This guide covers moving to Dubai and the rest of the UAE in 2026, step by step: residence visas, Emirates ID, tax, health insurance and family sponsorship.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
Several rules that most “moving to Dubai” articles still describe have changed since 2025: corporate tax relief for small businesses has been extended, health insurance is now compulsory in the northern emirates, Dubai has eased its property-linked residence visa, and Abu Dhabi has frozen rents. If you read an older guide, check each point below against it.
| Change | What it means for you | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business Relief extended to 2029 | Businesses with revenue of AED 3 million or less can continue to elect relief for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029 (previously 31 December 2026), under Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026 | In force (announced 7 August 2026) |
| Compulsory health insurance in the northern emirates | Since 1 January 2025, private-sector employers in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah must buy a policy before issuing or renewing a residence permit. The basic package costs AED 320 a year | In force; staff with older permits move onto it at renewal |
| Dubai two-year property visa eased | The AED 750,000 minimum property value for a single owner has been removed; joint owners each need a share worth at least AED 400,000 | Reported in April 2026; confirm with Dubai Land Department before buying |
| Abu Dhabi rent freeze | Since 2 June 2026, renewals in Abu Dhabi are at the same rent, and a new contract on a previously let unit cannot exceed its last registered rent | In force until further notice |
| Wider visa on arrival | Indian nationals holding a valid visa or residence permit from Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada (in addition to the US, UK and EU) can get a 14-day or 60-day visa on arrival | In force (since February 2025) |
Correcting a common assumption: If you have read that Small Business Relief “ends in 2026”, that is out of date. The relief has been extended to tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029. The 9% corporate tax rate on profits above AED 375,000 is unchanged.
Watch this space: Nationals of some countries can be affected by sudden visa suspensions on health or security grounds (for example, new visa issuance for nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan was suspended from 6 June 2026). Check the ICP or GDRFA website for your nationality before you book flights.
Is the UAE right for you?
The UAE suits people who want a high tax-free salary, excellent safety and global flight connections, and who can accept high housing costs, summer heat and residence that is tied to a job, business or investment rather than leading to citizenship.
| Upside | Downside |
|---|---|
| No personal income tax on salary | 5% VAT on most purchases; housing is expensive in Dubai |
| Very safe, well-run cities with strong infrastructure | Summer temperatures that restrict outdoor life for several months |
| Visa routes for employees, freelancers, investors and retirees | Most residence is conditional: lose the job or licence and you have a limited grace period to find another sponsor or leave |
| Large international school sector | School fees can be very high (see the cost section below) |
| Two hours or less by air to much of the Gulf, eight hours or less to most of Europe | No standard route to citizenship for most expats; long-term planning relies on the Golden Visa |
For a fuller, more personal take, read What Is It Like Living in the UAE as an Expat? and Is the UAE a Good Place to Live?.
Choosing a visa route
Most people move to the UAE on an employer-sponsored work and residence visa; the main alternatives are the five-year Green Visa (self-sponsored), the ten-year Golden Visa, a free zone or mainland business licence, or a family visa sponsored by a resident spouse or parent.
| Route | Who it suits | Key threshold (2026) | Typical validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment visa | Anyone with a UAE job offer | Employer sponsors you | Usually 2 years, renewable |
| Green Visa – skilled worker | Graduates in skilled roles who want independence from their employer | Bachelor’s degree, MoHRE skill level 1 to 3, salary of at least AED 15,000 a month | 5 years, renewable |
| Green Visa – freelancer / self-employed | Independent professionals | MoHRE freelance permit, degree or specialised diploma, at least AED 360,000 a year in freelance income for each of the past two years | 5 years, renewable |
| Green Visa – investor / partner | Business owners | Total UAE investment of at least AED 1 million, with the required licences | 5 years, renewable |
| Golden Visa – skilled professional | Senior professionals | Basic salary of at least AED 30,000 a month, MoHRE level 1 or 2, bachelor’s degree | 10 years |
| Golden Visa – property investor | Buyers | Property worth at least AED 2 million | 10 years |
| Golden Visa – deposit or company investor | Investors | AED 2 million deposit or company stake (deposit frozen for 2 years) | 10 years |
| Dubai property-linked visa | Smaller property owners in Dubai | Sole owner (minimum value removed in 2026) or joint owners with at least AED 400,000 each | 2 years |
| Business owner (free zone or mainland) | Entrepreneurs | Company licence; the company sponsors you | Usually 2 to 3 years |
| Family visa | Spouses, children and parents | Sponsor earns at least AED 4,000 a month (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation) | Linked to sponsor; parents 1 year at a time |
Note on Golden Visa terms: Validity and evidence rules can differ by emirate and category, and several categories (content creators, educators, long-serving nurses and others) rely on nomination by a specific body. Confirm the exact term with the issuing authority before you apply.
