Moving from
- Moving to Dubai from the UK: about 7 hours from London.
- Moving to Dubai from France: about 6.5–7 hours from Paris.
- Moving to Dubai from Germany: about 6 hours from Frankfurt or Munich.
- Moving to Dubai from Norway: about 6.5–7 hours from Oslo.
- Moving to Dubai from the USA: about 12–14 hours from the US East Coast.
- Moving to Dubai from Canada: about 13 hours from Toronto.
- Moving to Dubai from India: about 3 hours from Mumbai, Delhi or Kochi.
- Moving to Dubai from Pakistan: about 2–3 hours from Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad.
- Moving to Dubai from the Philippines: about 9 hours from Manila.
- Moving to Dubai from Abu Dhabi: about 1.5 hours by car on Sheikh Zayed Road / E11; intercity buses run from Abu Dhabi to Ibn Battuta and Al Ghubaiba.
Your move, step by step
- Before you fly: attest degree, marriage and birth certificates; get your job offer and visa process started.
- First weeks: stay in a furnished monthly flat while you get your Emirates ID, bank account and cheque book.
- Choose the area: map your office and school first. Our family area guides compare metro, schools and budget.
- Sign the lease: Ejari, cheques, deposit, DEWA.
- Sponsor your family: spouse and children's residence visas.
How renting works in Dubai
- Contract: Dubai family flats are normally let on a 12-month contract registered with Ejari. Monthly or 3-month furnished stays exist but cost more per month.
- Payment: rent is paid by post-dated cheques. Fewer cheques (1–2) gets a lower rent; 4, 6 or 12 cheques are negotiable, and some owners accept monthly bank transfer.
- Security deposit: commonly about 5% of the yearly rent for unfurnished and about 10% for furnished, refundable at the end.
- Agency fee: agents usually charge around 5% of the yearly rent. Stayshay charges families nothing.
- DEWA (water and electricity): a refundable connection deposit is paid when you activate the account (larger for villas than apartments), plus monthly bills. Ask whether chiller/AC is included, it changes the bill a lot.
- Family visa link: your Ejari is one of the documents used for sponsoring your spouse and children, so make sure the contract is in the sponsor's name.
First-week essentials
Read our new to Dubai guide, how to save money in Dubai and getting around: monthly transport options.
How much cash do you need on day one?Deposit, agency fee, Ejari and DEWA for any rent: Move-in Cost Calculator.
