What you need to know about moving to Dubai from the USA
Moving to a new country sounds exciting, but it can also be a daunting experience. Besides completing the legal formalities, you must adapt to new cultures and traditional customs. Moving to Dubai from the United States of America is no different. Here’s a breakdown of the aspects you must consider when moving to Dubai from the USA.
GETTING READY FOR MOVING FROM THE USA TO DUBAI
Wondering how to move to Dubai from the USA? Here’s a helpful overview of the key steps involved in relocating from the US to Dubai.
Visas for Americans moving to Dubai
If you’re an American citizen looking to explore Dubai before moving to the UAE, you’re in luck! American passport holders are entitled to a visa-on-arrival at the airport if the intended stay is shorter than 30 days. However, if you wish to move to Dubai long-term, you need a valid UAE residence visa.
Remember that your passport should be valid for at least six months after issuing the visa. The most common visa types relevant to your case can include:
- Work or Employment Visa:
- Your company sponsors this UAE visa.
- Your employer will also handle all visa-related arrangements, including the residency permit.
- Dependent Visa:
- If you have a spouse or dependent children (a male child under 25 and an unmarried daughter), you can sponsor them to be in Dubai on your visa.
- You must earn at least AED 4,000 monthly (or AED 3,000 with accommodation).
- If your adult children are in Dubai and you want them to sponsor your residence visa, they will need to earn a minimum of AED 20,000 per month.
- Student Visa: This visa is available to students registered at an educational institute or university in the UAE.
- The visa is valid only while you study in the UAE.
- Investor Visa: If you’re an entrepreneur looking to start your own business in Dubai (or are planning on investing in one), you can go for the Investor visa.
- You can apply for this visa through one of Dubai’s many free trade zones.
- Property Owner Visa: You can apply for a renewable residence visa if you own property in Dubai.
Regardless of the type of visa you opt for, you will need to clear a medical test before the visa is issued.
How to move to Dubai: Documents required for moving to Dubai from the USA
The company sponsoring you will handle most of the paperwork and procedures when you come to Dubai for employment. However, you must ensure that all your paperwork is in order.
Educational Documents:
- You will likely have to present your original and attested degree/educational certificate to process an employment visa.
- While you can get this done once you get to Dubai, it will be far easier and cost-effective while still in the USA.
- Many schools will have a notary public on staff to provide the certified degree document.
- Once you have this, you need to get authentication from the Secretary of State (contact your state school to find out how to go about this).
- Next, you must authenticate the document at the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications.
- The final step is to get authentication from the UAE Embassy in Washington D.C.
Marriage Certificate
- Remember to bring your marriage certificate if you are coming to Dubai with your spouse.
- Make sure to get the Marriage Certificate attested in the USA
- By the issuing officer
- By the State’s Secretary of State
- The U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications
- The UAE Embassy in Washington.
Passport-size Photographs
Essential advice for anyone moving to Dubai is to bring as many passport-sized photos of themselves as possible! Everything from your visa and driving licence to the health insurance card and Emirates ID may require several copies. Hence, it’s better to have plenty in reserve to avoid running around trying to find a photo studio at the last minute.
Finding Accommodation in Dubai
Your sponsoring company may provide temporary accommodation when moving from USA to Dubai. However, you will need to find a permanent home relatively quickly.
Luckily, finding a home in Dubai is relatively easy. You have numerous options and available property types, from compact studio apartments to palatial villas.
Renting a Property in Dubai
Usually, American expats in Dubai choose to rent a home when they first move to the city. Depending on your requirements (pet-friendly, furnished, with a private garden, close to Dubai Metro, etc.), there are various properties to choose from. Remember, the only limitation might be your budget! Our guide to renting in Dubai will help you in the process.
When renting a property, you must pay the asking rent in one or multiple post-dated cheques. Employers sometimes provide housing allowances or loans to meet the upfront costs, but this can vary from company to company.
You will also have to set money aside for:
- Your estate agent’s commission (typically 5% of the total rent)
- Security deposit (5% to 10%)
- DEWA (water and electricity) deposit
- Internet deposits
- Ejari tenancy contract
- Any other moving costs
As there are many upfront payments, ensure you have enough money.
Buying a Property in Dubai
The Dubai property market has stunning projects that are true engineering marvels. Foreign nationals can own apartments and villas in specially designated freehold areas in Dubai.
Fancy a Dubai Marina penthouse or a villa in Emaar’s Arabian Ranches? Browse sales listings on Bayut to buy your dream home. Do you want to build your investment portfolio? Don’t forget to check out the hottest off-plan projects in Dubai that typically offer attractive payment plans and other incentives.
You can also rent out your purchased property, making it a great source of additional income.
Living in Dubai as an American
While Americans constitute a relatively small percentage of the UAE’s expat population, most people moving from the U.S. live in Dubai. And thanks to the city’s cosmopolitan nature, you will find familiar brands from home, making living in Dubai as an American easy and convenient.
Educational Institutes for American expats in Dubai
- There are plenty of American schools in Dubai with an excellent reputation.
- Many Dubai schools offer international curricula, including I.B. programmes.
- Regardless of the preferred curriculum or the chosen year group, the best schools in Dubai often have places filling up fast. If you have a school-age child and are looking to move to Dubai, it will be a wise decision on your part to do your research and get in touch with your shortlisted schools well before the actual move.
