20 Things to Moving in UAE

Moving to a new city is never easy. You have to do a lot of research on the area, secure a job and choose a place to live at the very least. Dubai has been attracting more and more people who want to stay and make the emirate their home.

Numerous iconic landmarks like the world's tallest building; the Burj Khalifa, the international cuisine, the beaches and many other qualities attract visitors from all over the world to see the city’s sites. But is it worth it to relocate there?

Not all people find moving easy. The main reasons for this are the language barriers or cultural differences. But this is not a problem in Dubai. More than 80% of the city's residents are expats which means the majority of people who reside there originate from another country. That is why the city itself is known for its mixture of different cultures, languages and religions. All of this makes it easier for people to adapt to a new way of life.

When coming to Dubai, many people think there will be a language barrier because they don't speak Arabic, however since Dubai is an international city, English is very common and is spoken by almost everyone. Of course, knowledge of the Arabic language can be an advantage in the workplace, but it is definitely not mandatory.

Locals respect foreign citizens and tourists and "tolerance" is not just a word to them. The government even created a Ministry of Tolerance in 2016. Its main goal is to promote and embody tolerance, harmony, respect and acceptance of others not only domestically but also internationally. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Prize for Tolerance was even introduced in 2019, which is a global initiative aimed at promoting tolerance and supporting intellectual, cultural and media productions.

Important! Keep in mind that regardless of your purpose in coming to the UAE, everyone must observe the rules of conduct. This applies to manner of speech, appearance, consumption of alcohol, etc. If you do not comply with the laws, you may face fines, deportation or even imprisonment.

There are almost no taxes in Dubai. The only tax is a 5% VAT, which is imposed on services and goods and was introduced in 2018 by the government. But there is no income tax so everything you earn is 100% yours to keep at the end of the month.

The region is widely known for its low customs duties of 0-5% and most imports and exports are not taxed at all. To attract foreign capital, the government abolished income tax and established a zero rate, which also applies to rental income or inheritance of property.

There is no double taxation in the UAE. In order to promote business development, the UAE has signed 115 Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) with more than 52 countries. Double taxation treaties apply to all UAE companies which operate within or outside the Emirate. The treaty also applies to residents who receive income from interest and dividends from abroad.

Dubai's economy is increasing more and more every year. Even in the beginning when the economy was built on the oil sector, it now accounts for just 1% of GDP. The main areas of economic development now are areas such as tourism and trade, IT and real estate investment, which contribute significantly to the development of the city.

It is worth noting that against the backdrop of the COVID 2019 pandemic, Dubai has only strengthened its status as a stable economic emirate. All the measures taken by the government and civic awareness showed the fastest recovery against the pandemic compared to other EU countries, which only increased the interest in the emirate from foreign citizens and investors from all over the world.

With a strong and growing economy comes more job opportunities. Dubai holds the record for the lowest unemployment rate at 0.5%. Looking at the numbers in full scale, the entire UAE saw an increase in unemployment from 2.35% in 2019 to 2.45% in 2020. The difference isn't that big, and the numbers aren't that bad considering the ongoing pandemic and economic situation in 2020.

Income directly depends on your qualification level, your experience and the employer. Most of the time local citizens have the highest pay. The foreign population can earn anywhere from AED 600 to AED 130,000 per month. According to international human resources organizations, an average monthly salary in Dubai is about AED 16,500 or USD 4,500. However, in practice, even the lowest income in the UAE is higher than the average salary in most EU countries.

Speaking of work, the working week in the UAE is Sunday through Thursday, and Friday and Saturday are days off as Friday is the holy day in Islam.

A lot of people move their families to Dubai, which raises the question of which education institution to send your child to. Dubai is very attentive to education, especially pre-school childcare, the region has some of the best schools and nurseries that money can offer. According to the UAE Ministry of Education, 80% of the total child population in Dubai are kids under the age of 5. In 2017 more than 263 learning centers such as nurseries and kindergartens were registered. There are also more than 80 international and private schools in Dubai, where more than half focus on the British curriculum and the remaining on the American and Canadian curriculum.

