Why and how to move to Dubai as a family?
Dubai is attracting more and more expatriates. Just over 30,000 French expats have settled here, in search of a lifestyle quite different from that of France.
Are you thinking of taking the plunge? In this article, you'll find some information you absolutely must know, especially if you're about to move to Dubai with your family.
Here you'll find valuable information to help you finalize your project, including the steps to take, VISA requirements and key factors to consider (such as health, education and safety).
Administrative formalities and initial research before moving to Dubai with your family
Dubai is attracting more and more people, especially families from all over the world. However, before you can enjoy life in Dubai, there are a number of administrative (work, visa) and organizational (finding accommodation, organizing your move...) steps to take.
Obtain your VISA to be in good standing
The first step to settling in Dubai with your family is to obtain the necessary visas. For the worker(s), this will be a work visa (also known as a residence visa). For others, usually children, it's a residence visa.
To obtain a work visa, several documents are required. The principal applicant, the employed parent, must provide his or her employer with :
- a photocopy of your passport,
- passport photos,
- a medical certificate,
- a copy of your employment contract,
- any additional documents requested by the employer.
The employer takes care of the formalities, such as translation into English and French (although you may have to pay for this yourself), as well as filing and follow-up.
With this visa in hand, you can then sponsor your family members so that everyone can obtain a residence visa. A number of criteria, particularly financial, will be taken into account:
- the expatriate, to sponsor his family, will have to pay AED 3,000 per person. This amount is refundable.
- The expatriate must earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000.
These amounts may vary, depending on decisions taken by local authorities.
Spouses are also eligible for a work visa, provided they can find local employment.
Don't hesitate to ask your employer for more information. In some cases, he or she can also help you with all the necessary steps.
Contact a real estate agency in Dubai
Moving to Dubai is a long-term project. It's highly likely that you'll leave all or part of your French life behind and come to the United Arab Emirates to rebuild almost everything. So it's essential to be well looked after, and to have accommodation that makes you feel at home.
Dubai Immo is a real estate agency in Dubai. Our role is to assist investors, as well as families trying their luck in Dubai, by enabling them tobuy an apartment with several bedrooms, or even a townhouse/villa, in some of the city's finest neighborhoods.
Where to set up your family in Dubai?
We insist on this point: choosing a dynamic, yet quiet and pleasant neighborhood is essential if you want to move to Dubai with your family. If you have children, there are several factors to consider, such as :
- proximity to schools,
- safety,
- green spaces,
- the opportunity to take part in leisure activities,
- ancillary amenities (such as public transport and shopping centers).
Neighborhoods like Arabian Ranches or Dubai Hills Estate meet these criteria perfectly. On site, however, you'll find "almost" nothing but villas and townhouses. For budgetary reasons, you may be tempted to look elsewhere.
Some, like Arjan or Maritime City have the wind in their sails and are developing quite rapidly, with particularly attractive offers, such as LIV Maritimerecently launched.
Finally, a district like Dubai Islands might also convince you. While prices here are a little higher than elsewhere, it's an area that's still under construction and in full development, and one that we're convinced will eventually see ever-increasing demand.
Why choose Dubai as a family destination?
Moving to Dubai as a family also means taking into account factors such as the healthcare system, education for your children and local safety. Here's what you need to know about each of these criteria.
Health
Moving to Dubai as a family means enjoying a lifestyle that is difficult, if not impossible, to find elsewhere. The health service, for example, is one of the most efficient in the world, with renowned hospitals and clinics (such as the Emirates Hospital, the Saudi-German Hospital, the American Hospital and others), boasting some of the world's most renowned doctors and surgeons.
Should the need arise, your family will benefit from the best services and follow-up. Care is more expensive than in France, but a good insurance policy will enable you to overcome this apparent challenge. In fact, since January 1, 2025, all private-sector employers have been required to provide basic health insurance for their employees, at a cost starting from AED 384 per year, which is fully paid for!
