Moving from London to Dubai

Planning a move to Dubai from London? Many UK expats have made the UAE’s ultramodern city their home, drawn there by work or business opportunities. And of course, there’s also the attraction of living in a clean, safe luxurious metropolis, with luxury shopping and world-class infrastructure right on your doorstep.

Whatever your reason for moving abroad, we’re here to help. You’ll have a long to-do list to get through, including finding somewhere to live, applying for visas and sorting out the logistics of the move itself.

Below, we’ll give you lots of handy information to make moving from London to Dubai just a little easier. This includes some insight into what life is like in Dubai, along with practical things like international moving services and storage solutions.

So, let’s dive right in.

Applying for a UAE visa

The first and most important step in moving from London to Dubai is to apply for your visa.

Without it, you won’t legally be able to live in the country. You may also need a visa for all sorts of other things, like opening a local bank account.

Types of UAE visa for UK nationals

UK nationals have a few different options when it comes to UAE visas. These include the following:

10 year ‘Golden’ Visa

• This is a long-term residency visa designed for expats looking to live in the UAE long term and take advantage of investment or career opportunities in the country. You’ll need to meet certain conditions, such as starting a business in the UAE or investing at least 2 million AED in real estate. You can also get it if you have specialised skills in a sought-after field (such as science, engineering, health or education) or have demonstrated academic excellence as a student.

5 year Green Visa

• Introduced relatively recently, this is a work visa which grants the holder the right to live and work in the UAE for up to 5 years. Crucially, you can get it without the need for sponsorship by an employer. The bar for eligibility is quite high though, as you’ll need to be a highly skilled worker, investor or business partner.

Alongside these options, there are a number of other  UAE visas available for UK nationals. This includes sponsored visas for work, study visas and retirement visas.

The application process

To apply for a visa for Dubai, you’ll either need a local sponsor to submit your application or you can do it through the UAE embassy in London. The embassy is a good port of call if you need more info on the process.

You’ll need to have documentation ready to support your application. This will vary depending on the type of visa you’re applying for, but you’ll definitely need your passport and proof of address as a minimum. You might also need to provide proof of employment, income or study (if relevant). There is also likely to be an application fee, which again varies depending on the type of visa you’re applying for.

Another important thing to note is that as part of the application process for a residence visa, you’ll need to take a blood test. If you test positive for HIV, hepatitis or tuberculosis, your application will be rejected and you’ll be deported (if you’re already in the UAE). Unfortunately, there’s no appeals process.

Buying or renting property in Dubai

Got your visa application in? The next step is to start searching for somewhere to live in Dubai.

Many UK expats choose to rent an apartment at first, while they scout out the local property market and save up for a deposit. But you might prefer to buy a property straight away, in which case you’ll need to start contacting local estate agents.

It’s worth bearing in mind that although foreigners are permitted to buy property in Dubai, but only in designated areas. Others may be off-limits to anyone but UAE buyers.

This is why it could be a good idea to work with a local agent and/or solicitor, to help you find a suitable property as a UK buyer. But you can also start your search using these popular local real estate sites:

• Propertyfinder.ae
• Bayut
• Zoom Property
• Emaar Properties
• Rightmove UAE/Dubai.

If you need financing, it’s good to know that UAE banks do offer mortgages to foreigners – but be aware that the requirements and rates may be different compared to how it works for locals.

Before signing a rental agreement or putting in an offer on a property, you’ll ideally need to view it first. It’s best to do this in person, so you may need to schedule a trip or two from London to Dubai. But if you can’t make it, a local agent can find and view properties on your behalf, although there may be extra costs involved.

Shipping and logistics – planning your move

With two of the most important things sorted – your visa and accommodation – the next thing to think about is the logistics of the move itself. How will you move your stuff between countries? Do you want to move everything at once, or leave some stuff in self-storage in London until you get settled?

Other key questions to answer include the following:

• What will you do with your car – ship it to Dubai or buy/lease a new one once you’re there?
• How will you get pets over to Dubai safely? There may be vaccination or quarantine measures you need to know about.
• What’s the plan for any property you own in London – will you sell it or rent it out?

It’s recommended to make a plan for all of the key issues above as early as you can. International moves can be complex and stressful without proper organisation. So don’t leave it to the last minute, or this could lead to expensive complications and headaches.

International shipping to Dubai – your options

To get your stuff from London to Dubai, you’ll need to start  researching international shipping options. Get some quotes, ask questions about the process and make some decisions about what you want to move and when.

