Dubai is one of the world's most accessible cities for international residents and investors. This guide covers the essentials: entry requirements, long-term residency, property ownership rights, and education. It is updated periodically to reflect current regulations and exchange rates.
Most nationalities can enter Dubai without a prior visa. Citizens of over fifty countries, including all EU member states, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States and China, receive a free visa on arrival valid for thirty days, extendable once for a further thirty days. Chinese citizens benefit from an even more generous arrangement, with visa-free access of up to ninety days within any one hundred and eighty day period. Citizens of GCC countries enjoy unrestricted access.
For those intending to stay longer or explore residency options, a number of visa categories are available, including the tourist visa, the multiple-entry visit visa, and the residency pathways set out below.
There are no restrictions on bringing foreign currency into the UAE. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 3.67, providing complete currency stability for international visitors and investors.
The UAE offers several pathways to long-term residency, making it one of the most accessible jurisdictions in the world for international investors and professionals.
The UAE Golden Visa provides long-term residency of five or ten years, renewable, without the need for a local sponsor. It is available to investors, entrepreneurs, specialised talent, and property owners meeting certain criteria. A property investment of AED 2 million or more in a completed freehold property qualifies the buyer for a ten-year Golden Visa. This visa also extends to immediate family members, including a spouse and children.
Separate from the Golden Visa, a two-year renewable residency visa is available to property owners whose investment meets a minimum threshold of AED 750,000. This is a straightforward and widely used pathway for those acquiring property in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
For those relocating for work, the standard UAE residence visa is sponsored by the employer and is typically valid for two to three years, renewable. It grants full residency rights, including the ability to open bank accounts, obtain a driving licence, and enrol children in schools.
The UAE has zero personal income tax. Establishing tax residency requires spending a minimum of one hundred and eighty-three days per year in the country and obtaining a UAE Tax Residency Certificate, which is recognised under the UAE's extensive network of double taxation treaties, including with Romania, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France and Germany.
Foreign nationals can purchase freehold property in designated freehold areas across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, these include Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Business Bay, Emirates Hills and several others. In Abu Dhabi, freehold ownership for foreigners is available primarily on Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and Al Reem Island.
Freehold ownership grants the buyer full ownership of the property and the land on which it stands, with no time restriction and no requirement for a local partner or sponsor.
The purchase process is regulated by the Dubai Land Department and the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport, and it is transparent and well-established. Once a property is agreed, the buyer and seller sign a Memorandum of Understanding setting out the agreed price and terms, and a deposit of typically ten percent is paid at this stage. The transaction is then registered with the relevant Land Department, at which point ownership transfers formally to the buyer. Total transaction costs, including Land Department and agency fees, are typically four to five percent of the purchase price in Dubai.
There is no annual property tax, no capital gains tax, and no inheritance tax on UAE real estate.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are home to a large number of highly regarded international schools, making them well suited to families relocating from abroad. The majority follow one of the following curricula: British, American, International Baccalaureate, French or German. Several schools offer more than one curriculum track, and a small number also offer Mandarin as a primary language of instruction, reflecting the growing Chinese resident community in Dubai.
In Dubai, schools are regulated and inspected by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, which publishes annual ratings for every school in the emirate. This makes it straightforward for families to compare schools before arriving.
Annual fees at international schools typically range from AED 30,000 to AED 120,000 per child depending on the school, the year group and the curriculum. Most schools also charge a one-time registration fee. Places at the most sought-after schools can be competitive, and it is advisable to apply well in advance.
Higher education is also well represented, with campuses of several international universities operating in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including New York University Abu Dhabi, the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, and a number of UK and Australian university branches.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer a wide range of living costs depending on lifestyle and location. The following figures are indicative for a family of four living a comfortable international lifestyle.
Accommodation is typically the largest cost. A two-bedroom apartment in a prime area such as Dubai Marina or Downtown Dubai rents for between AED 120,000 and AED 250,000 per year, while a villa in a gated community ranges from AED 200,000 upward annually. Abu Dhabi tends to be slightly more affordable for equivalent space.
Domestic staff such as a live-in housekeeper or driver are common and relatively affordable by international standards, typically costing between AED 2,500 and AED 5,000 per month including accommodation and a food allowance.
Dining and leisure costs are broadly comparable to major European cities, ranging from affordable to ultra-premium depending on preference.
Healthcare is private and of a high standard. Health insurance is mandatory for residents and is typically provided by employers, and individual and family plans vary widely in coverage and cost.
There is no income tax, which for most international professionals and investors represents a significant improvement in take-home income compared with their home country.
WhatsApp dragos.mihalte@savills.me
Related: The Golden Visa and the FAQ.
Dragos Mihalte, Private Real Estate Investment Advisor, Savills Middle East. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal or tax advice. Figures and rules cited may change. Confirm the current position with a qualified, independent adviser.