01
A real job, then a visa
The employer files the work permit. You do not pay a stranger on Instagram for a “free visa.” Freelance and Golden Visa are separate products — do not mix them with a normal contract.
Work visa, plainlyShort guide · 2026
Dubai Move Guide
Eight moves. One page. Confirm the rest with ICP, MOHRE, DHA and the HR letter — not a group chat.
Salary tax
None
NOL Silver
AED 3 / 5 / 7.50
30-day pass
AED 350
USD 1
≈ AED 3.67
02
Read the split, not the OTE
Ask for basic, housing, transport, tickets, medical. Commission-only can look large and live thin. If leftover after rent is under AED 2,500, you are in share-a-room territory.
What life costs03
Pick the area for the salary
Marina on a mid wage is a different life from JVC or Deira on the same number. Metro access is the reason a mid salary survives. Use the finder, then ride the commute once before you sign.
72 neighbourhoods04
Fly on the visa HR named
Visit vs employment is not interchangeable. After landing: medical, Emirates ID biometrics, a local SIM, a Silver NOL card. Ride the Red Line once so Monday is not a surprise.
Airport to city05
SIM, bank, DEWA
e& or du — a resident plan wants ID. Banks want Emirates ID plus a salary letter; some open a limited account while ID is processing. DEWA takes a deposit. Summer AC is the bill that shocks January viewers.
Phone and bank06
Ejari or it is not yours
If nobody in the flat has Ejari, you have no official footing for DEWA in your name. Do not pay a year of rent in cash to an unverified WhatsApp number. Flexi Rent changes when you pay, not the annual price.
Cheques and Ejari07
Health cover, then clinics
Your employer should put you on a policy. Ask who is covered and which network. Without a card, a simple visit is expensive. 998 ambulance, 999 police. Keep the Emirates ID photo on your phone.
Hospitals and cover08
Heat, weekend, manners
May–September: metro, malls, taxis at midday. Most private offices are Saturday–Sunday off. Shoulders and knees in malls. Public drinking is licensed venues. During Ramadan, eat and drink discreetly in public.
How the city worksSalary vs rent — try your number
Entry studio / compact 1-bed feel, or townhouse in villa communities. Not a listing.
Salary vs rent — all areas
Rough 2026 entry rent: studio / compact 1-bed, or townhouse in villa communities. Click an area for commute and metro truth.
| Area | Band | Est. rent | Left | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deira | Mid | AED 4,000 | AED 8,000 | Comfortable |
| Bur Dubai | Mid | AED 4,400 | AED 7,600 | Comfortable |
| Karama | Budget | AED 3,900 | AED 8,100 | Comfortable |
| Al Satwa | Budget | AED 3,800 | AED 8,200 | Comfortable |
| Al Jaddaf | Mid | AED 4,800 | AED 7,200 | Comfortable |
| Dubai Creek Harbour | Core | AED 6,800 | AED 5,200 | Workable solo |
| Al Qusais | Budget | AED 3,600 | AED 8,400 | Comfortable |
| Al Nahda | Budget | AED 3,800 | AED 8,200 | Comfortable |
| Mirdif | Mid | AED 4,300 | AED 7,700 | Comfortable |
| Garhoud | Mid | AED 5,300 | AED 6,700 | Comfortable |
| Festival City | Mid | AED 5,200 | AED 6,800 | Comfortable |
| International City | Budget | AED 2,700 | AED 9,300 | Comfortable |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | Budget | AED 3,400 | AED 8,600 | Comfortable |
| Academic City | Budget | AED 3,100 | AED 8,900 | Comfortable |
| Downtown Dubai | Core | AED 7,800 | AED 4,200 | Workable solo |
| Business Bay | Core | AED 6,200 | AED 5,800 | Workable solo |
| DIFC | Premium | AED 9,500 | AED 2,500 | Workable solo |
| City Walk | Premium | AED 8,500 | AED 3,500 | Workable solo |
| Al Barsha | Mid | AED 4,800 | AED 7,200 | Comfortable |
| Barsha Heights (Tecom) | Mid | AED 5,000 | AED 7,000 | Comfortable |
| Jumeirah | Premium | AED 13,000 | AED -1,000 | Over budget |
| Al Quoz | Budget | AED 3,500 | AED 8,500 | Comfortable |
| Dubai Marina | Core | AED 7,800 | AED 4,200 | Workable solo |
