How to Move to Dubai: Visa Types, Real Costs, and What Nobody Tells You

Dubai's pitch is simple: zero income tax, modern infrastructure, safe streets, and year-round sunshine. That pitch works — the UAE's population grew by over 100,000 in 2024 alone. But the gap between Dubai's marketing and the reality of living there is wide enough to swallow your savings if you aren't careful.

This guide covers the actual visa routes, what they cost, what you need to qualify, and the expenses that "move to Dubai" YouTube channels conveniently leave out.

The Main Visa Routes into the UAE

Employment Visa (Standard Route)

The most common path. A UAE-registered company sponsors your visa, which is tied to that employer. You can't freelance, start a side business, or switch jobs without cancelling and reissuing the visa. The employer handles most of the paperwork, but you'll need attested degree certificates and a medical fitness test on arrival.

Processing takes 2–4 weeks once you have a job offer. The main cost to you is degree attestation (around AED 1,000–2,500 depending on your country) and the medical test (AED 300–500). Your employer typically covers the visa fee itself.

Golden Visa (10-Year Residency)

The UAE Golden Visa gives you 10 years of renewable residency without needing a local sponsor. It's open to investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and outstanding students. For the investment route, you need AED 2 million (~USD 545,000) in real estate or AED 1 million in a business. For the skilled professional route, you need a valid employment contract with a salary of at least AED 30,000/month (~USD 8,200), plus a bachelor's degree or equivalent.

The real advantage is independence: you can sponsor your own family, you don't lose residency if you leave your job, and you can stay outside the UAE for extended periods without the visa lapsing.

Green Visa (5-Year Self-Sponsored)

Launched in 2022, the Green Visa fills the gap between employment visas and the Golden Visa. It lets skilled workers and freelancers sponsor themselves for five years. You'll need a valid employment contract with a minimum salary of AED 15,000/month (~USD 4,000), or proof of freelance income at similar levels. No employer sponsor needed, but you do need to maintain the income threshold.

Freelancer / Remote Worker Visa

The UAE's Virtual Working Programme lets remote workers live in Dubai for one year. You need to prove a monthly income of at least USD 3,500, have valid health insurance, and show a current employment contract or proof of freelance work. The visa costs about AED 1,100 for the application, plus health insurance and Emirates ID fees.

The Real Cost of Living in Dubai

Here's where the "tax-free" narrative needs context. Dubai has no income tax, but it makes up for it with high living costs — especially housing.

A one-bedroom apartment in Marina or Downtown runs AED 7,000–12,000/month (USD 1,900–3,300). In Deira or International City, you're looking at AED 3,000–5,000. Landlords typically require one to four cheques — meaning you often pay 3–12 months of rent upfront. That's a cash flow hit that surprises almost everyone.

Schooling for one child at a mid-tier international school runs AED 30,000–60,000/year. Health insurance is mandatory but employer-provided in most cases. If you're self-sponsored, budget AED 5,000–12,000/year for decent coverage.

Groceries are 20–40% more than Western Europe. Eating out is cheaper at local restaurants (AED 15–25 for a meal), but Western chains and fine dining are on par with London or New York prices.

The real question isn't "is Dubai tax-free?" It's "does what I save in taxes cover what I spend in rent and schooling?"

Things Nobody Tells You

Your visa is your residency — and your bank account. If you lose your job, you have 30 days to find a new sponsor, switch to a Green Visa, or leave the country. Your bank account is tied to your Emirates ID, which is tied to your visa status. No visa, no banking.

The summer is brutal. June through September hits 45°C+ with 90% humidity. You will not walk anywhere. Every aspect of life is designed around air conditioning and cars.

Alcohol requires a licence. You can drink at licensed restaurants and bars, and residents can get a personal liquor licence to buy from shops. It's not a dry country, but it's regulated.

Debt is taken seriously. Bouncing a cheque or defaulting on rent payments can result in legal action. The UAE has historically been aggressive about debt recovery, and unpaid loans can result in travel bans.

Who Dubai Actually Works For

Dubai is an excellent move if you're a high-earning professional (AED 25,000+/month), an entrepreneur who benefits from the UAE's free zones and trade infrastructure, or an investor who can unlock the Golden Visa. It's also increasingly attractive for remote workers earning strong salaries in USD, GBP, or EUR.

It's a harder sell if you're budget-conscious, have school-age children, or value walkable urban living. The cost structure rewards high earners and penalises middle-income residents who end up spending their tax savings on rent and schools.