Moving to Dubai from the UK? Here’s everything you need to know

• Visa Requirements
• How to Find Jobs in Dubai
• Sponsor your Family in Dubai
• Life as an Expat in Dubai
• Public Transport in Dubai
• Cost of Living in Dubai
• FAQs

People from around the world flock to Dubai for better career opportunities and the chance of a luxurious, sun-drenched lifestyle. The pristine white beaches, massive malls and plethora of leisure landmarks are some reasons folks fall in love with the City of Gold. But before making the big move, there are quite a few things people need to be aware of, including the visa process, the documents required and the life that potentially awaits them amidst the desert dunes. So, if you are considering a move to Dubai from the UK? This comprehensive guide is your ultimate research source.

Visa Requirements for Moving to Dubai from the UK

The visa requirements for moving to Dubai from the UK depend on the purpose of your move. Here are the general requirements for some common Dubai visas for British expats:

Tourist Visa

The UAE tourist visa is ideal for those wishing to stay in the country for 90 days within six months. This type of visa is available via tour companies, travel agencies and the official consulates/embassies of the UAE in the UK. You can also apply online via the portals of the respective consulate/embassy.

Here’s a list of general tourist visa for Dubai from the UK requirements.

• A valid passport with at least six months remaining validity
• A return ticket or onward travel ticket
• Proof of accommodation
• Sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay

Job Seeker Visit Visa Dubai

Anyone from the UK can now get a UAE Job Seeker Visa to hunt for lucrative job opportunities. No sponsor or host is required for one trip within the UAE. The visa is available with a validity of either 60, 90 or 120 days. Here are the visa requirements for this type of visa.

• A graduate of the top 500 universities in the world. You must have graduated within the last 2 years
• Have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent
• Make sure to meet all the financial obligations and requirements

Work Visa

The Work Visa is one of the most popular visa types for those looking to move from the UK to Dubai. It’s a residence visa for working in the UAE and has four types, including standard work visas, green visas, freelancer visa and domestic worker visas.

• Standard work visas are issued to employees in both the government and private sectors.
• Green visas are granted to skilled workers for five years, and it does not require a sponsor or employer.
• Freelancers can apply for a Green Work Visa in Dubai as well.
• Domestic worker visas are specifically for those seeking employment as domestic helpers.

Some general requirements for various work visas for those who plan to move from the UK to Dubai are as follows:

• A valid passport with at least six months remaining validity
  A job offer from a UAE-based company (does not apply for a Green Visa)
• For Green Visa, applicants must either demonstrate annual income from self-employment of at least AED 360,000 for the preceding two years or provide proof of financial sufficiency for the duration of their stay in the UAE
• Educational qualifications
• Work experience
• Medical fitness certificate
• Security clearance from the UK

Remote Work Visa

Remote Work Visa is a part of Dubai’s Virtual Working Program. It allows you to relocate and continue working for the organisation you already work for but remotely. The requirements for this visa may vary. Please check the official UAE government’s portal for visas for more information.

UAE Residence Visa

The Dubai residence visa is for those who wish to live long-term in the UAE. It includes different types of visas as per the UAE government’s portal for visas. The general requirements for a UAE Residence visa for those who wish to move from the UK to Dubai include:

• A valid passport with at least six months remaining validity.
• Proof of accommodation, such as a rental agreement or property ownership document, to confirm your Dubai residence.
• Proof of financial means sufficient to support yourself and any dependents during your stay, typically evidenced by bank statements or income certificates.
• Medical fitness certificate
• Security clearance

Golden Visa

For individuals with exceptional talent or extraordinary achievements in various fields, such as science, art, culture, sports, or business, the UAE Golden Visa offers a unique pathway to residency in Dubai.

To qualify for this visa, essential requirements include:

• A valid passport with at least six months remaining validity
• Exceptional talent or extraordinary achievements in various fields, such as science, art, culture, sports, or business
• Investment of AED 10 million or more in the UAE
• Proof of financial means
• Medical fitness certificate
• A security clearance certificate issued by the relevant authorities in the UK

Besides the aforementioned visa types, some other types of UAE visas are available for British expats with plans to move from the UK to Dubai.

• Dependant Visa: A visa for those whose spouses or parents are already residents of Dubai.
• Student Visa: A visa for those enrolling on one of the universities in Dubai.
• Investor Visa: A visa for expats investing in companies in the UAE.
• Retirement Visa: Granted for five years, this visa is for expats over 55 years old.

The most common amongst these is the employment visa, the main requirement for which is a job offer from a company registered in Dubai. Once you accept such an offer, the organisation generally takes care of the visa processing and associated costs.

