According to the Expat Insider 2023 report, the UAE is now the third-most-popular country of residence for British expats, with 240,000 reportedly living in Dubai alone.
Like any big move, however, relocating to the UAE shouldn’t be taken lightly; it requires significant planning to get right.
This guide, informed with the know-how of EER Middle East’s relocation experts, is a first step in the process.
Yes, British citizens can move to the UAE, and many already have done.
However, the UAE requires prospective expats to meet certain requirements. For example, possessing a valid residency visa.
In most cases, UK citizens will obtain the appropriate visa by securing a job or starting their own business based in the UAE.
Regardless of which option you want to explore, you can rest assured that our specialist team has the necessary experience and expertise to ensure a smooth transition.
If you want to learn how to relocate to the UAE, it comes down to understanding three major requirements: visas and employment, medical examinations, and passport validity.
To live and work in the UAE long term, you’ll need the right type of visa which is typically secured through work, education, or investment in property.
These include:
This employer-sponsored work visa is valid for two years.
Once you’ve accepted a job offer in the UAE and signed on the dotted line, an employer should handle your visa application on your behalf.
To obtain a Golden visa with our assistance, you must fall into one of three desired categories:
However, it’s important to bear in mind that each emirate has their own Golden visa applicant requirements for each category – something that the international relocation experts at EER Middle East can help you to understand during a tailored assessment.
For example, if you want to obtain residency in Dubai via the Golden visa property pathway, off-plan properties can be accepted, subject to pre-approval based on development stage.
This contrasts with Abu Dhabi, which doesn’t accept off-plan properties at all.
This type of extended residence visa permits the holder to reside in the UAE for 10 years without a local sponsor and comes with additional benefits.
Golden visa holders can sponsor unlimited domestic workers and spend up to 12 consecutive months outside of the UAE.
Lasting five years and available for expatriate individuals aged 55 or older, and who are ready to retire from work, the UAE Retirement visa is eligible via:
Just like the Golden visa requirements, the qualifying criteria for the retirement visa also varies depending on whether you’re apply from Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
For example, in Dubai, to qualify for the retirement visa via the salary route, the applicant must earn a minimum monthly income of AED 15,000.
In Abu Dhabi, the minimum income per month is higher at AED 20,000 (approximately £4,000).
At EER Middle East, our immigration team can conduct tailored assessments of your personal and financial circumstances, helping you to make more informed decisions when applying for a UAE residency visa.
Virtual (or remote) work visas also exist and allow foreign nationals to live and work in the UAE for up to a year while maintaining employment with an overseas company.
However, due to the competitive market and restrictions that come with these types of visas, if you plan on staying long-term, it’s advisable to have secured a UAE job first.
In line with official UAE guidance, a medical examination is an essential requirement for British citizens applying for a work, study, or residency visa in the UAE.
During this examination, the individual will undergo a range of tests to ensure they’re free from all forms of contagious diseases.
These tests will be carried out at a medical fitness centre and will include screenings for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C.
A liver function test and chest x-ray are also required, while women must take an additional blood test to detect pregnancy.
Once the mandatory medical examination has been completed and an individual has passed the tests, they should be presented with a Medical Fitness Certificate (MFC).
The MFC is an essential part of the residency visa application process because it proves good health of the holder.
If you’re concerned about which health conditions are permitted when applying for a UAE residence visa, you should consult the Emirates Health Services.
A valid passport is a mandatory requirement for moving to most countries, but it’s important to pay attention to the details.
To live, work, or study in the UAE, you’ll need a passport that’s valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country.
This means even if your passport is valid for a few months after you arrive in the UAE, you would still need to renew it before travelling.
With current passport processing times of around three weeks in the UK, we recommend checking the validity of your passport as soon as possible.
The exact amount of money you’ll need to move to the UAE will vary depending on exactly where you want to relocate to, the size of your family, and how much professional moving support you require.
However, to give you a rough idea of how much this move might cost, 1st Move International estimates that relocating to Dubai from the UK will cost around £10,000 to £20,000.
This factors in everything from visa costs and flights to shipping fees and all the other initial moving expenses.
Having a clear idea of exactly how much it’ll cost to move your life to the UAE is essential to staying on budget, preventing overspending, and ensuring your stay in the UAE starts on the right foot.
Now you know how to relocate to the UAE, you can make a more informed decision about whether it’s worth pursuing this exciting avenue.
For professional support with relocating your entire organisation or select employees to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or anywhere else in the UAE, don’t hesitate to talk to the team at EER Middle East today.
We’re experts in seamlessly relocating businesses and individuals alike.
From start to finish, we offer a wide range of services including flight booking, airport transfers, employment visas, home searches, and company setup.
Crucially, we provide a unique service that’s specially tailored to suit your bespoke needs.
Whether you require on-the-ground support with a regional office opening or labour and immigration advice, we’ll work with you to ensure you have everything you need for a successful Middle East move.
If you’re ready to make the big move to the UAE from the UK and would like to find out more about our range of relocation services, talk to us today.
Start your relocation to the UAE by contacting us via:
Call: +971 (0)4 421 1819
Email: info@eerme.com
