dubai foreigners?

Question

I am considering a move to Dubai. Any, and all, help considering such a move will be appreciated.

Answer 1

Dubai is an interesting and worthwhile place to live, but it is very expensive. There are a few key things to keep in mind when considering a move there.

Residence Visa
Well the first thing you are going to need if you are moving to the UAE is a residence visa, if you are not a GCC national. If you have a job lined up for you, then your company should have your visa application sent to the airport at the time of your arrival. If so, they will stamp a residency visa in your passport.

If you are planning to bring your family members to live with you, then you will need to get a family residence visa. This visa will allow you to sponsor your spouse, children, and parents, if they are coming with you. In order to have a family residence visa, your salary must exceed Dhs. 4,000 a month.

For those coming to the UAE to search for a job, you will be entering the UAE on a visit visa, and once you have found a job, you can transfer to a residence visa by either re-entering the country or else directly transfering it.

Property / Real Estate
Well once you get here, you need a place to stay, so if the company you're working for hasn't already arrange this, then you need to deal with this quickly. The cost of property will depend on which city you live in and which area of at city you live in. Here are some example apartment and house costs.

Dubai
Fully Furnished One-Bedroom Flat - Dhs. 6,250 per month
Unfurnished Two-Bedroom Flat - Dhs. 80,000 per year
Unfurnished Three-Bedroom - Dhs. 95,000 per year
Villa [Mirdiff] - Dhs. 100,000 per year
Last Updated - September 2005

UAE landlards normally require that you pay the entire year's rent before moving in, or else with 2, 3, or 4 post dated checks. If you would prefer to own your own place rather than rent, you can own freehold property in Dubai.

Driver's License
Individuals who have a driver's license from countries in America, Europe, a few other countries can transfer there driver's license to a UAE driver's license easily. Click here for more information.

Getting Around
Cars and Taxis are the main forms of transport in Dubai. Renting a car will cost a minium of Dhs. 90 (US$ 25) per day for a small vehicle. It is possible to lease a car for a weekly or monthly basis. Buying a car can be done at a new car dealer or a used car dealer. More information on this can be found here.

Telephone & Internet
In order to get a residential telephone line, GSM (mobile sim) or Internet line, you will need to head down to the nearest Etisalat (UAE's only telecom company) office, with a copy of your passport & residence visa, and a copy of your tenancy contract. More information on this can be found here.

Water & Electricity
Property utilities (water, electricity, and gas) are billed each month according to usage. Electricity in the UAE is 220/240 volts which means that US appliances will require an adaptor. In order to get the utilities connected to your apartment or villa, you will need to go down to the city's utility provider, with your tenancy contract and a refundable depost of 1,000 or 2,000 dirhams. Only water in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are completely clean and suitable for drinking, so individuals living in the cities rely on bottled water.

TV & Satellite
For home entertainment, your building may have an antenna, which you can connect your television to or else it will have a satellite dish, which you will need to connect to a decoder/receiver before connecting to your television. More information on this can be found here.

Cost of Living
Well there isn't any correct answer that will suit everyone. You have to take into account the cost the property you will be living in, if your company is not paying for it, the cost of schooling for your children, if you have any, and the cost of the utilities, telephone bills, and food.

Answer 2

first you will want to check into visa requirements, they may require you to have a job before you can get a visa, you will need a visa to be able to rent a place to live also.
Dubai is a great place but expensive, try Sharjah for housing. Also i would being reading the Dubai newspapers to get familiar with the country. Also you should go to the american embassy website to see if they have any info for you. Good Luck

Answer 3

hi,, better check out where to live,,, its expensive..... for the most part...and where to work, if you have not already....

Lots of new building going on there... wonderful place,, clean and nice..... no kidding,, i wouldnt mind living there myself......

Good Luck.....

Answer 4

it is a nice and safe pleace to live but also expensive.

Answer 5

HOPE YOUR SOUL RET IN PEACE