Dubai is an expat-friendly emirate with excellent employment and business opportunities. It also features truly amazing attractions, the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Recent law amendments have also brought about some exciting changes for expats. If you’re thinking of making a move to Dubai with family, we’ve compiled a useful list of some things to consider before making that potentially life-altering decision.
WHY SHOULD YOU MOVE TO DUBAI WITH FAMILY?
Dubai and other Femirates in the UAE offer a comfortable and safe lifestyle with a multitude of accommodation options that fit all. These are some of the other reasons why the city has the world’s highest percentage of expatriates.
- Although, Arabic is the official language English is widely spoken and understood in the country.
- Undoubtedly one of the biggest benefits of living in Dubai is no income tax. You receive 100% of the money you earned. You earned it, you keep it…..that’s how it works.
- The infrastructure of Dubai is on par with other major cities in the developed world with sufficient public transport options.
- It is also a global retail hub, a fulcrum of entertainment options and is especially known for its unparalleled nightlife.
SORT OUT YOUR PAPERWORK AND VISA
Before you make the decision to move to Dubai with family, it’s essential to sort out the paperwork first. A better initial approach is to apply for a work permit in Dubai, as mentioned in our useful Dubai visa guide. When moving to Dubai here are some of the visas that you might need:
- Employment visa/work permit/residency: A visa that is arranged by your employer allows you entry to the country, after which a work permit is issued.
- Dependent visa: A visa for those whose spouses or parents are already residents of Dubai.
- Student visa: A visa for students who wish to study in Dubai universities.
- Investor visa: A visa for expats investing in companies in the UAE.
Generally, the employer (sponsor) takes care of the work permit requirements and the application process for the work permit. Nevertheless, you will need to get a medical test, get attested educational certificates, recent photographs, and copies of your passport (which should have at least six months of validity).
Now moving on to eligibility – expatriates with a minimum salary of AED 4,000 to AED 8,000, who have valid residency permits, can also sponsor their families.
The updated UAE family visa allows expatriates to sponsor their spouse, children or parents as long as they meet the mandatory requirements. You can also check out our UAE family visa sponsorship guide for more details.
WHAT ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING IN DUBAI?
When planning to move to Dubai with family, consider the cost of living in the city. The cost of living in Dubai depends on several factors, such as housing, utilities, public transport, healthcare, schooling and other such expenses. It’s probably better to pick a reasonably-priced apartment should you move to Dubai with your family.
HOUSING IN DUBAI
If you have a family with kids you’ll probably be looking for one or two-bedroom apartments in Dubai. According to the Bayut and dubizzle Q3 2021 market report, the top five areas to rent apartments in Dubai are:
- Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)
- Deira
- Dubai Marina
- Bur Dubai
- Downtown Dubai
- Al Nahda
- Dubai Silicon Oasis
All the aforementioned areas are popular among tenants but vary in rental costs. Dubai Marina is one of the most expensive among the five above-listed areas. However, the modern urban lifestyle it provides and the plethora of local amenities, make it one of the most sought-after areas for family-friendly apartments in Dubai.
Dubai Marina boasts many gyms, schools, kids play areas, restaurants and entertainment options. Also, for the shopaholics, Dubai Marina Mall is a dream come true!
Downtown Dubai and Palm Jumeirah are other viable options for family-friendly apartments in Dubai. But, if you’re looking for more reasonably-priced options, the older districts like Al Nahda, Deira and Bur Dubai have many affordable apartments for rent.
HEALTHCARE IN DUBAI
Considering potential healthcare costs is super important before moving to Dubai with family. Medical insurance in Dubai is mandatory. Many employers provide healthcare insurance but there are also those that don’t.
Get in touch with any of the top health insurance companies in Dubai to identify the right policy for you and your family.
An important note here though – expats in Dubai are also eligible for a health card. Let’s check out the process of how to get one.
HOW TO GET A HEALTH CARD IN DUBAI?
