Moving To Dubai – A Comprehensive Guide
When expats are moving to Dubai, they need to apply for one of the UAE’s residence visas. These applications can be done online. In order to qualify for a residence visa, expats need to show proof of health insurance coverage in the UAE.
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Are you an expat who is planning on moving to Dubai? Are you wanting to learn more about the process of moving? As an international insurance broker, Pacific Prime has over 20 years of experience helping expats secure medical coverage globally.
This article will help you learn about the many types of residence visas, some of their requirements and lengths of duration, and your options to get health insurance as a Dubai expat.
This article is a touchpoint in a larger series we’ve created all about moving to Dubai. We have linked out to dozens of other articles that can go into more detail about related topics, and we highly encourage you to utilize these great resources.
Two such articles expats may find value in are our articles titled How to Become a Citizen in Dubai and The Best Places to Live in the UAE.
A Guide for Expats Moving to Dubai
Moving to Dubai as an expat entails applying for and renewing a visa, securing a health insurance plan with coverage in the UAE, and adjusting to the culture and lifestyles of Dubai. Expats in Dubai come from around the world, so there is great diversity in this city.
Because it is such a big topic to cover all the things worth knowing as an expat moving to Dubai, we’ve written a series of articles that cover this in more detail.
Please read the following articles that speak specifically to what it’s like moving to Dubai from certain countries in the world:
- If you’re an American, read Moving to Dubai from the United States and Can a US Citizen Move to Dubai?
- If you’re a Canadian, read Moving to Dubai from Canada
- If you’re a UK Citizen, read Moving to Dubai from the United Kingdom
- If you’re Chinese, read Moving to Dubai from China
- If you are none of these, you can still find value in the above articles, and you may like to read Living in Dubai as an Expat
This “Moving to Dubai” article series addresses topics such as the cost of living in Dubai, cultural differences, visas, the best places to live in Dubai, education, and healthcare in Dubai.
Applying for a Visa in Dubai
Expats who are moving to Dubai should apply for a residence visa. Depending on your situation and reason for moving to Dubai, you will need either a Golden Visa, Work Visa (for either inside or outside of the UAE), Retirement Visa, Student Visa, or Residence Visa for Family Members.
There are several places for Dubai expats to apply for their visas. The online channels include the eChannels portal, the GDRFA website, and more.
Let’s take a close look at each of the visas available to expats heading to Dubai.
Dubai Golden Visa
The Golden Visa is for long-term residents who have foreign talent coming to the UAE to live, work, or study. If you are an investor, entrepreneur, scientist, outstanding student or graduate, humanitarian pioneer, or frontline hero, you are eligible for this visa.
The Golden Visa grants expats a six-month entry visa and a long-term, renewable residence visa for 5 – 10 years. Golden Visa holders do not require a sponsor.
Work Visa (Inside the UAE)
There are three types of work visas for expats moving to the UAE to work inside the UAE. These are the Green Visa for skilled employers for five years, the Standard Work Visa for employees in the government and private sectors, and the Domestic Workers Visa for domestic helpers.
- The Green Visa works well for freelancers, self-employed individuals, and skilled employees. This visa lasts for 5 years and does not require a sponsor/employer.
- The Standard Work Visa usually lasts for 2 years if you are employed in the private sector, government sector, or free zone. Your employer must apply for this visa.
- The Domestic Workers Visa is for 19 types of employees, such as housemaids, sailors, guards, shepherds, nannies, home nurses, cooks, and more.
Work Visa (Outside the UAE)
The Virtual Work Residence Visa is for expats who move to the UAE and work virtually from inside the UAE. This is a one-year visa, and it allows workers to enter the UAE under self-sponsorship. You must receive a monthly income minimum of USD $3,500 to qualify for this visa.
To learn more about the work visa options in Dubai, read our blog post that dives deeper into this topic.
Dubai Retirement Visa
Retired expats from the USA who are over age 55 residing in Dubai or the UAE can get a long-term Retirement Visa for 5 years. To qualify, the individual must have worked for a minimum of 15 years inside or outside of the UAE or be 55 years old or above.
In addition to that, you must:
- Own a home of no less than AED 1 million (about USD $272,200)
- Have financial savings of no less than AED 1 million (about USD $272,200), or a monthly income of AED 15,000 in Dubai (about USD $4,000) or AED 20,000 in the rest of the UAE (about USD $5,400)
- Provide a bank statement for the last six months
Dubai Student Visa
Expat students who move to Dubai to study apply for a Student Visa that lasts for up to one year at a time. Students can either be sponsored by their parent who resides in the UAE or be sponsored by their accredited university/college. This visa can be renewed with proof of continued study.
Family members of foreign students can live in the UAE as well, as long as they can afford housing.
