Moving to Dubai costs AED 15,000–25,000 all-in (licence, visa, registration) plus monthly living of AED 4,500–7,000 solo or AED 12,000–18,000 for a family. This includes first-month rent, insurance, and Emirates ID. The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) mandates visa sponsorship and health insurance. DBS provides itemised cost breakdowns in your currency—convert today’s indicative AED rate before budgeting.
Total Cost to Move to Dubai: All-In Breakdown
Before deciding to business setup in Dubai, you need a clear relocation budget. The all-in cost to move and establish yourself ranges from AED 15,000 to AED 25,000 depending on visa type, licence jurisdiction (free zone vs. mainland), and personal circumstances. This covers company registration, investor visa or Green Visa, Emirates ID issuance, health insurance, and first-month rent deposit.
| Item | AED Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free-Zone Licence (1 visa) | AED 12,500–12,900 | Meydan Free Zone (~AED 12,500) or IFZA (~AED 12,900); includes 1 investor visa |
| Mainland Licence (no visa) | AED 18,200–22,000 | DET approved; 100% foreign ownership; no visa included |
| Additional Investor Visa (2-yr) | AED 3,500–7,500 | If licence does not include; processed by MOHRE and ICP |
| Emirates ID (new resident) | AED 120–150 | Mandatory; issued by FTA within 7 days of visa approval |
| Health Insurance (12 months, basic) | AED 1,500–3,000 | MOHRE requirement; varies by age and coverage type |
| First-Month Rent Deposit (flexi-desk or studio) | AED 800–2,500 | Deposit only; actual rent separate (see below) |
| Bank Account Setup & Fees (3 months) | AED 300–500 | Most banks waive first-month fee for new residents |
| All-In Year 1 Total (Lean Setup) | AED 15,000–25,000 | Licence + 1 visa + ID + insurance + deposit + banking |
Convert this AED estimate to your home currency at today’s live rate (indicative only; rates move daily).
Monthly Living Costs in Dubai 2026: Single & Family
Once you have residency, typical monthly outgoings depend on lifestyle and household size. These figures are based on 2026 market rates from expat forums, property portals (Bayut, Dubizzle), and MOHRE salary benchmarks.
| Expense Category | Single Person (AED/mo) | Family of 4 (AED/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (studio or 1-bed / 2–3-bed villa) | AED 2,000–4,000 | AED 5,000–10,000 |
| Utilities (electricity, water, internet) | AED 400–600 | AED 800–1,200 |
| Groceries & Dining (mixed local & Western) | AED 1,200–1,800 | AED 3,500–5,000 |
| Health Insurance (annual, divided by 12) | AED 150–250 | AED 400–700 |
| Transportation (car, petrol, or Metro) | AED 400–800 | AED 800–1,500 |
| Childcare or Schooling (if applicable) | — | AED 2,000–8,000 |
| Monthly Total (Realistic) | AED 4,500–7,000 | AED 12,000–18,000 |
Book a free consultation with DBS to refine these figures for your sector and family setup.
Visa Pathways: Investor, Golden, and Green Options
Your residency visa depends on your business or employment profile. The UAE offers several routes; all-in costs shown below are current as of 2026.
Investor Visa (2-year renewable): For business founders and partners. All-in cost: AED 6,000–9,000 (includes licence, visa, and Emirates ID). Processed by the Investment and Public Sector Modernisation (IPMC) and MOHRE within 7–14 days.
Golden Visa (10-year): Requires one of three qualifying criteria: property investment of AED 2M+, cash deposit of AED 2M+, or company equity of AED 1M+. Government fees range from AED 4,695–10,140. As of February 2026, mortgaged and off-plan property now qualify (the previous 50%-upfront-payment rule was removed). This visa is ideal for long-term residency and family sponsorship.
Green Visa (5-year renewable): For skilled professionals and freelancers. Eligibility: salaried employee earning AED 15,000/month or higher, or freelancer/entrepreneur with annual income of AED 360,000+, or investor holding AED 1M+ in company equity. All-in cost: AED 3,500–6,500.
Consult DBS on WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 to determine which visa pathway suits your profile and budget.
Dubai Rent 2026: Studio, Apartment & Villa Prices
Rental markets vary by zone and property type. Recent 2026 data from property platforms (Bayut, Dubizzle) and DBS’s client reports shows:
| Property Type & Location | AED/Month (2026) | Typical Lease |
|---|---|---|
| Studio, Deira or Bur Dubai | AED 1,800–2,500 | 12 months; deposit = 1 month |
| 1-Bed Apartment, Downtown or JBR | AED 3,000–5,000 | 12 months; deposit = 1 month |
| 2-Bed Apartment, Marina or Business Bay | AED 4,500–7,500 | 12 months; deposit = 1 month |
| 3-Bed Villa, Arabian Ranches or Palm | AED 8,000–15,000 | 12 months; deposit = 1 month |
Deposits are held by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) and refunded upon lease exit if no damage is claimed. Furnished rentals typically cost 10–20% more. Plan for annual rent increases of 5–8% in popular districts.
