We moved to Dubai from the UK as a family of four – two adults, two kids, and about a thousand unanswered questions. If you’re reading this, you’re probably where we were: excited, terrified, and wondering if you’ve thought of everything.
I’m going to be honest with you – you haven’t thought of everything. Nobody does. But this guide is what I wish someone had handed me before we packed up our life in the UK and landed in Dubai. It covers the practical stuff (visas, documents, schools), the financial stuff (spoiler: have more cash ready than you think), and the emotional stuff that nobody warns you about.
We’ve documented our entire journey on our YouTube channel too, so if you’d rather watch than read, there’s plenty there. But if you want the full picture in one place, keep scrolling.
If you want the full overview of relocating with a family, check out my complete relocation guide. This post is specifically for UK families – because I know there are things that are uniquely British about this experience.
The Visa Process for UK Families
Let’s start with the bit that stresses everyone out: visas.
The good news is that as a UK passport holder, you can enter Dubai on a tourist visa for 30 days without applying in advance. That gives you time to land, look around, and start the process. But if you’re relocating properly, you’ll need a residence visa.
Your Main Visa Options
- Employment visa – Your employer sponsors you and your family. This is the most common route and covers your spouse and children under 18 (or under 25 if in full-time education).
- Investor/partner visa – If you’re setting up a business or freelancing through a free zone. You can sponsor your family through this.
- Golden visa – A 10-year visa for property investors (AED 2M+), specialists, or entrepreneurs. Increasingly popular with UK families buying property.
- Remote work visa – If you’re keeping your UK job and working remotely. Valid for one year, renewable.
- Green visa – A 5-year self-sponsored visa for skilled professionals, freelancers, and investors. Doesn’t require a local sponsor.
The Process (Simplified)
- Entry permit – Issued before or on arrival
- Medical fitness test – Blood test and chest X-ray at a DHA centre (wear trousers – they genuinely won’t let you in with shorts)
- Emirates ID biometrics – Photo and fingerprints
- Visa stamped – In your passport
- Sponsor dependants – Repeat medical and biometrics for spouse and children
“The whole process took us about three weeks from landing to having all four visas sorted. It felt like a lot of running around, but honestly it moved faster than we expected.”
Pro tip: Get your UAE phone number sorted on day one. You’ll need it for literally everything – bank accounts, Emirates ID, DEWA, school registration. Nothing moves without it. We covered this in our life admin video and I can’t stress it enough.
Minimum Salary Requirements
To sponsor your family on an employment visa, your salary needs to meet the minimum threshold – currently AED 4,000/month or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. For the remote work visa, you’ll need to show a minimum monthly income of around $3,500. These thresholds change, so double-check before you start the process.
Document Attestation – Do This BEFORE You Leave the UK
This is the single biggest piece of advice I can give you, and I’m going to put it in capitals because I wish someone had done the same for us: GET YOUR DOCUMENTS ATTESTED BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE UK.
We didn’t do this. We had to get documents sent back to the UK, attested, and returned to Dubai. It cost more, took longer, and caused unnecessary stress at a time when we were already drowning in admin. Honestly, it’s one of my biggest regrets about the whole move.
Documents You Need Attested
- Marriage certificate (original, not a copy)
- Birth certificates for each child
- Educational certificates (degree certificates for visa purposes)
- School transfer letters for children
- Police clearance certificate (sometimes required for certain visa types)
The Attestation Process from the UK
- Notarisation by a UK solicitor or notary
- FCDO legalisation (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) – you can do this online or by post
- UAE Embassy attestation in London
Cost: Budget around £100–200 per document if you do it yourself, or £300–500 per document through a service. It sounds steep, but doing it from Dubai is double that and takes weeks longer. We learned that the hard way.
Timeline: Allow 2–4 weeks. Start this the moment you decide you’re moving – don’t wait until the last minute like we did.
If you want to see our chaotic admin experience in real time, we documented it in our Dubai life admin week vlog. It’s entertaining in hindsight – slightly less so at the time.
School Transfers: From the UK System to Dubai
If your kids are in school, this is probably your biggest worry. It was certainly ours.
The good news: Dubai has an enormous number of British curriculum schools. Your children can continue on the exact same National Curriculum path, sitting IGCSEs and A-Levels just as they would in the UK. The transition is surprisingly smooth academically.
