Checklist for your first month in Dubai

A simple week-by-week checklist for newcomers: what to sort before you fly, and what to do in your first four weeks on the ground.

The first month in a new country is mostly paperwork, errands and small decisions. Here is a simple order to do things in, so nothing important slips. Rules and fees change, so always confirm the current requirements with the official source named in each step.

Before you arrive

Keep digital and printed copies of your passport, entry permit, job offer or contract, and any attested certificates you may need. Book a few nights of temporary accommodation so you can view homes in person instead of paying a deposit unseen. Ask your employer what they will arrange (visa, medical test, Emirates ID) and what you must do yourself.

Week 1: get settled

Buy a local SIM, because many services send codes to a UAE mobile number. Complete the medical test and Emirates ID steps your visa requires; the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) publishes the current process. Start your home search, and learn how rent is paid in your emirate. Ask for a written receipt for every payment.

Week 2: housing and bank

When you sign a tenancy, check that the contract is registered (Ejari in Dubai) and that the landlord’s details match the title documents; the Dubai Land Department explains how. Open a bank account once your Emirates ID is ready, and set up salary transfer if your employer uses one. Set up your electricity and water account (DEWA in Dubai) with your Ejari and Emirates ID.

Weeks 3 and 4: furnish and move around

Decide what to buy new and what to buy second-hand. Furniture, appliances and baby items are often good value from people who are moving out. Check items in person, pay only when you collect them, and keep messages to the seller in one place. Sort out how you will get to work: a Nol card for public transport, or, if you plan to drive, find out how to convert or obtain a licence with the RTA.

Your first-month checklist

Passport and visa copies saved. Local SIM active. Medical test and Emirates ID in progress or done. Tenancy signed and registered. Utilities connected. Bank account open. Transport sorted. Home furnished enough to live comfortably. Everything else can wait until month two.

Where ExpatsDeals helps

When you are furnishing a new home, browse listings from other expats near you, and read the safety tips on the site before you meet a seller.