There’s a lot to get your head around, including customs taxes and duties, shipping costs and times, and choosing between air or freight. You’ll need to weigh up what matters most to you – speed or cost, or see if it’s possible to strike the right balance between both.

Many expats find it much easier to use a fully managed international shipping service, which will handle all of the details, complexities and paperwork for you. This is precisely what we offer here at Kiwi Movers. We’re specialists in international removals and shipping, so we can get all of your belongings safely and smoothly from A to B. We can even arrange car shipping if needed.

Contact us for a quote, or to find out more about our services. Call us on 020 8080 6735 or email [email protected].

Why choose Kiwi Movers?

Here’s a quick look at what you get when you choose international shipping with Kiwi Movers:

• A stress-free door-to-door service – from your current address in London to your new one in Dubai
• Your own project manager, a single point of contact to oversee your move.
• All the forms, customs requirements and shipping documentation taken care of
• Your belongings sent quickly and efficiently via global network of trusted handlers and shipping partners
• Full insurance cover
• Online tracking – so you can see exactly where your shipment is up to, and get an accurate estimate of arrival time.

Need storage solutions in London?

Storage is often a key component of international moves. It’s not always possible to move everything at once, for a variety of reasons.

For example, you may be moving to an apartment in Dubai for the short-term, which doesn’t have enough space for the contents of your 3-bed house in London. Or you might not want to take absolutely everything with you to Dubai, but still want to keep some items somewhere safe. A prime example is family heirlooms and items of sentimental value.

In these cases, you’ll need to arrange short-term storage in London, or perhaps even a long-term solution.

Whichever is the case, we’re here to help. Our sister company Kiwi Storage has a number of convenient, centrally located self-storage facilities across London and the surrounding areas.

You’ll find locations in Wandsworth, Battersea, Twickenham, West Molesey, Burnham-on-Crouch and many more.

You can choose from a wide range of unit sizes to suit your needs, and all are priced accordingly. So, you’ll only ever pay for what you use.

 

If you’re not sure how much space you need, give our handy space estimator tool a try. You can also contact Kiwi Storage here if you have any questions.

Pick your unit, and you can head off to Dubai in confidence that your stuff is in safe hands. All the Kiwi Storage London self-storage units are clean, dry and fully secure.

You can book a unit online, and move your stuff in when you’re ready. Don’t have transport? That’s not a problem as we can arrange door-to-door delivery. If it’s easier, we can even build storage into the international shipping service we provide here at Kiwi Movers.

To book a unit or find out more, feel free to contact our friendly team. Give us a call on 020 8877 9682 or email [email protected].

Now, let’s get back to organising your move from London to Dubai.

Tips for planning your overseas move

Planning a move to a new country requires a lot of planning and preparation. To ensure everything runs smoothly, there are a few things you can do in advance:

• Streamline your stuff. Decluttering can also save you money, as the less stuff you have, the less it’ll cost to move. You can even make some money selling things you don’t need. But remember that it could be cheaper to ship things from the UK to Dubai, rather than having to buy everything new when you arrive.
• Pack carefully, with lots of protective packaging and strong, secure boxes. Careful packing can safeguard against the risk of loss or damage in transit. It could even cause delays in the customs process, if your shipment can’t be inspected.
• Draw up a detailed, itemised inventory.This can take time, but it’s well worth doing. It’ll help with customs requirements, and help you keep track of anything that goes missing.
• Make plans for pets. Pets can be a complicated thing to sort out when moving between countries. You’ll need to do some research on the pet import rules and policies in the UAE, and perhaps work with a specialist pet relocation service.

If you need help with any of these steps, we’re here to help. Get in touch with the Kiwi Movers team for advice.

Life in Dubai – what you need to know

If you’re on top of everything we’ve covered so far, you’re well on the way to starting your new life in Dubai. But what will it actually be like?

If you’ve not spent a lot of time there, or have only visited for short holidays, it could be something of a culture shock.

So read on for some info and insight into life in Dubai, along with a few extra tasks to add to your to-do list.

The cost of living in Dubai

So, how much money do you need to live comfortably in Dubai, and to rent an apartment and pay your bills?

The good news for UK expats is that the cost of living in Dubai is around 30% cheaper than London, according to the world cost of living database Numbeo.

This might not come as a huge surprise, considering London is one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Rent is around 27% cheaper in Dubai, and buying an apartment could be as much as 70% cheaper than in London. You’ll also find utility bills (except internet and phone bills), restaurant prices, public transport and food costs lower in the emirate.