How to Find Jobs in Dubai

If you seek a career in the UAE, you must apply for a Dubai work visa. If you already have a job and your employer allows you to work remotely, the remote work visa is the way to go.

For a remote work visa, you must be an employee at any UK organisation and earn a minimum salary of USD 5,000 per month. This visa is valid for one year and can be renewed.

Another option is to apply for a tourist visa for job hunting, and if you manage to get employment, your visa status can be altered accordingly. Then, you can apply for a residence visa and a work permit.

The residence permit is valid for two years if you work in the private sector and three years in case you are an employee in the public sector.

Documentation for moving to Dubai

If you are moving to Dubai on a work visa, your employer will inform you about all the required documentation. It includes:

• Signed offer letter
• Passport copy
• Educational certificates
• Good conduct certificate from a recognised body in the countries you have lived in for the last 5 years. 

One thing you need to take care of when moving from Britain to Dubai is the attestation of your certificates and documents according to the Ministry of Labour guidelines. This can take considerable time, so make sure it’s ready before you apply for a work permit in Dubai.

Your certificates must have the Apostille Stamp by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and be attested by the UAE Embassy in London.

Once in Dubai, you must apply for MoFAIC attestation. Several agencies attest certificates in Dubai and charge a certain fee. Before consulting with any of these agencies, ensure all your other paperwork is in order, and your passport is valid for the next 6 months.

Remember to take enough passport-sized photographs because your first few days after moving to Dubai will involve a lot of form-filling and counter-hopping!

Documents Required to Sponsor Your Family in Dubai

After you’ve landed a job and found a home in the city, it’s time to bring the family to Dubai. You can apply online or through a registered typing centre in Dubai. You’ll need these documents to apply for sponsor visas for your family.

• Passport copies of wife and children
• Photos of the wife and children
• Medical clearance certificate for the wife and children above 18
• Copy of the husband’s employment contract or company contract
• A salary certificate from the employer stating the employee’s monthly salary
• Legalised marriage certificate
• Registered tenancy contract
• Latest utility bill

Dubai residents can also sponsor their parents, but your income would need to be at least AED 20,000 to sponsor parents.

Health Check for Visa Processing

There is a compulsory health check as part of the visa process, after which you are issued the Emirates ID card. Make sure that all your details are correct on the identity card. You will need it for most transactions in Dubai, like opening a bank account, renting an apartment or enrolling your kids in school.

Another thing that expats from the UK must also consider is that medical insurance is mandatory in the UAE. For those of you on employment visas, your company/sponsor will take care of your medical insurance. If you have dependents or are on an investor visa, you must apply for the insurance yourself.

Living As A British Expat in Dubai

As an expat in this city, you will not be a “minority” when you move from the UK to Dubai. A whopping 80% of the population of the emirate are expats!

Dubai is a cosmopolitan city in all sense of the word, the reason why there is an obvious international influence in the food, lifestyle and even the architecture.

Dubai is an Islamic state, and the role of religion in Dubai’s culture is quite significant. When you move to Dubai, there are several cultural aspects to consider. Note that alcohol consumption is allowed in Dubai but only privately or in licensed venues.

Your Home in Dubai

Finding the right accommodation is one of the most important things when you move from the UK to Dubai. With a booming real estate industry, the housing market in Dubai is a veritable treasure trove. From luxury apartments to upscale villas and even modest studios, there’s something for everyone!

Many communities have a large Western expat population, so making friends and finding a villa or apartment to rent will be easy!

Some popular areas for British expats include Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai and Arabian Ranches. We recommend finding a property agent to help you with your search to understand better what will work best. Try to familiarise yourself with RERA laws because they govern all tenancy contracts in Dubai.

If you compare the rents in Dubai to those in London, the former will be 15% to 30% cheaper. The rental cost greatly depends on the location of your property. Posh areas in London will cost more than a family-friendly locality in Dubai.

According to Bayut’s H1 2023 Dubai Rental Market report, the most affordable properties are available in JVC, Bur Dubai, DAMAC Hills 2 and Mirdif. These areas have the most budget-friendly apartments ranging from studios to 2-bedroom units for rent.

To put things in perspective, the starting rent for studios in JVC costs AED 32k, while the same property in Dubai Marina starts from AED 50k per year.

Compared to some parts of England, this might seem considerably higher, but prices decrease as you move from the centre of Dubai into the suburbs.

Rents are usually paid in post-dated checks, quarterly, bi-annually or yearly payments. Some landlords allow monthly payments, but that is not the norm and can sometimes be more expensive.

Settling into your Dubai Home

When you move from the UK to Dubai, it’s quite easy to settle in once you find your home. Dubai has several household goods and furniture stores, including a few international favourites like IKEA. But, head to the second-hand furniture stores in Dubai for budget-friendly shopping to get great pieces at a discount.

