Things to know before moving to Dubai – a complete checklist
Moving to Dubai is no cakewalk. For a start, you’re likely to spend a lot of money. Then, there’s the stress of getting accustomed to new surroundings, new highways, new apartment, new job… And let’s not forget about the culture shock. However, with a little bit of research and proper planning, your move to the city can be swift, cheap and stress-free! So here’s a comprehensive checklist of things to know before moving to Dubai.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE MOVING TO DUBAI
1. GET YOUR PAPERWORK IN ORDER
First things first, before moving to Dubai, you will need to cancel all the subscriptions, gym fees, etc. in your current place of residence. Then, have all your important documents such as your university degree or your marriage certificate attested.
To live legally with your significant other in Dubai, you must have proof of legal union. If you’re coming from a country with no embassy representation in Dubai, have your documents attested there first, then have them verified in the UAE consulate once you’ve settled.
One day, when you’re moving up from, say, Marketing Exec. to Marketing Manager and your university degree is good and HR-ready, you’ll thank us!
Things to watch out for:
- Your passport must be valid for a period of at least six more months to even enter Dubai as a tourist.
- If you’ve sourced a job in Dubai from your country, your employer will ask you for a few documents. But don’t worry – the company will do this well in advance and you won’t have to do anything else except fill out a form and do a medical test that the firm will arrange and pay for.
- If you’re coming on a tourist visa with the goal of finding a job in Dubai, be careful not to accumulate the so-called overstay fines. If your tourist visa is valid for 30 days, you must either leave the country or extend your stay in a timely matter. Otherwise, it could cost you a pretty penny.
- Driving license: once here, you will need to convert your driving license in Dubai. The good news is, it’s a straightforward process. You’ll need to obtain an optician’s certificate and a few other documents, visit the RTA Driving License Centre and pay a reasonable fee. Just make sure to bring your original driving license with you. (Note: This option is not applicable to all nationalities and some may still have to go for driving lessons and a driving test)
2. BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TICKETS WELL IN ADVANCE
The sooner you book your flight, the lower the cost will be! While it would be good to have the amazing experience of flying Emirates or Etihad, opting for a low-cost carrier like Air Arabia or Flydubai could potentially save you some money when moving to Dubai.
3. START YOUR PROPERTY RESEARCH SOONER THAN LATER
Whether you’re coming from North America, UK or Australia, you can quickly ascertain what type of home you should be leasing in Dubai on Bayut.
The AI powered app BayutGPT can help you with everything you’ll need in advance, or at least put you in touch with the right people. When moving to Dubai, make sure to use it to do your research and find a home in proximity to your future place of work with all the amenities you’ll need.
Things to watch out for:
- You won’t be able to reserve a property without having the copy of your residence visa, so you’ll have to wait until your employer has processed that before signing the lease. Alternatively, you can ask for an original letter from your sponsor stating that the residence visa process is underway
- The property lease in Dubai usually involves a one-year contract. However, paying a full price in advance does have its perks. If you pay the total yearly rent with one or two checks, as opposed to three or four, and at times could save you some money.
- Dubai is all about location. Just like in Los Angeles, the less time you spend stuck in traffic, the better. In addition to tens of thousands of listings on Bayut, you can find extensive content on Dubai’s most coveted areas (or just areas nearby your future office), either in the form of area guides or on MyBayut.
Some cities abound parking places but, unfortunately, Dubai is not one of those cities. Do make a note to research your desired community’s parking situation as well, before you commit to a full year in the area
4. SORT OUT YOUR HOUSEHOLD GOODS
Americans and Canadians, the standard voltage in Dubai is 220 V. Thus, your electrical appliances are likely to be incompatible when moving to Dubai unless you procure a converter. Everyone else, you’ll easily be able to arrange for your devices to be shipped.
However, we advise you unearth a fully furnished property not to have to worry about a grand-scale move. Alternatively, invest in brand-new appliances (or second-hand ones).
Things to watch out for:
- If you’re getting an unfurnished apartment, to buy purchase any items, check out the websites of Sharaf DG, Carrefour or Lulu where prices can be much lower, in comparison to posh shopping destinations like Dubai Mall.