What You’ll Need
- School reports from the last 2 years
- Transfer letter from current school (attested – see above)
- Passport copies and visa copies for each child
- Emirates ID once issued
- Vaccination records (UAE requires specific vaccinations – check with the school)
- EHCP or SEN documentation if applicable
Choose School First, Then Housing
I cannot stress this enough. We’ve talked about it on YouTube, we’ve written about it, and I’ll keep saying it – pick the school, then find somewhere to live nearby. Dubai traffic is no joke, and a school run that’s “only 15 minutes” on Google Maps can easily become 40 minutes in morning rush hour.
In our first year, we walked the boys to school. Genuinely life-changing. When we moved to Villanova, that walk became a 25-minute drive and I missed it every single day.
British curriculum schools range from around AED 30,000 to AED 108,000 per year depending on year group and school tier. Check out my schools guide for a detailed breakdown by curriculum and area.
“We chose our school first and then found our apartment within walking distance. That walk to school every morning? It was priceless. I’d do it that way again every time.”
KHDA Ratings – The Dubai Ofsted
Dubai schools are inspected by KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority), similar to Ofsted in the UK. Ratings run from Outstanding to Weak. Don’t rely solely on ratings though – visit in person. Some “Good” rated schools are brilliant; some “Outstanding” schools might not suit your child’s personality. Take the kids with you when you visit. Let them feel the school, not just you.
Year Group Differences
One thing that catches UK families off guard: the academic year in Dubai starts in September (same as the UK), but some schools use slightly different year group naming. FS1 is Reception, FS2 is Year 1. Most British curriculum schools here follow the same structure as back home, but always confirm with the school directly to avoid any confusion.
Healthcare: Transitioning from the NHS
This is a big adjustment for British families. You’re leaving the NHS behind, and healthcare here works very differently.
How It Works
- Health insurance is mandatory – your employer typically provides a basic plan, but many families upgrade for better coverage (maternity, dental, optical)
- GP visits require a co-pay (usually AED 0–100 with insurance)
- Specialist appointments are faster than the NHS – you can often see someone the same week, sometimes the same day
- Prescriptions are dispensed at pharmacies attached to clinics, usually on the same visit
- A&E is available at major hospitals – Mediclinic, NMC, King’s College Hospital Dubai, and others
What to Do Before You Leave the UK
- Get dental work done – dentistry here is expensive (AED 200–500 for a basic cleaning, AED 3,000+ for anything major)
- Stock up on prescriptions – bring a 3-month supply of any regular medication with a doctor’s letter
- Get vaccination records for the whole family (the yellow NHS vaccination booklet is ideal)
- Request your full NHS records – takes time, so do it early
- Optician check-ups – glasses and contacts are pricier here
- Consider travel insurance for the gap between arrival and employer coverage starting
The silver lining: Healthcare quality is genuinely excellent here. Hospitals are modern, doctors are international, and you don’t wait months for a GP appointment. Once you adjust to the insurance model, most families find it works well – often better than the NHS, if I’m honest.
For a full picture of ongoing costs including healthcare, head to my cost of living guide.
Financial Setup: Banks, Cheques, and Monopoly Money
The financial side of moving to Dubai from the UK trips up more people than you’d think. Adam talks about this a lot – dirhams feel like Monopoly money for the first few months, and if you’re not tracking your spending, this city will empty your account without you noticing.
Opening a UAE Bank Account
You’ll need a bank account quickly – it’s required for salary payments, rent cheques, and school fees. The big banks here are Emirates NBD, ADCB, FAB, and Mashreq. The process typically takes 1–2 weeks and requires your visa, Emirates ID, and proof of income or employment letter.
Pro tip: Some banks are faster than others. Emirates NBD was one of the quicker options when we set up. Ask your employer if they have a corporate banking relationship – it can speed things up considerably.
The Cheque Situation
Yes, cheques are still a thing in Dubai. In 2026. I know.
Your landlord will want post-dated cheques for rent (usually 1–4 cheques for the year). School fees are often paid by cheque too. Request a chequebook from your bank the moment your account is open – they take a few days to arrive and you can’t sign a tenancy without them.
Transferring Money from the UK
You’ll need to move significant sums from your UK account. We use Wise (formerly TransferWise) for regular transfers – the rates are much better than going through the banks directly. Set up your Wise account before you leave the UK so it’s ready to go.
Important: Keep your UK bank account open. You’ll want it for any UK commitments, pension contributions, and as a safety net. Some UK banks close accounts if you’re no longer a UK resident, so check with yours before you leave. First Direct, Nationwide, and HSBC tend to be more flexible with overseas residents.
