Your move, step by step
- Before you fly. Get degree, marriage and children's birth certificates legalised in your home country (your foreign ministry, then the UAE embassy, or the UAE's current e-attestation route). The UAE uses them for your work visa and to sponsor your family.
- Arriving. Norwegian passport holders get a visa on arrival, then move to a residence visa through an employer, business or property.
- First 2–6 weeks: a furnished base. Until your Emirates ID, bank account and cheque book are ready, most families stay in a furnished monthly flat or one of us goes ahead in a monthly studio.
- Residence visa and Emirates ID. Medical test and biometrics, then your Emirates ID. After that: bank account, mobile line, DEWA.
- Choose an area by commute and school. Map your office and your children's school first, then shortlist areas. See family apartments near the metro.
- Sign the yearly lease. Ejari registration, post-dated cheques, deposit and DEWA connection. We explain each one below.
- Sponsor your family. With your Ejari, salary certificate and attested certificates you can apply for your spouse's and children's residence visas.
Where Norwegian families live
The Scandinavian community is smaller but close-knit, and English is the everyday language. Winters are the best season; summers are very hot, so plan your move for September–April if you can.
- Dubai Marina: Beach and promenade, Metro and tram.
- Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT): Two metro stations, Walkable lakes and cafés.
- Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC): New buildings with pools and gyms, Many parks and nurseries.
- Al Barsha: Red Line metro, Al Barsha Pond Park.
- Motor City: Low-rise and green, Schools and nurseries close.
- Dubai Silicon Oasis: Newer buildings and gated feel, Good value 1BHK–3BHK.
Driving
Norwegian licences are on the UAE's conversion list (no lessons or test), subject to the current RTA rules.
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.
Checks before you pay anything
- Visit at the time you'd commute, and check the walk to the metro or bus stop with children.
- Check the chiller/AC arrangement (DEWA-included, Empower or a separate chiller bill).
- Ask for the title deed or the owner's ID and make sure the person you pay is the owner or a RERA-registered broker.
- Never pay a deposit before viewing. Pay by cheque or bank transfer to the owner's or agency's account, and get a receipt.
- Agree in writing who pays maintenance and what happens if you need to leave early (often 1–2 months' rent penalty).
