Dubai: Everything you need to know before leaving

Want to live in Dubai? Here's everything you need to know about living and working in Dubai.

Expatriating to Dubai could certainly become one of the most exciting experiences of your life. That said, you need to know how to go about it, and understand the main advantages and differences with France. We'll give you some practical advice on settling in, and a few pointers on work, tax, education, health and much more.

 

• Dubai is renowned for its dynamism and unique quality of life! So it's the ideal destination if you want to enjoy a great social and professional life.
• The weather is fine all year round, and the climate is ideal from October to April. The days are warm under totally blue skies, and the waters are calm and warm.
• Socially speaking, life in Dubai is constantly full of surprises in a prosperous and diverse setting. With hotels, restaurants, private clubs, beaches, gyms, bars and nightclubs to choose from, you have a wide range of choices for your accommodation and evening outings.
• The schools in Dubai are excellent in terms of standards and quality of teaching, and the number is increasing every year.
• Most major companies are headquartered in Dubai! Which multiplies local opportunities.
• Income is not taxable in Dubai. So you can earn a large salary and easily repatriate funds to your home country.
• Dubai airport has three terminals capable of handling up to 70 million international passengers. This makes the Emirate one of the most accessible destinations in the world.
• Shopping in Dubai is just incredible. From remarkable shopping malls to beachside boutiques and backstreet markets, when you store or simply window-shop in Dubai, you're in for a wonderful experience.
• With an extremely low crime rate, Dubai is one of the safest places in the world.
• Alcohol is permitted in licensed restaurants, clubs and bars. Expatriates can buy alcohol duty-free, but to buy it in town you need a license under certain conditions.
• Cab fares are cheap in Dubai, but for greater comfort you can use a VTC.
• Petrol is really very cheap, at around 60 euro cents a liter.
• Having home help is very common in Dubai.

After weighing up the pros and cons, here's our practical advice:

The formalities

If you are French, a visit visa is automatically issued on arrival, valid for 90 days. However, if you wish to settle here for several years, you will need to obtain a residence visa. In Dubai, executives of free-zone companies, employees and their families can easily obtain residence and work visas valid for 3 years, renewable. In fact, a company domiciled in a free zone not only allows you to trade worldwide, but also gives you the right to reside in the United Arab Emirates for several years.

Here are the procedures and documents to be provided for all visa applications:

• A copy of your diploma
• A bank statement with a minimum account of AED 75,000
• A flex-office: proof that you have an office in Dubai, AED 5,000 per year at least.
• Compulsory medical examination and fingerprinting

It's important to understand that not only do you need to be well-informed about the steps to take, but you also need to check regularly with the immigration authorities, as formalities often change in Dubai.

Accommodation in Dubai

 

Dubai is a large city with ultramodern, luxurious architecture. You're sure to find a home to suit your taste. Villas or apartments, furnished or unfurnished, the type of accommodation varies according to your choice. If you prefer to live in beautiful neighborhoods, beaches or skyscrapers, look no further than La Marina, Le mirdif, Les Arabian Ranches, Business Bay, Jumeirah Lake and Downtown Burj Dubai. Click here to find out more about the 7 best neighborhoods in Dubai.

You'll need to take into account the lifestyle you want to enjoy, the position of your home in relation to your place of work, access to the various places that interest you, such as the beach, stores or clubs, and the distance to schools and health services. These are all important factors that will help you better orient your search for an apartment. 

 Working in Dubai

Dubai's job market is one of the most open in the world, driven by strong competitiveness in a cosmopolitan environment. However, English is required for most of the most interesting sectors of activity, such as hotels, restaurants, tourism, the luxury goods industry, IT and new technologies.

There is no minimum wage in Dubai, and the legal working week is 48 hours, with a vacation entitlement of 30 days a year. In some sectors, priority is given to recruiting locals, notably in travel agencies, real estate, banking and insurance. If you want to work in Dubai, you need to have a sponsor, i.e. a guardian who can be an individual or a company that takes criminal responsibility for your offenses.

It's up to you to find the job you like in this melting pot where dreams sometimes come true. Last but not least, weekends are Friday and Saturday, so Sunday is the first day of the week.

 Setting up a company in Dubai

Companies from all over the world have begun to establish their presence in Dubai. From leisure and entertainment to banking and construction, companies from a variety of fields have opened their branches in Dubai. Whether you're looking for an international fashion store or a world-class restaurant serving exotic cuisine, you're sure to find it in Dubai.

