How Much Does it Cost to Move to Dubai From the UK in 2024?

It’ll cost between £10,000 and £20,000 to move to Dubai from the UK. 

These moving costs include flights, visa fees, rent, and other essential services when moving abroad. While upfront costs may seem expensive, creating a budget you can stick to will help in the long term. 

Use 1st Move International’s handy cost guide to prepare for the costs of moving to Dubai in 2024.

Breakdown of the costs of moving to Dubai

Visa and Document Costs

1. Skills Assessment – Most Dubai visas don’t require a paid skills assessment. If you’re in the healthcare, education or engineering industry, then you’ll need a paid skills assessment. For health professionals, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) exam fees cost AED 1,000 to AED 2,000 (£200 to £400) and the registration fees are around AED 2,000 to AED 3,000 (about £400 to £600).
   
   
2. Authentication Fees – Document notarisation fees range from £70-£120 (AED 350 – AED 600) per document and legalisation fees are £30-£75 (AED 150 – AED 375) per document. This is done via the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
   
   
3. Mandatory Medical Check – You’ll need a medical test when applying for most Dubai visas. This costs between £100 to £300 (AED 550 – AED 1,650) for a blood test and an X-ray.  
   
   
4. Police Clearance Certificate – Employment visas in Dubai require a police clearance certificate for the past 5 years. These cost between £55 and £95 (AED 275 – AED 475).
   
   
5. Visa Application Fee – Visa application fees will vary by visa type. The Golden Visa costs between £3,000 and £5,000 (AED 15,000-AED 25,000) for a 5-year visa. The Employment visa will cost between £500 to £1,500 but employers often pay this. You’ll also need to pay between £70 and £150 (AED 350- AED 750) for an Emirates ID. 
   
   
6. Visa Assistance – Visa assistance fees vary by the complexity of the visa. Fees can range from £50 up to £1,500 (AED 250-AED 7,500) for a Work Visa.

Travel and Relocation Costs

1. Flights from the UK to Dubai: It’ll cost between £200 and £500 (AED 1,000-AED 2,500) for a one-way flight ticket to Dubai. Expect costs to rise to over £2,000 (AED 10,000) if you choose business class.
   
   
2. Shipping Your Belongings: To ship the contents of a 3-bedroom home to Dubai, expect to pay around £2,857 to £3,173 (AED 14,285-AED 15,865). Dubai shipping costs will vary depending on the size and location of the move.
   
   
3. Rental Deposits & Advance Rent: Rent in Dubai is typically paid quarterly or annually in advance. A 3-bedroom apartment in Dubai costs around AED 10,288.33 (£2,200) per month. You’ll typically pay 5% of the annual rent upfront as a deposit for unfurnished flats so budget around AED 6,050 (£1,320). 
   
   
4. Health Insurance:  Expats must get health insurance to access healthcare in Dubai. The cost ranges between £500 to £2,000 (AED 2,500-AED 10,000) annually depending on the plan and coverage.
   
   
5. Shipping Your Car: To ship your car to Dubai, it’ll cost £1,141 (AED 5,705) for a standard saloon car going via RoRo service. 
   
   
6. Shipping Your Pet: It’ll cost between £800 and £5,500 (AED 4,000-AED 27,500) to ship your pet to Dubai. Costs will depend on the size of your pet, flights and whether or not you use a relocation service.  

Average Salaries in Dubai 

The average annual salary in Dubai is AED 200,000 – 240,000 (£42,000 – £50,000). Salaries vary across Dubai depending on the location and industry. We’ve listed some popular areas of Dubai and shared the average salary in each location.

• Al Barsha: AED 120,000 – 180,000 (~£25,000 – £38,000).
• Dubai Marina: AED 180,000 to 300,000 (~£38,000 to £63,000).
• Dubai Silicon Oasis: AED 150,000 to 250,000 (~£32,000 to £53,000).
• Downtown Dubai: AED 180,000 to 300,000 (~£38,000 to £63,000).

Final Thoughts

Moving to Dubai from the UK can seem expensive at first glance. Moving costs such as flights, visas, and rent are all essential costs that work towards your new life in Dubai. By creating a budget for your move to Dubai, you’ll know exactly what to expect for each step of the move. 

For many people, the long-term picture of life in Dubai will outweigh the initial upfront costs. With excellent career opportunities, a warmer climate and tax benefits, Dubai is a popular choice for people looking for a new adventure. 

Moving to Dubai – We Can Help

At 1st Move International, we help hundreds of people move to Dubai each year. We are experts in the international removal space, offering safer packing, faster shipping and smarter pricing. When you’re ready to move, get in touch for a free, tailored quote for your removals to Dubai.