Guides for moving to Dubai for work
Free guides for anyone weighing a job in Dubai: what life costs, renting, visas, insurance, driving and the offer itself. Every rule and fee links to its official source.
Your job offer
Tool
UAE gratuity calculatorYour end of service gratuity from basic salary and dates, with the working shown.Guide
Dubai job offer checklistEleven things to check before you accept, and questions to ask the employer.Guide
Hidden costs of moving to DubaiDeposits, fees and bills that do not show up in the rent or the salary.
Cost of living
- Cost of living in DubaiWhat a month costs for a single person, a couple and a family of four, mid-range and budget, with rent in 12 areas.
Housing
- Renting in DubaiThe tenancy contract, Ejari, deposits, cheques, rent increase rules, notice periods and disputes, step by step.
- Setting up utilities in DubaiDEWA deposits and fees, the housing fee, district cooling, and getting internet and a mobile line from e& or du.
Visas and residency
- Dubai family visaSponsoring a spouse and children: the salary rule, documents, steps and fees.
- UAE Golden Visa for employeesThe 10-year visa for skilled professionals: salary, degree and skill level.
Health
- Health insurance in DubaiWhat your employer must cover, what you pay for your family, and the legal minimum plan.
Transport
- Driving licence in DubaiWhose licence can be exchanged without a test, the steps and the fees.
Is the offer enough to live on? Put the salary and allowances into the calculator to see what you would keep each month.
More from Dubai Reality Check
- Dubai salary guidesWhat 5,000 to 50,000 AED a month leaves for a single person, a couple and a family.
- Dubai areas and rentsCompare areas to live in before you agree a housing allowance.
- Dubai schools and feesSchool fees to weigh against a school fees allowance.
General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so check the linked source before you rely on a figure.