How to Move to Dubai from India Requirements And Documents Checklist
I landed in Dubai in 2005 with one suitcase and a long list of unknowns. No contacts. No roadmap. Today I run a real estate agency that moves families and professionals to Dubai every month, a big portion of them from India. If you want a step-by-step plan that avoids delays, extra costs, and rejections, this is the exact process I guide my clients through.
Your 6-step plan to move from India to Dubai
1) Choose the right visa pathway
Pick the visa that fits your purpose and budget. More on choices below, but the most common are Employment, Green Visa, Golden Visa, Partner/Investor, Freelancer, Student, and Dependent.
2) Prepare India-side documents
Before you fly, get your certificates attested and your paperwork in order. This saves weeks.
3) Secure your anchor in Dubai
This could be a job offer, a business setup, a property purchase, a university admission, or a freelance permit.
4) Obtain your entry permit
Issued by your employer, school, or via your own application if you are investing or freelancing.
5) Complete medical, biometrics, and visa stamping
After entry, you must do a medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics, and residence visa stamping. Stamping is now digital in the UAE.
6) Set up your life
Rent a home and register Ejari, activate utilities, open a bank account, convert your driving license or enroll for lessons, and enroll kids in school.
If you want tailored guidance and a clear budget for your case, book a consultation with me. I will map your visa path, timeline, and costs in one call.
Visa pathways for Indians in 2025
– Employment Visa
– Best for: professionals with a UAE job offer
– Process: employer secures work permit and entry permit, you complete medical, ID, and stamping
– No set minimum salary for residency, but higher salaries help with family sponsorship
– Green Visa – 5 years
– Skilled employee: usually requires bachelor’s degree and a salary around AED 15,000
– Freelancer/self-employed: permit + proof of income of AED 360,000 per year for the last 2 years or proof of financial solvency
– Allows self-sponsorship, no employer needed
– Golden Visa – 10 years
– Property investor: property value at least AED 2,000,000 in Dubai. Mortgaged properties can qualify if equity meets thresholds
– Also available for business, exceptional talent, and other categories
– Long validity and family benefits
– Partner/Investor Visa
– For those setting up a UAE company and becoming a shareholder
– Requires trade license, MoA, and capital proof
– Student Visa
– For university admission in the UAE
– Dependent Visa
– Family sponsorship. Salary guide: AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation for spouse and children. Women can sponsor in Dubai under similar salary conditions if criteria are met. Parents typically require higher salary and deposits
Requirements and documents checklist for Indians
Core documents for most visas:
– Passport valid for at least 6 months
– UAE-sized photos 35×45 mm with white background
– Entry permit or e-visa
– Medical fitness certificate from a UAE-approved center
– Emirates ID application and biometrics
– Health insurance policy in Dubai
– Attested education certificates if your job requires them
– Attested marriage and birth certificates if sponsoring family
India-side attestations:
– Education, marriage, and birth certificates: get attested by the Indian State HRD/Home Department, then MEA India, then UAE Embassy in India. After arrival, attest at UAE MOFA
– Consider a Police Clearance Certificate from Passport Seva Kendra. Not always mandatory, but regulators or employers sometimes request it
Extras by visa type:
– Employment: signed offer letter, labor contract, MOHRE work permit
– Green Visa freelance: freelancer permit, portfolio, invoices, or bank statements proving the income threshold
– Partner/Investor: trade name reservation, initial approval, MoA/LLC agreement, lease agreement for your office, trade license
– Golden Visa via property: title deed showing AED 2,000,000 or more. If mortgaged, bank letter showing equity as per DLD requirements
– Student: admission letter and proof of funds
– Family sponsorship: salary certificate, tenancy contract with Ejari, latest utility bill, birth/marriage certificates attested
Kids and schooling:
– School transfer certificate on school letterhead
– Immunization records
– Passport copies, photos, and report cards, as requested by the school
Driving:
– Tourists can rent with an Indian license plus an International Driving Permit depending on the rental company
– Residents need a UAE license. India is not on the direct exchange list, so you will enroll for lessons and a test. Prior driving experience can reduce required lessons
Pets:
– Microchip, vaccinations, import permit from MOCCAE, and rabies titer for high-risk countries like India. Plan at least 3 months in advance
Costs and timelines
– Entry permit: 2 to 10 working days
– Medical + Emirates ID + stamping: 5 to 10 working days
– Full move timeline: 2 to 4 weeks after your entry permit, if documents are ready
Government fees vary by visa and duration:
– Medical fitness: roughly AED 320 to 750 depending on speed
