Dubai is the second largest city in the United Arab Emirates, with a population of 3.55 million (in 2023), of which 85% are expats. Most expatriates hail from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, however, the emirate is also home to around 240 000 British expats (in 2022).

Additionally, English is widely spoken in Dubai, so you don’t have to be fluent in Arabic to move around the city and mingle with people from all over the world.

Religion in Dubai

Islam is the official religion in Dubai, as designated by the constitution, and this plays a major role in the culture of the city. Non-Muslims enjoy religious freedom and are not expected to comply with Islamic tradition, although they are expected to respect it. Evangelising is prohibited in Dubai, as it is throughout the United Arab Emirates.

Friday is a holy day in the Islamic religion, meaning that working is forbidden. So instead of having your weekend on a Saturday and Sunday, it’ll be from a Friday to Saturday. It may take some time to adjust, but you’ll soon get in the swing of things.

During Ramadan – the holy month of fasting, prayer and introspection – the workday is shorted to six hours and both Muslims and non-Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours.

This is done out of respect for the Islamic practice, and anyone who does not comply could face prosecution. These rules do not apply to children and pregnant women, however.

Dubai’s Job Market & Digital Nomad Visa

The Dubai job market is extremely competitive. There are thousands of professionals pursuing their careers in the city, resulting in an excess of candidates, especially in the information technology, human resources, finance, and administration industries. This often means that candidates will accept lower salaries to secure employment.

As a British citizen, you don’t need a job to move to Dubai, as the city’s long-term multiple entry visit visa permits you to stay for a maximum of 90 days. If you do have a job, your employer will typically organise all the paperwork for your work permit and residency visa.

You can also apply for a digital nomad visa through the Remote Working Visa Scheme, which was introduced in Dubai in March 2021. This visa enables individuals of all nationalities to reside and work in Dubai, while having the same rights and privileges as residents. The visa is relatively simple to obtain, is valid for up to one year and has an annual renewal plan. However, to be eligible to apply, you must meet the following criteria:

• You have a valid passport with a minimum of six months validity.
• You have health insurance that is recognised in the UAE.
• For employees: proof of employment from a current employer by means of an employment contract that is valid for at least one month, a minimum of £3500 per month salary, last month’s payslip and bank statements for the three preceding months.
• For business owners:
  • Proof that you have owned the company for one year or more, with an average monthly income of £3500 per month or its equivalent in foreign currencies and bank statements for the
    three preceding months.
  • Proof of work/employment outside the UAE and that the work is conducted remotely.

• When applying for permits for family members, applicants must submit valid health insurance and a passport for each member.

The Cost of Living in Dubai vs UK

Although Dubai is an expensive city, the cost of living there is still 25% cheaper than in London, UK (in 2023). Accommodation, education, and transport are the biggest expenses you are likely to encounter.

It’s helpful that the United Arab Emirates do not levy income tax on individuals and sales tax is minimal, but living costs can add up and the advantageous tax environment means that many expats find themselves spending money on luxuries they wouldn’t have ordinarily splurged on at home.

Accommodation in Dubai

No matter your lifestyle or budget, you will be spoilt for choice when looking for a place to stay in Dubai. Apartments, condominiums and villas can be rented furnished or unfurnished, and there are many different payment options, including monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and more.

If you want to settle in the city permanently – or make an astute investment – buying property may be an attractive option. New arrivals tend to rent a serviced apartment short term while deciding on long-term accommodation.

You can expect to pay around £1230 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre, while a three-bedroom apartment goes for around £2300 per month (2023). Naturally, rents are cheaper on the outskirts, where one-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments are available for £790 and £1600 per month, respectively.

Start your search with these popular property websites: Bayut, Dubizzle or Property Finder.

English-Speaking Schools in Dubai

Dubai is home to a number of excellent schools, many of which follow the British and/or US curriculum, giving expatriates from the UK many alternatives. The Indian, Pakistani, German, French, and Australian schools follow the curriculum of their home countries.

You can find the most popular British schools in Dubai here.

Advantages to living in Dubai

Tax-Free Income
With no income tax and only 5% VAT on goods and services, Dubai provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy life, take a relaxing vacation every now and then, and boost your savings all at the same time. For many, this alone makes the city an excellent place to live and invest.

Low Crime Rate
The government of the United Arab Emirates actively invests in technology to keep Dubai residents safe. Together with strict laws and a respected justice system, this makes the city a safe environment where the elderly, women and children can walk about at night without concern.

Outstanding Healthcare
The exceptional healthcare available in Dubai provides even more reason for families to settle in this city. Residents can feel secure knowing that many healthcare facilities boast advanced resources and qualified medical staff from all over the world.

