Moving to...

UNITED ARAB

EMIRATES

What can we help you with?

Visa
Banking & Taxes
Housing & Renting
Healthcare
Transportation & Driving

Looking for Essentials?

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VISA & Immigration

A visa for the UAE is a permit that allows a foreigner national to enter, live and/or work in the country for a specific period of time. The type of visa or residence permit you will need depends on why you are moving to the UAE and how long you plan on staying there. Most long-term stays require a residence visa.

Types of Visas for moving to the UAE

    • This is for foreign nationals hired by a UAE based company

    • This visa lasts for usually 2-3 years (which is renewable)

    • Includes an entry permit, medical exam, Emirates ID, labor card and residence stamp

    • This is for people who are investing in or starting a business in the UAE

    • This requires a minimum investment of AED 50,000 depending on emirate/free zone

    • May require a security deposit of around AED 10,000 in some zones

    • This is for self-employed professionals

    • You are required to have a Freelance permit, portfolio or proof of experience

    • An “no objection certificate (NOC)” if you are already employed

    • This is for people working for overseas employers but living in the UAE

    • You are self-sponsored, no employed in the UAE required

    • Valid for 1 year and is renewable

    • This is for investors, exceptional talents, researchers, scientists, doctors, entrepreneurs and high-performing students

    • This requires you to have an investment of around AED 2 Million if you are not a medical professional, holder of a PhD or a high performing student

How to apply for a Visa?

Documents needed to apply for a visa:

  • Valid passport

  • passport sized photos

  • entry permit or visa approval from sponsor

  • proof of sponsor (Job contract, offer letter, business license or freelance permit)

  • Emirates ID application confirmation

  • Proof of UAE address

Step-by-step guide on how to apply for a visa:

  1. Get sponsored and secure entry permit

  2. Enter the UAE (Use the entry permit to travel to the UAE)

  3. Medical fitness test (done at approved government health centers)

  4. Apply for Emirates ID (Biometrics scan at the Federal Authority for Identify and Citizenship (ICP)

  5. Visa stamping (your residence visa is stamped in your passport and is valid for 2 or 3 years depending on sponsor and visa type)

How to get a entry permit?

Documents needed to apply for a entry permit (from you and the sponsor)

  • Valid passport

  • Passport size photo

  • Copy of sponsors Emirates ID

  • Visa application form

  • Supporting documents depending on visa type (employment contract for work visa and Trade license for investor/freelance visa)

Step-by-step guide on how to apply for an entry permit:

  1. Find a sponsor (an employer for work visa, a free zone or company for freelancers/investors or yourself for remote work or golden visa)

  2. Submit application online or through typing centers (GDFRA for Dubai and ICP/ICA for emirates)

  3. Pay the fees

  4. Wait for approval (this can take from 2-7 business days)

How to get an Emirates ID?

The Emirates ID is your official identity card in the United Arab Emirates. Think of it like a driver’s license or national ID in other countries.

Documents you need:

  • Valid passport

  • UAE residence permit

  • Entry permit

  • Passport sized photo

  • Emirates ID application form (this is done at a typing center or Public Relations Officer)

Step-by-Step guide on how to apply:

  1. Get your visa residence started (your employer must first apply for your UAE residence, once that is in progress you will become eligible to apply for an Emirates ID)

  2. Medical fitness test (Blood test and Chest X-ray, which is only for adults applying for a residence visa)

  3. Apply for Emirates ID (your sponsor or the typing center will submit your Emirates ID application to the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) )

  4. Visit ICP for biometrics (Fingerprints, Eye scan and Facial photo)

  5. Wait for approval and card issuance (Once your residence visa is stamped into your passport, your Emirates ID will be printed and sent for delivery)

Banking & Taxes

Opening a bank account in the UAE is essential for receiving your salary, managing your finances and paying for rent, utilities and day to day expenses

Documents needed to open a bank in the UAE

Here is a quick check list of what you need to open a bank account:

  • Emirates ID (or application receipt if you do not have the physical card yet)

  • Passport

  • UAE Residence Visa (visa stamp or entry permit may be accepted temporarily

  • Salary Certificate or Job Offer Letter

  • Proof of UAE address

  • NOC from employer (this can be required by certain banks)

  • Previous bank statements (this can be required by certain banks)

UAE Tax System

Good news, the UAE is known for being a very tax friendly country, especially for individuals moving there.

  • There is no personal income tax in the UAE. Your salary is 100% tax free.

  • You do not pay tax on savings, investments or property income (locally)

Do I as a foreigner need to file taxes?

No, if you are employed in the UAE and not earing business income above thresholds you do not need to file annual tax returns locally.

Business and freelancers may have to register for VAT or corporate tax, depending on income level and activity.

UAE Credit System

The credit system in the UAE is centrally managed and helps banks, lenders and landlords assess your financial trustworthiness.

Their credit scores range from 300, which is considered a poor credit, to a 900, which is considered an excellent credit score. This score is provided by the AI Etihad Credit Bureau (ACEB) which is a government agency under the UAE central bank.

How can i build a credit score in the UAE?

Building a credit score essentially paying all of your monthly expenses on time, this ranging from telecom, DEWA (this is the provider for water and electricity), credit cards and rent. If you do not do this, it will be harder to acquire loans for renting apartments, mobile plans and car financing/leasing.

Here is a quick step-by-step you as a foreigner build a great credit score as soon as you land:

  1. Pay your bills on time

  2. Keep the credit card balance low (try not to use more than 30%-40% of your card limit)

  3. Avoid applying for too many loans

  4. Do not default on loans or bounce cheques (the UAE takes this very seriously, this can hurt your score and have legal consequences)

  5. Use credit card responsibly (start with a secured credit card to build a healthy credit profile)

Healthcare

The UAE has a world-class healthcare system with modern hospitals, highly trained professionals, and English-speaking staff. However, health insurance is mandatory, and the cost of care without one can be extremely pricey.

