Relocating to the UAE
Relocating to another country, especially to somewhere like the UAE, involves a lot of preparation. However, with proper planning, it can be a smooth and almost stress-free task. It is a good idea to start preparing your move about 3 months in advance. Give yourself ample time to get the necessary visas, work, and permits, cancel your subscription to existing services, and, of course, make sure you choose a reputable moving company.
Documents required for moving to the UAE
It is very important to have all your documents sorted out before moving to the UAE. This helps for an easy and smooth relocation process.
Obtain the right visa
The first thing you should consider is your visa (as well as your family's visa if you're not moving alone).
If you're moving to the UAE for work, your employer will apply for an entry permit on your behalf, which will allow you to enter the country while your work permit and residency visa are being processed. The entry permit has a validity of 2 months, during which time your employer will also be responsible for finalizing your work permit and residency visa.
Your employer should also arrange family visas for you, so be sure to discuss this with them before making the move. In some cases, your family will only be able to obtain residency visas once yours has been completed. If you do find yourself in this situation but still want your family to fly in with you, they can always apply for a normal visit visa.
You can find out more about this through our comprehensive guide on visas to the UAE.
Other documents you may need
Relocating to a new country is stressful in itself and can become even more stressful if you're surprised by requests for specific documentation once you arrive. In order to be fully prepared for every situation, there are a few extra documents you can keep on hand in case they're needed.
Passport copies — It's always a good idea to have a couple of copies of your passport with you, as they're required for a lot of paperwork in the UAE (such as ID applications, tenancy contracts, bank account openings, and more). Having a few spare copies will save you the hassle of rushing to find a printing shop nearby.
Passport-sized photos — Similar to your passport copy, passport photos are sometimes requested to fulfill certain paperwork. It's recommended to have extras printed to avoid having to go through the process again in a brand-new country.
Certificates and qualifications — Although your employer will let you know in advance if they need copies of your educational certificates, it doesn't hurt to have some with you just in case.
Police clearance certificate — This is another thing your employer should inform you of if needed, as it is sometimes required to process residency visas. If the employer hasn't mentioned it, you should plan to have one issued before moving, as trying to obtain it from your country's embassy in the UAE may be a lengthy process.
Marriage certificate — If you're married, you should have a few copies of your marriage certificate on hand, as some landlords may request these from you (depending on which emirate you choose to live in). It's also a good idea to bring your original certificate with you.
Birth certificate — Similar to your marriage certificate, you should make extra copies of birth certificates if you plan to move with children. These are usually requested when issuing residency visas, but it would be helpful to have additional copies to be prepared for all situations.
As an additional note, it would be a good idea to get these documents attested by the relevant authorities as well as the UAE embassy or consulate in your home country before arriving in the UAE. In some cases, these documents will also need to be translated to Arabic. If you're unable to translate these documents in your home country, there are a number of services available to do so in the UAE:
- Dubai - Al Taresh Government Services;
- Abu Dhabi - Abu Rouf & Associates;
- Across UAE - Prime Quality Translation & Interpretation.
Managing your finances when relocating to the UAE
If you're moving to the UAE to work, you will probably already have an idea of how much you'll be making every month. However, it's recommended that you plan your finances before moving, as you'll find there will be a lot of upfront payments.
It's also wise to research the different bank options in the UAE in order to make an informed decision before you commit. It's usually best to go with the same bank your company uses, but it's not required. You can find out more about this through our article about bank accounts in the UAE.
Choosing a place to live in the UAE
You won't need to make any final decisions before your actual move, but it's helpful to have a look around at the different neighborhoods you might want to live in. Take into consideration the proximity to your place of work, as well as accessibility to schools (if you're moving with children) and other amenities. This will save you a lot of time and hassle once you've arrived, as you would have narrowed it down to a handful of locations that you can start looking into.
We've got a neighbourhood guide to Dubai and a neighbourhood guide to Abu Dhabi to help you get started.
Choose your arrival airport in the UAE
No one wants a long commute after a flight, especially if they've already traveled a long way. Before booking your airline tickets, you should look into the different airports you can fly into in the UAE to ensure a comfortable arrival.
The UAE currently has 7 international airports (2 of which are in Dubai):
- Dubai International Airport;
- Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai);
- Abu Dhabi International Airport;
- Sharjah International Airport;
- Al Ain International Airport;
- Ras Al Khaimah International Airport;
- Fujairah International Airport.
You'll notice that Umm Al Qaiwain doesn't currently have an international airport. If that's where your final destination is, your best option would be to land in Sharjah. From there, it's a short thirty-minute drive to UAQ.
Find a moving company operating in the UAE
You can find excellent moving companies and get a free quote here. Alternatively, try browsing the internet for a reputable moving company. We advise choosing a company that is an affiliate of FIDI (International Federation of International Removers).