DEWA generally provides electricity and water. When temperatures reach over 40 degrees in summer, expect your bills to be higher since your air-conditioning usage will increase!

Most residential areas also have a good selection of supermarkets and groceries, similar to Asda and Sainsbury’s. British brand Waitrose has branches in Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina Mall; you can also find their products in the many Spinneys supermarkets across the city.

Getting Around Dubai

Once you have the house all sorted, you can think of moving on to the logistics of things. Londoners moving to Dubai will be happy to know the emirate has a metro service.

The Dubai Metro seamlessly connect most parts of the city and is the preferred mode of public transport for most Britons. Besides the metro, there are other modes of exceptional public transport in Dubai for a pocket-friendly commute.

For those opting to drive, you can easily convert your UK driving license to a UAE one by visiting any of the Roads and Transport Authorities Offices (RTA) and even transfer your No Claims Discount (NCD) for a reasonable motor insurance policy.

Average prices for cars in Dubai are similar to those in the UK, but petrol is considerably cheaper.

Government-run taxi fleets are a common sight on the roads. And there are countless public transport apps in Dubai, like Uber and Careem. Taxis are cheaper than in the UK, so a trip home from the airport won’t mean you have to go without groceries for a week!

Schools for British Expats Moving to Dubai

For British expats in Dubai, many private schools in Dubai offer international curriculums. Most Britons moving to Dubai enrol their children in GCSE schools for a more familiar style of education. There are more than 50 British schools in Dubai, all vetted by the KHDA, giving British expats in Dubai a wide variety of choices regarding their children’s education.

The cost of education depends on your child’s grade, the school’s location and the management. The Cambridge International School, GEMS Wellington School and Regent International School are some of the top British schools in Dubai that are popular with British expats in the city. 

Culture and Lifestyle in Dubai 

Do you want to dance the night away in a luxurious lounge? Fancy a trip to the mall to pick up the season’s latest fashion must-haves? How about a tall glass of iced tea by the sea while you work on that tan? These are all the amazing things British expats in Dubai get to enjoy.

Dubai offers a lavish lifestyle with an array of options for scintillating nightlife. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes in the city.

Pints here are pricier than in the UK, and food tends to be marginally more expensive. However, you have to factor in the income-tax savings as well.

The city is well known for its gargantuan malls, which stock UK high street favourites like Next, M&S, H&M, Mango and Zara stores in Dubai.

Some leading British department stores like Harvey Nichols have also found a home in Dubai’s malls, so there will be no pining for Westfield or Trafford Centre.

The wonderful thing about this city is that it’s not just about skyscrapers and opulent hotels. Heritage sites in Dubai are eternal reminders of the rich past. There are lush green parks where you can spend quality time with your loved ones.

For the sporty sorts, the lush golf courses and abundance of water sports venues add more allure to this emirate.

Cost of Living in Dubai

The initial few months after moving to Dubai from the UK will strain your finances. There are rents to cover, things to be bought and other overhead expenses to take care of.

After the first six months, your cost of living in Dubai for single person depends on where you live, how often you shop and dine out, etc.

You can spend a pretty penny in Dubai, but most Britons save a considerable amount that can go into their retirement fund.

Checklist at a Glance

We hope this guide helps you to make the right choices and transition easily into expat life in Dubai. It is the quintessential city of superlatives, so we are positive you will enjoy living here.

Here’s a short checklist to keep in mind when you are moving to Dubai from the UK:

• Sort out your visas and paperwork
• Make sure you have medical insurance
• Be careful not to disrespect local traditions and sentiments
• Learning Arabic is not mandatory but can be helpful
• Practise caution while drinking alcohol
• Although the temperature is mostly higher, all indoor venues, including bus stops and metro stations, are fully air-conditioned. So, you can go about your work in peace.

FAQs about moving to Dubai from the UK

Can Britons visit Dubai without a visa?

British citizens are eligible for a free visa on arrival in the UAE. Visitors can stay for up to 30 days (can be extended for another 30 days). A return ticket out of Dubai, besides a six-month validity on your passport, is mandatory.

Can I retire in Dubai?

Dubai retirement visa allows you to enjoy a lavish lifestyle with all your savings in your twilight years. The Retire in Dubai programme was introduced in collaboration with Dubai Tourism and the General Director of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA).

This retirement visa scheme grants eligible expats a five-year residency visa.

That concludes this moving to Dubai from the UK checklist. We hope this article was helpful and answers how to move to Dubai from the UK.

Now that you know all about moving to Dubai from the UK, don’t forget to check out the properties for rent in Dubai to find your perfect home!

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, please contact your employer/sponsor.