As for universities, diplomas received in the UAE are recognized worldwide and after graduation, you can immediately start searching for a job in the Emirates itself, as well as in any other country. An interesting fact is that the prices of education in Dubai, as well as schooling fees, can be favorably different from most well-known schools in Europe, which allows many parents to save and give their child a decent education. Schooling fees are also part of many company employment packages, in which an employer will contribute a specified amount to an employee's children’s schooling fees for every year they are employed with the company.

In recent years the government's regular investments in infrastructure development and the transport system has brought Dubai and the UAE to a whole new level. Today the city has the largest international shipping and air harbors in the region. In turn, public transport in Dubai is an extensive and high-tech network that is still developing today. This includes a modern metro system, which is divided by gold and silver cardholders and also has separate cars for women. There is also a unique tram line, several ports and airports. It is Dubai's ground transportation that remains the most in-demand: metro, buses and taxis/water taxis.

If you are considering moving to the city on a long-term basis, then you need a travel card - Nol Card. It is a smart card in which you load credit onto. The minimum amount of credit must be AED 7 or USD 1.90. It is worth noting that public transport in Dubai is much cheaper compared to other major cities in the world. A trip on the bus, water taxi  or tram will cost from AED 3 or USD 0.8. The price of the metro, on the other hand, depends on the comfort and the distance and can range from AED 1.8-7 (USD 0.5-1.9).

Dubai offers one of the best healthcare systems in the world with advanced facilities and some of the best medical staff. Both public and private sectors are regulated by Dubai Health Authority (DHA) with more private facilities than public in the city. To gain access to medical treatment in the region you are required to have an Emirates ID card (EID) and medical insurance that is issued by your employer, unless you want to cover the total cost yourself.. However, public healthcare facilities provide emergency treatment for everyone.

No matter the season, the sun is always shining in Dubai. In winter the weather is warm and balmy, where the temperature does not drop below 15°C, however in the summer it can reach up to +50°C, but don't worry, air conditioning everywhere, including the bus stops. It is also recommended that you always carry good sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Overall, the majority of the year is a great time to visit beaches and theme parks for relaxation and fun in Dubai.

Dubai has a lot of entertainment to suit all tastes and all ages. There are many nightclubs in the city and there is even an entire neighborhood dedicated to nightlife, with restaurants, bars and late nightspots. In middle eastern culture, everyone eats late and stays up late so many leisure activities and shops are open until very late every night of the week.

There are also plenty of places to spend time with your family and children. Legoland Water Park, Bollywood Park and other theme parks are open to the public. You can experience the world's fastest roller coaster; Formula Rossa at Ferrari World theme park, ride the water slides at Atlantis Aquaventure water park and many other places. Or why not visit Dubai Creek Park, the city's recreational park with its many recreational areas for adults and children and a 30-meter cable car that covers 2.3 kilometers of the park. You can also visit museums and exhibitions as well as many themed events and concerts happening all over the city throughout the year. In a word, you won't get bored!

Dubai is a mixture of cultures and nationalities. This means that you can find a restaurant for almost any taste - East Asian, Indian, European, South American and of course Arabic as well as many more. You can feel as if you are eating out in a different part of the world every time you venture out to a restaurant, you could take a trip around the world if you try all of these cuisines without even leaving the city. Moreover, a lot of different culinary exhibitions take place in Dubai every year. One example is the Dubai Food Festival. This year the event ran from March 28 to April 17 and offered cuisine from more than 200 countries around the world.

Dubai is a very diverse city with many different kinds of experiences to suit all ages. You can sunbathe on the beach, go on a safari and see the desert. You can even go skiing in a special indoor arena in the Mall of the Emirates. For those wishing to have a forest experience, there are indoor facilities with different kinds of animals and plants. Or you can visit the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary for free, which attracts numerous migratory birds such as flamingos, gray herons, and black-winged stilts every year. Dubai is a dream city where anything is possible.

Dubai has the world’s biggest shopping mall and is the ultimate shopping destination for both luxury and high street. About 20 million tourists come here every year and it is incomparably one of the best cities for shopping. There are more than 60 shopping malls in the region, like the Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Festival City, City Walk and Ibn Battuta Mall, just to name a few. These malls not only have some of the world's best fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and so on, but they also present some unusual styles and rare designs from local independent brands. The Dubai Square Mall is currently under construction and is set to become the biggest shopping mall in the world.