How Much Cash to Have Ready
Moving to Dubai requires serious upfront capital. This is the bit that shocks most UK families. Here’s a realistic picture:
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| First rent cheque (3 months of a 4-cheque arrangement) | AED 37,500–75,000 |
| Security deposit (5% of annual rent) | AED 7,500–15,000 |
| Agency fee (5% of annual rent) | AED 7,500–15,000 |
| DEWA deposit | AED 2,000–4,000 |
| Ejari registration | AED 220 |
| School registration + first term fees | AED 15,000–40,000 |
| Car lease or deposit | AED 5,000–15,000 |
| Furnishing (if unfurnished) | AED 15,000–50,000 |
| Flights and shipping | £3,000–£8,000 |
| Total estimate | AED 90,000–215,000 (£19,000–£45,000) |
“When I say have more money ready than you think, I really mean it. The first two months in Dubai are financially brutal. Everything hits at once – rent, deposits, school fees, furnishing. Have a buffer. Then add another buffer on top.”
We went into more detail on costs in our cost of living breakdown and our furnishing costs video if you want the full picture.
What to Ship vs What to Buy Here
We agonised over this. In hindsight, the answer is simpler than we made it.
Ship from the UK
- Sentimental items – photos, children’s artwork, special toys, that blanket they can’t sleep without
- Specific electronics – UK plugs work with adaptors, but bring your good stuff (laptops, consoles, kitchen gadgets you love)
- Clothing you love – but less than you think. You’ll live in shorts, dresses, and linen for most of the year
- Books and board games – English books are pricier here
- School uniforms – if you’ve already bought them for the new school, bring them. They’re not cheap to replace
Buy in Dubai
- Furniture – IKEA, Pottery Barn, Home Centre, and secondhand Facebook groups make this easy and often cheaper
- Summer clothing – you’ll want lightweight fabrics designed for this heat
- Kitchen equipment – readily available and sometimes cheaper
- Beds and mattresses – not worth the shipping cost
- Beach and pool gear – you’ll use it constantly and it’s everywhere here
- A car – buy or lease here; don’t ship from the UK
Shipping timeline: Sea freight from the UK takes 4–6 weeks. Air freight takes 1–2 weeks but costs significantly more. Most families do a combination – air freight the essentials, sea freight the rest, and furnish the apartment on arrival. We documented our entire furnishing process in our furnishing vlog if you want to see what that actually looks like.
What We Wish We’d Left Behind
Coats. Seriously, we shipped winter coats. They’ve been worn approximately twice in two years – both times on holiday in Europe. If you need a coat for a trip, buy a cheap one and donate it. Don’t waste shipping space on wool jumpers and wellies.
The Relocation Timeline: When to Do What
This timeline is based on what worked for us and the hundreds of families I’ve spoken to since. Adjust to your circumstances, but the sequence matters.
| Timeframe | Action |
|---|---|
| 6+ months before | Research schools and neighbourhoods, start attestation, begin decluttering |
| 4–6 months before | Apply to schools, get on waiting lists, arrange shipping quotes |
| 3–4 months before | Confirm school places, start property search remotely, book flights |
| 2–3 months before | Arrange removals, sort UK admin (forwarding post, council tax, HMRC, etc.) |
| 1 month before | GP records, dental check-ups, final prescriptions, farewell gatherings |
| 2 weeks before | Pack suitcases, cancel UK utilities, final UK essentials shop |
| Week 1 in Dubai | Phone number, medical, biometrics, property viewings |
| Week 2–3 in Dubai | Visa stamped, bank account, sign lease, start furnishing |
| Week 3–4 in Dubai | DEWA, internet, school registration, car lease, settling in |
Not sure which area to live in? Take my neighbourhood quiz – it takes 2 minutes and narrows it down based on your budget and priorities.
Cultural Adjustment: The Things Nobody Warns You About
The practical stuff is one thing. The emotional adjustment is another, and it catches a lot of UK families off guard.
What Hit Us Hardest
- The heat is real – June to September is intense. You go from air-conditioned house to air-conditioned car to air-conditioned mall. Outdoor life pauses for about 4 months. Coming from drizzly England, the first summer is a shock.
- You will miss your people – Friends, family, the school run crew, the neighbours. Dubai is incredible, but it can be lonely until you build your circle. This is exactly why I started Sadeeqa – so no woman has to feel isolated the way I did in those early months.
- Ramadan changes everything – Shorter school days, different restaurant hours, a different pace. Embrace it, learn about it, respect it. We found our first Ramadan genuinely enriching – the boys learned about it at school and came home fascinated.