Healthcare

Dubai is known for having an excellent healthcare system, which is a hybrid of public and private services. It is mainly set up for UAE nationals though, so there are likely to be costs to access it as a foreigner. And while the city has a large expat population (including plenty of Brits), not all services will be set up for English-speaking patients.

To access healthcare services, you’ll need to apply online for a health card from the Ministry of Health. If you’re in the country on a residence visa, you’ll also need to have private healthcare cover – it’s usually a mandatory requirement. In some cases, healthcare cover may be provided by your employer.

Banking and finance

You’ll find that day-to-day life in Dubai is far easier if you have a local bank account. You’ll need it for getting paid if you’re working, as well as paying your bills. Plus, a UAE bank account will be necessary for getting a mortgage, if you’re planning to buy property in the emirate.

It’s generally pretty straightforward to open a bank account in Dubai. Banks are used to catering to expats and foreigners, so the process is relatively quick and easy. The requirements for opening an account will vary between banks, but you’re likely to need:

• Your passport
• Proof of address
• A copy of your visa
• A letter or salary certificate from your employer or visa sponsor.

Some major banks to check out include First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Dubai Islamic Bank. You can also find some international banks like HSBC, which you’ll be familiar with from the UK banking sector.

The UAE also has a handful of digital banks, such as Liv.

Culture and language

One of the biggest challenges you’ll face when moving from London to Dubai is getting used to the major differences in culture. The UAE and its legal system follow the strict Islamic principles of Sharia Law, and this has a significant impact on public behaviour and daily life.

There are rules and restrictions relating to buying and drinking alcohol, public dress codes, public displays of affection, unmarried couples living together, homosexuality and much more. It’s important to take the time to understand these before moving to Dubai.

The official language of Dubai is Arabic, but English and a variety of other languages are widely spoken, reflecting the makeup of the expat population living there.

Transport

Dubai is known for its excellent public transport system, which covers the whole city. You can take your pick from metro, tram, bus and even marine transport services, tapping on and off effortlessly using a nol card. As a Londoner, you’ll appreciate the similarities between this system and London’s Oyster card.

There are also bus services for travelling between emirates like Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Employment

Moving to Dubai for work? If you haven’t already got employment lined up, here are some websites to help you start your job hunt:

• Bayt.com
• Khaleej Times Jobs
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Gulftalent
• Glassdoor

You’ll need an up-to-date CV/resume. It could also be a good idea to sign up with an agency to find work in the emirate.

Taxes

Understanding the tax system in a new country is always important, but it can be very complicated.

Dubai is a little different though, as it and the rest of the UAE doesn’t have taxes on personal income. This means you don’t need to register for tax or submit an annual tax return.

So this is one less task to tackle when moving there. You will need to register for corporate taxes in the UAE if you’re starting a business there, however.

Moving from London to Dubai: a checklist

We’ve covered a huge amount of information in this guide, so it’s understandable if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed.

To make it easier, here’s a quick checklist of the most important tasks to work through ready for your move from London to Dubai:

• Apply for your UAE visa
• Start your search for accommodation and arrange property viewings
• Research moving companies and get shipping quotes – including for car shipping if needed.
• Look into London storage options if needed
• Book flights for yourself and anyone moving with you
• Start looking for a job or researching study options in Dubai
• Open a bank account with a Dubai bank (you might need to wait until you have a Dubai address sorted)
• Organise your health insurance cover and apply for your medical card from the Ministry of Health in Dubai.
• Look into childcare and schooling options (if relevant)

How we can help make your move easier

Moving abroad is a really big deal, and it’s not easy to do. The process can be fraught with headaches and complications, paperwork and costs. There is just so much to do before moving day, as well as lots of new information to take on board.

But you don’t have to do it alone. When it comes to the logistics of moving your belongings from London to Dubai, we’re here to help.

Kiwi Movers are international shipping specialists. We work with trusted global partners and provide door-to-door moving services. We handle lots of moves within London and the UK, but we’ve also helped countless individuals and families move overseas.

There’s a long list of tasks we can take off your shoulders. This includes packing, loading, shipping, storage, customs duties, taxes and much more. And there are never any hidden costs to worry about.

Our experienced team can handle anything, from shipping a single item through to the contents of a four-bedroom house. From vehicles to priceless antiques, we’ll treat your belongings with the utmost care. And of course, we’re fully insured for your peace of mind.

Get your international shipping quote here, or contact us to find out more. Call us on 020 8080 6735 or email [email protected].