Dubai Residence Visa for Family Members
Employers and employees who have a valid UAE residence visa can sponsor residence visas for their family members. Employees can sponsor their families no matter what their job title is if they earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 (about USD $1,000) or AED 3,000 (about USD 800) plus accommodation.
Visit Visas in Dubai
The visit visa options in Dubai include the jobseeker visit visa, investment explorer visit visa, patient and his/her companions visit visa, GCC resident visit visa, tourist visa, and the transit visa. These are available for travelers who don’t plan to live in Dubai for an extended period of time.
Because health care and treatment are ranked so well in Dubai, medical tourism is very popular. The patient and his/her companions’ visit visa allows foreign patients to enter the UAE for medical treatment.
If you’re interested in traveling to Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE for health reasons, you’ll want to learn about the hospitals in the UAE so you can pick the one you want to be treated in.
Mandatory Health Insurance for Dubai Expats
The Dubai Health Insurance Law of 2013 made it mandatory for all residents of Dubai to have a minimum amount of health insurance. This holds true for expats, and you will not qualify for a visa without proof of medical insurance or a health card.
If Dubai expats do not have health insurance, they may face serious fines, legal complications, and possible deportation. For this reason, we highly recommend that you become familiar with your expat health insurance options in Dubai and the UAE.
The very best insurance providers that offer coverage in Dubai include:
- Aetna
- Cigna
- William Russell
- Allianz
- April International
- Bupa
- MSH International
- AXA (known as GIG Gulf in the UAE)
- NOW Health
You can read about the insurance plans offered by these companies in the following blog posts:
- For plans by Allianz Care, read Allianz Insurance in Dubai for Expats
- Bupa is a top global provider, so read about Bupa Insurance Dubai Global
- Another popular expat provider is Cigna, so read about Cigna Insurance in Dubai for Expats
- To read about plans by Now Health, read Dubai Now Health International
- Learn how AXA and GIG Gulf merged in our article AXA Insurance Dubai Becomes GIG Gulf
- Get a deep dive analysis of GIG Gulf’s insurance plans in GIG Gulf Insurance Company for Dubai Expats
It is always wise to compare quotes between several providers before you select your plan. This can help you ensure you get the best policy and price for your needs and budget. If you have any questions about these providers, reach out to Pacific Prime, and we will clarify your concerns.
What Life is Like in Dubai for Expats
Dubai’s life for expats means living in a city with one of the lowest crime rates in the world, making Dubai an incredibly safe place to live. It is also one of the grandest, most luxurious cities in the world. It has beaches, water attractions, and extravagant eating venues.
If you’re unsure if it’s a good idea to move to Dubai, you should read our blog post that addresses that question.
Here are some of the features of Dubai that attract expats:
- Delicious Middle Eastern foods, such as hummus and shawarma
- A warm climate that suits perfectly for beach activities
- A growing international school system for expat students
- A diverse variety of residential apartments and luxury condominiums
- Luxury golf courses in a beautiful landscape
To read more about what life is like in Dubai, read our blog posts about Dubai Laws for Expats, Living in Dubai – What to Expect, and our above-mentioned “Moving to Dubai” series.
If it’s finances you’d like to learn more about, you should read our articles that address what type of salary expats need to move to Dubai and if Americans are paid more in Dubai or not.
Conclusion
A large part of moving to Dubai is applying for and renewing your residence visa. In order to qualify for a visa, residents need to provide proof of a health insurance plan. Pacific Prime has helped over one million expats get health insurance globally and specifically in Dubai.
Please reach out to us with your questions and compare health insurance quotes on your own so you can find the best insurance policy for your situation.
Here are some more resources expats will value:
- To discover how to protect yourself from diseases abroad, read about The 14 Most Common Diseases to Watch Out for When Traveling Abroad.
- To expand your horizons of future homes, read about The Best Places to Live in Asia and The Best Places to Live in Europe for expats.
- To find out who the best travel insurance providers are globally, read The 5 Best Travel Insurance Companies.
- To learn about what life is like as an expat elsewhere in the world, read our Guide for Living Abroad in Europe and our Guide for Living Abroad in Asia.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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How do expats find reputable childcare or early education options in Dubai? What are the best ways for expats to connect with the local community and other expatriates in Dubai?
Expats in Dubai can find reputable childcare or early education options by exploring top-rated international schools and nurseries, such as Horizon Kids Nursery or Dubai International Academy. Parent groups on platforms like Facebook or ExpatWoman often share recommendations, and Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) provides school ratings to help with decision-making.
To connect with the local community and other expats, expats can join networking events, expat groups on social media, or community events hosted at hubs like Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) or cultural festivals. For more assistance with expat life in Dubai, including health insurance needs, contact Pacific Prime for tailored advice and a free quote.
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