Moving to Dubai is not complicated, but it is very procedural. Most people who struggle do not struggle because Dubai is difficult. They struggle because they arrive without understanding how the system works, how much money moves upfront, and how long it takes to feel settled.
This guide is written for people who want to know what to expect before they arrive. It focuses on real costs, real timelines, and real decisions. If you are researching how to settle in Dubai, this is meant to feel grounding rather than overwhelming.
Settling in Dubai is less about cultural shock and more about administrative sequencing. Life here runs smoothly once your documents, accounts, and registrations are in place. Until then, you will feel like many things are “on hold”.
This is normal.
The key to settling well is understanding that your first 60 to 90 days are a setup phase. Comfort comes later. When you expect that, the experience feels far calmer.
Everything in Dubai starts with your residence visa. Without it, you cannot fully function as a resident. Most expats arrive on an employment visa sponsored by their employer or a tourist visa. Other options include freelance visas, investor visas, family sponsorship, and long-term residency visas.
Until your residence visa and Emirates ID are issued:
You cannot open a local bank account
You cannot sign a long-term rental contract
Many services remain temporary or limited
Visa processing usually takes 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the employer and category. This waiting period is normal and should be planned for, not fought against.
Dubai’s job market is performance-driven. Probation periods are typically six months, and notice periods during probation are often shorter than people expect.
When evaluating a job offer, the monthly salary alone is not enough. You should look closely at:
Health insurance quality, not just whether it exists
Annual flight allowance
Probation and notice period terms
End-of-service benefits
Two offers with the same salary can feel very different in real life once benefits and stability are factored in.
Dubai is not cheap or expensive by default. It is choice-driven. Housing, schooling, and lifestyle decisions determine how affordable the city feels.
What most newcomers underestimate is the initial cash outflow. Your first few months cost more because deposits, fees, and setup expenses happen all at once.
Arriving with a financial buffer makes a significant difference to how calm your transition feels.
After arrival, you will complete a medical fitness test and biometric registration. These steps are mandatory and routine.
This phase often feels slow because many things depend on documents being issued in sequence. You may have a job and an address, yet still feel unsettled. That feeling usually disappears once your Emirates ID is issued.
The Emirates ID is the most important document you will have in the UAE. You will use it constantly.
You need it to:
Register utilities
Sign a rental contract
Access government services
Once you have it, daily life accelerates quickly.
Renting is where most expats feel the most pressure, not because housing quality is poor, but because the rental system works differently from monthly rental markets elsewhere.
In Dubai, properties are listed with an annual rent, and payment is usually made in one to four cheques per year. Fewer cheques often mean better negotiation power. More cheques usually mean higher rent.
In addition, not everyone can afford to rent a studio, 1 BHK, or so on due to lower salaries at the start. Most expats who come to Dubai share rooms or rent partitions to survive. This can be a big shift from your life in your home country.
For an apartment with an annual rent of AED 60,000, you should expect:
Security deposit (5%): ~AED 3,000 Refundable if the property is returned in good condition.
Agent fee (2–5%): AED 1,200–3,000 One-time, non-refundable.
Ejari registration: ~AED 220 Mandatory to legally register your tenancy.
DEWA deposit: ~AED 2,000 For electricity and water services.
Before you even move in, upfront payments can reach AED 6,500–8,000, excluding rent cheques. This is why many people feel financially unprepared, even when the rent itself seems affordable. Once your first lease is done, housing becomes predictable and far less stressful.
Banking in Dubai is straightforward, but it cannot begin until your Emirates ID is issued. Until then, you operate in a temporary phase using cash or international cards.
Once your Emirates ID is ready:
Bank account opening usually takes 5–10 working days
Salaries are paid monthly via bank transfer
Debit and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere
Cash is rarely needed. Even parking, groceries, and small purchases are Apple Pay or Google Pay-based.
Dubai has no personal income tax, which significantly increases take-home pay. VAT applies to many services, but you feel it more in dining, entertainment, and lifestyle spending than in necessities.
Healthcare quality in Dubai is high, but the experience depends heavily on your insurance coverage.
Most employers provide basic health insurance that meets legal requirements, but may feel limited in real life. Common exclusions include:
Dental care
Optical care
Specialist consultations without referrals
Private clinics are efficient, clean, and easy to access. However, uncovered visits typically cost AED 300–600 per consultation, excluding tests or medication.
Many expats upgrade their insurance after settling in, once they understand their actual healthcare needs.
Dubai is well-connected through metro, buses, and trams. You can use the public transportation using your nol card, which can be obtained through any metro station. There is a nol app that can be used to top up your card. The minimum amount for nol card to take a trip is only 7.5 AED. Many expats use public transportation in the beginning, as getting a driving license can be time-consuming and costly.
To save more money, you can get a monthly pass from the metro station as well. Here's a breakdown of expected transportation costs:
Public transport: AED 300–500
Car ownership (loan, fuel, insurance): AED 1,200–2,000
The biggest shift most expats notice happens after the initial setup phase.
Once documents, housing, and banking are in place:
Daily life becomes predictable
Most services are handled through apps
Grocery, pharmacy, and document deliveries replace errands
What feels overwhelming at first becomes routine. Many people find Dubai surprisingly calm once the early administrative phase is over.
Dubai works best for people who:
Plan finances carefully
Value efficiency and structure
Are comfortable with clear rules and systems
It can feel frustrating for those who expect flexibility during the early stages or dislike administrative processes. The trade-off is long-term stability, safety, and convenience. For many expats, Dubai becomes easier with time, not harder.
Learning how to settle in Dubai is less about shortcuts and more about understanding how systems work. Once those systems are in place, life runs smoothly.
From renting and utilities to healthcare and schooling, almost everything here is predictable once you understand the process. The city is designed for speed and efficiency, but only if you meet it halfway.
And as daily life becomes more app-driven, having reliable delivery support becomes part of that system. Whether it is moving into a new apartment, sending documents, handling forgotten essentials, or managing day-to-day logistics, the Lalamove app fits naturally into how expats live and move in Dubai.
Download the Lalamove app now and make your life easier!