United Arab Emirates

Main routes

• Employment visa: your employer, on the mainland or in a free zone, sponsors your entry permit and a two-year residence visa. Mainland work permits are issued through MOHRE.
• Golden Visa: a renewable 10-year residence for investors (including property worth at least AED 2 million), entrepreneurs, exceptional talent, top graduates and skilled professionals earning at least AED 30,000 a month.
• Green Visa: a five-year self-sponsored visa for freelancers, self-employed people and skilled employees who meet income and education criteria.
• Remote work visa: a one-year visa for people employed by companies abroad, with minimum income requirements.
• Retirement visa: five years for residents over 55 who meet savings, income or property criteria.
• Student visa: sponsored by a UAE university.

The process

After entry, you complete a medical test and biometrics, then receive your residence visa and Emirates ID through the ICP (or GDRFA in Dubai).

The job market

The UAE economy is diversifying fast beyond oil into finance, tech, tourism, logistics, real estate and healthcare. Recruitment is fast and very international.

• In demand: finance and fintech, software and AI, healthcare, engineering, hospitality, sales and real estate
• No income tax: your gross salary is almost your net salary
• Packages: many contracts include housing or housing allowance, health insurance, annual flights and school fees for senior roles

Employment law

• Contracts are fixed-term or limited to the visa duration under the 2022 labour law
• The standard work week is 48 hours, reduced to 6 hours a day during Ramadan for private sector staff
• Annual leave is 30 calendar days after one year
• End-of-service gratuity is paid when you leave, based on basic salary and years worked

The rental market

Most expats rent apartments or villas. Rents in Dubai have risen sharply since 2022, while Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are generally cheaper.

How renting works

• Listings are on Bayut, Property Finder and Dubizzle
• Rent is usually paid annually in one to four post-dated cheques, though monthly payment is becoming more common
• Expect a security deposit of about 5% (unfurnished) to 10% (furnished) of annual rent
• Agency fees are often around 5% of annual rent
• Leases must be registered: Ejari in Dubai, Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi

Utilities

You set up electricity and water with the local provider, such as DEWA in Dubai, and pay a deposit. Air conditioning bills rise sharply in summer, and some buildings charge separately for district cooling.

Health insurance is mandatory

Health insurance is compulsory for residents. Since January 2025, private sector employers across all emirates must provide at least basic health cover for their employees. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have had mandatory schemes for years.

• Employers cover the employee, but not always family members
• Sponsors of dependants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi must insure them
• Basic plans have limited networks and co-payments, while enhanced plans give wider choice

The healthcare system

Care is mostly delivered through modern private hospitals and clinics with multilingual staff. Regulators include the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Department of Health Abu Dhabi.

Pharmacies and medicines

Pharmacies are everywhere and open late. Some medicines that are common elsewhere are controlled in the UAE.

Typical monthly costs

• Rent: AED 6,500 to 11,000 for a one-bedroom in popular Dubai areas, less in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
• Utilities: AED 500 to 1,200, much higher in summer
• Groceries: AED 1,200 to 1,800 per person
• Transport: a car costs around AED 1,500 to 2,500 a month including fuel, insurance and tolls
• School fees: AED 30,000 to over 100,000 per child per year

Budget examples

• A single professional in Dubai lives comfortably on about AED 15,000 to 20,000 a month
• A family with two children at private school usually needs AED 35,000 or more

Taxes

There is no personal income tax. VAT is 5%, and some goods such as tobacco and sugary drinks carry excise tax.

Public transport

• Dubai: a driverless metro, trams, buses and water taxis, all paid with the Nol card
• Abu Dhabi: buses using the Hafilat card, plus growing autonomous and rapid transit pilots
• Intercity buses: link Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the northern emirates
• Etihad Rail: a national passenger rail service connecting the emirates is being introduced

Driving

Driving is the main way to get around. Fuel is cheap by global standards and roads are excellent, but traffic can be heavy at peak times.

• Many nationalities can exchange their licence directly, while others must take lessons and tests
• Tolls: Salik in Dubai and Darb in Abu Dhabi
• Speed cameras are everywhere

Taxis and ride-hailing

Taxis are regulated and affordable. Careem and Uber are widely used.

Daily life

Life in the UAE is comfortable and convenient: delivery apps, malls, beach clubs and gyms are everywhere. Outdoor life peaks in winter, while summer is spent indoors in air-conditioned spaces.

Culture and respect

The UAE is a Muslim country with deep Emirati traditions. Most expats find it tolerant, but respect local customs:

• Dress modestly in malls and government buildings
• Avoid public displays of affection
• During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight

Things to do

• Desert safaris, camping and dune driving
• Beaches, sailing and diving on the east coast in Fujairah
• Hiking in the Hajar Mountains around Ras Al Khaimah
• Museums such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Museum of the Future

Community

The population is extremely diverse, with large South Asian, Arab, Filipino, European and African communities.

Schools

Most expat children attend private schools, as public schools are mainly for Emirati students. Curricula include British, American, IB, Indian (CBSE and ICSE), French, German and others.

• Dubai schools are inspected and rated by the KHDA
• Abu Dhabi schools are regulated by ADEK
• Fees range from about AED 20,000 to over AED 100,000 a year
• Arabic and Islamic studies (for Muslim pupils) are compulsory in private schools

Universities

The UAE hosts branch campuses of international universities, including NYU Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Heriot-Watt and Middlesex in Dubai, alongside local institutions such as Khalifa University and UAE University.

Nurseries

Nurseries cost roughly AED 2,000 to 4,500 a month, depending on location and hours.

Opening a bank account

Major banks include Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), ADCB, Mashreq and digital banks such as Wio and Liv. You typically need:

• Passport with residence visa
• Emirates ID
• Salary certificate or employment letter
• Proof of address, such as a registered lease

Some accounts require a minimum monthly salary or balance.

Paying for things

• Contactless cards and mobile wallets are accepted almost everywhere
• Cash is still used in small shops
• Popular money transfer providers make sending money home easy and cheap

Taxes and currency

There is no personal income tax, and the AED is pegged to the US dollar at about 3.67 dirhams per dollar.

Recent reforms

Legal reforms since 2020 decriminalised cohabitation for unmarried couples, relaxed alcohol rules and introduced civil family law for non-Muslims in some emirates.

Strict rules to know

• Drugs: zero tolerance, including trace amounts in your blood from use abroad
• Medicines: some prescription drugs are controlled and need approval
• Online conduct: insulting people, posting photos of others without consent or criticising the state online can lead to fines, jail or deportation
• Public behaviour: swearing, rude gestures and public displays of affection can lead to complaints and penalties

Alcohol

Alcohol is available in licensed venues and shops for non-Muslim adults aged 21 and over. Drinking in public or being drunk in public is illegal, and there is zero tolerance for drink driving.

Airports and airlines

• Dubai International (DXB): home of Emirates and flydubai, one of the busiest international airports in the world
• Zayed International, Abu Dhabi (AUH): hub for Etihad Airways
• Sharjah (SHJ): base of low-cost carrier Air Arabia
• Al Maktoum International (DWC): Dubai's second airport, planned to become the main hub

Where to go

• Oman is a short drive away for mountains and beaches, via official border crossings
• Europe, Africa and South Asia are four to eight hours by air
• Weekend trips to Georgia, Jordan, Turkey and the Maldives are popular

Within the UAE

Explore the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, the east coast beaches of Fujairah and the Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi.