Moving to Dubai: The Complete Relocation Guide for 2025
10 min read
Dubai welcomes more than 200,000 new expatriate residents every year. The emirate's combination of zero income tax, world-class infrastructure, and cosmopolitan culture continues to draw professionals, entrepreneurs, and families from every continent.
Choosing Your Visa Type
Before you arrive, your most consequential decision is visa type:
- Employment visas — the most common route, sponsored by your employer
- Investor visas — minimum AED 72,000 for a freelancer permit or AED 2 million in property for a Golden Visa
- Freelance permits through free zones — popular among remote workers
You will need attested academic certificates, marriage certificates if sponsoring a spouse, and birth certificates for children. Begin this process at least six weeks before your planned move.
Your First Week: Administrative Foundations
- The Emirates ID application takes three to five business days through ICP smart services
- Open a bank account at Emirates NBD, ADCB, or Mashreq
- Get a SIM card from du or Etisalat (requires Emirates ID and passport)
- DEWA connection requires a deposit of AED 2,000 for apartments or AED 4,000 for villas
Housing and the Rental Market
Dubai's rental market operates on annual leases paid via post-dated cheques. All contracts must be registered through Ejari. Security deposits are 5 percent for unfurnished and 10 percent for furnished.
Plan for move-in costs of 15 to 20 percent of your annual rent, covering deposits, agency fees, Ejari, and DEWA.
Healthcare
Healthcare insurance is mandatory. Most employers provide coverage. Top hospitals include Cleveland Clinic, Mediclinic, American Hospital, and Saudi German Hospital.
Education
Dubai offers British, American, IB, Indian, and French curriculum schools. Fees range from AED 15,000 to AED 100,000 per year. The most competitive schools have 12 to 18 month waiting lists.
Monthly Budget
- A single professional: AED 12,000 to AED 16,000 per month
- A family of four: AED 35,000 to AED 50,000 monthly
Idigov Group provides comprehensive relocation assistance covering visa processing, housing search, school enrollment guidance, and a structured onboarding program.
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About Idigov Group
Idigov Group is a Dubai-based real estate consultancy and operating group offering end-to-end services across investment advisory, brokerage, property management, conveyancing, and corporate setup. Founded by Akhmed Idigov, the group helps international investors and operators navigate the UAE property market with institutional-grade rigor and full operational support.
