Moving to the UAE: The Complete Checklist

Moving to the United Arab Emirates is straightforward once you know the order of operations. Most of the paperwork is digital, most of it is done for you if your employer is organised, and the whole process usually settles into a routine within three months. The trouble starts when documents are missing or done in the wrong order, because several steps depend on the one before.

This checklist follows the real sequence: what to do before you fly, in your first week, in your first month, and by the end of your first 90 days. Fees and processing times change often, so treat the figures here as guidance as of 2026 and confirm with the authority named in each section.

Before you fly

Documents to gather

Start collecting paperwork at least six to eight weeks before departure, because attestation takes the longest.

• Passport valid for at least six months, with blank pages.
• Passport-size photos with a white background (a dozen is plenty, though most centres now take a digital photo).
• Educational certificates, attested if your visa category or employer requires it. Attestation normally runs through your home country's foreign ministry, then the UAE embassy there, then the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Check with your employer which degrees need this.
• Marriage certificate and children's birth certificates, attested in the same way, if you plan to sponsor family.
• Driving licence and any recent driving history letter, which may help with converting it later.
• Medical records and prescriptions, including a doctor's letter for any regular medication.
• Employment contract or offer letter, signed and with the final salary breakdown.

Keep scans of everything in your email and a printed set in your hand luggage.

Entry permit and visa

If you are moving for work, your employer applies for your work permit and entry permit through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and the immigration authority. You receive an electronic entry permit by email, usually valid for 60 days, and you travel on it. If you are not moving for a job (for example as a remote worker, investor or family member), see the full breakdown in UAE Visas and Residency Explained.

Do not book a one-way flight until the entry permit has been issued, and check that the name on it matches your passport exactly.

Before you leave home

• Notify your bank and arrange an international transfer plan for the first month.
• Cancel or pause subscriptions, utilities and phone contracts.
• Check what you cannot bring. Several common medicines are controlled in the UAE and need a prescription and sometimes prior approval, so read the healthcare and insurance guide before you pack.
• Plan temporary accommodation for 2 to 4 weeks. A serviced apartment or short-term rental gives you time to view homes in person.
• Read up on local etiquette and law. The culture and etiquette guide covers the basics.

The first week

Arrive and activate your status

When you land on the entry permit you are a visitor until your residence visa is processed. Your employer or a typing centre will book the next steps for you.

1. Medical fitness test. Required for residence visa applicants. It includes a blood test and a chest X-ray, results come back in a day or two, and it is done at an approved centre.
2. Status change or entry stamping. Your sponsor submits this through the immigration authority.
3. Emirates ID biometrics. You give fingerprints and a photo at an authorised centre. The card arrives by courier or can be collected.
4. Residence visa stamping. Today this is mostly electronic, and your visa shows in the ICP or GDRFA app.

Get connected

• Mobile SIM. Both e& (formerly Etisalat) and du sell prepaid and postpaid plans. A tourist SIM works on a passport, but a full plan needs your Emirates ID. Choose a postpaid plan once your ID arrives if you want data bundles and a contract.
• UAE PASS. Download the app and create a basic account straight away. You upgrade it to a verified account with your Emirates ID, and it then works as a digital signature for hundreds of government and private services. See the UAE PASS page for how it fits in.
• Emergency numbers. Save 999 (police), 998 (ambulance), 997 (fire and civil defence) and 996 (coastguard) in your phone. The emergency numbers tool lists more.

The first month

Housing

Once your visa is in motion you can sign a tenancy. You will need your passport, visa or entry permit, Emirates ID (or its application receipt) and usually post-dated cheques. The guide to renting a home explains contracts, deposits, Ejari in Dubai and Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi. Compare areas with the cost of living tool before you commit.

Utilities

Connect electricity and water in your name as soon as you move in.

• Dubai: DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority).
• Abu Dhabi and Al Ain: ADDC and AADC through the TAMM platform.
• Sharjah: SEWA.
• Other northern emirates: Etihad WE (formerly FEWA).

A refundable deposit and a small connection fee are normal, and you generally need your tenancy contract and Emirates ID. Estimate bills with the DEWA bill estimator.

Banking

Open a salary account with a bank your employer uses or one that suits your needs. You will need your passport, visa, Emirates ID and a salary or employment letter. Digital banks are fast to open, while traditional banks tend to offer more branches and credit products. Make sure your salary is paid through the Wage Protection System. Our banking, money and tax guide covers account types and remittances.

Health insurance

Health insurance is mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and is being extended across the northern emirates. Your employer normally covers you, but confirm whether your spouse and children are included. Details are in the healthcare and insurance guide.

The first 90 days

Driving licence

Citizens of around 50 countries can swap their home licence for a UAE licence without a test, while everyone else enrols in a driving school. Check your eligibility with the driving licence checker, and read the driving and transport guide for fines, Salik tolls and parking. Until your UAE licence arrives, you can usually drive on an international driving permit for a limited time, but confirm with your insurer.

Schools

If you have children, start earlier than you think. Popular schools have waiting lists, and applications are often open a year ahead. The schools and education guide explains curricula, inspection ratings and fees.

Dependants and sponsorship

After your own visa is stamped you can sponsor your spouse and children if your salary meets the threshold, which as of 2026 is usually AED 4,000 per month, or AED 3,000 per month with company or free accommodation. Confirm the current figure with ICP or GDRFA. You will need attested marriage and birth certificates.

Tidy up your records

• Update your address with your bank, employer and home country tax authority.
• Register for e-services like the Federal Tax Authority portal if you are self-employed.
• Understand your gratuity and notice entitlements. The labour law guide and gratuity calculator help.
• Learn the public holidays and plan your first leave around them with the holiday planner.

One-page checklist summary

When	Task	Who handles it
Before you fly	Attest certificates, gather photos and records	You
Before you fly	Entry permit issued	Employer or sponsor
Week 1	Medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics	You, with employer help
Week 1	SIM card, UAE PASS	You
Weeks 2 to 4	Tenancy, Ejari or Tawtheeq, utilities	You
Weeks 2 to 4	Bank account, health insurance check	You and employer
Days 30 to 90	Driving licence, school places, family visas	You

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get residency after arriving?

For most employees the visa process takes between one and three weeks from arrival, depending on medical results, Emirates ID appointments and how quickly your employer submits each step. Your Emirates ID card itself usually follows within a couple of weeks of biometrics.

Do I need to attest my degree?

It depends on your visa category and employer. Many professional roles, and most Green and Golden Visa categories, require an attested degree. Ask your employer in writing which documents need attestation before you start the process, since it is the slowest step.

Can I open a bank account before my Emirates ID arrives?

Often yes. Many banks accept the visa page or the Emirates ID application receipt along with your passport and employment letter. You will usually need the card itself to complete full digital access.

Can I bring my family with me at the same time?

You can bring them as visitors immediately, but you can sponsor them for residency only once your own visa is issued and your salary meets the requirement. Many people sort out accommodation first, then bring family within the first couple of months.

What is the single most useful thing to do first?

Set up UAE PASS and keep every document in digital form. Almost every step in the UAE, from the health insurance check to the tenancy registration, becomes faster when your identity and documents are already verified and easy to share.