Moving to the UAE is one of the most common questions I hear from people who want a lower tax bill, year-round sunshine and a fast-growing international hub. The UAE government states that it does not levy income tax on individuals, and it charges 5 per cent value added tax on goods and services. That is a real draw, but it is only part of the picture. Housing is usually the biggest cost to price carefully, summers are very hot, residency rules are not what many people expect, and property rules differ by emirate. This guide covers why people move, the main visa types, how tax works, how renting or buying works, and what to check before you leave home. I will keep it practical, because the right plan depends on your income, your family and what you want from the move.
Why Do People Consider Moving to the UAE?
Tax is the headline reason, and it is a fair one. There is no income tax on individuals, but the UAE is not tax free: it adds value added tax on purchases, and companies are taxed on their profits. Moving to the UAE can leave more of your salary in your pocket, but it does not make every cost lower.
Lifestyle is the second reason. The UAE is a long-established international hub with a large expatriate community, strong air links to the rest of the world and modern cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The trade-offs are real too. Housing and schooling can be expensive, the summer heat shapes daily life for months, and your social life often depends on a community of other newcomers. Spend time there in summer, not only in the cooler months, before you commit.
What Visa Types Can You Use for Moving to the UAE?
I am not an immigration adviser, and visa rules change often, so treat this as a map of the main types rather than a how-to. A registered specialist should confirm which route fits your situation.
| Visa type | Who it suits | What to check |
| Employer-sponsored work visa | People moving for a job | Tied to your employer and a job offer in place first |
| Remote work visa | People who work for an employer or clients outside the UAE | Income, insurance and document conditions; confirm the current terms |
| Investor or property-linked residency | Investors who meet the criteria | Conditions apply, and buying a home does not automatically qualify you |
| Family sponsorship | Spouses and children of a resident | The sponsor must meet the conditions |
| Visit visa | Scouting trips and short stays | Not a right to live or work |
For investors, the UAE government’s Golden Visa page lists a five-year visa for real estate investors and a ten-year visa for public investment, with a minimum capital of AED 2 million shown for investors. The details and conditions change, so ask a specialist before you assume a property purchase qualifies you.
Will You Still Pay Tax After Moving to the UAE?
It depends on your home country, not only the UAE. Many countries keep taxing people who still count as residents or citizens. For example, people who live overseas can still be treated as Australian tax residents, and US citizens remain subject to US tax rules on worldwide income while living abroad. The same kind of rule exists in many other countries.
Speak to a registered tax adviser in your home country before you move, not after. Ask what you need to do to stop being a tax resident there, and what happens to your pension and any property you keep.
Can Foreigners Rent or Buy a Home When Moving to the UAE?
Yes, with limits. In Dubai, property ownership is open to foreigners in designated areas, so the location of a property matters as much as its price. Each emirate sets its own rules, so check the rules for the exact place you are considering.
Buying a property and getting residency are separate decisions. Treat them that way, and make sure the home still makes sense if the visa rules change. If you have not lived there before, rent for a few months first. Before you pay any deposit, use an independent lawyer, check that the agent is licensed with the regulator, and read about the mistakes buyers make overseas.
What Should You Sort Out Before Moving to the UAE?
- Confirm your visa route with a registered specialist, and do not assume that a home purchase gives you the right to stay.
- Get advice from a tax adviser in your home country on residency, pensions and any property you keep.
- Arrange health cover that works in the UAE and check what it excludes.
- Visit in summer, rent in the area first and build a monthly budget that includes housing, schooling, health cover, visa costs and flights home.
- Use an independent lawyer to check any contract before you pay a deposit, and check that any agent you use is licensed.
How Can I Help With the Whole Move?
My job is to make sure you do not make an expensive mistake in the wrong order. Talk To Me First is my independent advisory service for people thinking of moving, retiring or investing overseas. It exists to help you make an informed decision before you commit money, sign a lease or sell up at home. I do not mind where you move. I care whether it is right for you.
I have lived in the UK, Australia, Spain and Canada, visited 92 countries and spent more than 30 years in international property, and I work with a network of more than 500 affiliate agents and specialists in over 20 countries. I act as your strategist and coordinator. Regulated advice on tax, pensions, visas and legal matters comes from qualified specialists whom I introduce you to. I do not give that advice myself, and I will say so.
You choose the pace, from doing it yourself to having it done for you:
- A self-guided move guide, if you want to plan it yourself.
- A one-to-one consultation on your situation.
- A deeper strategy covering destination, timing and priorities.
- A relocation roadmap, with hands-on, step-by-step support through the move.
- Property help to buy or rent, or to sell at home before you go, through Rick Flay International Real Estate. I will always say so openly when a property is involved.
- Introductions to specialists in migration, legal, tax, foreign exchange, insurance and healthcare.
Tell me your budget, whether you want to rent or buy, your timing and which places you are considering. Talk to me first, and we will work out the right order of steps before you commit to anything. Get in touch or message me on WhatsApp on +61 404 497 335.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is moving to the UAE worth it?
It can be, for the right person. The tax position is attractive, but housing, schooling and summer heat are real costs. Visit in summer, rent first and take advice on visas and your home-country tax before you commit.
Do you pay tax when moving to the UAE?
The UAE government says it does not levy income tax on individuals, and it charges 5 per cent value added tax on goods and services. Your home country may still tax you, depending on your residency, so speak to a tax adviser there.
Can foreigners buy property in the UAE?
In Dubai, foreigners can buy in designated areas. Each emirate has its own rules, so check the rules for the exact location and take independent legal advice before paying a deposit.
Does buying property in the UAE give me residency?
Not automatically. Some investor routes exist, including a five-year Golden Visa for real estate investors with conditions, but a purchase and a visa are separate decisions. Ask a registered specialist which applies to you.
Do I need a visa to live in the UAE?
Yes. Living there needs a residence visa under a route such as employment, remote work, investment or family sponsorship. A visit visa is not a right to live or work.
Can you help with visas and residency?
Yes. Through Talk To Me First I introduce you to qualified specialists who handle the visa and tax detail, and I help you plan the move. I do not give visa or tax advice myself.
About the author. Rick Flay has more than 30 years of experience in real estate, with over 1,000 properties sold and rented across international markets. Rick Flay International Real Estate helps clients buy, sell and relocate through an international affiliate network of 500+ agents in 20+ countries.
Property, tax, health and immigration rules change, and the right decision depends on your circumstances. Nothing in this article is financial, legal, tax or immigration advice. Take independent professional advice before buying or moving.
© The data shown on this website and any other written communication has been offered by third parties and is assumed to be correct. The sale of the properties is managed by Rick Flay Real Estate, Australia. Our company does not guarantee their veracity or accept any responsibility for any errors. The offer may be subject to errors, price changes, omissions and/or withdrawal from the market without prior notice. Prior to purchase clients are advised to check with their legal advisors on all details pertaining to the sale/purchase. The information does not form any part of any contract for sale. We always recommend that you take independent, legal, financial and taxation advice. Additionally some photos, plans, specifications are indicative/illustrative only and may have been created by AI.
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