Contact the moving company and set up an appointment with one of their relocation advisers – they will come to your home to get an estimate of your items for shipment. Explain your plans to them so that they are able to determine the best shipping method for your needs.
It's important to choose a reputable moving company, one that is internationally renowned to avoid any mishaps. There are a lot of instances when people lose their belongings because of a shady transaction with a small moving company. Do your research on which company to sign up for first to have peace of mind.
Compare quotes with several moving companies so that you can weigh your options first before signing up with them. Estimate costs and note that you get what you pay for. So unbelievably low-cost relocation companies may not deliver as well as those of mid-range and above.
Don't skimp on insurance either. Better make that list of items to be shipped off so you know which to keep track of and can calculate the value of your belongings.
Take an inventory
- Make a list of all the items you wish to ship. You might find out there are some items that you might not need in the UAE.
- Make a list of the objects that require special care – glass items, art, high-value items.
- Make a list of the valuable objects that you want to be insured. Note down their value.
The inventory is important so you can obtain a quote. It will also help when you purchase moving insurance.
Understanding your quote
Once you've received the quote, it might be a bit overwhelming as there will be a lot of detailed information and perhaps even some jargon handed to you. Here's a guide to help you decipher some of the terms:
- Your address in your current country: this is where removers will come, pack, and load your belongings.
- Your destination address in the UAE: this is where removers will unload your belongings. Make sure your mover specifies it is door-to-door. Otherwise, you may have to pick them up yourself in a warehouse. Check your contract carefully.
- Your shipping volume or weight. This is usually measured in cubic meters or kg.
- Ocean or air freight. For ocean freight, there's 40ft FCL (full container load), 20ft FCL and LCL (less than container load).
- Insurance (sometimes called marine insurance). There are different tiers of insurance available that you'll have to add on to your quote. You can insure all your items or some specific valuable items. Ask your moving company for more details.
Customs in the UAE
The UAE has certain prohibitions and restrictions on goods. For example, content in audio, video, or print format that breaches local moral standards (like pornography) is not allowed. Additionally, the import of alcohol is limited.
You can read more on restricted items according to Dubai Customs, Abu Dhabi Customs, and Sharjah Customs on each of their websites.
Moving your car to the UAE
If you plan to drive in the UAE, we recommend you read our guide so that you're familiar with all the different traffic regulations, as well as how to obtain your driver's license. If you're still keen to drive and move your car to the UAE, there are a couple of things you'll need to keep in mind.
The most important thing to note is that you will need a valid residency visa in order to import your vehicle into the UAE. This means that you will not be able to arrange this before you arrive. You can, however, prepare all the other required documentation to make the process smoother once your visa is issued.
You'll need to make sure that your car is eligible to be shipped to the UAE, this means that:
- It should be a left-hand drive vehicle, as right-hand drive vehicles are not permitted;
- It should not have any tinted glass;
- It should not be more than 10 years old. If your car is older than that, you will require special permission from the relevant authorities in the emirate where you reside.
If your car is eligible to be imported to the UAE, you will need to ensure that you have the necessary documents in place:
- Your car's original invoice, which proves value and ownership;
- Your car's certificate of origin;
- Copies of your passport, visa, and driving license;
- The original shipping receipt.
Once you've gone through the process and shipped your car to the UAE, it will first have to be cleared by customs in the emirate where you reside. After clearance, you will need to pay a fee, which is usually 5% of your car's worth in the UAE (so it would be a good idea to look into what that cost would look like). In addition to this, you will need to pay customs duties (which vary depending on where you're shipping from but can amount to around AED 5,000) as well as a fee of AED 700 for customs inspection. Finally, you will also need to pay AED 60 for license plates and AED 10 to issue your clearance certificate.
You will then need to get your car tested at one of the government-approved vehicle testing centers:
- Tasjeel - Dubai, Ajman & Ras Al Khaimah;
- ADNOC VIC - Abu Dhabi, Sharjah & Umm Al Qaiwain;
- Emarat Shamil - Fujairah.
Alternatively, you can request a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Finance and Industry by submitting your clearance certificate.
Once your car has been tested, you will need to apply for vehicle insurance and register it.
Taking your pet to the UAE
If your family includes a fur baby, we've got good news! It's relatively easy to bring your pet into the UAE as long as you follow the proper procedures.
There are certain vaccinations and tests that your pet will need to take, and you will only be able to bring in a maximum of two pets with you. There are also specific dog breeds which are prohibited from entering the UAE. You can find more details on traveling with your pet to the UAE through our detailed guide.
Useful links:
Al Taresh Government Services - Translation Services in Dubai
Abu Rouf & Associates - Translation Services in Abu Dhabi
Prime Quality Translation & Interpretation
Dubai Customs - Prohibited Items
Abu Dhabi Customs - Prohibited Items
Sharjah Customs - Prohibited Items
Tasjeel Vehicle Testing - Dubai, Ajman & RAK
