Moving to Dubai: a practical guide
Dubai attracts expats with its skyline, no personal income tax on salaries, strong infrastructure and global connections. Whether you are moving for career opportunities, business or investment, the first question is the same: which residency visa fits your situation, and what will the move cost?
This guide covers the main residency routes, family sponsorship, property rules, cost of living and a relocation checklist. Thresholds are set by the authorities and change, so confirm them on the official UAE portals before you apply.
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Residency routes at a glance
| Route | Who it suits | Key requirement | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment visa | Professionals with a UAE employer | Sponsorship by a UAE-based employer | Tied to the job; renewable |
| Property investor visa | Buyers of a single property | Sole ownership of property worth AED 750,000 or more | 2 years, renewable |
| Golden Visa through property | Larger investors | Registered property value of AED 2,000,000 or more in a designated freehold area | 10 years, renewable |
| Golden Visa for talent | Entrepreneurs, executives, scientists and outstanding graduates | Meeting the category’s criteria | 5 or 10 years, renewable |
Step 1: Choose the right Dubai residency visa
Pick the route that matches why you are moving. The routes below cover most expats.
1. Property investor visa (2-year residency)
For people who buy property in Dubai and want residency without an employer sponsor.
- Property value: AED 750,000 or more, in sole ownership
- Validity: 2 years (renewable)
- What it gives you: standard residency, without the longer term and wider benefits of the Golden Visa
2. UAE Golden Visa (5 or 10-year residency)
The Golden Visa is for investors, entrepreneurs, highly skilled professionals and exceptional students.
- Property route: property worth AED 2,000,000 or more, registered in your name in a designated freehold area; several properties can be combined to reach the total
- Talent routes: entrepreneurs, executives and scientists in high-demand sectors, and outstanding graduates and PhD holders
- Validity: 5 or 10 years (renewable); the property route gives 10 years
- Key benefits: no employer sponsor needed and no minimum stay requirement, so you can spend time outside the UAE
The test for the property route is the registered value of the property, not what you paid or hoped it was worth. Off-plan purchases can qualify if the developer is registered and approved, and mortgaged property can qualify with a bank no-objection certificate. Rules on how much of the price must be paid have changed recently, so confirm the current position with the land department or a registered adviser before you commit.
3. Dubai work visa for professionals
- Sponsored by a UAE-based employer
- Lets you work and live in Dubai while the job lasts
- Common in tech, healthcare, finance and engineering
- Employers usually handle the application and the medical and Emirates ID steps
The UAE has moved most visa steps online, so much of the process can be completed through official portals and registered typing centres.
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Step 2: Sponsor your family
Once your Dubai residency visa is approved, you can apply for a family visa. Employers and employees with a valid UAE residence visa can sponsor family members.
Eligibility and requirements
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Minimum salary | AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation |
| Job title | Not a factor: employees can sponsor family whatever their title, if the salary test is met |
| Who can be sponsored | A spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25, and children with special needs |
| Medical test | Family members aged 18 and over must pass a medical fitness test at an approved centre in the UAE |
| Link to your visa | Dependents’ permits depend on yours; if your visa is cancelled, theirs must be cancelled too, with a 6-month grace period to arrange a new permit |
You will normally also need your marriage and children’s birth certificates, attested for UAE use, a tenancy contract or proof of property ownership, and health insurance for your dependents. Requirements can change, so confirm the document list with the official authority before you apply.
Spouses can work in Dubai, but they need a job and a work permit arranged through an employer.
Worked example (hypothetical)
Ade is offered a job paying AED 5,000 a month. That meets the AED 4,000 test, so he can sponsor his wife and their 8-year-old son once his own residence visa is issued. His colleague earns AED 3,200 a month and has no company housing, so she falls short of both tests; if her employer adds accommodation, the AED 3,000 plus accommodation option would apply.
Step 3: Buying property as an expat
Expats can buy freehold property in designated areas such as:
- Dubai Marina
- Palm Jumeirah
- Downtown Dubai
- Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)
What buying involves
- Registration fee: 4% of the purchase price, paid to the land department
- Agent fee: commonly around 2%, which is negotiable
- Mortgages: banks lend to expats, but the size of the down payment depends on the bank, your profile and the property, so ask lenders for a written estimate
- Visa costs: a property-based visa has its own fees for the valuation letter, application, medical test and Emirates ID, so budget for them separately
Tip: buying is not required to live in Dubai. Many expats rent for the first year while they learn which areas suit them.
Step 4: Understanding the cost of living
Dubai has a high standard of living, and what you spend depends on lifestyle and family size. Use current listings and quotes rather than old averages, because rents and school fees move quickly.
| Area | What to know |
|---|---|
| Housing | Usually the largest cost. Areas such as JVC, Al Nahda and Dubai Silicon Oasis are often cheaper than Marina or Downtown |
| Transport | Metro, buses and taxis; many people choose where to live based on a metro line |
| Food | Supermarkets such as Carrefour, Lulu and Spinneys offer a range of prices |
| Schooling | International schools teach British, American and IB curricula, and fees vary widely |
| Taxes | No personal income tax on salary, but VAT applies to most purchases |
Before you commit, compare the cost of living in Dubai with other major cities, and check what your offer includes, such as housing or school allowances.
Step 5: Healthcare
Dubai has public and private hospitals, and most expats use private care through insurance.
Healthcare requirements for expats
- Health insurance is mandatory. Employers provide cover for employees, and you arrange cover for dependents where required.
- Medical tests for residency. Applicants are screened, and family members aged 18 and over must pass a medical fitness test.
Private hospitals commonly used by expats
- Mediclinic
- Saudi German Hospital
- American Hospital Dubai
Tip: compare the networks, co-payments and annual limits of insurance plans, not just the price.
Step 6: Relocation checklist
- Confirm your visa route and the exact thresholds that apply to you.
- Complete the medical test and Emirates ID steps. The Emirates ID is essential for renting, banking and utilities.
- Find housing. Decide whether to rent first or buy property in Dubai as an expat.
- Sort schools early. Apply in good time for the best-rated international schools.
- Arrange insurance for you and your dependents.
- Join expat communities and forums to learn neighbourhood and commuting tips.
Is Dubai right for you?
Dubai suits some people better than others. It works well for:
- Professionals who want no personal income tax on salary and a large international job market
- Investors who understand the property rules and fees
- Families who can budget for private schooling and health insurance
- Entrepreneurs who are ready to deal with licensing and company costs
Weigh the trade-offs too: your residence is tied to your visa and sponsor, rent can take a large share of income, and summers are very hot.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy property to live in Dubai?
No. Most expats live in Dubai on an employer-sponsored visa and rent. Property visas are an option, not a requirement.
What salary do I need to bring my family?
AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, regardless of job title.
Can my spouse work?
Yes, with a job offer and a work permit arranged through an employer.
How much property do I need for a Golden Visa?
Registered property value of AED 2,000,000 or more, in a designated freehold area, for a 10-year visa. A lower threshold of AED 750,000 applies to the 2-year property investor visa.
Do I need an agent to apply?
Not necessarily. Most steps can be completed online or through registered typing centres, though many employers handle the process for staff.
Final thoughts
A successful move to Dubai starts with choosing the right visa and checking the thresholds that apply to you. Once residency is approved, you can sponsor your spouse and children if you meet the salary and housing conditions, your spouse can work with a permit, and the UAE’s online portals let you complete most steps without an agent. Budget for housing, schooling and insurance, and keep your documents current.
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