Eligible expats need health cards in Dubai to receive treatment at government hospitals and healthcare centres. Wondering about how to get a health card in Dubai? Here are the charges for health cards for expatriates and UAE nationals.
Health Card Fee Category | Charges |
|---|---|
Health Card Fee Category Expatriate health card for kids up to 10 years old | Charges AED 120 |
Health Card Fee Category Expatriate health card for adults 18 and above | Charges AED 320 |
Health Card Fee Category UAE nationals up to 10 years old | Charges AED 25 |
Health Card Fee Category UAE national 18 years old and above | Charges AED 120 |
You can apply for a health card online or visit any of the primary healthcare centres such as Rashid Hospital, Latifa Hospital and Hatta Hospital. For more information, please contact 800-342 (DHA).
As far as the general healthcare infrastructure is concerned, Dubai government hospitals do offer state-of-the-art medical treatments.
Similarly, private hospitals in Dubai have highly qualified healthcare professionals and cutting edge medical equipment that can cater to a full range of medical care.
Those planning to more here should also know that Dubai and other parts of the UAE have strict rules and regulations regarding prescription drugs.
SCHOOLS IN DUBAI
If you need to move to Dubai with kids, one of the most important things to consider is schooling. Luckily, there are excellent schools all across Dubai, many of which are close to significant residential areas. For those on a limited budget, here are some of the affordable schools in Dubai:
- The Dubai English Language School in Oud Mehta
- Central School in Al Nahda
- The Elite English School in Deira
- Crescent English High School
- H.H Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistan School Dubai in Al Qusais
You can also opt for one of these top schools in Dubai:
- Repton School
- Dubai British School
- Dubai English Speaking School
- Sunmarke School
- Dubai College
The average fees in the aforementioned schools range from AED 36k to AED 100k annually.
FUEL COSTS IN DUBAI
Besides the extensive options for public transport in Dubai, it may be essential to have your own car for commuting and other purposes. You can lease a car or go for the more permanent option of owning your vehicle by getting a car loan in Dubai.
The fuel charges in Dubai certainly fall into the reasonable category. Here are the emirate’s latest petrol prices.
Fuel Type | Fuel Charges |
|---|---|
Fuel Type Super 98 | Fuel Charges AED 2.77 |
Fuel Type Special 95 | Fuel Charges AED 2.66 |
Fuel Type Diesel | Fuel Charges AED 2.77 |
Fuel Type E-Plus 91 | Fuel Charges AED 2.58 |
The fuel prices have remained fairly constant since October 2021, and the charges are similar for other emirates as well.
WHAT’S THE DUBAI JOB MARKET LIKE?
The next category in our guide to moving to Dubai with family is the job market. Dubai is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world with a constant demand for skilled labour.
As Dubai is a commercial and trading hub, many start-ups prefer to invest here due to the business-friendly economy. Private and government jobs for expats in the UAE are a viable option. Some of the most in-demand areas of employment in Dubai are:
- Accounting and Finance
- HR and Recruitment
- Legal Sector jobs
- Engineers
- Medical Professionals
- Artificial Intelligence and Digitisation jobs
- Digital Marketing Experts
- Hospitality and Food
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS DUBAI A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE WITH FAMILY?
Dubai is safe, accommodating, and ideal to move to with family and kids. From affordable residential options to schools, hospitals and plenty of entertainment options, the city provides everything that a family needs.
WHAT’S A GOOD SALARY FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR IN DUBAI?
The salary required depends on the cost of living expenses and the area lived in. On average, a family with two children would be needing an income of at least AED 10,000 per month to live a reasonably comfortable life.
IS IT EXPENSIVE TO LIVE IN DUBAI?
The expenses in Dubai with a family usually depend on several factors including the amount of rent, fuel charges, monthly groceries, utility bills, and most importantly, the number of people in the family.
That concludes our guide to moving to Dubai with family. We hope it will help you in making the big decision.
In making the move to a new country, employment is obviously a huge factor, so we recommend checking out the top UAE job sites to get some options.