| JBR | Core | AED 8,200 | AED 3,800 | Workable solo |
| Jumeirah Lake Towers | Core | AED 5,800 | AED 6,200 | Comfortable |
| Dubai Harbour | Premium | AED 9,800 | AED 2,200 | Tight / share |
| Palm Jumeirah | Premium | AED 12,000 | AED 0 | Tight / share |
| Bluewaters | Premium | AED 12,500 | AED -500 | Over budget |
| Jumeirah Village Circle | Mid | AED 4,600 | AED 7,400 | Comfortable |
| Jumeirah Village Triangle | Mid | AED 4,700 | AED 7,300 | Comfortable |
| Sports City | Mid | AED 4,400 | AED 7,600 | Comfortable |
| Motor City | Mid | AED 4,100 | AED 7,900 | Comfortable |
| Dubai Hills Estate | Core | AED 6,500 | AED 5,500 | Workable solo |
| Meydan | Core | AED 6,400 | AED 5,600 | Workable solo |
| Town Square | Mid | AED 4,300 | AED 7,700 | Comfortable |
| DAMAC Hills | Mid | AED 5,400 | AED 6,600 | Comfortable |
| Al Furjan | Mid | AED 4,000 | AED 8,000 | Comfortable |
| Discovery Gardens | Budget | AED 3,100 | AED 8,900 | Comfortable |
| Jebel Ali | Budget | AED 3,200 | AED 8,800 | Comfortable |
| Dubai Investment Park | Budget | AED 3,000 | AED 9,000 | Comfortable |
| Dubai South / Expo City | Budget | AED 3,300 | AED 8,700 | Comfortable |
| Dubai Production City | Budget | AED 3,400 | AED 8,600 | Comfortable |
| Internet City / Knowledge Park | Mid | AED 5,400 | AED 6,600 | Comfortable |
| Dubai Media City | Core | AED 5,600 | AED 6,400 | Comfortable |
| Sobha Hartland | Core | AED 6,600 | AED 5,400 | Workable solo |
| Arjan | Mid | AED 4,200 | AED 7,800 | Comfortable |
| Arabian Ranches | CoreEntry townhouse / 2–3 bed | AED 11,000 | AED 1,000 | Tight / share |
| The Springs | CoreEntry townhouse / 2–3 bed | AED 9,000 | AED 3,000 | Workable solo |
| The Meadows | PremiumEntry townhouse / 2–3 bed | AED 14,000 | AED -2,000 | Over budget |
| The Greens | Core | AED 6,200 | AED 5,800 | Workable solo |
| The Views | Core | AED 6,400 | AED 5,600 | Workable solo |
| Tilal Al Ghaf | CoreEntry townhouse / 2–3 bed | AED 8,500 | AED 3,500 | Workable solo |
| Mudon | MidEntry townhouse / 2–3 bed | AED 7,200 | AED 4,800 | Workable solo |
| Remraam | Mid | AED 4,800 | AED 7,200 | Comfortable |
| Jumeirah Golf Estates | PremiumEntry townhouse / 2–3 bed | AED 12,000 | AED 0 | Tight / share |
| Al Warqa | Budget | AED 3,600 | AED 8,400 | Comfortable |
| Al Mizhar | Budget | AED 3,500 | AED 8,500 | Comfortable |
| Al Khawaneej | MidEntry townhouse / 2–3 bed | AED 5,500 | AED 6,500 | Comfortable |
| Al Rashidiya | Mid | AED 4,200 | AED 7,800 | Comfortable |
| Muhaisnah | Budget | AED 3,200 | AED 8,800 | Comfortable |
| Umm Suqeim | Premium | AED 14,000 | AED -2,000 | Over budget |
| Al Wasl | Premium | AED 10,000 | AED 2,000 | Tight / share |
| Trade Centre | Core | AED 7,000 | AED 5,000 | Workable solo |
| Oud Metha | Mid | AED 4,500 | AED 7,500 | Comfortable |
| Dubai Design District | Core | AED 7,200 | AED 4,800 | Workable solo |
| Emaar Beachfront | Premium | AED 11,000 | AED 1,000 | Tight / share |
| Dubai Islands | Core | AED 7,000 | AED 5,000 | Workable solo |
| The Sustainable City | CoreEntry townhouse / 2–3 bed | AED 9,500 | AED 2,500 | Workable solo |
| Liwan | Mid | AED 4,000 | AED 8,000 | Comfortable |
| Nad Al Sheba | CoreEntry townhouse / 2–3 bed | AED 7,000 | AED 5,000 | Workable solo |
| Al Twar | Budget | AED 3,700 | AED 8,300 | Comfortable |
| Port Saeed | Mid | AED 4,800 | AED 7,200 | Comfortable |
72 of 72 areas. Open the full area guide. Family 2-beds and school fees sit on top of these numbers.
Company
Start a business
Eight steps, mainland vs free zone, and every common licence. Official DET and zone links. Private specialist desk if you want a human.
Business setupProperty
Invest in real estate
How to buy, DLD’s 4%, trustee, service charges, Golden Visa from AED 2 million. Areas linked to the neighbourhood pages.
Property guideWe are not a recruitment agency and we do not process visas. If someone from “Move to Dubai” asks you to pay a fee, it is not us.