One of Dubai's trademarks is its skyline. In Dubai, you can identify more than 60 frequently visited attractions, among which are skyscrapers. The emirate ranks second in the world for the number of high-rise structures - 82 buildings with a height of over 657 ft. Many people come here to see the famous skyscrapers, the Burj Khalifa or a hotel in the shape of a sail, the Burj Al Arab. The famous Dubai Fountains and the Dubai Frame also attract millions of tourists. Why not live in a city with such beautiful architectural structures that attract visitors from far and wide?

Dubai may be one of the most diverse cities in the world, with over 200 nationalities, but the crime rate is still very low. Strict laws and policies as well as having respect for one another and their property, have made this possible across the whole of the UAE.

Official statistics in Dubai have shown that the crime rate index is 19.52 when the safety index is 80.48, these demonstrate some of the best numbers in the entire world in terms of being one of the safest places to live. This is yet another reason for moving to Dubai.

possible to buy a good property in the city at a good price. According to Bayut, property prices have become more affordable compared to last year. Based on their data, the cheapest areas to buy apartments are International City and Dubai Production City. For townhouses, areas such as Serena and Town Square can be considered as good value for money. Buying a villa for a great price can be possible in DAMAC Hills 2 and Serena.

Currently, the best places for renting in 2021 are areas such as: International City - where you can rent a studio apartment from AED 37,500 a year, Deira - from AED 45,000, Jumeirah Village - AED 47,500, Discovery Gardens - AED 49,000 and Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) - AED 65,000 a year.

Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Every year big events take place here, from music acts, theatre, educational, sport and culinary Some of the more well-known annual events include, the International Jazz Festival, the Dubai Shopping Festival, Festival of Taste and the Dubai International Film Festival. Just another reason why tens of millions of people come to this city every year. Why not make the move here permanently then?

In Dubai, 80% of the population are foreigners who have moved from another country. Every year the city attracts copious amounts of tourists and people who want to stay here. This is promoted by such government initiatives as: short-term and long-term resident visas, retirement visas, freelancer and students visas etc. It is also worth noting that in January 2021 amendments to the law on UAE citizenship and passports were adopted, which will now be issued to expats for certain merits.

These measures have had a positive effect on the economy and the development in the emirate of Dubai and attract not only the younger generation but also the older population as well. There are many social groups and clubs in Dubai that provide support for expats.

A year ago, the UAE government announced a 10-year visa for international investors and workers in fields such as medicine, research, science and so on. This visa is also extended to family members, which will ensure a long-term presence in the country. At the same time, this initiative allows 100% foreign ownership of a company if individuals are setting up their own business when moving to the Emirate.

Dubai is always concerned about the quality of life for its residents. That's why the city tops Mercer’s Quality of Living survey in the Middle East region. The survey was based on 39 different factors, all of them were grouped into 10 categories such as political and social environment, schools and education, health and medicine, etc. Another great reason to move to the city.

The government cares not only about the quality of life but also about your happiness. In 2016 the state created the UAE Ministry of Happiness. Its main task is to ensure a happy society for everyone living in the country. The government body has its own ministers, holds summits and addresses multiple issues and implements city-wide initiatives to ensure that people are happy and satisfied.

Dubai has an advantageous location that makes doing business or traveling around the world easier. The city is extremely well connected to the rest of the world and is at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa. All tourist spots are six to seven hours' flight away. Goa can be reached in less than four hours. The large annual tourist flow to Dubai requires a huge airport which is why Dubai International Airport is the busiest airport for international passenger traffic. Living in Dubai, you can plan a trip to go anywhere you want, whether it's for a vacation or for business.

Everything we described above are perfectly good reasons to move to Dubai. A strong economy, constant levels of security and safety and much more make the city a top destination for a new home. 80% of the population are expats, so the move should be easier than most.

There are many service centers throughout the city ready to help you with adjusting to city life, helping with medical insurance, finding a good school for your children  and keeping you up to date with what is happening in the city. Dubai is waiting for you.