Services · Relocation

UK to Dubai relocation, handled end to end

The whole move from the UK, in the right order, with one team holding the plan.

In short

A move from the UK to Dubai runs in a fixed order: residency first, then the Emirates ID, a bank account, a home with a registered tenancy, school places, health cover and your shipment, while you close down the UK side and plan the tax year you leave. A single founder can be set up in a few weeks; a family move with schools usually takes three to six months. We hold the plan, run the residency, company and banking, shortlist areas and schools with you, and line up the UK exit so nothing waits on something else.

Your move starts in the UK, months before the flight: the departure date that fits a split-year case, the house that stays or goes, the school application that has to go in before the visa exists. We cover both ends and keep them in one plan.

We are not a removals company or an estate agent. We tell you what to book and when, and which papers each step needs.

Who it's for

UK families relocating with school-age children
Founders moving themselves, a partner and sometimes key staff
Couples where one partner moves first and the other follows
People moving for a UAE job who want the UK side done properly
Anyone who wants one team holding the timeline instead of five suppliers

What's included

A move plan with dates: residency, banking, housing, schools, shipping and the UK exit
Your residence route and visas for the whole family (visas)
Company formation where you need your own company (company setup)
Bank accounts, sequenced after the Emirates ID (banking)
Area and school shortlists matched to budget, commute and curriculum
Renting: what to expect upfront, Ejari registration and utilities
Health insurance, driving licence exchange and shipment timing
The UK side: SRT planning, the P85, your UK home and accounts (UK tax)

The order that works

Each step in a UAE move unlocks the next. The residence visa comes first because the Emirates ID needs it, the bank needs the Emirates ID, and landlords, utilities and schools want all three. To clear used household goods free of duty, Dubai Customs asks for a copy of your residence visa (Dubai Customs; shipping from the UK). The full list is in our moving checklist.

Stage	What happens	Typical timing
Plan	Route, budget, departure date, school applications	3 to 6 months before
Residency	Company or sponsor, entry permit, medical, Emirates ID	3 to 7 weeks
Money	UAE bank account; UK accounts updated	1 to 4 weeks after Emirates ID
Home	Viewings, tenancy, Ejari, utilities	2 to 4 weeks
Family	Family visas, school start, health cover, licences	Alongside the above
Shipment	Sea freight 4 to 8 weeks; customs clearance needs your residence visa	Book once the visa date is clear

Timings from our guides on how long relocating takes and company setup. Your dates depend on your route and the school year.

Schools first, then the area

For families, the school decides the area. Dubai has a wide choice of private British-curriculum schools running GCSEs and A-levels, all fee-paying and regulated by KHDA, which publishes school inspection ratings (schools for UK families). The strongest schools fill early, often by February or March for a September start, so apply as soon as the move is confirmed, before your visa exists (admissions timing).

With a school shortlist, the area follows. Dubai Hills Estate, Arabian Ranches and Jumeirah suit many UK families; Mirdif and Al Furjan give more space for the budget (the best areas for UK families). We shortlist both together against your budget and commute.

Housing, health cover and the practical tail

Rent in Dubai is agreed by the year and often paid in a few cheques, with a deposit and an agency fee on top, so the upfront cash is far higher than a UK let. Every tenancy is registered through Ejari, which you need for utilities and family visas (renting and Ejari).

Health insurance is compulsory for Dubai residents: employers must cover their employees, and a sponsor must insure the family members they sponsor (ISAHD, Dubai Health Authority). Plans differ on hospitals, family cover and maternity, so we check what yours includes (healthcare explained). A UK licence can usually be exchanged for a UAE one without a test once you are resident (driving on a UK licence).

Closing the UK side

The UK side runs on HMRC's timetable. Your departure date should fit a split-year case, your UK home can count as a tie if you keep it available, and the P85 and final return follow (what to sort before you leave). We plan these with a UK Chartered Tax Adviser, so your first year in Dubai is also your first year out of UK tax.

How it works

Understand

Your family, budget, work, school stages, UK assets and the date you want to be in Dubai.

Typical timing: Week 1
Plan

A dated move plan covering residency, money, home, schools, shipping and the UK exit, with who does what.

Typical timing: Weeks 1 to 2
Set up

Company if needed, visas, Emirates IDs and bank accounts.

Typical timing: Typically 4 to 8 weeks
Land

Tenancy and Ejari, utilities, school start, health cover, driving licences, shipment cleared through customs.

Typical timing: The first month in Dubai
Close the UK side

P85, final return, UK accounts and day-count tracking for the first years.

Typical timing: Through the first tax year

What it costs

One all-in fee for the plan and the services you choose, agreed before we start. Rent, school fees, shipping and insurance are paid to those providers directly. The cost of moving guide shows what to budget for.

Get your all-in quote on a call

Common questions

How long does relocating to Dubai from the UK take?

A single founder with a free zone company and visa can be set up in a few weeks. A family move with banking, housing, schools and shipping usually takes three to six months from the first plan to settled.

Should we choose the school or the area first?

The school. Good British-curriculum schools fill early, so most families secure a place and then choose a home within a reasonable commute.

Can we apply for schools before we have visas?

Yes, and you should. Apply as soon as the move is confirmed; schools know families arrive mid-process.

When can we ship our belongings?

Book once your visa date is clear. Sea freight takes four to eight weeks, and Dubai Customs asks for a copy of your residence visa to clear used household goods free of duty.

Do you find us a house?

We shortlist areas against your school, budget and commute, and explain the tenancy, Ejari and upfront costs. You choose the property with a registered agent.

Is health insurance compulsory?

Yes, for Dubai residents. Employers must cover their employees, and you must insure any family members you sponsor. Check family and maternity cover before you sign.

What do we need to do in the UK before leaving?

Plan the departure date around the Statutory Residence Test, decide on your UK home, tell HMRC with a P85, update your banks and pensions, and keep a log of UK days from day one.

Guides and tools

Official sources, as at October 2026: u.ae: residence visa for family members; KHDA; Dubai Health Authority; ISAHD (Dubai Health Authority): health insurance FAQ; Dubai Customs: clearance of personal effects; RTA: exchanging a foreign driving licence; GDRFA Dubai: sponsor file registration (Ejari lease). Rules and thresholds change; we confirm the current position for your case before you act. This page is general guidance, not personal tax or legal advice.