Dubai and Abu Dhabi are among the luxury cities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which are often dreamed of by the international community. All tourists are fascinated by the luxury of both cities, and even Dubai has been named one of the best cities for tourists to visit in 2020 by Lonely Planet.
A new life in Dubai could well be one of the most exciting experiences you’ll ever enjoy. However, living in Dubai like any new country can be daunting, especially if you lack practical knowledge of how things are done locally.
Ready to set up your plan to move to Dubai?
Here’s your most important moving to Dubai advice from @financepapi.
🇦🇪 MOVING TO DUBAI THREAD 🇦🇪
✅- Job search and VISA process
✅- Arriving in Dubai and the procedures
✅- Budgeting, accommodation and travel
✅- General tips and opinions pic.twitter.com/sm9b36nfuH
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
The sites for searching for jobs in Dubai include:
✅- GulfTalent
✅- Indeed AE
✅- Vacancies AE
✅- NaukriGulf
Many of the jobs are in:
✅- Finance and Accounting
✅- Banking
✅- Oil
✅- Teaching
✅- Retail
✅- Service work
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
Your sponsoring company/employer should sort your Work Permit which gives you 60 days to complete the formalities associated with moving to Dubai
This includes:
– Medical testing
– Fingerprint scanning
– obtaining UAE Resident Identity (Emirates ID Card)
– Work Permit stamp pic.twitter.com/nZRyzkPHj3— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
Your employer should arrange for your medical screening
YOU MUST PASS TO WORK IN THE COUNTRY
You will then need to go to the Emirates ID (EID) service center for your EID application and biometrics
They will scan your fingerprint and take photos for your EID pic.twitter.com/lFyQCIf9GX
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
Health insurance is mandatory in the UAE
It is likely your employer will cover the cost of the insurance and tell you how to apply for it
If not, there are resources on the Internet that will tell you how to apply individually pic.twitter.com/lSkZFiDaD2
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
Your employer will likely have a chosen bank account provider they use and you can sign up to them
I’m with Emirates NBD
The account requires a minimum AED 15,000 monthly salary
It comes with the Entertainer booklet which is worth AED 50,000 through exclusive discounts pic.twitter.com/KUinYzUd79
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
You will be given your Emirates ID tracking number
You can check which stage of the process it is at
Once it has been printed, it is usually delivered to a Post Office
You may arrange for it to be delivered to you or you can collect it yourself
EID is vital for living here
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
Budgeting
This will be personal to you
Your initial costs will depend on your accommodation and length of stay, whether you choose to buy or rent a car, your food choices etc.
I’d say the minimum is ~£5K until you get paid
I recommend using a Monzo or Revolut account to start pic.twitter.com/nL0xB55QdX
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
Accommodation
Until you get your EID, you’ll probably have to stay in hotels and Airbnb
You can add filters for places with free Internet, bills included, gym etc.
Once you get your EID, 3 places to search for a longer stay are:
✅- Dubizzle
✅- PropertyFinder
✅- Bayut pic.twitter.com/Klh9Jy2Zau
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
You will have way more options if you search for “Unfurnished” rather than “Furnished”
Many furniture and electric goods providers will come and install everything, often at no extra cost
This is a higher upfront cost than Furnished, but you will likely save over the long term
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
Travel
Here’s a guide for converting a UK licence to a UAE licencehttps://t.co/l0S1jQc8G5
You’re looking at around 1000 AED
You will need this to buy or rent a car
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
The second-hand car market is similar to the UK
Check out Dubizzle for cars
Depending on personal taste, you’ll be looking at anywhere between £3000 – £10,000 for a decent car
Cars with GCC specs are often better as they are modified to suit the UAE environment pic.twitter.com/z4MR0eLfNd
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
Dubai has a brilliant metro system that is both affordable and fast
Taxis are affordable and there are apps such as Careem that operate similarly to Uber for booking travel
Fuel is cheaper than the UK
Your decision behind buying a car will likely depend on where you live pic.twitter.com/3Ch2Vvqckh
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
General tips
Prior to moving, I joined a Facebook group called “Brits in Dubai” that were able to answer questions I had
Carrefour and W Mart have been my favourite low cost supermarkets
It’s as expensive as you make it: I paid AED 20 for one haircut, AED 80 for another pic.twitter.com/XArLXuw0ej
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
I already have friends here so socialising was relatively easy
Because of my sneaker business, I’ve made friends with other resellers and shop staff
The same can be applied if you join sports clubs, cooking classes, gyms etc.
There are a lot of expats in the same boat
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
Drinking in public is illegal
However, there are many clubs and bars here, including all-day brunches that will save you money
The cost of eating out is more costly than the UK: I usually spend at least £30 eating out
There are malls with almost any shop you can think of pic.twitter.com/w06gmzvpde
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
You won’t get taxed on your income
The weather is beautiful (for some, it may be unbearable)
I feel safe and welcome here
The people are friendly and helpful
It’s a place that has broken many records and with plenty of sights to see and experience
I love it pic.twitter.com/YEni1k2TtG
— financepapi (@financepapi_) May 28, 2020
Sources: Financepapi
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