https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇦🇪" title="Flag of United Arab Emirates" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United Arab Emirates"> MOVING TO DUBAI THREAD https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇦🇪" title="Flag of United Arab Emirates" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United Arab Emirates">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Job search and VISA process

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Arriving in Dubai and the procedures

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Budgeting, accommodation and travel

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- General tips and opinions

The sites for searching for jobs in Dubai include:

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- GulfTalent

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Indeed AE

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Vacancies AE

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- NaukriGulf

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- LinkedIn

Many of the jobs are in:

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Finance and Accounting

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Banking

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Oil

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Teaching

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Retail

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Service work

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

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

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

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

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

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

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:

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Dubizzle

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- PropertyFinder

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark">- Bayut

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

Travel

Here’s a guide for converting a UK licence to a UAE licence

https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/british-licence-conversion-uae/

You’re">https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/b... looking at around 1000 AED

You will need this to buy or rent a car

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

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

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

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

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

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