August 20, 2024
Dubai is a thriving city that welcomes immigrants with open arms. The city provides excellent weather and lots of job prospects. Dubai’s rapid growth in bursting beaches and magnificent skyline has attracted people around the World, people are not just opting Dubai for tourism and recreational visits rather it is now considered as one of the safest cities for residence with many possible opportunities for real estate development and luxury living. Moving from the United States is no different rather than excitement and challenges. Moving to a new country requires careful financial planning and in-depth information about the culture and laws. This guide will point out the basic knowledge about relocating to Dubai from the USA and all the necessary aspects that must be considered before planning to relocate.
Visa for Americans
It's important for US citizens thinking about moving to Dubai to be aware of the visa requirements. Fortunately, for stays of less than 30 days, holders of U.S. passports are eligible for a visa-on-arrival policy. However, a valid UAE residence visa is needed for longer-term relocation. It is necessary to keep the record because the passport is valid for at least six months after the date the visa was issued. There are various visa choices, each meeting a distinct set of requirements.
Employment Visa:
The first type is the sponsoring company in the UAE that issues the work or employment visa. Generally, the employer is in charge of all visa-related processes, including residency permits.
Dependant Visa:
The second type is the dependent visa, this is appropriate for people who want to sponsor them and have dependent children (a male child under 25 and an unmarried daughter). AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 plus housing) is the minimum monthly income that is needed. It is necessary to make at least AED 20,000 a month in order to sponsor your adult child's residence visa.
Student Visa:
The third type is the student visa which is issued to the students enrolled in Universities and is applicable to the tenure of their studies.
Investor Visa:
This is obtained through the Dubai Free Trade Zone and is applicable to the entrepreneurs who are willing to invest or start a business in Dubai.
Property Owner Visa:
People who own a property in Dubai can apply for the renewable residence visa.
Necessary Documentation Record
Most of the time the company responsible for recruitment handles the documents needed for relocation, however, it is necessary to keep the record of some of the most important paperwork to avoid trouble in future. To keep a checklist, the list of documents for each category is listed.
Academic Qualifications:
In order to process the employment visa, applicants must have the original, attested educational certificates. The USA is a more convenient and economical place to finish this process. A notary public is available at many educational institutions to certify degrees. It is necessary to get authentication from the Secretary of State of your state following notarisation. The documents then need to be authenticated by the Office of Authentications of the U.S. Department of State. Lastly, they need to be verified by the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Marriage Certification:
If planning to relocate with your wife it is crucial to get your marriage certificate, The Secretary of State of the State should attest it after the issuing officer. After that, obtain authentication from the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C., as well as the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications.
Obtaining Accommodation:
The sponsoring company will be responsible for your temporary accommodation after arriving in Dubai. However, the visitors must look for permanent residence themselves. There are a wide variety of studios, apartments, townhouses and villas available in Dubai for rent and purchase. It is relatively easy to locate a place for residence in Dubai catering to your financial budgets, many neighbourhoods also offer off plan properties.
Renting a Property in Dubai
When American expats first move to Dubai, they typically decide to rent a house. There are several properties to pick from, depending on people’s needs (pet-friendly, furnished, with a private garden, near Dubai Metro, etc.). Keep in mind that the finances are the only restriction! The urging rent for a rental property must be paid in one or more post-dated checks. Companies offer loans or housing allowances to help with the upfront expenses, though this varies from business to business. Some other payments include your estate agent’s commission (typically 5% of the total rent), security deposit (5% to 10%), DEWA (water and electricity) deposit, Internet deposits and Ejari tenancy contract.
Buying a Property in Dubai
There are beautiful, truly amazing engineering marvels available in the Dubai real estate market. In Dubai, there are specific freehold neighbourhoods where foreign nationals are permitted to own villas and apartments. It is recommended to look at the newest off plan projects which frequently provide alluring payment schedules and other benefits. There are studios to villas available in most of the city neighbourhoods. Every area is one of a kind with beautiful structural representation and offering world class amnesties. Another wonderful way to generate extra income is by renting the properties you purchase.
Healthcare and Insurance
Employers in Dubai are required to offer health insurance to their staff, and sponsors must obtain insurance for their dependents who live there. If you have no current home insurance coverage, there are a few options for insurance providers. Residents of Dubai have access to public hospitals that provide free or extremely inexpensive services. In order to receive care at any of these hospitals, people must have a health card, which is issued by the Department of Health and Medical Services.
Language in Dubai
The official language of Dubai and the UAE is Arabic. Nonetheless, the majority of the populace speaks English. In addition to the large number of foreign visitors, Hindi, Chinese, or Urdu are being spoken frequently. There are free online classes available if some expats are interested in brushing up on Arabic. Either Madinah Arabic or Duolingo are frequently used by learners.
Educational Institutes for American Expats
There are numerous highly regarded American schools in Dubai. I.B. programs are among the international curricula offered by numerous schools in Dubai. Places at the best schools in Dubai frequently fill up quickly, regardless of the favoured curriculum or year group. It would be prudent to conduct due diligence and make contact with the schools on your shortlist well in advance of the move if you have a school-age child and are considering relocating to Dubai. Dubai offers a plethora of options for higher education, including branches of several American universities.
Getting Around in Dubai
Fans of live music can easily find the city to be a delightful concert venue. Best-in-class rock bands and classical musicians come to Dubai to perform. The concert season begins in the autumn and lasts through the summer, mostly outside. There are countless bars, lounges, and nightclubs in Dubai that offer every possible atmosphere! For party lovers there are the most famous names such as Trader Vic's and Nikki Beach. Expats don’t have to worry about the Super Bowl or NBA because there are various spots that host big games and events. Dubai maintains strict regulation for public intoxications and individuals need to have a licence for alcohol consumption. It is very convenient to get a license in Dubai. If expats have a USA licence they can easily convert it paying a smaller fee. There is an extensive transport system in Dubai which is regulated by RTA, there are busses and metro stations available through the city for public convenience.
Americans make up a small portion of expats in the UAE, the majority of those departing the country reside in Dubai. Additionally, because of Dubai's multiculturalism, there are worldwide brands available. Dubai holds one of the biggest malls that covers all items from eateries to electronics. Since Dubai has emerged as a biggest tourist destination, it caters to all nationalities and their preferences. Individuals who wish to settle in Dubai from the USA have a bright future because of the tax free culture and simultaneously offering luxury living.