Education
Education is another crucial aspect to consider if you're looking to move to Dubai as a family. The city offers countless local options, from nursery schools to high schools and universities. Several French schools in Dubai and the rest of the Emirates. In the one we're interested in, however, you'll find :
- Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou, Academic City
- Lycée Français Jean Mermoz, Al Quoz
- AFLEC's Lycée Français International in Oud Metha,
- the private French-speaking Lebanese high school in Meydan
These are quality establishments, which will enable your children to follow the French educational program up to Terminale and the Bac exam.
To make sure you don't miss the start of the new school year, register as soon as possible!
Safety in Dubai
Dubai is an ultra-secure city. It has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. The city is renowned for this, as is its magnificent infrastructure, so parents and children alike can feel confident.
The many parks, beaches and leisure centers offer a variety of opportunities for spending time with the family. What's more, in the event of a problem, the police are easily accessible and highly responsive. English-speaking, they will accompany you through the whole process.
Would you like to find out more about family life in Dubai? Are you planning to move to the Emirates and looking for an apartment or house in Dubai? Don't hesitate to contact the Dubai Immo team, who will help you every step of the way.
Sightseeing, culture and discovery
As you can see, settling in Dubai as a family offers some serious advantages. In addition to health and safety, it's also an opportunity for all of you, and your children in particular, to develop culturally. Dubai brings together communities of diverse origins, offering children a unique cultural richness and openness to the world.
In addition to living abroad and rubbing shoulders with an international population, you can take advantage of the opportunity to visit a beautiful part of the region. Just an hour's drive away, Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, is home to must-see sites such as the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum.
Other emirates, such as Sharjah and Ajman, are also worth a visit for their cultural and historical heritage. For nature and adventure enthusiasts, why not visit the Sultanate of Oman? Just a few hours away, you'll find one of the world's most beautiful landscapes, with mountains, wild beaches and deserts.
The financial aspect
Dubai is a dynamic city. In particular, it enjoys a warm, dry climate all year round (or almost). It's the ideal place to enjoy outdoor activities. On weekends (which run from Friday to Saturday), you'll be able to have fun and enjoy well-deserved family getaways.
While the cost of living depends on the area you choose, salaries in Dubai, which are often tax-free, are generally designed to ensure a comfortable standard of living. Daily life is therefore marked by a wide range of options for you and your children, as well as by the integration of expatriate networks, of which there are many and which like to get together.
Public transport
Public transport in Dubai is particularly efficient. Indeed, the offer is quite convincing and, above all, well developed. The Dubai Metro, fully automated and air-conditioned, is the mainstay of this system. Two lines operate daily, the Red Line and the Green Line. The main points of the city are interconnected.
In just a few minutes, you can reach :
- Downtown Dubai,
- Dubai Marina,
- Jumeirah Village Circle...
In addition, a bus network serves a large part of the city. In addition, there are streetcars and cabs (or VTCs). Fares are affordable thanks to the NOL card, which unifies payments for all modes of transport.
It's also possible for you to drive. In fact, if you decide to move to Dubai and live there with your family, having a car could quickly become a necessity. Rest assured, it is possible to have your French driving license transferred to a Dubai driving license, valid for a total of 5 years.
A few things you should know before moving to Dubai with your family
Moving to Dubai with your family is a decision not to be taken lightly. It's a real life project, based on a few elements and rules to keep in mind before taking the plunge.
First, the climate. Between October and May, it's very pleasant. It's around 25 - 30 degrees, with occasional showers. Between May and September, it's much hotter, with temperatures that can exceed 45 degrees.
Apart from the weather, in Dubai it is forbidden to consume alcohol in public without a permit. Moreover, the sale of bottles is particularly regulated. So, for a family barbecue, you may have to do without your glass of wine.
It's also forbidden to live with someone you're not married to. Adultery is also illegal and can result in severe penalties, including long prison sentences. Finally, the possession or consumption of drugs is, naturally, severely punished.
Guillaume Giroux, Dubai Immo founder and real estate expert, Dubai, UAE
As founder of the Dubai Immo Group and a real estate investor, I bring you daily updates on the Dubai market. My aim is to provide you with all the keys you need to invest wisely and securely, by sharing my in-depth analysis and strategic advice.