Company Setup Timeline: 3–7 Working Days
The end-to-end setup process is transparent and predictable when working with DBS or a licensed partner. Here’s the day-by-day timeline for a Dubai free zone company formation (fastest route):
| Day | Step | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Submit documents: ID, proof of address, initial investment proof | You + DBS |
| Day 1–2 | DBS submits to free-zone authority (e.g., IFZA) and prepares visa application | DBS |
| Day 3–4 | Licence issued by free-zone; visa application sent to MOHRE/ICP | Free-zone authority |
| Day 5–6 | Visa approved; Emirates ID appointment scheduled with FTA | MOHRE/ICP + FTA |
| Day 7 | Emirates ID collected; bank account application submitted | You + bank |
Mainland licences (DET) typically take 5–10 working days and require additional trade approval steps. Delays occur only if documents are incomplete; DBS manages this proactively to keep you on track.
Family Sponsorship & Dependant Costs
Once you hold a valid residency visa and meet salary or asset thresholds, you can sponsor your spouse, children, and parents. MOHRE regulates all sponsorships.
Spouse Sponsorship: Minimum salary of AED 4,000/month (can be combined with spouse’s income if both work). No additional visa fee; sponsorship processed within 7–14 days. Health insurance for spouse: AED 1,200–2,000/year.
Children: Unlimited sponsorship if you earn AED 4,000+/month. Each child costs ~AED 1,500–2,500/year for health insurance. School fees (if private) range from AED 15,000–50,000/year depending on curriculum and location.
Parents: Minimum salary of AED 20,000/month required. Government fees: AED 900–1,200 per parent for 3-year visa. Health insurance for parents (age 50+): AED 2,500–4,500/year.
Email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com with your family composition for a customised sponsorship plan and cost estimate.
Banking & Payments: Documentation Checklist
Most UAE banks (FAB, Emirates NBD, ADIB) now open accounts for new residents via video call before visa approval. Have these documents ready:
- Valid passport (colour copy + original for verification)
- Emirates ID (once issued) or visa approval letter
- Proof of UAE address (lease agreement or hotel booking for first week)
- Professional reference letter (optional; some banks request)
- Initial deposit (typically AED 1,000–5,000 to activate account)
- Company trade licence (for business accounts; free-zone licence or DET approval)
Account activation takes 3–5 working days after submission. You’ll receive a debit card, chequebook, and online banking credentials within 7 days. International wire transfers: AED 150–300 per transaction; most banks offer 24-hour processing to GCC and major banking hubs.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to move to Dubai?
All-in, plan AED 15,000–25,000 for year one: company licence (AED 12,500–22,000), investor visa (included or AED 3,500–7,500 extra), Emirates ID (AED 120–150), health insurance (AED 1,500–3,000), and first-month accommodation deposit (AED 800–2,500). This excludes rent itself. MOHRE mandates health insurance; FTA issues the Emirates ID. Convert this range to your currency at today’s live rate.
What are realistic monthly living costs for a single person and a family?
Single person: AED 4,500–7,000/month (rent, utilities, groceries, transport, insurance). Family of four: AED 12,000–18,000/month (including 2–3-bed accommodation, schooling, and higher grocery spend). These figures assume mixed dining (local and Western) and public or personal transport. Childcare (if not schooling) adds AED 2,000–8,000/month. Costs vary by location and lifestyle.
How much is rent in 2026?
Studio, inner city: AED 1,800–2,500/month. 1-bed apartment (JBR, Downtown): AED 3,000–5,000. 2-bed (Marina): AED 4,500–7,500. 3-bed villa (Arabian Ranches): AED 8,000–15,000. Deposits equal one month’s rent, held by RERA. Expect 5–8% annual increases in popular zones. Furnished units cost 10–20% more; long-term leases (24 months) often unlock small discounts.
Does starting a company get me residency?
Yes. A free-zone licence includes one investor visa (AED 12,500–12,900 all-in); mainland licences do not, so you must apply separately (AED 3,500–7,500 extra). The visa is sponsored by your company and tied to your role. It is valid for 3–5 years, renewable. MOHRE and the free-zone authority (IFZA, Meydan, etc.) process applications within 7–14 working days. No local partner is required for most activities.
How do I sponsor my family?
Spouse: minimum salary AED 4,000/month; processed in 7–14 days. Children: unlimited if you earn AED 4,000+/month; each child costs ~AED 1,500–2,500/year insurance. Parents: minimum salary AED 20,000/month; government fees AED 900–1,200 per parent for 3-year visa. All sponsorships require valid health insurance for dependants (MOHRE mandate). No visa fee for dependants—only insurance and processing costs apply.
What visa options qualify for long-term residency and family sponsorship?
Investor Visa (2-yr, renewable): best for founders; all-in AED 6,000–9,000. Golden Visa (10-yr): requires AED 2M property investment (mortgaged or off-plan now qualify as of Feb 2026), AED 2M deposit, or AED 1M company equity; government fees AED 4,695–10,140. Green Visa (5-yr): salaried AED 15,000+/month or freelancer AED 360,000+/year; all-in AED 3,500–6,500. Golden Visa is the strongest for unlimited family sponsorship and renewal stability.
Is there an AED 100,000 ‘lifetime’ Golden Visa offer?
No. This is a myth. The UAE Investment and Public Sector Modernisation (IPMC) publicly denied any AED 100,000 flat-fee Golden Visa in July 2025. The actual Golden Visa requires AED 2M property, AED 2M deposit, or AED 1M company equity, with government fees of AED 4,695–10,140. Beware of agents claiming otherwise—verify all visa requirements directly with the IPMC or work with DBS for verified information.
Get expert help in 20 minutes
Talk to DBS on WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 or email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com for a free, fully itemised cost breakdown in your currency.
