The 8 most important things to consider when moving to the UAE
Thinking of moving to the UAE? Here are 8 essential considerations before making your decision.
Moving to another country can be a big decision with a number of different considerations to be thought about and discussions to be had. More than 11 million expats have made the choice to move to the sunny, cosmopolitan cities of the UAE, and here we outline some of the most important things to think about when considering or planning your move.
1. Tax vs Career
The first thing you should decide as an expat is, do I want to relocate to UAE purely as a career move? Or do I want to move there because of the attractive tax system, safety and security of the country and the nice weather?
While there are no personal or income taxes in the UAE, bear in mind there is a 9% corporate tax for companies with revenue over 375,000 AED per year.
2. Governance in the UAE
Expats who moved here before the UAE became a Federation in December 1971 – many of whom came from India and Pakistan – have seen this beautiful nation grow from a vast desert land to an almost unimaginable metropolis.
In the days before the Federation, there was a lot of flexibility in terms of governance, with the movement of the workforce being similar to that of a startup in the corporate world where policies and rules are not yet set in stone.
Today, the governance is rock solid in the UAE and many dynamic changes have been made in order to encourage growth, renewal and betterment of the nation. 2013 was the year of Emiratisation in the UAE, a growing effort made by the government and people to increase employment opportunities for UAE citizens.
Many private sectors began the Emiratisation process, and a lot of industries and companies became focused on the Emiratisation drive. This is not to say that expats are not welcome anymore, far from it, as expats make up 88.5% of the UAE population today. But expats also have an important role and duty towards Emiratisation.
3. Getting a job and family visa
When you have made the decision to move to the UAE, you will need to obtain a residency visa to legally live in the country.
If you are moving with a job in hand, your employer must provide the residency visa by sponsoring you and your family – you must make sure this is specified in your employment contract.
If you don't have a job secured, you can first enter the UAE with a "visit visa". This visa is automatic for some nationalities with a duration of 60 or 90 days, other nationalities must apply for the visit visa via their embassy or the UAE Immigration Office.
After the expiry of your visit visa, you cannot legally stay in the UAE.
Before the expiry of the visit visa, you must start the process to obtain your UAE residency.
There are several of type of visa available depending on your circumstances:
- You can apply for a "job seeker visa" which allows you to come to the UAE to look for a job.
- You can start your own company in the UAE either via a Freezone or in the mainland and be the owner of your visa, which gives you a lot of freedom and security.
- You can apply for a "remote visa" if you own a business outside the UAE but wish to live in the UAE and work virtually from the UAE.
Other types of special visas which are more difficult to obtain due to very specific requirements are:
- The Green or Gold visa which is obtained through property investments, or if you have special talents, a high degree and experience that can be of interest to the UAE.
- The "retirement visa" for over 55-year-olds with a work history of a least 15 years who have savings or own a property worth at least 1 million AED.
Before applying for any visa, choose which Emirates you will live in, as each Emirates will process visas separately.
4. Where to live
The next step once you get your job is to find an apartment or villas in the UAE to suit your accomodation needs. People usually prefer to live in apartments or villas close to their workplace, however you may also want to consider living near your children’s school. There are also a lot of gated community villas and apartments in the country if this is your preference.
Where it comes to schools, there is a wide choice for expats including International, Local, Islamic and Indian schools. School fees can be varied, so it is a good idea to do your research in advance. The normal school year runs from August to June in the UAE.
5. Getting around
You can rent a car with any driving licence on a tourist visit visa. However, once you obtain residency in the UAE you should transfer your driving licence to a UAE driving licence. Some nationalities may have to pass the driving test again.
Other ways of getting around include taxis, metro, and bus.
6. Medical coverage and healthcare
By UAE Law it is now mandatory for every company to provide health coverage for their employees and family.
If your residency visa isn't sponsored by an employer, you can pay for a low-cost government health card or get a private insurance.
7. Purchasing a property
Many expats have successfully purchased properties in the UAE and this may be a considereation for you if you plan on living in the country long term. Some companies also allow their employees a Housing Advance, which is later deducted prorata from your monthly salary.
8. Salaries and getting paid
Your monthly salary is normally broken up into your Basic Salary, Housing Allowance and Transport Allowance. Most companies will also calculate and award bonuses based on the basic salary.
