Plan your life in Dubai

Before arrival

Decide your visa route, start document attestation, and research schools or pet requirements. Most official steps happen after you land — but these cannot wait.

• →Choose your visa route — employment, investor, golden, or self-sponsored
• →Get foreign documents attested — degree, marriage certificate, birth certificate
• →Research mainland vs free zone if you plan to open a company
• Research schools if moving with children — check KHDA for rated private school options
• Check MOCCAE requirements if bringing a pet — allow at least 3 months before travel

Arrival week

Verify your entry stamp, get a SIM, activate DEWA, and book Emirates ID biometrics. These four tasks open every other step — do not delay them.

• Verify your entry stamp type and validity at the airport or port of entry
• Get a UAE SIM card — e& (Etisalat) or du, from any mall or airport outlet
• Activate DEWA for electricity and water at your accommodation
• →Book Emirates ID biometrics at an Amer centre or ICA office
• Open a personal bank account — requirements vary by bank; book early

First 30 days

Register Ejari within 30 days of moving in, receive your Emirates ID, and activate health insurance. Founders: register with MoHRE and set up WPS.

• Register Ejari — required within 30 days of tenancy start (Dubai Land Department)
• Receive and verify your Emirates ID card (ICP — icp.gov.ae)
• Activate mandatory health insurance — required in Dubai under Dubai Health Authority rules
• →Open a business bank account if you hold a company licence
• Register with MoHRE and set up WPS if you are hiring employees

First 90 days

Your first compliance deadlines arrive now. VAT threshold monitoring, Corporate Tax registration, driving licence exchange, and family visas.

• Monitor your VAT registration threshold (Federal Tax Authority — federal.ae)
• Register for Corporate Tax with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA)
• Exchange your driving licence if your home country is eligible — check RTA Dubai
• →Apply for family and dependent visas if not yet done
• →Check Emiratisation requirements if your company has 50 or more employees

Emiratisation: June 30 and December 31 deadlines for companies with 50 or more employees.

Annual obligations

Renew visa and Emirates ID before expiry, trade licence 30–60 days early, and Corporate Tax return within 9 months of your Tax Period end.

• →Visa renewal — start at least 60 days before expiry (GDRFA or ICA Amer centre)
• Emirates ID renewal — tied to your visa renewal (ICP — icp.gov.ae)
• Trade licence renewal — 30–60 days before expiry (DED for mainland; your free zone authority)
• Corporate Tax return — file within 9 months of your Tax Period end (FTA)
• Ejari renewal — before your new tenancy period starts (Dubai Land Department)
• →DET holiday home permit renewal — annual from permit issue date
• →Emiratisation mid-year and year-end compliance check

Check the Dubai Life Calendar for upcoming UAE deadlines and public holidays.