Moving to Dubai for work

Moving to Dubai for work follows a fairly predictable order: a job offer, then your work permit and residence visa, then your Emirates ID, then everything that depends on it, from a bank account to a tenancy contract. The exact steps and timing vary depending on your visa route and who is sponsoring you, so treat this as the overview. Each step links to a detailed guide.

Key facts

• Most people move on an employment visa sponsored by their employer. Freelancers and business owners have their own routes.
• Your residence visa and Emirates ID unlock most of the rest: banking, renting, a phone contract.
• The UAE does not currently levy personal income tax on individuals, so salaries are not taxed here. Other UAE taxes and your home country’s tax rules may still apply, and rent is usually the biggest monthly cost, so budget for it first.
• Genuine employers do not charge you to get a job. UAE law prohibits employers and licensed recruiters from charging workers recruitment or employment fees. Treat any request to pay a “visa fee” or “processing fee” in exchange for a job as a warning sign, and verify offers through the employer’s official channel. See the UAE employment law on work permits and worker fees.

Step 1: Find a job before you move

Many people arrive with a job offer already in hand, because the offer is what starts the work-permit and visa process. Search live jobs in Dubai and the UAE, browse by role, or look at remote jobs open to UAE residents.

Two other routes are worth knowing about:

• Recruitment agencies place candidates in many sectors, and legitimate ones are licensed. See our guide to recruitment agencies in Dubai, including how to check a licence and spot scams.
• Government jobs are advertised through official portals rather than job boards. Our Dubai government jobs page explains where to look.

Step 2: Get the right visa

Which visa you need depends on how you will work. The steps below are typical for an employer-sponsored route; free-zone and other routes can differ, so check the detailed guide for your situation.

• Employed by a UAE company: your employer sponsors your work permit and employment visa. For mainland roles, this is an employer-led process through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Our Dubai work visa guide covers each stage, the documents you will need and typical timing. See also the UAE government’s overview of recruiting on the mainland.
• Working for yourself: a freelance permit or visa lets you work with multiple clients without an employer sponsor. See the freelance visa guide for the main routes and what they cost.
• Starting a business: setting up a company, in a free zone or on the mainland, can also give you a residence visa. Read company setup in Dubai.

A visit visa or job-seeker visa does not by itself authorise employment. Do not start work until the required work authorisation is in place.

Step 3: Medical test and Emirates ID

For most residence routes, after you enter the UAE the process includes a medical fitness test and biometrics (fingerprints and photo) for your Emirates ID. Your employer or visa provider usually arranges the appointments, though this varies by route. The work visa guide explains what happens at each stage, and the UAE government publishes medical fitness requirements for a residence visa.

Keep your passport, visa and Emirates ID application details to hand in your first few weeks. You will need them repeatedly.

Step 4: Open a bank account

Most employers pay salaries into a UAE bank account. Requirements vary by bank, but many resident accounts ask for your residence visa and Emirates ID, or proof that your Emirates ID is being processed. Confirm what your chosen bank accepts before you apply. Our bank account guide covers what banks ask for, salary-transfer accounts and digital banks.

Step 5: Find somewhere to live

Renting in Dubai has its own conventions, from paying rent in a small number of cheques (a common market practice rather than a fixed rule) to registering your contract with Ejari. Many people stay in short-term accommodation for their first weeks while they look. The renting guide explains how it works, what it costs and how to avoid rental scams. For the official reference on registering a tenancy, see the Dubai Land Department’s Ejari tenancy registration service.

Step 6: Health insurance

Health insurance is mandatory across the UAE. Since 1 January 2025, employers must provide basic health cover for private-sector employees as a condition of issuing or renewing a residence permit; Dubai and Abu Dhabi already required it before then. An employee’s own policy does not automatically cover family members, and if you are self-employed you arrange your own cover. Check what your policy includes and who it covers. See the health insurance guide for what basic plans cover and what to confirm with your sponsor or insurer.

Step 7: Plan your budget

The UAE does not currently tax personal salaries, but rent, schooling and transport can add up quickly, and a 5% VAT applies to most goods and services. Before you accept an offer, compare it against a realistic monthly budget using our cost of living guide.

Before you move: a checklist

• A signed job offer that states your salary, benefits and who pays for your visa
• A passport valid for at least six months
• Degree and other certificates, attested if your employer asks for it (attestation can take weeks, so start early)
• Passport photos and digital copies of every document
• Money for your first month: deposits, rent cheques and living costs
• Health insurance details from your employer, or a quote if you will be self-employed

FAQ

Do I need a job offer before moving to Dubai?

Not legally, but it is the most common route, because an employer-sponsored visa is how many people get residency. If you come to look for work on a visit visa, a visit or job-seeker visa does not by itself authorise employment, and you cannot start work until the required work permit and residence visa are in place.

Can I move to Dubai without a job?

Yes, through routes that do not need an employer: a freelance permit, setting up a company, or other residence visas you qualify for. The freelance visa and company setup guides explain the options.

How long does it take to get settled?

Timing varies by visa route, sponsor and individual case, so we avoid a single figure. Banking, a phone contract and a long-term rental usually follow once your Emirates ID is in progress. The work visa guide has route-specific detail.

Is Dubai expensive to live in?

It depends heavily on rent and lifestyle. No personal income tax helps, but housing is expensive in popular areas and VAT applies to most spending. The cost of living guide has sample monthly budgets.