Types of Health Insurance

    • Most common type of for working foreigners

    • Employers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are legally required to provide basic health coverage for employees

    • In Abu Dhabi, they must also insure the employee’s family

    • In Dubai, dependents must be insured separately from the employer

    • This is offered for low-income workers, domestic helpers and self-sponsored dependents

    • Required by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA)

    • This is ideal for high-income professionals, frequent travelers and foreigners who want global coverage (not just the UAE)

How to apply for Health Insurance

As it is mandatory for you to have health insurance when moving to the UAE, here is a quick breakdown of what documents you need and also a step-by-step guide on how to apply:

Documents you need:

  • Passport

  • Residency visa copy

  • Emirates ID or application receipt

  • Proof of UAE address

  • Salary certificate or bank statements (for non-basic plans)

  • Medical history form

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Determine your sponsor type

  2. Check if your employer provides insurance

  3. Choose a plan based on your needs

  4. Apply online or via an agent (submit all the documents mentioned above)

  5. Pay the premium (annually or in monthly installments)

  6. Get your insurance card or e-card!

Housing & Renting

The UAE offers a very wide range of housing options depending on your location and budget. Most foreigner rent rather than buy, and housing can range from luxury villas to budget apartments.

Types of housing in the UAE

    • Most common choice

    • Available studios are 1BHK, 2BHK and up (BHK stand for Bedroom, Hall and Kitchen

    • Found in high-rises and towers (often with pool and gym access)

    • Ideal for families or those wanting more space and privacy

    • Often in gated communities with parks, pools and schools nearby

    • Budget friendly option, common for single movers

    • You rent a room in a shared apartment or villa

How to rent a home in the UAE

Renting in the UAE is a common choice for newcomers, with options ranging from high-rise apartments to villas.

Documents you need:

  • Passport copy

  • Residence visa

  • Emirates ID

  • Salary Certificate

  • Security Deposit (5% of the annual rent)

Step-by-step guide on how to rent a home:

  1. Search online or via an agent

  2. Visit the property

  3. Negotiate rent

  4. Submit all the documents mentioned above

  5. Sign the Tenancy contract (standard lease is 12 months)

  6. Register Ejari (This is mandatory for Dubai tenants only)

  7. Set up utilities (DEWA for electricity and water in Dubai, Internet and cooling)

NEVER RENT RENT WITHOUT A CONTRACT, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU GET A WRITTEN LEASE YOU AND THE LANDLORD SIGN.

Driving & Transportation

The UAE offers very modern public transport, especially in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but owning or renting a car is very common due to high temperatures, wide roads, and spread out urban areas.

Can foreigners drive in UAE?

If you are from certain countries, you are able to exchange your foreign drivers license for a UAE driving license without taking a test.

These are the countries that can exchange their foreign drivers license to a UAE driving license:

  • Austria

  • Belgium

  • Denmark

  • Finland

  • France

  • Germany

  • Greece

  • Ireland

  • Italy

  • Netherlands

  • Norway

  • Poland

  • Portugal

  • Romania

  • Spain

  • Sweden

  • Switzerland

  • Czech Republic

  • Hungary

  • Slovakia

  • Slovenia

  • Luxembourg

  • United Kingdom

  • North America

  • Canada

  • Australia

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Bahrain

  • Kuwait

  • Oman

  • Qatar

  • Japan

  • Singapore

  • South Korea

  • Hong Kong

  • Malaysia

  • China

If you are not from the countries listed above, you will have to take driving classes and pass the UAE driving test. You are required to have:

  • Residency Visa

  • Emirates ID

  • Eye test (done at driving schools or approved centers)

How to exchange your foreign drivers license?

For the citizens of the countries mentioned above, here is the documents you need and a step-by-step guide on how to exchange your drivers license:

Documents you need:

  • Original passport

  • Valid residence visa

  • Emirates ID (or an application receipt)

  • Original foreign driving license

  • Legal Arabic translation of the license (if the license is not in English or Arabic)

  • Eye test certificate from an approved optician or driving center

  • Passport sized photos

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Get an eye test (done at an RTA approved optical center)

  2. Translate your foreign license (if it is needed)

  3. Visit the traffic authority office

  4. Submit documents and pay the fees

  5. GET YOUR UAE DRIVING LICENSE (it can be issued the same day or within 1-2 working days)

The UAE driving license is valid for 2 years initially for foreigners, but is renewable after that with another eye test!

Renting a car in UAE

You can rent a car with your home country license and passport (some rental companies may require you to have an international driving permit) for short stays or while waiting for your residence permit.

Here are all the documents you could need to rent a car in the UAE:

  • Passport

  • Visa copy

  • Valid driving license (with translation or IDP if it is not in English)

  • Credit card (this is required for a security deposit, they do not accept debit cards)

Public Transportation Options

    • Fast, clean and fully automated

    • Two main lines (red and green) cover major areas like Downtown, Marina, Bur Dubai, Airport (DXB) and Expo

    • Operates from 5am to midnight and only 1 am on weekends

    • Women-only carriages are available

    • Extensive networks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah

    • Affordable, air conditioned and with clear schedules

    • Often slower due to traffic

    • Covers Dubai Marina, JBR and Media City

    • Connects with metro and Palm Monorail

    • Water Taxis and Abras in Dubai, very scenic and traditional

    • Fares vary from company to company

    • Readily available and metered

    • Both cash and card are accepted

    • Ride hailing services are Careem and Uber