- If you are interested in higher education, Dubai has many options – with some American institutions having branches here. Here’s a look at the best universities in Dubai.
Food
- American restaurants in Dubai are a hit among U.S. nationals and UAE residents. In addition to the long list of American fast food chains, you will find Shake Shack, The Cheesecake Factory, and even TGI Fridays.
- If you want something different, you can check out cafes and restaurants serving food from India, Japan, South Africa, France and any other country you can think of.
- If you’re looking for ingredients (or maybe even your favourite cereal from back home), you’ll likely find them in Dubai too! Supermarkets such as Spinneys and Park n Shop stock international brands, so don’t worry about missing that taste of home!
Out and About
- Countless lounges, bars and nightclubs across Dubai offer every imaginable vibe! There are even a few familiar names, like Nikki Beach and Trader Vic’s, should you get homesick for a home-style party.
- The city is a beloved concert venue and a treat for live music fans. Some of the best classical musicians and rock bands visit Dubai and host concerts. Primarily outdoors, the concert season kicks off in the cooler months and lasts until summer.
- You don’t have to worry about missing events like the Super Bowl or the NBA. Several restaurants and sports bars in Dubai will show the big games!
- If you want to buy alcohol in Dubai, you will need an alcohol licence. While Dubai is a very tolerant city, there are heavy fines and penalties for public intoxication. Stay on the right side of the law.
Health
- By law, your sponsor has to provide you with medical insurance. If you are the sponsor (for example, of your spouse or children), the onus will be on you to ensure they are insured. However, you can check with your company whether you can add them to your existing plan.
- Be careful when bringing medication to the UAE!
- The list of banned items at DXB Airport will guide you regarding what you can and can’t bring inside the country.
- You may bring in some medications if you have a doctor’s note. Remember, this rule will also apply to medicines that may be sold over the counter in the U.S. but are regulated in Dubai.
- If you require medication for a chronic illness, don’t worry. Dubai has plenty of hospitals, clinics and speciality centres with fully qualified and experienced doctors who can write you prescriptions for the same medication in Dubai. Please remember that the medicine’s trade name may differ from what you’re used to!
Getting Around
- Dubai’s public transport network regulated by the RTA includes buses, Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and taxis.
- Despite an extensive public transport system, you may be far from the nearest metro station.
- Sometimes, a regular feeder bus will take you to the nearest metro station.
- To reach the metro station from popular areas like Arabian Ranches, Mirdif and Motor City, it would be best to take a taxi or a bus.
- If alternative transport sounds too much of a hassle, there are plenty of flats for rent near metro stations if you need to rely on the metro to get around!
- If you hold a valid USA driving licence, you can quickly transfer it to the UAE licence for a small fee.
- All you need is an eye test certificate (go to any optician and tell them it’s for a driving license).
- Get an NOC from your sponsor (this is a simple letter typed on company letterhead and stamped).
- Keep copies of your passport, Emirates ID and passport photos handy.
- Visit an RTA branch, fill in the required application, have your photograph taken, and you’re done!
- When driving in Dubai, remember that most light vehicles are automatic rather than manual.
- Driving around Dubai, you may find that the way roads are laid out is different from what you’re used to. While the highways are easy to navigate, individual communities are connected by smaller roads and streets that look different.
FAQS ABOUT MOVING TO DUBAI FROM THE USA
What else do I need to know as an American living in Dubai?
Here are a few generic tips.
- The UAE is a Muslim country, and the ‘Call to Prayer’ can be heard in most parts of the city. However, the country respects other religions and has churches and temples also.
- Dubai may be liberal, but remember to dress modestly! Nightclubs and bars are where you can get away with miniskirts and stilettos – but wearing the same inside a mall is offensive. Be sure not to engage in any overt public displays of affection, either.
- Yes, Dubai is a desert, but the malls, supermarkets and cinemas can get quite cold due to air conditioning, so keep a light cardigan or pashmina handy.
- The UAE Dirham is pegged to the U.S. Dollar, so don’t worry about fluctuating exchange rates.
- Remember that you will still need to file your annual taxes back in the U.S.
- Life in Dubai is lovely, but remember to watch the budget. It’s so easy to overspend and be unable to save a penny!
DO I NEED TO LEARN ARABIC WHEN MOVING TO DUBAI FROM THE USA?
English is Dubai’s most widely spoken language. But you can never go wrong by learning some basic Arabic phrases in Dubai!
CAN I APPLY FOR A USA VISA FROM DUBAI?
All UAE passport holders and residents, except those with passports from countries on the US Visa Waiver Program, can apply for a US visa from Dubai to be allowed entry into the United States of America.
That’s a wrap to our handy guide on steps to move to Dubai from USA. The Dubai lifestyle is sure to be attractive to American expats! And if you’re planning on moving to Dubai from the USA, why not start looking for houses to rent on Bayut? You can buy villas in Dubai or rent apartments in Dubai.
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You can also get familiar with Emirati culture and traditions to know your new home better. Did you know that there are certain US cities you can fly to directly from Dubai? These include New York, Houston, LA and Seattle.
Disclaimer: Visa rules are subject to change and can vary from company to company. To get up-to-date information on visa procedures and fees when moving to Dubai from the U.S., please contact your employer/sponsor.
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Very nice info you have shared over here, I really appreciate it.
Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi Nathan,
We’re glad we could be of help to you.
Please do let us know if you need anything else we can assist you with.
Best regards!