Our dedicated guides go deeper: UAE Residence Visa: Requirements & Application and UAE Golden Visa: Requirements & Application. If your case is unusual (a career gap, a refused application, a complex family situation), a specialist can save weeks: browse visa lawyers in the UAE, or read How to Find an Immigration Lawyer in the UAE.
The residence and Emirates ID process
You do not get a visa sticker in your passport any more: since 2022 the Emirates ID card has been the proof of UAE residence, and the residence visa and Emirates ID are applied for together. The sequence below is the standard one for an employee; business owners and Green or Golden Visa applicants follow broadly the same steps with themselves or their company as sponsor.
| Step | What happens | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Entry permit | Your sponsor obtains an entry permit so you can enter the UAE on a residence track (or you change status from a visit visa inside the country) | Employer, company or family sponsor |
| 2. Arrive and start the clock | You enter the UAE and complete the residence process within the entry permit’s validity | You |
| 3. Medical fitness test | Blood test and chest X-ray at an approved centre for everyone aged 18 and over | You, at a government-approved centre |
| 4. Biometrics | Fingerprints and photograph for the Emirates ID | You, at an ICP or typing centre |
| 5. Health insurance | Proof of an approved policy is needed before residence is issued in every emirate | Employer (and sponsor for dependants in Dubai) |
| 6. Residence and Emirates ID issued | Residence is recorded electronically and the Emirates ID card is delivered | ICP (or GDRFA in Dubai) |
| 7. Work permit / labour card | MoHRE work permit for mainland employees; free zone authority for free zone staff | Employer |
How long does it take? For mainland employees in Dubai, the government’s Work Bundle platform combines the separate work permit and residence services into one: it cut the process from 15 steps to 5, from 16 documents to 5, from 7 visits to 2, and from about 30 working days to 5. It launched in Dubai first and is being extended to other emirates gradually. Outside the Work Bundle, timings vary by emirate and by how quickly your employer submits documents.
Do not let your medical lapse. The medical certificate is valid only for a limited period before the residence application must be filed. Check the current window with your typing centre so that you do not pay for a second test.
Overstaying is expensive. The overstay fine is AED 50 a day once any grace period has ended. The safest course is never to rely on the grace period at all. For other legal questions, you can find legal services in the UAE in our directory.
Once your Emirates ID arrives, almost everything else unlocks: bank accounts, tenancy registration (Ejari in Dubai, Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi), utilities, a mobile contract and a driving licence. Our Moving to the UAE: Complete Checklist puts each task in order.
Bringing your family
You can sponsor your spouse and children once you hold UAE residence and earn at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 a month plus employer-provided accommodation; your profession no longer matters.
| Family member | Main rule |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Sponsor must meet the salary test; marriage certificate attested and, where needed, translated into Arabic |
| Children | Sons can be sponsored up to age 25; unmarried daughters and children with special needs have no age limit |
| Parents | Residence is issued for one year at a time, whatever the length of the sponsor’s own visa |
| Mothers as sponsors | A mother may sponsor her children only in special cases approved by the ICP |
All dependants aged 18 or over must pass the medical test. Attested marriage and birth certificates are the most common cause of delay, so start the attestation process in your home country early; see Certified Translation Services in the UAE.
Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Dubai offers more jobs in trade, tourism, media and finance, a larger rental market and a busier social scene; Abu Dhabi is the capital, centred on government, energy and a growing financial centre, and it is noticeably cheaper to rent in, with more generous employer health insurance rules.
| Factor | Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
|---|---|---|
| Average annual rent, studio* | about AED 52,000 | about AED 30,000 |
| Average annual rent, one-bedroom* | about AED 91,000 | about AED 59,000 |
| Average annual rent, two-bedroom* | about AED 150,000 | about AED 92,000 |
| Health insurance for dependants | Employer covers the employee; the visa sponsor must insure dependants | Employers and sponsors must cover the employee and family (one spouse and up to three children under 18) |
| Tenancy registration | Ejari | Tawtheeq |
| Immigration authority | GDRFA Dubai | ICP |
| Monthly public transport | Nol Silver monthly card from AED 140 | Monthly bus pass about AED 95 |
| Utilities, apartment (monthly) | about AED 500 to 1,100 | about AED 370 to 1,000 |
*Averages from a Bayut comparison last updated in May 2025. Rents move quickly, so treat these figures as a guide rather than a quotation.
The Dubai health insurance trap: In Dubai, your employer is required to insure you, but not necessarily your spouse and children. If your offer letter says “medical insurance provided”, ask in writing whether it covers dependants. In Abu Dhabi, family cover is part of the employer’s obligation.
Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah are popular with people who want lower rents and are willing to commute. Compare neighbourhoods in Best Places to Live in the UAE.
Cost of living and housing
Housing is by far the largest cost for UAE expats: a one-bedroom apartment averages roughly AED 59,000 a year in Abu Dhabi and AED 91,000 a year in Dubai, and landlords have traditionally expected rent in one to four cheques in advance.
| Cost item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom rent (annual) | AED 59,000 (Abu Dhabi) to AED 91,000 (Dubai) | See the Dubai vs Abu Dhabi table above |
| Utilities (apartment, monthly) | AED 370 to 1,100 | Higher in summer because of air conditioning |
| Internet and TV (monthly) | From about AED 400 | Similar across emirates |
| International school fees (annual, British curriculum) | AED 18,000 to 90,000 (Dubai); AED 20,000 to 80,000 (Abu Dhabi) | IB schools run higher, up to AED 130,000 to 150,000 |
| Basic health insurance (northern emirates) | AED 320 a year | Minimum legal cover; most professionals want more |
| VAT | 5% | On most goods and services |
You will usually pay a security deposit, an agency fee and a tenancy registration fee on top of rent. Detailed budgets are in Cost of Living in the UAE for Expats, and the one-off costs of the move itself are in How Much Does It Cost to Move to the UAE?.
If you are renting first (which most newcomers should), read Renting in the UAE: Complete Expat Guide. If you are buying, possibly to qualify for a property-linked visa, read How to Buy Property in the UAE as a Foreigner and How to Find an Estate Agent in the UAE, or go straight to UAE housing listings and real estate agents.
Tax: what expats pay
The UAE does not tax individuals on their income, but it does charge 5% VAT, excise tax on certain goods, and 9% corporate tax on business profits above AED 375,000.
| Tax | Rate / threshold | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| Personal income tax | None | Employees pay nothing in the UAE on salary |
| VAT | 5% | Everyone, on most purchases |
| Corporate tax | 0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income; 9% above | Companies, and individuals whose UAE business turnover exceeds AED 1 million in a calendar year |
| Small Business Relief | Revenue of AED 3 million or less; available for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029 | Small companies and freelancers who elect it |
| Excise tax | Varies by product | Goods such as tobacco and sugary drinks |
The tax-free headline is not the whole story. Paying no UAE income tax does not necessarily mean you stop owing tax at home. US citizens remain taxable on worldwide income, and UK and other European movers need to break residence correctly and may still owe tax on home-country income such as rent or pensions. Take advice before you leave, not after.
For more detail read Taxes for Expats Living in the UAE and Expat Tax Advisers in the UAE, or browse tax advisors in the UAE.
