Hello and welcome to a new blog post! Today, we will explore the topic of migrating to Dubai or the United Arab Emirates. If you’ve been considering moving abroad in 2025, Dubai may be on your list of options. In this post, we’ll explore what it’s like to live and work in Dubai, what you need to know, and the different migration options. Let’s talk about how to migrate to Dubai.
Now, let’s talk about how to migrate to Dubai. The first thing you should know is that, regardless of the migration method you choose, you will be legal at all times. In Dubai, everything is done legally. There’s no need to worry about obtaining study visas for work or staying illegally. The UAE welcomes foreigners and guarantees legal stay through documents such as the Emirates ID or residence card.
This document allows you to remain in the country for a specific period, depending on your employment or study status. For example, if you quit your current job and find another, you will receive a new Emirates ID reflecting your new employment status. If you decide to study, you will also receive a similar document reflecting your student status.
There are several ways to migrate to Dubai, including as a student, tourist, worker from your home country, investor, freelancer, entrepreneur, or marrying an Emirati citizen.
- Student
- Tourist
- Worker from your country of origin
- Investor
- Freelance / Digital Nomad
- Marrying an Emirati citizen
Each option has its own advantages and considerations. For example, migrating as a student can be a good option if you’re interested in improving your English, as English is widely spoken in Dubai, although not exclusively.
In short, migrating to Dubai is a legal and relatively straightforward process. If you’re interested in learning more about how to obtain your Emirates ID or the different migration options, let me know in the comments, and I can go into more detail on that topic in future posts. I hope this information helps you make an informed decision about your move to Dubai!
1. Migrate to Dubai as a Student
Those who choose to migrate with the first option, as students, are usually people who don’t really have a good command of English. That is, when they say, “I’m sorry, but English is not my thing, I cannot English,” if you identify with this situation, then I would say to study English first before coming to Dubai. This approach has its advantages and disadvantages. Compared to other countries, the process is quite simple and inexpensive. Here you can work and study without any problems. One advantage is that English is not the native language; Arabic is. Although English is spoken most of the time, it is not pure English, but rather English as a second language, with different accents and idioms. The important thing is that you learn and communicate.
If you decide to study here, schools typically provide you with a visa for a specific period, such as six months or a year. If you find a job during this time, you’ll need to change your status with the company to obtain the necessary documentation to legally work in the country. This process is fairly simple, and the company handles most of the paperwork. You don’t have to pay anything, as the companies are responsible for providing you with the legal documentation to work. Once you have a job, you can stay in Dubai for the duration of your employment contract.
2. Migrate to Dubai as a Tourist
The immigration process as a tourist to Dubai is relatively simple, but it’s fraught with uncertainty and depends largely on your attitude and preparation. Upon arrival in the country, you have a limited amount of time to look for work, which varies depending on your nationality. During this time, it’s crucial to be clear about your objective and look for work from day one. You can send your resume and attend interviews to find a job opportunity.
Once you find a job, the company will be responsible for changing your status. This involves obtaining a residency and work permit, known as an Emirates ID. If you renew your contract, your residency permit will also be renewed. However, if you resign from your job, you’ll need to find another way to obtain this document.
3. Migrate to Dubai with work from your country of origin
The third option is excellent and especially suitable for those who already speak English and want greater security when migrating. If you’re one of those people who say, “Okay, first I need to know English, remember, I need to know English,” and you’d also prefer to avoid the risk of losing money on tickets or having a bad experience when arriving in an unfamiliar place, then this option is for you. Basically, it involves searching for jobs online or keeping an eye on the recruitment.
There are many companies recruiting worldwide, including hotels, restaurants, airlines, security, and childcare. You simply need to actively seek them out. You can explore LinkedIn, indeed, or other websites specific to the places where you’d like to work. Look for HR contacts and stay on top of their recruiting processes. I know several cases of people who have had success with this approach, such as a Mexican man who applied online to work at the world’s first seven-star hotel and now lives and works there. Others have landed jobs at renowned airlines like Emirates thanks to this same strategy.
Once you find a suitable job, the process is quite simple. You’ll be interviewed, offered a contract, and once signed, the company will arrange your relocation and residency, as agreed upon in the contract. However, you should keep some important aspects in mind. When you arrive in a completely new location with a work commitment, you may encounter some unexpected difficulties, such as adjusting to the climate, food, or lifestyle. It’s also crucial to carefully review contracts and terms before signing to avoid unpleasant surprises.
In short, this process offers security and the opportunity to start a new life in an unfamiliar place. While it may have its challenges, it also presents many advantages and opportunities for personal and professional growth. If you’re willing to take the risk and venture into this exciting experience, this option is definitely one you should consider.
4. Migrate to Dubai as an investor
The fourth option is what I call the investor, freelancer, or entrepreneur option, among other things. This option is excellent, but let me pause for a moment because I’m a little tired. This option is considered more advanced and is aimed at people with a specific profile. For example, those who already have their own business and want to take it to Dubai, or those who have capital to invest.
If you’re a freelancer with a stable income, you can obtain a two-year residency visa by proving your income to the Dubai government. The other option is the investor visa. If you’re willing to invest at least 2 million dirhams in property in Dubai, you can obtain a “Golden Visa,” a 10-year residency visa. This option offers long-term security in the UAE.
Another option is to establish your own company in Dubai, which costs approximately 5,000 dirhams to register. By doing so, you become your own employer and can secure residency for two years under your company name.
These options are ideal for those who have a different approach than simply looking for a job. They offer a wide range of opportunities and flexibility. For example, if you discover a new talent or decide to become a freelancer, you can still secure residency and live legally in Dubai.
The legal aspect of migrating can be complex, but having the opportunity to establish your status legitimately is invaluable. There are several ways to achieve this, from investing in property to finding work or starting your own business. In short, these options offer a solid and legal way to settle in Dubai, and the number of opportunities they offer is impressive.
5. Marry an Emirati
Okay, you’ve obtained your residency, now I’ll tell you some interesting things that can happen. This option isn’t the most common, but it can happen. For example, you have a friend who married an Emirati. When you marry an Emirati, you can go to the Dubai government and tell them you married an Emirati. They then grant you residency for two years, but instead of being classified as a worker or another occupation, you’re listed as a “housewife.” This is the residency that women obtain when they marry an Emirati, and it’s also renewable. It’s important to note that even if you have this residency, you will never automatically obtain Emirati nationality. This process is much more complicated and requires meeting certain additional requirements.
Another interesting aspect is that you can sponsor another person. For example, if you are married but know someone who needs a visa, you can sponsor that person with the Dubai government. However, this involves certain additional procedures and costs. You also need to prove that you can support that person if they are unable to work.
The same applies to children and other relatives. If you migrate with your family, you can sponsor your children or spouse, but you must have sufficient income to support them.
Conclusion
These are all the options for migrating to Dubai so far. If you know of any others, please share them in the comments, and I’d be happy to investigate further. Migrating to Dubai is an exciting and challenging, but very enriching process. It’s a place with a completely different culture and remains an unknown destination for many. We hope this blog has been helpful and encourages you to begin your own migration process if that’s part of your plans. We hope to see you in Dubai soon!