Moving abroad but you haven’t figured out your transition to Dubai, yet?
As an international relocation company, we understand your confusion when the moving date is approaching, and you’re not prepared. The good news is your international move can still be planned without feeling overwhelmed at the thought of moving to a new country.
How?
We’ve made this moving checklist especially for first timers planning to relocate to Dubai. Come, let’s discuss your international moving plans with a handy checklist and prepare you for the big change that’s about to take place in your life.
1. Conduct Initial Research
Your stay in Dubai as an expat can expand to a few years especially if it’s a professional transition!
So, it’s always a good idea to conduct your research about different aspects of this new land that’s soon going to be your new home. And understand what life feels like when you move to Dubai leaving your hometown behind.
So, here are a few points that can help you in conducting this initial research:
- Get to know about UAE’s laws and customs so you can adapt your lifestyle according to Emiratis.
- Understand what healthcare options you’ll have access to once you become an expat in Dubai.
- If you’re taking your family with you, research about the schooling options in Dubai, too.
2. Plan Your Move Financially
One of the benefits of making a moving checklist is you get to understand the cost involved!
Many of us get excited by the idea of moving abroad and forget the number crunching that this process involves. Assessing your moving plan can offer you a clarity in terms of finance and what you’ll need to do after landing in Dubai.
So, here’s a quick checklist for planning your move financially:
- Start off your financial relocation planning with Dubai’s living cost difference.
- Conduct research on relocation estimates before booking a moving company.
- Research about bank opening procedure in Dubai when you settle down after the move.
- You need to currency prices if you’re planning to send some money home.
- And lastly, do understand the taxation for Dubai’s citizens whether you’ll be working for someone or running your own business.
3. Sort Legal Documentation
Let’s look at the legal documentation side of your move to Dubai!
From passport to visa application, and medical certifications, there are several documents that you need to recheck. Because your whole moving journey can affect if any of these documents don’t match the requirements for expats when you travel.
These are some points to consider when making a moving checklist:
- Ensure that your passport has minimum of 6 months validity to avoid any confusion during the move.
- Make sure that you’re applying for the right visa type whether you’re travelling alone or have family.
- If your plan is to stay in Dubai for a few years, make sure you’re carrying attested copies of educational, marriage, and birth certificates.
- Research what documents will be required to apply for Emirates ID once you reach there.
- And lastly, make digital copies of every legal document that you’ll need in UAE.
4. Health, Home & Other Essentials
One of the most important yet underrated moving tips that we share with first time expats is to sort their medical records. Plus, you’ll need an apartment after reaching Dubai. And utility connection is another Must-Do before you lock your home to board the flight.
Here are some essential steps that you need to note down in your moving checklist:
- Get your medical reports from the hospital and keep them in your “Essentials” suitcase.
- Finding the best apartment may feel tiring when you’re there. So, start your apartment hunt early.
- And lastly, you’ll need to notify the landlord or utility company for disconnecting your account.
5. Packing & Shipment Matters
Packing for a relocation is 10x different than packing for a week-long vacation. So, you’ve to navigate this aspect of your move rather carefully since you can’t ship your whole home to Dubai.
Here are some essential packing tips to stay in budget while you plan your move to Dubai:
- Follow the 3-Step SSD packing rule (Sell, Store, or Donate) to keep only what you won’t find in Dubai.
- Understand what’s allowed to carry with you according to UAE’s custom regulations.
- Keep most essential items in a separate hand-carry/suitcase to access them in an easy way.
Final Words
Moving to Dubai can offer you a lot of opportunities but you’ll have to plan everything carefully. And we hope this moving checklist proves helpful in making your itinerary less stressful and tiring for you.
Before you leave this page and start making your moving checklist, let’s revisit all the aspects that we’ve just discussed above:
- Always start with researching about the country where you’re moving.
- Consider the financial aspects of your relocation plans, too.
- Keep your legal documents ready before you board the plan.
- Make sure you’ve done your research on housing, healthcare, and other important matters.
- When preparing to relocate, always pack what you won’t find in the new city.
Need an international relocation company in Dubai? Our moving experts are just a call away from providing you the assistance and sorting your move to Dubai. Just give us a call on 800 668348 and leave everything on our responsible and experience moving crew.