Healthcare and health insurance
Health insurance is mandatory for residents in every emirate, and you cannot get or renew a residence visa without it; the minimum basic package in the northern emirates costs AED 320 a year, while Dubai and Abu Dhabi have their own mandatory schemes.
| Feature of the basic (AED 320) package | Detail |
|---|---|
| Inpatient | 20% co-payment, capped at AED 500 per visit and AED 1,000 a year |
| Outpatient | 25% co-payment, capped at AED 100 per visit; free follow-up within 7 days |
| Medication | 30% co-payment, capped at AED 1,500 a year |
| Pre-existing and chronic conditions | Covered without a waiting period |
| Not covered | Pregnancy, childbirth and dental care |
| Policy term | Two years; the second-year premium is refundable if the visa is cancelled |
Basic cover is a legal minimum, not a recommendation. The basic package excludes maternity and dental care and limits where you can be treated. If you are moving with a family, planning a pregnancy, or want treatment outside the UAE, you will need a fuller private or international policy.
Learn how the system works in Healthcare in the UAE for Expats and compare cover in Health Insurance for Expats in the UAE. To find a GP who speaks English, see How to Find an English-Speaking Doctor in the UAE or browse healthcare providers.
Work, business and banking
Most expats arrive with a job already secured, because the employer sponsors the visa; if you are self-employed, a free zone licence or a MoHRE freelance permit is the usual route, and corporate tax registration may apply.
- Finding work: See Working in the UAE as an Expat for contracts, end-of-service gratuity and notice periods, and Jobs for English Speakers in the UAE for sectors that are hiring. Browse employment services.
- Starting a business: Free zones allow full foreign ownership within the zone; mainland companies can trade across the UAE. Compare the two in How to Start a Business in the UAE as a Foreigner and find accountants to handle corporate tax registration.
- Banking: You will normally need your Emirates ID to open a full current account, so expect to rely on a home-country card for your first weeks. See How to Open a Bank Account in the UAE or browse banks and financial services.
Schools, driving and settling in
Families should apply for school places as early as possible, because popular international schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi fill up and fees vary enormously by curriculum.
| Curriculum | Annual fees, Dubai (AED) | Annual fees, Abu Dhabi (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Indian | 10,000 to 35,000 | 10,000 to 30,000 |
| British | 18,000 to 90,000 | 20,000 to 80,000 |
| American | 19,000 to 95,000 | 25,000 to 100,000 |
| IB | 45,000 to 130,000 | 50,000 to 150,000 |
Fee ranges are from a Bayut comparison last updated in May 2025; check each school’s current fee schedule. See International Schools in the UAE and Best International Schools in the UAE, or browse education providers.
Driving: Many nationalities can convert their home licence once they are resident; others must take UAE lessons and tests. The rules differ by nationality, so read How to Get a Driving Licence in the UAE and Driving in the UAE as a Foreigner. Utilities and transport providers are listed under transport and utilities.
Shipping your belongings: Get at least three quotes and confirm whether customs clearance and delivery are included. Our Best International Moving Companies for the UAE explains what to compare, and relocation services can handle the whole process. For clubs, communities and social life, browse lifestyle and community listings.
Your moving timeline
Allow three to six months from job offer to settled home, with document attestation and school applications started first because they take longest.
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| 3 to 6 months before | Attest degree, marriage and birth certificates; apply for school places; take tax advice in your home country |
| 2 to 3 months before | Accept offer and confirm what insurance and housing allowance cover; get removal quotes |
| 1 month before | Employer applies for your entry permit; book temporary accommodation |
| Week 1 to 2 in the UAE | Medical test, biometrics, health insurance, Emirates ID |
| Week 2 to 6 | Open bank account, sign and register tenancy, set up utilities, apply for family visas |
| Month 2 to 3 | Convert driving licence, enrol children, settle in |
The full step-by-step list is in Moving to the UAE: Complete Checklist. For local help at each stage, browse our UAE expat directory.
Frequently asked questions
