Moving to United Arab Emirates: your relocation checklist
Everything you need to settle into United Arab Emirates, organized by phase. Generate a free plan tailored to your visa status, family, and budget below.
United Arab Emirates at a glance
Live and regularly refreshed data, each fact with its source.
Climate · Abu Dhabi
Jan 20° · Jul 35°
Open-Meteo
Air quality · Abu Dhabi
AQI 85 · Moderate
WAQI
Internet
~290 Mbps median
Ookla
English proficiency
moderate
EF EPI
Safety advisory
Level 3 · Reconsider Travel
U.S. State Dept
Currency
AED
ISO 4217
Timezone
UTC+4
Open-Meteo
No personal income tax
0% tax on salaries and personal income
Individuals pay no income tax; a 9% corporate tax applies to business profits above ~AED 375k since 2023. Watch your tax residency in the country you leave.
Verified 2026-06 · Federal Tax Authority
The United Arab Emirates relocation checklist at a glance
1Before you go
- Confirm which visa or residency route fits your situation
- Gather and, where needed, apostille/translate key documents
- Sort out international health insurance for the gap period
- Budget the move and notify your bank of the relocation
2First week
- Register your address with the local authority
- Get a local SIM / mobile number
- Start the local bank account application
- Locate the nearest clinic and pharmacy
3First month
- Complete residency registration and get your ID number
- Enroll in the healthcare system or private insurance
- Set up utilities and a long-term rental contract
- Understand your tax residency obligations
4First 90 days
- Exchange or apply for a local driving license if required
- Build a local support network and language basics
- Review and optimize banking, taxes, and insurance
- Handle school enrollment or childcare if you have kids
This is a general outline. Your personalized plan above adapts every step to where you're moving from, your visa status, and your situation. Always verify official requirements: this is not legal or immigration advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to move to United Arab Emirates?
It depends on your passport and why you are moving: tourist entry rules are different from working, studying or joining family. Generate a free plan above and we check the visa route for your exact passport and situation, using a 238-country visa matrix.
Does United Arab Emirates have a special tax regime for newcomers?
Yes: No personal income tax. 0% tax on salaries and personal income. Individuals pay no income tax; a 9% corporate tax applies to business profits above ~AED 375k since 2023. Watch your tax residency in the country you leave. Status: active, verified 2026-06 against Federal Tax Authority.
What is the weather like in United Arab Emirates?
In Abu Dhabi, average daily temperatures run about Jan 20° · Jul 35° (Open-Meteo historical data, 2025). Regional climates can differ a lot; a city-level plan uses data for your exact destination city.
How current is this data?
Climate, inflation and life expectancy were refreshed 2026-07-07; prices, taxes and air quality 2026-07-07. Tax regimes are hand-verified against official government sources. Every fact on this page shows its source.