Dubai is an energetic and frenetic location where the emphasis is on opportunity and excitement and where expatriates who move to live and work in the emirate find that they work hard, play hard, earn a decent salary and get to enjoy life in one of the world’s most glamorous destinations.

This article is an introduction to living and working in Dubai for all those budding expatriates keen on starting a new life overseas and who would like to know about the realities of everything from getting a visa to work in Dubai to finding accommodation, from settling children into school in the UAE to socializing and networking in the emirate.

The majority of those who travel to live in Dubai are moving to the emirate to take up a position of employment and as a result all of their work permit and residency visa requirements will be taken care of by the company for which they will be working.  Entrepreneurs who wish to establish a business in Dubai can incorporate a company in one of Dubai’s many free zones and such an investment and commitment entitles the company’s owners and investors to both work permits and residency visas.

Those who buy property in Dubai also receive the right to a residency visa and anyone travelling to the emirate to look for work or to attend an interview will get a visit visa when they arrive at the airport; British citizens automatically receive a 60 day renewable visa for example.  Once a job has been secured assistance will usually be given by the employer to change the visit visa into one of residency and to obtain necessary work permissions.

Please note that Dubai visa and permit requirements, restrictions and permissions granted depend on the country that an expatriate heralds from and it’s essential that anyone planning on moving to Dubai contacts their nearest UAE embassy before travelling.  Furthermore, those with an Israeli stamp in their passport may not be granted entry into Dubai.

One of the most pressing matters after securing employment in the emirate is finding well located, affordable accommodation.  Because of the increase in the numbers of expatriates moving to Dubai annually which has resulted in the emirate becoming one of the fastest growing destinations in the world in terms of population expansion, suitable rental property is both hard to find and expensive to lease - but a recent announcement by the government of Dubai has at least capped the rate at which annual rent rises can increase.  Those moving to live and work in the emirate should contact as many rental agencies as possible online and arrange to view accommodation immediately upon arrival. 

Some lucky employees are assisted with their search for an apartment or house by their employer and some remuneration packages also include a housing allowance.  Foreign citizens who wish to buy property for sale in Dubai may do so within certain designated areas; there is no property tax in Dubai and the recent passing into law of the ruler’s decree that foreigners can own freehold title to property means that the entire property purchase process is now far more transparent and simple.

Those moving to Dubai with their family will likely have concerns about health and education welfare in the emirate.  The quality and availability of world class health care and schooling, from kindergarten to university, is unrivalled in Dubai however the cost of both schooling and medical care is high therefore expatriates are advised to take out health insurance and to look into the affordability of schooling before they commit to moving with children to the emirate. 

Senior professionals sometimes have financial assistance for the education of their children and the maintenance of their family’s health as part of their financial package – for those less well looked after by their employers a great deal of research should be done to determine whether or not the cost of living that they will face in Dubai can be comfortably covered by their income.

The social side of life in Dubai is quite simply unrivalled – the emirate is a shopping and party capital, it has incredible amenities for all sports lovers from those who golf or sail to those who like to watch horse or motor racing.  Time Out Dubai lists all of the social, sporting and cultural events in the emirate and is probably the best place to begin learning about the ‘play hard’ side of life in the UAE.

Finally, life in Dubai suits those willing to commit to long hours at work and hectic hours of socialising and networking.  The pace of life experienced by those living and working in Dubai is quite frenetic but the quality of life enjoyed by expatriates in Dubai more than makes up for it all.