How to move to Dubai from South Africa?

Visa Types and Processes

As a South African planning your move, it’s crucial to understand the various visa options. These encompass employment, dependent, freelance, student, investor, and property owner visas. Each category has specific requirements and eligibility criteria. For instance, an employment visa is necessary if your purpose is employment. Similarly, students require a student visa, and potential business owners need an investor visa.

Necessary Documents

The visa and application process paperwork also varies with the visa type. For work permits or residency, you must provide a passport-sized photograph, a copy of your passport, and educational certificates duly attested by the UAE Embassy in South Africa and the MOFAIC. If your spouse in Dubai is sponsoring you, an attested marriage certificate is necessary.

For a student visa, you need a copy of your passport, a passport-sized photograph, and a letter of acceptance from the relevant UAE educational institution. For a freelance permit, you need your updated resume or CV, a recent photograph, copies of your passport and visa, an NOC from your UAE sponsor, and a bank reference letter.

Legal Considerations

Residing in Dubai requires adherence to the cultural and religious norms of the country. In a Muslim nation, modest dressing is expected. Certain activities, such as consuming alcohol and cohabiting with an unmarried member of the opposite gender, are regulated by law.

Process Timelines

The process of securing a job and the processing time for a corresponding visa can span 6 to 12 months. It’s not advisable to enter the UAE on a tourist visa with the intention of job hunting. If you have a job offer, ensure the company provides you with an entry permit. If your residency isn’t processed within 30 days, you have to do a border run and pay for another tourist visa. You won’t have access to medical care or company benefits until you have residency under your sponsor’s (company’s) name.

Regarding accommodation, be prepared to pay at least two months of rent in advance. Most employers don’t provide housing in Dubai, so this expense needs to be factored into your budget. Rent is typically paid upfront in one large sum, but some landlords may accept monthly or bi-monthly payments. You usually pay one month’s rent before you move in and another as a security deposit. Don’t forget to account for the deposit and startup costs for utilities and internet when moving into a new place