Confirm your entry route, book a short initial stay and keep departure money accessible. These come before a long housing commitment in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
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Before booking: check entry and work permission
- Check the conditions for your passport. Use federal visa services or Dubai visa services, as applicable. Confirm passport validity, nationality, passport type and travel purpose. Check boarding documents with your airline too.
- Moving for a job? Get written confirmation of the sponsor, entry document and permit process. The MOHRE overseas work permit serves employers within its remit; confirm who handles your employer.
- Coming to search? The jobseeker visit visa has eligibility conditions. Do not work on a visit or tourist visa, even if you have an offer.
Before departure: prepare what you need
- Save an offline folder. Include your passport copy, entry permission, itinerary, accommodation address and relevant employer contacts. Keep the originals required for your journey accessible.
- Check qualifications before paying. Ask which certificates need attestation or professional licensing for your role. Do not assume every document needs the same process.
- Confirm insurance starts on time. Ask your insurer about UAE coverage, arrival day, the whole stay, exclusions and emergency assistance. Employer cover may not start when you land.
- Check each medicine. Follow Emirates Drug Establishment guidance for your medicine, quantity and documents. For narcotic or psychotropic medicines, carry the required authenticated prescription and medical report.
Keep housing and departure costs covered
- Start with temporary accommodation. Confirm the address, check-in hours and any proof your entry route requires. Assess your workplace commute before making a long commitment.
- Keep money usable. Budget for accommodation, food, transport, phone access and departure or changed plans. Check your payment methods and a backup; do not rely on an unopened bank account.
Arrival day: transport, phone and check-in
- Plan the airport journey. Check Dubai RTA or Abu Dhabi Mobility for your destination and arrival time. Confirm payment and a fallback for a delayed flight.
- Choose a suitable phone plan. e& visitor terms require a passport and visa copy. Conversion to its regular prepaid or postpaid service requires an Emirates ID. Check the plan’s validity.
- Confirm access to your accommodation. Save your host, employer and insurer contacts offline before you need them.
Following days: appointments and banking
- Ask what must happen first. Confirm the medical, biometric, Emirates ID and residence steps applicable to you with your employer or issuer. Official Work Bundle guidance explains how these services connect.
- Check the exact bank account. Ask about eligibility, documents, fees and minimum balance. Emirates NBD’s savings account lists non-resident documents; this does not guarantee approval or eligibility for other accounts.
Record your authorised stay deadline. Confirm your next step before it expires. These are first-week priorities; completing every document or account within seven days is not guaranteed.
Guidance and links checked on 10 September 2026. Recheck entry conditions before departure. Cover image generated with AI for illustration.
