Relocation plan: United Arab Emirates

Do you need a visa?

Yes, for every nationality. The employer sponsors you: it gets the work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and an entry permit; after arriving you do a medical test and give your fingerprints for the Emirates ID, and then receive the residence visa.

• Golden visa (10 years, no sponsor needed): among other categories, for specialised professionals with a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000 and a bachelor's degree.
• Green visa (5 years): for skilled workers with a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000.

UAE government: Golden visa · ICP: Green residence

Documents and where to get them

In your country, before you leave

• Passport, valid for the whole move; the visa is issued in the passport.
• Birth certificate (and marriage certificate, if married). Usually with an apostille (or legalisation) and a certified translation; check with the embassy.
• Criminal record certificate from your country of nationality and, if different, from where you lived recently: visa applications often require it. Request it close to the date it will be used.
• Degree, transcript and references from previous jobs, digitally, with certified translations if the visa asks for them.

In the UAE

• Attested degree certificate: degrees are often required with legalisation in your country and at the UAE embassy; ask the employer early, it takes time.
• Emirates ID: the identity card for residents, needed for the bank, phone and housing contract.
• Health insurance: provided by the employer in the main emirates.

Step by step

Before you leave

1. Confirm in writing the monthly salary (basic salary and allowances, such as housing), the start date and the relocation support.
2. Have your degree attested if the employer asks for it, and wait for the entry permit.
3. Salaries are not subject to personal income tax: the gross is close to the net, but housing is a big cost.
4. In your country, tell the authorities you are moving: update your registered address and your tax residence. In the year you leave, tax may be due for the part of the year you were still resident.

First week

1. Do the medical test and the Emirates ID biometrics with the employer.
2. Find housing; rents are often paid in a few cheques for the whole year.

First month

1. Receive the residence visa and the Emirates ID.
2. Open a bank account with the Emirates ID and give the details to your employer.