After You Land in Dubai: First 30 Days Checklist
The first month in Dubai is a paperwork sprint. Your residence visa, Emirates ID, tenancy contract, utilities and bank account all need to happen in a specific order — and each one unlocks the next. Miss a step and you will feel it: no Emirates ID means no bank account, no tenancy means no Ejari, and no Ejari means no DEWA connection. Follow this week-by-week checklist and you will be fully set up in 30 days.
The short answer
Your first 30 days in Dubai follow a clear sequence: week 1 — medical fitness test, biometrics and Emirates ID application plus a UAE SIM; week 2 — tenancy with Ejari registration, DEWA deposit of AED 2,000–4,000, internet and bank account; week 3 — driving licence conversion and school or nursery enrollment; week 4 — health insurance card, furniture and settling in. Budget generously for month one — deposits and setup fees stack up fast.
Week 1: Arrival and identity
You will likely arrive on an entry permit or employment entry visa arranged by your employer or sponsor. Your first moves:
- [ ] Settle into temporary accommodation — a hotel or Airbnb for 2–4 weeks while you flat-hunt. Don’t sign a year-long lease sight unseen.
- [ ] Medical fitness test — blood test and chest X-ray at a DHA-approved centre (around AED 300–700 depending on speed). Required before your residence visa is issued.
- [ ] Biometrics and Emirates ID application — done at an ICP service centre, usually coordinated with your visa typing. Keep the application receipt; you will need the number everywhere.
- [ ] Get a UAE SIM — Etisalat or du; you can buy one on your passport initially, then re-register it to your Emirates ID later. Tourist SIMs are fine for week one.
- [ ] Open a basic spending setup — your home-country cards work, but watch foreign transaction fees while you wait for a local account.
Tip: many employers run this process for you through a PRO. If you are self-sponsoring, a typing centre near any ICP office will handle the paperwork for a small fee.
Week 2: Home, utilities and money
- [ ] Sign your tenancy and register Ejari — Ejari is the official tenancy registration; without it you cannot connect DEWA or sponsor family visas. Registration costs around AED 220.
- [ ] Connect DEWA (electricity and water) — the security deposit is AED 2,000 for flats and AED 4,000 for villas, plus a AED 130 connection fee. Apply online once Ejari is active.
- [ ] Set up internet and TV — Etisalat or du home packages run AED 300–500/month for decent fibre. Installation appointments take a few days, so book early.
- [ ] Open your bank account — you need your Emirates ID (or the application receipt plus passport at some banks). Salary transfer accounts are standard; compare minimum-balance requirements.
- [ ] Get your health insurance card — your employer should issue this; if you are self-sponsored, buy your policy now (see the cheapest compliant options).
This is the most expensive week: DEWA deposit, Ejari, agency fees (usually 5% of annual rent) and the first rent cheque or deposit all land at once. Our hidden costs guide covers the fees newcomers never see coming.
Week 3: Driving, schooling and transport
- [ ] Convert your driving licence — if your country is on the RTA’s approved list (UK, US, most of the EU, Australia and around 50 others), conversion costs roughly AED 800–900 including the eye test. Others need lessons — see the full licence conversion guide.
- [ ] Sort transport — decide between the Metro (excellent on the Red/Green lines), a monthly car rental (AED 2,000–3,500) or buying. Don’t buy a car in week one.
- [ ] Enrol kids in school or nursery — popular schools have waiting lists; start this the moment you have your tenancy sorted. You will need the child’s Emirates ID or application receipt.
- [ ] Register for essential apps — Careem/Uber, Talabat, Deliveroo, and your bank’s app. Dubai runs on apps more than almost any city.
Week 4: Insurance, furniture and routines
- [ ] Confirm your health insurance card works — register at a clinic near home so your first visit isn’t an emergency scramble.
- [ ] Furnish the flat — decide between furnished (higher rent, zero hassle) and unfurnished. IKEA, Pan Emirates and second-hand groups cover every budget.
- [ ] Set up mail and deliveries — get a Makani number for your address; couriers need it.
- [ ] Build your routine — find your supermarket, pharmacy, gym and a couple of regular spots. Dubai feels foreign until week three; by week five it feels like home.
What month one really costs
Beyond rent, budget for this stack of one-off setup costs:
| Item | Typical cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| DEWA deposit | 2,000–4,000 |
| Ejari registration | ~220 |
| Agency fee (5% of annual rent) | 3,000–7,500+ |
| Internet installation + first month | 400–700 |
| Driving licence conversion | 800–900 |
| Medical + Emirates ID + visa costs | 1,000–2,000+ (if self-paid) |
| Basic furnishing top-up | 2,000–10,000+ |
It is common for month one to cost AED 10,000–25,000 above your rent — which is exactly why we built the moving-to-Dubai budget planner to total it all up before you fly.
You may also find our guides on getting an Emirates ID and DEWA new connection costs useful.
Related guides: How to Open a Bank Account in Dubai as an Expat
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FAQs
What should I do first when I arrive in Dubai?
Complete your medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics in week one — everything else (bank account, tenancy utilities, driving licence) depends on your ID application being in progress.
How much money do I need for the first month in Dubai?
Beyond rent, budget AED 10,000–25,000 for setup costs: DEWA deposit (AED 2,000–4,000), agency fees, Ejari, internet, licence conversion and furnishing.
Can I open a bank account without an Emirates ID?
Some banks accept the Emirates ID application receipt plus your passport, but most require the physical ID. Start the application in week one so banking isn’t delayed.
How long does Ejari registration take?
Usually same-day if done at an Ejari-approved typing centre or via the app with all documents ready. You need it before DEWA will connect your utilities.
Should I rent before arriving in Dubai?
No — never sign a year-long lease sight unseen. Book a hotel or Airbnb for 2–4 weeks and view properties in person; photos hide a lot.