- Alternatively, you can plan to order your equipment from one of the local e-commerce websites, such as Souq.com. Either way, you’ll soon find out that you can have everything and anything delivered in Dubai – even your household items.
- Here, everyone uses the so-called G plug. This is the three-pin plug that’s they also use in the UK and other countries. So, you might need to buy a few plug extensions.
5. DOWNLOAD THE DUBAI NOW APP
Dubai Now is a local app devised by the cutting-edge government entity, Smart Dubai. It’s a reasonably sized application that somehow contains over 50 individual apps from 22 government entities!
That means that you’ll be able to pay all your utilities, Salik (the electronic toll road system in Dubai), top up your RTA Nol Card (Dubai metro card), your phone credit (Du, Etisalat), and much more. You’ll even be able to set up automatic monthly payments with Dubai Now.
Things to watch out for:
- Dubai Now also comprises the Makani app, AKA’s Dubai’s version of Google Maps. This app is based on the special Makani address system which exists only in Dubai (Makani = Arabic for ‘my location’).
- Every building or villa has its unique Makani number in Dubai, and the app itself allows you to navigate the city more easily.
- You can even use it to call for help in case of an emergency since the app quickly locks down your Makani coordinates and notifies the police or ambulance.
Note: the crime rate is very low in Dubai so, don’t worry, it’s not likely you’ll use the feature, unless there’s a medical emergency.
6. MAKE A FINANCIAL PLAN
In Dubai, there’s plenty to do and much to see – but very few things here come free of charge (or cheaply, for that matter). So one of the most important things to know before moving to Dubai is to do some research online, see how much things cost, and make a budget for rent, food, travelling and social activities.
We’re not saying you shouldn’t go out and enjoy life – on the contrary! However, you don’t need to go to a pricey brunch every weekend. You can refer to our guide to saving money in Dubai.
Things to watch out for:
- Invest in the Entertainer Voucher and get 2 for the price of 1 for many of Dubai’s finest restaurants, pubs, spas, massage places, and much more.
- Since Dubai is a transient place, you can get a broad range of used items for everyday use, from rollerblades to furniture, via e-commerce websites (and in perfectly good condition).
7. START THINKING ABOUT YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLE
Lastly, before you land in Dubai, AKA the sand pit, ask around which of your contacts is already based here.
You can also find Facebook groups such as British Mums Dubai, ‘Indians and Pakistanis in Dubai’, ‘Irish Business Network Dubai’, ‘Serbs Dubai UAE’, Dubai Personal Trainers’, and much more.
Since it’s a brand-new exciting environment, you’ll need as many friends as you can find. You can’t indulge in fantastic beach sports and sundowners by yourself, right? Here’s how to find your social circle in Dubai.
FAQS ABOUT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE MOVING TO DUBAI
WHY SHOULD I MOVE TO DUBAI?
Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world and it has been attracting expats for some time. It offers a luxurious lifestyle and good educational institutes. To get you started, here’s a roundup of the best areas to rent apartments in Dubai.
ARE THERE ANY GOOD MOVING COMPANIES IN DUBAI?
Yes! There are quite a few movers and packers in Dubai you can rely on. These companies will make the move easier for you. These are among hidden costs of renting property in Dubai apart from utilities and others.
WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE MOVING TO DUBAI WITH FAMILY?
Read our guide on moving to Dubai with family to find out all the essential information.
HOW CAN I RENT A PROPERTY IN DUBAI?
Renting in Dubai is a fairly easy process. Our guide contains all the essential details for the first time renters in the emirate.
And on that note, we end our list of things to know before moving to Dubai. There are tons of benefits of moving to Dubai such as no income tax and a plethora of growth opportunities. We hope you found the details you were looking for. One last piece of advice: make sure to subscribe to MyBayut and receive a bi-weekly dosage of useful content straight to your email.
If you’ve more questions about what to know before moving, our guide lists all the essential FAQs about moving to Dubai which might be useful for you. New to the city? Here are some tips on how to find your social circle in Dubai.
Oh and, welcome to the golden city! We hope you make the very best out of the opportunity!
