Moving to Dubai
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$3,154
solo, city centre
Livability
57/100
decent
Safety
40/100
Safe enough to stop thinking about it
PR timeline
—
varies
How to move to Dubai
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
UAE Remote Work Visa
Some paperworkDuration: 1 year (renewable)
Active employment abroad with min. $3,500/mo income. Health insurance required.
Visa difficulty by nationality
Work permit accessibility: moderate
What it costs to move to Dubai
First-month sticker shock, decoded
Day-one setup cost
$2,288
1-bed, city centre / mo
Cheaper than 14% of 97 cities
$4,327
3-bed, city centre / mo
Monthly burn (solo)
$3,154/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
Housing friction
Manageable1–2 weeks, abundant supply
- •Emirates ID or passport for contract
- •Security deposit: 5% of annual rent (unfurnished)
- •Agent fee: 5% of annual rent (one-time)
- •Post-dated checks for rent common
First month in Dubai
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Apply for UAE Remote Work Visa
1 year (renewable). Active employment abroad with min. $3,500/mo income. Health insurance required.
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring a Arabic-speaking friend or prepare for mime-based banking
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
~$58/mo for 10GB+
- ☐
Find an apartment
Expect 1–2 weeks, abundant supply. Housing friction: Manageable.
- ☐
Have $7,920 ready for move-in costs
First month + 1mo deposit + furniture
- ☐
Register with local authorities
Most countries require address registration within 30 days
- ☐
Get health insurance
Private insurance ~$200/mo until residency kicks in
- ☐
Start learning basic Arabic
Not optional. Download Duolingo before the plane lands
Language in Dubai
Can you order coffee without pointing?
Arabic
primary language
Moderate
English proficiency
English proficiency is moderate. Learning at least basic Arabic isn't optional — it's survival.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
3.0/10
democracy index (EIU)
🚩 Authoritarian regime
regime type
#52 of 163
Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful)
Travel advisory: Level 3 — Reconsider travel
FCDO advises against all but essential travel.
Is Dubai safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
👍
Safe enough to stop thinking about it
0.8
homicides per 100k
Crime index: 16/100
Low crime. You'll probably worry more about sunburn.
Weather in Dubai
What the thermometer actually says
41°C
summer highs
15°C
winter lows
378 Mbps
average download speed
If you get sick
Healthcare access for new arrivals
System: Employer-sponsored insurance mandatory; public system for nationals only
Before residency: Health insurance mandatory for all residents — employer must provide it. Pre-residency/tourist visa: travel insurance only. Private insurance ~$180/mo if self-sponsored. Emergency care provided at government hospitals, billed in full without insurance. (private insurance ~$200/mo)
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ Safety in Dubai: 0.8/100k rate. Focus on other things.
- ✓ Dubai: 41°C and the sea. Summer sorted.
- ✓ Fast internet in Dubai — 378 Mbps citywide.
Think twice about
- ✗ Rent in Dubai: $2288/mo. Your biggest line item.
- ✗ Governance in United Arab Emirates: 3.0/10. Think hard about Dubai.
- ✗ Dubai bakes at 41°C in summer. Plan around it.
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Dubai profile →