There are many advantages to setting up a business in Dubai. One of the main reasons is that Dubai's economy is one of the most dynamic in the world. Secondly, like any other emirate, Dubai is a tax haven for foreign investors. Dubai is also known as an entrepreneur-friendly environment. Its government has designed commercial policies that encourage entrepreneurs to set up businesses in Dubai. It has also introduced numerous incentives to help start-ups prosper and grow. In addition, the emirate regularly ranks in the top ten of the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index.

Whether you're looking for business ideas, setting up in Dubai today is easy and affordable. The cost of registering a company depends on the type and size of your business. To get off to a good start and get help, it's a good idea to work with a Dubai company formation specialist.

 Education in Dubai

With its cosmopolitan population, Dubai is committed to providing quality international education. For expatriates, it is advisable to enroll your children in several schools, as waiting lists can be very long. However, if you are resident in a particular development, your children will be given priority on the list. This is an advantage to be taken into account. There is no shortage of private schools in the city, from nursery schools to universities, following the International Baccalaureate program or the French system. It should be noted, however, that Arabic is compulsory from the age of 4, regardless of the school system.

French private schools in Dubai are more affordable than British or American schools. They are all equipped with swimming pools and gyms, and the day starts at 8am and finishes around 3pm. During Ramadan, the first day of school is Sunday and Thursday is the last day of the week. The school year is divided into three terms: autumn, spring and summer.

Day nurseries cater for babies aged 12 months on average, and you need to budget around AED 30,000 a year for kindergarten, although fees vary according to the establishment of your choice. Some elementary school have entrance tests. There are advanced courses, SAT, IGCSE, GCE or CBSE, and the International Baccalaureate from secondary school. Dubai's schools of higher education are a testament to the excellence of the international education model, one of the best in the world. Dubai International Academic City is home to the world's leading universities and faculties dedicated to higher education and intellectual development. Specialized schools are also available for special educational needs, such as for children with dyslexia or ADHD.

For further details, please contact the establishments and institutions directly to gather as much information as possible.

 Going out in Dubai       

 

Nightlife in Dubai is rich and varied. Whatever your musical tastes or preferred atmosphere, you'll find the perfect venue to suit you.

Among Dubai's many magnificent locations, we've selected 3 original shots to give you an idea for a day out.

Beachclubs

Relaxing on the beach to the sound of DJs, beach clubs are very popular in Dubai. In particular, Nikki Beach, located on Pearl Jumeriah Island. It's a very festive beachclub. Lively from early morning until late at night, this private beach attracts a trendy clientele.

Bars and clubs

Nightlife in Dubai is exciting with its many clubs and bars. You can go out every night with the theme nights and shows on offer. As for alcohol, you have to be 21 to be allowed to consume it, but it's a different story in the clubs and bars.

Cinemas

As most of Dubai's cinemas are located in a shopping mall, the combo of shopping and movie night is a frequent occurrence. The latest Hollywood and Bollywood films are shown here. It can be particularly interesting to watch a film under the stars, as some cinemas are open-air.

 Transport and communication in Dubai

 

Transportation

Given the heat and size of the city, walking is not the best way to get around Dubai. The most economical means of transport is the metro, which is fully automated. Cabs are also a practical solution. Uber and Careem services are available if you want to use apps to book a cab. But if you want to be autonomous and more flexible, renting a car seems like a good idea. The bus is another alternative for getting around Dubai. Another way to discover the city from the water is by boat. And finally, for short trips in winter, a bicycle can be an interesting option.

Communications

Dubai has 3 telephone operators: DU, Etisalat and Virgin Mobile. DU and Etisalat offer attractive Internet packages. It should be noted that any use of a virtual private network is punishable by imprisonment and a fine. Certain websites are also blocked, such as pornographic sites, critical political content or information offensive to religion. As for wi-fi, it's available just about everywhere: in cafés, restaurants, shopping malls and so on.

Health in Dubai

Health insurance

It is compulsory and covers emergency care, visits to a general practitioner or specialist, tests and examinations prescribed by them, physiotherapy, reconstructive surgery and maternity care.

Pharmacies

It's easy to find a pharmacy in Dubai, even in the middle of the night. Many medicines can be purchased without a prescription. Some general medicines are also available in supermarkets and department stores.

Hospitals and clinics

Dubai boasts some of the best hospitals in the United Arab Emirates, as well as the world's most talented doctors. The standards of care on offer are on a par with those in France. One of the best places to treat a patient for any illness is undoubtedly Dubai HealthCare City.