Moving to the UAE involves visa sponsorship, finding housing, opening a bank account, getting an Emirates ID, and adapting to local life. This guide covers everything you need to settle in within the first month.
Visa types
- Employment Visa: most common, sponsored by your employer. 2-year validity, renewable.
- Investor / Partner Visa: for shareholders in UAE companies, 2–10 years.
- Golden Visa (5–10 years): for skilled professionals, investors (AED 2M+), top students, scientists, athletes.
- Green Visa (5 years): self-sponsored for skilled freelancers, recent grads.
- Family Visa: sponsored by a UAE resident family member (minimum salary AED 4,000 for spouse/kids).
- Retirement Visa (5 years): age 55+ with property of AED 1M+ or savings of AED 1M+.
- Student Visa: through accredited UAE universities.
Cost of living (monthly, in AED)
| Item | Single | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR / 3BR) | 5,000–10,000 | 10,000–20,000 |
| DEWA (electricity + water) | 250–600 | 800–2,000 |
| Internet + TV | 300 | 500 |
| Mobile | 200 | 400 |
| Groceries | 1,200 | 3,500 |
| Transport (Metro/Tax/fuel) | 500–1,500 | 2,000–4,000 |
| Health insurance | included by employer | 1,500–3,000 (extras) |
| Schooling (per child) | — | 2,500–8,000 |
| Dining out, leisure | 1,500 | 3,000 |
| Total est. | 10,000–15,000 | 25,000–45,000 |
Sharjah, Ajman: 30–40% cheaper than Dubai. Abu Dhabi similar to Dubai but less party / luxury options.
Settling-in checklist
- Receive employment visa & entry permit.
- Land in UAE → 60 days to complete medical fitness test & biometrics.
- Medical test: blood test + chest X-ray (~AED 250–500).
- Emirates ID biometrics at ICP center (fingerprints + photo).
- Residence visa stamping in passport.
- Open bank account: salary certificate + Emirates ID + passport. Top banks: Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB, Mashreq.
- Find housing: short-term hotel apartment (1–2 months) → annual lease (Ejari registration).
- DEWA / SEWA / FEWA account: connect electricity + water (~AED 2,000 deposit).
- Etisalat / du mobile + internet at home.
- UAE driving license: convert if eligible, else enroll in driving school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum salary for family sponsorship in UAE?
AED 4,000/month for spouse and children sponsorship. Some categories require AED 10,000+.
Can I move to UAE without a job?
Yes — through Golden Visa (investment), Green Visa (freelancer), Retirement Visa, or Property Visa (AED 750K+ property).
Is UAE income tax-free?
Yes — no personal income tax. 5% VAT applies to most goods/services. Corporate tax 9% applies to businesses with profit > AED 375K.
What's the cheapest emirate to live in?
Sharjah, Ajman, and UAQ are cheapest. RAK and Fujairah are also affordable. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are most expensive.