100% employer-paid for the employee and 50–80% for dependents. Confirm coverage with HR before arrival.
Typical coverage: 500,000–1,000,000 AED annual limit, GP visits 0–50 AED copay, hospital stays 100% covered after deductible.
Individual Plans (If Not Provided)
Cost: 1,000–2,500 AED per person annually.
| Plan Type | Annual Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze (basic) | 1,000–1,400 AED | GP visits, emergency only |
| Silver (standard) | 1,400–2,000 AED | GP, specialist, hospital, maternity |
| Gold (comprehensive) | 2,000–2,500 AED | Above + dental, vision, preventive |
Major insurers: AXA (international), Daman Health, Allianz, Mashreq (local).
Mandatory Emirates Health Insurance (EHIC)
UAE requires health insurance for all residents. Government hospitals accept EHIC. Private hospitals (Medicana, Healthpoint) offer better facilities but require higher-tier insurance.
Start health insurance immediately upon residence visa issuance. Most employers handle this; confirm.
First Month Budget Summary
| Category | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary furnished apartment (4 weeks) | 7,000–12,000 AED | 250–400 AED/night |
| Document attestation | 500–2,000 AED | Home country costs |
| Visa/residency (if not employer-covered) | 1,000–2,000 AED | Employer usually covers |
| Temporary car rental (4 weeks) | 3,000–4,000 AED | 80–120 AED/day |
| Furniture (buy option) | 3,000–5,500 AED | IKEA budget option |
| Utilities setup and deposits | 1,000–2,000 AED | Gas, electricity, water |
| Health insurance (annual, if individual) | 1,500–2,500 AED | Amortised: 125–208 AED/month |
| Subtotal (First Month) | 16,500–28,000 AED | Without permanent rental deposit |
| Permanent rental deposit + 1st month | 6,000–15,000 AED | Depends on neighbourhood |
| Total First Month | 22,500–43,000 AED | Budget for security and setup |
Expat Resources
We’ve assembled guides to help you settle efficiently:
- Health Insurance in Dubai for Expats – Detailed plan comparison and claims process
- Monthly Car Rental for Expats – Best rates for long-term stays
- Furniture Rental Services in Dubai – Rent vs. buy analysis for expats
- Hotel Apartments (Hybrid Housing) – Temporary accommodation with services
External Authority
For official relocation and residency information, consult:
- UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA)
- General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA)
- Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) – Car Registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does it cost to move to Dubai as an expat?
Budget 15,000-25,000 AED for initial setup costs including visa processing (3,000-5,000 AED), first month’s accommodation (3,000-8,000 AED), health insurance (500-4,000 AED/year), car rental deposit (500-2,000 AED), and basic furnishing or furniture rental (500-2,000 AED for the first month).
Q: How long does it take to settle in Dubai?
The essential setup (visa, Emirates ID, bank account, phone, accommodation) takes 2-4 weeks. Full settlement including finding permanent housing, buying a car, and building routines takes 2-3 months.
Q: Do I need a car in Dubai?
Depends on where you live and work. If both are on a metro line, you can manage without one. Most expats end up renting or buying a car within the first month because public transport does not cover all areas well.
Q: What is the best month to move to Dubai?
September and January. September is when most companies start their fiscal year and schools begin. January is the start of peak hiring season. Avoid June-August for arrival as summer heat makes apartment hunting uncomfortable.
Common Expat Questions
How long does residence visa processing take?
5–10 working days from submission. After the residence visa is issued (typically 14 days), you can apply for jobs, open a bank account, and sign long-term contracts. Most expats complete the full process (entry permit + residence visa) within 4 weeks.
Can I bring my family’s household items to Dubai without customs duty?
Yes. Personal effects and household items are duty-free if you’re a first-time resident. You’ll need an attested inventory list and proof of your residence visa. Your shipping company handles customs paperwork.
What’s the cheapest neighbourhood for first-year expats?
Deira (older area, diverse) and Bur Dubai (historic quarter) offer 1-bedroom rentals at 1,600–2,500 AED/month. Business Bay is 500 AED/month more but newer and more central. Most first-year expats choose Business Bay or Downtown for the balance of price and convenience.
Do I need a UAE driving licence or can I use my home country licence?
Your home country driving licence is valid for 12 months from residence visa issuance. After 12 months, you must pass the RTA test and obtain a UAE licence. Test cost: 300–500 AED. Processing: 1–2 weeks.
Can my partner and children move with me before I get residence visa?
Your partner and children can apply for dependant visas once you’ve obtained your residence visa. Dependant visa processing takes an additional 2–4 weeks. Plan for them to arrive 4–6 weeks after you do, or arrange their temporary accommodation.
Key Takeaways
Begin visa preparations 12 weeks before arrival. Book temporary furnished housing immediately upon landing (250–400 AED/night). Rent permanently after 2–3 weeks of exploring. Choose monthly car rental (65–90 AED/day) or temporary rental (80–120 AED/day) while settling. Budget 22,500–43,000 AED for your first month including accommodation and setup. Start health insurance immediately upon residence visa issuance.
Careful planning transforms moving to Dubai from chaotic to manageable.
Affiliate Disclosure
Best Low Cost Rentals earns commissions from Booking.com, Airbnb, Fox Rent A Car, and furniture retailers when expats book through our links. This costs you nothing extra. All prices verified 2 April 2026. We recommend only services we’ve personally used for relocations or that have been verified by the expat community in Dubai.