How Long Does It Take to Relocate to Dubai?

Your timeline at a glance

Relocating to Dubai is exciting, and with the right plan it is achievable in 1-3 months. Most people complete the immigration steps in 2-6 weeks once documents are ready, then allow extra time for housing, banking and shipments. If you are an entrepreneur, factor in company setup first so your visa and banking align smoothly.

What really drives the timeline

For employed professionals, the process usually starts with an entry permit followed by medical screening, Emirates ID biometrics and mandatory health insurance. Medicals and biometrics are typically scheduled within days and results often arrive within 24-72 hours. In standard cases, this on-the-ground phase takes about 7-14 days, after which your residence visa and Emirates ID are issued so you can legally work, sign a lease and open local accounts.

Document preparation is the most underestimated step. Degrees, marriage certificates and children’s birth certificates may need notarisation, legalisation and attestation in your home country and in the UAE. This can add 2-6 weeks, depending on local bureaucracy and courier times. Starting attestations early - before resigning or booking flights - prevents last-minute delays that ripple into school enrolment and housing.

If you are setting up a business, expect a different path. Many free-zone companies can be incorporated in 1-3 weeks when documents are in order. The full founder journey - incorporation, medicals, biometrics, health insurance, visa and Emirates ID - usually runs 4-8 weeks. Delays most often come from name approvals, home-country attestations or bank compliance checks, so align your company structure, activity and shareholder documents before you begin.

Housing also shapes your move. Finding a long-term rental typically takes 2-6 weeks from viewings to Ejari registration and utilities. Popular communities move fast, so plan a 1-4 week serviced stay while you choose. International shipments of household goods run 4-10 weeks door-to-door, so many arrivals bring only essentials first and receive their container later. Start quotes, inventories and export paperwork 6-8 weeks before departure to reduce surprises.

Families should plan extra time for school admissions, placement tests and documentation checks. Some parents arrive first to secure housing and complete admin, with dependants following once places are confirmed. Within Dubai, even local moves benefit from booking reputable movers 3-4 weeks ahead. With building approvals and elevator slots in place, packing and moving typically take 1-2 days.

Express relocations are possible for simple cases, but they come with trade-offs: higher costs, fewer housing options and more stress. A realistic 1-3 month horizon usually delivers smoother outcomes and better choices.

How ARK gets you there faster

ARK is a Dubai-based team that helps people relocate their businesses and lives - efficiently and compliantly. We simplify each step: company selection and formation, document attestation, visas and Emirates ID, health insurance, housing search, banking introductions and family sponsorship. Our guidance removes guesswork so you avoid bottlenecks, plan precise dates and settle with confidence. Whether you are an employee, freelancer or founder, we coordinate timelines across immigration, housing and logistics so everything moves in sync.

Take your next steps

1. Map your move window and preferred start date in Dubai.
2. List required documents and start notarisation and attestation immediately.
3. Choose your pathway: employment visa, free-zone company or mainland setup.
4. Prepare funds and proofs for banking and housing deposits.
5. Book medicals and biometrics as soon as your entry permit is issued.
6. Arrange health insurance to avoid visa issuance delays.
7. Reserve short-term accommodation for 1-4 weeks on arrival.
8. Begin school applications and placement tests if relocating with family.
9. Get quotes from movers 6-8 weeks before departure and plan inventories.
10. Schedule building approvals and elevator slots for local move-in.

Quick facts to help you plan

Most movers complete immigration steps in 2-6 weeks once an entry permit is issued and documents are ready. End-to-end relocation commonly spans 4-12 weeks, extending when document attestation or school enrolments take longer. Entrepreneurs should anticipate 4-8 weeks from company setup through visa issuance, particularly if bank compliance checks are required. Housing decisions typically take 2-6 weeks, with many arrivals using serviced stays while finalising leases and utilities. International shipments average 4-10 weeks door-to-door, so pack essentials in luggage and plan a furnished or partially furnished start. Looking ahead, new transport links like Etihad Rail and planned flying taxi routes will improve inter-emirate access, making weekend home-hunting and commuting faster, even though visa and housing timelines remain unchanged.