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Moving to Dubai from India: source-backed 90-day plan
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Moving to Dubai from India: source-backed 90-day plan
India-to-Dubai is the busiest relocation corridor into the UAE, and it shows: CBSE and ICSE schools are widely available, the community is large, and every bank and government office knows the process. The volume cuts both ways — attestation appointments, school places and even moving companies book up early.
Most arrivals come on an employment visa, with family sponsorship following once the salary certificate and tenancy are in place. The single most important habit on this route is to attest documents in India before departure; doing it from Dubai afterwards is slower and more expensive.
Documents to prepare before you fly
Documents for use in the UAE normally follow this route: notarisation in India, then attestation by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), then legalisation at the UAE Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate in Mumbai, then MOFA attestation after arrival. The UAE is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so an apostille alone is not the final step.
Documents to prepare:
- —Passports valid for at least six months beyond your planned entry
- —Marriage and birth certificates, attested for the UAE
- —Degree and professional certificates, attested — most employment visas require them
- —School records and transfer certificates for children
- —Vaccination records for children and, if relevant, for pets
Driving licence
The RTA publishes a list of countries whose licences can be exchanged directly for a UAE licence. Check the current list for India before you rely on it; if your licence is not eligible for exchange, the route is a Dubai driving school plus theory and road tests, which takes weeks — plan transport for the first months accordingly.
Banking
A personal account requires an Emirates ID, a passport with a residence visa, and proof of address (an Ejari-registered tenancy) or a salary certificate from your employer. The process is routine and fast for most Indian applicants once the Emirates ID is issued. If you plan to remit money to India regularly, compare exchange rates and fees between banks before choosing.
Schools and community
Dubai has a wide choice of CBSE and ICSE schools alongside British and IB options, which is a major reason Indian families choose the city. Note that Indian-curriculum schools typically start their academic year in April, while most other curricula start in late August — this affects the timing of your move. Confirm places directly with schools; popular ones fill early.
Common mistakes
- —Leaving MEA attestation until after arrival, then paying agents to courier documents back to India
- —Missing the April start of the Indian-curriculum school year when timing the move
- —Assuming an Indian driving licence can be exchanged without checking the current RTA list
- —Sponsoring family before the salary certificate and Ejari tenancy are in place
- —Choosing a bank by habit instead of comparing remittance fees and minimum-balance rules
Frequently asked questions
Is an apostille enough for Indian documents in the UAE?
No. The UAE is not part of the Apostille Convention. Documents normally need MEA attestation in India, then UAE Embassy or Consulate legalisation, then MOFA attestation in the UAE.
Can I exchange my Indian driving licence in Dubai?
Check the RTA's current list of countries eligible for direct exchange. If India is not listed for your licence type, you will need to complete driving school and the tests in Dubai.
Are CBSE and ICSE schools available in Dubai?
Yes, there is a wide choice. Indian-curriculum schools usually start the academic year in April, unlike most other curricula, so factor that into your move date.
When can I sponsor my family?
Family sponsorship normally requires your residence visa, a salary certificate meeting the current threshold, and an Ejari-registered tenancy. Confirm the current requirements with ICP before making commitments.
Rules change often — confirm current requirements with ICP, RTA, MOHRE or MOCCAE before you act.