Just Moved to Dubai? Your First 30 Days Home Setup Checklist

Week 1: Paperwork and a Shortlist

• Residency steps. Your employer or sponsor usually arranges the medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics and residence visa. Many later steps, including a full phone contract, a bank account and Ejari, need your Emirates ID or at least the application, so start early.
• A local SIM. A visitor SIM works until your Emirates ID arrives. You will need a UAE number for almost every online form.
• Areas to view. Think about commute, schools if you have children, and whether you want a high-rise apartment or a villa. Our guide to living in Business Bay is a good example of the questions to ask about any area.
• Budget for upfront costs. Rent is often paid in one to four cheques. On top of that, expect a security deposit (commonly around 5 percent of the annual rent for an unfurnished home), an agency fee, the Ejari fee and utility deposits.

Week 2: Lease, Ejari and DEWA

Once you choose a home, things move quickly, and the order matters:

Week 3: Internet, Permits and Furniture

• Store deliveries arrive on the store’s schedule, often flat-packed, and may not include assembly.
• Second-hand pieces need collection from the seller’s home, which means their building rules too. Our guide on hiring movers for one piece of furniture explains how it works.
• An international shipment is delivered by the shipping company. If it arrives while you are still in temporary housing, it can go into storage until the new home is ready.

Week 4: Settle In Properly

• Assemble and place furniture. Do it in one go if you can, so you only book the service lift once. Our guide to furniture assembly explains what to expect.
• Access cards and parking. Collect access cards, parking stickers and gym or pool access from building management.
• Driving licence. Holders of licences from a list of eligible countries can usually convert them to a UAE licence through the RTA without lessons. Check the current list on the RTA website.
• Health insurance. Health insurance is mandatory for residents in Dubai. Employers cover employees, but you may need to insure family members yourself.
• Check the new home. Test the AC, water heater, appliances and internet. Report any issue to your landlord in writing in the first weeks. Our checklist of things to check in your new home helps.

Your 30-Day Moving to Dubai Checklist at a Glance

Common First-Month Mistakes

• Booking furniture delivery before the move-in permit. Deliveries can be turned away at the gate.
• Assuming utilities work on day one. DEWA activation and internet installation both take time.
• Buying a sofa without measuring the lift. Large pieces do not always fit. Read our guide for when a sofa will not fit in the lift.
• Using unlicensed movers found on social media. Check the trade licence, as our guide to spotting moving scams explains.

How Lucky G Movers Helps New Residents

We are a local moving company, and we work within Dubai and the UAE only. We do not ship belongings from abroad. Once you are here, we take care of the local side: moving you from temporary housing to your new home, collecting furniture from stores and sellers, handling building permits and lift bookings, and assembling furniture on the day.

See how our apartment movers in Dubai work, or read our Dubai moving tips before your first move here.