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Moving to Dubai with children: source-backed 90-day plan
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Moving to Dubai with children: source-backed 90-day plan
Moving with children changes the order of the whole relocation: the school place decides the neighbourhood, the neighbourhood decides the commute, and the academic calendar decides your move date. Start with schools, not with housing.
Dubai is set up for families — nurseries, schools, paediatric care and activities are plentiful — but the good options book early. The families who find the move easy are the ones who applied to schools before they booked flights.
School applications and timing
Most schools in Dubai start the academic year in late August or early September; Indian-curriculum schools typically start in April. Popular schools run waiting lists, so contact admissions offices as early as you can — ideally six to twelve months before the move — with your children's current reports and records.
The KHDA, Dubai's education regulator, inspects and rates private schools and publishes the results. Use the ratings as a starting filter, then visit or call the schools themselves: availability, not quality, is usually the deciding factor.
Documents for children
Children need their own residence visas, sponsored by a parent, which requires attested birth certificates. Schools will also ask for previous school records, transfer certificates and vaccination records. Prepare and legalise these before you fly — doing it from Dubai afterwards is slower.
- —Birth certificates, legalised for the UAE
- —Recent school reports and transfer certificates
- —Vaccination records
- —Passports valid for at least six months beyond entry
Health insurance for dependants
Health insurance is mandatory for all Dubai residents, including children. If your employer's plan does not cover dependants, you will need to arrange a family policy — compare actual cover (paediatrics, vaccinations, emergency care) with a licensed broker rather than choosing on the lowest premium alone.
Nurseries, activities and summers
Nurseries take children from a few months old and, like schools, the popular ones fill early. For school-age children, the long summer holiday is covered by a wide range of summer camps — sports, arts, languages — which working parents typically book in late spring. After school, most children join activities through their school or community clubs.
Common mistakes
- —Choosing a neighbourhood before securing a school place, then facing a long daily school run
- —Missing waiting lists by applying only after arrival
- —Forgetting that birth certificates need legalisation before the children's visas can be issued
- —Assuming the employer's health insurance automatically covers children
- —Arriving in July with no summer camp or childcare arranged for the long holiday
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply to schools?
As early as possible — ideally six to twelve months before the move for popular schools. Contact admissions offices directly with your children's year groups and recent reports.
What are KHDA ratings?
The KHDA is Dubai's education regulator. It inspects private schools and publishes ratings, which are a useful first filter — but always confirm current availability directly with the school.
Is health insurance mandatory for children?
Yes. Health insurance is mandatory for all Dubai residents, including dependants. Check whether your employer's plan covers your children; if not, arrange a family policy with a licensed broker.
What do children do during the summer holiday?
Dubai has a wide range of summer camps — sports, arts, languages and academics — which working parents usually book in late spring. Nurseries and some schools also run summer programmes.
Rules change often — confirm current requirements with ICP, RTA, MOHRE or MOCCAE before you act.