Dubai with your family. One journey to prepare your move.

Emirates ID is the resident identity card, including for children. Before departure, ask your employer or sponsor to confirm each family member’s residence process, documents, costs and timing. Prepare passports, family certificates and supporting records; confirm which translations or attestations your case needs.

Age at arrival helps prepare questions but does not determine admission grade. Ask the school to confirm placement for the intake, curriculum and previous schooling. Gather academic records and the school’s requested documents. Confirm the exact campus before choosing housing.

Compare up to three areas. Check routes to the actual campus and workplace at the relevant times, and nearby shops and services. A short map distance does not guarantee a short commute. Visit buildings and ask about nearby planned construction.

Confirm in writing who is covered, from which date and at which facilities. Review paediatric care, regular treatments, maternity where relevant, excesses and exclusions. Ask where to seek care near your future home. Do not enter personal medical details in this journey.

Rent, school fees, deposits and setup costs are not necessarily paid monthly. Open the twelve-month calendar, enter due dates and your first salary. Keep expenses, refundable deposits and your emergency reserve separate.

Ask the landlord for the exact checklist: identity and residence records for your situation, contact details and agreed payment method. Before signing, check ownership or authority, property, rent, instalments, deposit, agency fees and maintenance. Keep the signed lease, annexes and receipts. Request a photographic condition report.

Ejari registers the tenancy with Dubai Land Department. App: copy of the unified contract. Centre: original contract, applicant Emirates ID and power of attorney if represented. Use Dubai REST or an authorised centre, subject to eligibility. DLD displays AED 177.75 online and AED 220 at centres; confirm at payment. Keep the certificate.

DEWA provides water and electricity. For an Ejari tenancy, use the Ejari number in Move-in on DEWA’s website or app. Refundable deposit: AED 2,000 for an apartment, AED 4,000 for a villa; small-meter activation: AED 155. Check your case and other deposits. Cooling may require a separate contract.

Use RTA’s website or a Customer Happiness Centre listed on its service page. Prepare valid Emirates ID, valid original licence and electronic eye test. Eligibility and translation depend on licence and circumstances: select your country on RTA. The displayed route with file, licence, handbook, AED 180 eye test and fees totals AED 1,050; confirm the exact service and extras.

Check service at your exact address, post-promotion price, VAT, contract term, installation and cancellation. Ask management whether moving permission or a lift booking is needed. Budget only for furniture and equipment not supplied.

Confirm uniforms and required supplier, textbooks, digital equipment, meals, bus, activities and pickup times. Ask which costs tuition includes. Update each child’s budget and payment months without double-counting credited deposits.

Find groceries, children’s activities and useful contacts, including Charlie DX Garage for cars. Compare first bills with the budget and adjust assumptions. Note contract renewal dates; this checklist does not submit applications or trigger automatic reminders.