- The weekend is the same – Dubai switched to a Saturday–Sunday weekend in 2022, so it’s the same as the UK now. But Fridays feel different – it’s the holy day, and the rhythm of the week takes adjusting to.
- Everything is new at once – New country, new home, new school, new friends, new systems. It’s a lot. Give yourself permission to feel overwhelmed.
What Surprised Us (In a Good Way)
- The kids adapted instantly – Within a week, they had friends. Within a month, they didn’t want to go back. Children are incredibly resilient.
- Safety – Dubai is incredibly safe. Kids play outside until late. You don’t worry the way you might in some UK cities.
- The community – Once you put yourself out there, the expat community is warm, welcoming, and supportive. School gates are where friendships start.
- Quality of life – Sun, space, pools, beach weekends, brunches, the outdoor lifestyle from October to May. The lifestyle is genuinely brilliant.
- The early mornings – Adam raves about this. You’re 3–4 hours ahead of the UK, so you can get a full morning’s work done before anyone back home is even awake. It’s a productivity hack that’s hard to give up.
“There were definitely moments in the first few months where I thought, ‘What have we done?’ But once we found our rhythm – our school, our community, our routines – I couldn’t imagine going back. Give yourself grace. It takes time.”
Driving and Transport
A quick note on getting around, because it’s different from the UK.
If you have a UK driving licence, you can convert it to a UAE licence without taking a test – the UK is on the approved country list. The process takes a couple of weeks and involves an eye test, your existing licence, and some paperwork. We covered this in our UK licence conversion guide.
You will need a car. Dubai is a driving city. The metro is expanding but doesn’t reach most residential communities. Taxis and Careem work well for occasional trips, but for school runs, grocery shops, and daily life with kids, your own car is essential.
We leased for the first year (around AED 2,500–3,500/month for a mid-size SUV) while we figured out what we wanted. Many families do the same. Buying is cheaper long-term if you’re staying more than a year.
Quick Reference: UK to Dubai Checklist
| Task | Status |
|---|---|
| Attest marriage certificate | ☐ |
| Attest birth certificates | ☐ |
| Attest educational certificates | ☐ |
| Research and apply to schools | ☐ |
| Get school transfer letters (attested) | ☐ |
| Request NHS medical records | ☐ |
| Complete dental and optical work | ☐ |
| Stock up on prescriptions (3-month supply) | ☐ |
| Set up Wise account | ☐ |
| Check UK bank overseas policy | ☐ |
| Arrange shipping quotes | ☐ |
| Cancel UK council tax and utilities | ☐ |
| Set up mail forwarding | ☐ |
| Notify HMRC of move abroad | ☐ |
| Book temporary Dubai accommodation | ☐ |
| Research neighbourhoods and areas | ☐ |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the full relocation process take from the UK?
From the moment you decide to move to being fully settled (visa, home, school, bank account), expect 3–6 months of planning and 3–4 weeks on the ground in Dubai to get everything sorted. I’d recommend starting school applications 4–6 months before your planned move date, as the popular British schools fill up quickly – especially for September intake.
Can I keep my UK job and work remotely from Dubai?
Yes, the UAE remote work visa allows you to live in Dubai while working for a foreign employer. It’s valid for one year and renewable. You’ll need to show a minimum monthly salary (currently around $3,500/month) and provide proof of employment. Be aware of UK tax implications – you may still owe HMRC depending on your tax residency status. Get proper tax advice before you go. We covered the financial planning side in our tax and financial planning post.
What happens to my UK pension and National Insurance?
You can continue making voluntary National Insurance contributions from abroad to protect your UK state pension entitlement. It’s worth doing – the contributions are relatively small and protect decades of future pension income. You can also keep workplace and private pensions running from overseas. Speak to a financial advisor who understands UK–UAE dual affairs – it’s one of those things that’s easy to sort early and painful to fix later.
Is Dubai safe for families with young children?
Genuinely, yes. Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world. Children play outside freely, communities are gated and secure, and the overall crime rate is extremely low. As a mum, the safety factor was a huge draw for me. I feel more relaxed here than I ever did in the UK, and that’s saying something. The boys have more freedom here than they ever had back home.
Planning your move from the UK? I’ve been exactly where you are, and I’d love to help. Take my neighbourhood quiz to figure out which area suits your family, browse my neighbourhood guide for honest area breakdowns, or check out my relocation package if you want personalised support with schools, housing, and the whole process. You’ve got this – and I’m here if you need me.