What To Do in Dubai

Your options are endless when looking for attractions to see and activities to do in Dubai. Below is a list of things that should without a doubt be on your bucket list:

• Cruise along The Dubai Fountain
• Have sundowners in the Burj Khalifa
• Tackle the slopes and make penguin friends at Ski Dubai
• Swim with sharks at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
• Watch camels race with robot jockeys at Al Marmoom
• Have a taste of adventure on a Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari

Rules to Follow

To ensure that your time in Dubai is safe and pleasant, it’s important to be thoroughly familiar with local regulations and customs. Below are some of the laws you are likely to encounter in daily life:

• Cybercrime laws forbid taking photographs of people without their consent. You may also not photograph car accidents, aeroplanes, embassies, government buildings and military installations.
• Eating and drinking on any form of public transport and in public transport stations is prohibited.
• According to public decency laws, it is a crime to display public affection. Even kissing in a public place may lead to imprisonment.
• You must have an alcohol license to consume, store or transport alcohol. Being drunk and disorderly or drinking in public is a punishable offence.
• Cursing in public is punishable by up to a year in prison and a hefty fine. Flashing your middle finger will result in deportation.
• Dress codes vary from one location to another, but the general rule is to wear loose-fitting clothing that covers your shoulders, knees and arms.

What’s the verdict?

Dubai is a futuristic city that offers its residents the chance at an unprecedented lifestyle. But there is no doubt that, as a destination, it is a personal choice. You may love it or hate it, but one thing is certain, you will save a of money on taxes and perhaps even build more wealth than you ever would have back home!

For assistance with your move to Dubai, contact AGS Movers. Our team is ready to help!

Get your free moving quote

Mr. Husain believes 2016 to be AGS Dubai’s most successful year to date, with the branch expecting to further increase its permanent staff members in 2017. The branch has built its business considerably since inception and its objective remains to be the most-preferred moving company in the Middle East, Mr Husain said. AGS Dubai and AGS Abu Dhabi complete around 20 to 25 moves per day in the summer.

The Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches have also decided to combine their activities and now share one warehouse which is easily accessible to both branches. This has proved to be a productive operational decision and the group believes it will result in long term cost-effective solutions for its customers.

Mr Taïeb remains highly optimistic about the future of the UAE branches and reiterated that the AGS Group will continue to support and assist them. Mr Taïeb was joined by the Group’s 2015 Top 12 Managers when they visited Dubai at the end of October.

The Top 12 Managers initiative was established in 2010 and represents the best performing branch managers for the past year. They’ve been selected based on a specific set of criteria and proved to be the group’s most excellent performers based on their wealth of experience, expertise and excellence, among other qualities. The relaxed, casual vibe of the trip to Dubai did enable managers an opportunity to engage with each other and build relationships outside of the work environment. Together with their partners, the Top 12 Managers visited some of Dubai’s most renowned tourist destinations after the customary half day workshop, spent sharing the reasons of their respective success.

Now Mr Charpentier, a top executive at AXA Corporate Solutions, has rated the service he received as top-notch, proving that his confidence in AGS Movers Paris was well-founded.

He was particularly impressed by the attitude and availability of AGS representatives, the handling of his requests and the accuracy of the quote provided by the branch. The movers’ punctuality, friendliness and presentation, as well as time management, technical expertise and competence, was also highly rated.

When Mr Charpentier arrived in Dubai, he was as impressed with the service he received on arrival as at departure. AGS staff proved that they provide consistent top quality service from door to door.

Joelle Castro, Global Agent Development Director, presided over the opening ceremony and cut the ribbon to officially launch the branch on 21 February 2011.

AGS Movers UAE is headed by Zia Husain who brings a wealth of knowledge to the job with over 16 years’ experience in the removals industry and 10 years spent in the Middle East. He is supported by a young and dedicated team of highly-skilled staff who are ready to take on the challenge of a new branch.

Zia said, “Our vision is to provide a complete removal service to our customers, backed by the highest quality, professionalism, facilities, and responsiveness. The objective is to be the most-preferred moving company in the Middle East for our corporate and private customers.”

Bound to become a mover and shaker in the Middle Eastern removals market, AGS UAE already has 21 employees, and has secure storage capacity of 12,000 sq ft in Dubai, and a further 8,000 sq ft in Abu Dhabi. All personnel speak fluent English, and are also able to assist clients in French, Arabic, and many other languages.

With 50 moves carried out in less than 3 months, the dynamism of the newest AGS branch is already being revealed.

The contact details of the branch are as follows:

1907, Jumeirah Business Centre – Bldg. 5
Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai.

P.Box 27049, Dubai

Tel: +971 4 454 1531
Email: zia.husain@agsmovers.com