– Emirates ID: about AED 170 per year of visa validity
– Visa issuance and status change: commonly AED 500 to 1,500
– Company setup: from AED 6,000 to AED 15,000+ depending on activity and free zone or mainland
– Golden Visa processing: plan for several thousand dirhams plus insurance
Housing and setup:
– Average one-bedroom rent in 2024-25 sits around AED 95,000 to 120,000 per year depending on area
– Security deposit to landlord: 5 percent of annual rent for unfurnished, 10 percent for furnished
– Agency fee: typically 5 percent of annual rent
– Ejari: about AED 215
– DEWA deposit: AED 2,000 for apartments, AED 4,000 for villas. Connection fee about AED 110
– Internet: AED 300 to 500 per month
Latest insights:
– Indians remain the largest expatriate community in the UAE, estimated at about 3.5 million
– Dubai’s population crossed 3.7 million in 2024, and rental prices rose across many communities, especially near the Metro and the beach
– Salaries in Dubai vary widely. Mid-level professionals commonly earn between AED 12,000 and AED 30,000, with packages often including insurance and annual flights
Money, tax, and compliance for Indians
– Remittances: India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme allows up to USD 250,000 per financial year per individual. Keep remittance records for property rent and living expenses
– Banking: open a resident account after visa and Emirates ID. Some banks offer account opening with an entry permit and salary letter
– Tax residency: apply for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate after 183 days in the UAE and with a valid lease/Ejari and bank statements
– India tax: track your days in India to determine NRI status. Income earned in India may remain taxable there. Get advice if you have Indian businesses, equity, or property
If you want me to structure your move and avoid costly mistakes, book a consultation. I will review your visa path, rent budget by area, and a week-by-week plan.
Real experience: from first landing to relocating Indian families
I did my first move with zero guidance. I learned by doing, failing, and then documenting everything. Fast forward. In 2022, after launching Alaa Mohra Properties, I helped a family from Bangalore move on a company-sponsored Green Visa. Their challenge was education certificate attestation and a tight school admission window. We pre-attested in India, reserved a townhouse near a top CBSE school with a rent letter for visa processing, fast-tracked medicals, and completed Emirates ID and stamping in 8 working days. They were in class by the second week. Smart sequencing wins.
FAQ
What are the visa options to move to Dubai from India in 2025?
Employment, Green Visa, Golden Visa, Partner/Investor, Freelancer, Student, and Dependent visas. The best choice depends on job offers, investment capacity, or study plans.
What documents do Indians need for a Dubai Employment Visa?
Passport, photos, entry permit, signed contract, MOHRE work permit, medical fitness result, Emirates ID application, health insurance, and attested education certificates if required by your role.
How much money do I need to move to Dubai from India as a family of four?
Plan for first year rent upfront by checks, a 5 to 10 percent security deposit, agency fee about 5 percent, DEWA deposit AED 2,000 to 4,000, school fees, and government fees. Many families budget AED 150,000 to 250,000 for first-year housing and setup depending on area and school tier, plus living costs.
How can Indians get a Dubai Golden Visa through property?
Buy property with a value of at least AED 2,000,000. If mortgaged, meet the equity requirement as per DLD rules. After title deed issuance, apply for the Golden Visa with insurance, medical, and ID.
Can a woman working in Dubai sponsor her family from India?
Yes, in Dubai women can sponsor family members if salary conditions are met. The usual guide is AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, with case-by-case approvals.
Do Indian documents need attestation for Dubai?
Yes. Get education, marriage, and birth certificates attested by the Indian State authority, then MEA India, then UAE Embassy in India. After arrival, attest at UAE MOFA.
How long does the Dubai move take after getting an entry permit?
Typically 2 to 4 weeks to complete medicals, Emirates ID, insurance, and residence visa stamping, if documents are ready.
Ready to move with confidence?
I will build your end-to-end plan, connect you with trusted attestation partners, select the right visa, and secure a home aligned with your school or commute priorities. Book a consultation with me and let’s design your Dubai move the right way.
My story in one minute
I arrived in Dubai in 2005 with a civil engineering degree in the making and a stubborn desire to build something real. I left engineering, launched an e-commerce business by accident, lost savings in the stock market, then rebuilt through real estate. Since 2015 I bought, rented, and sold multiple Dubai properties and founded Alaa Mohra Properties in 2022 to serve global clients, including many Indian families. Today I help people avoid the mistakes I made and move faster with proof-backed strategies. My name is Alaa Mohra, and I would be honored to be part of your move.