Moving To Dubai

If you’re relocating to Dubai, whether it be for business or personal reasons, there are a number of things you may want to make yourself aware of before making the big move. With this guide, we hope to make your move to Dubai as easy as possible.

Additionally, you can read on to find out more about My Baggage – our convenient, affordable and reliable door to door luggage shipping service could help you to save significant time and money on transporting all of your possessions to Dubai.

About Dubai

Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates, renowned for its luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and lively nightlife scene. It is the largest and most populous city in the UAE, and emerged as a global city and business hub of all the Middle East.

UAE Quick Facts 
Language:Arabic
Population:9.2 million
Capital City:Abu Dhabi
Largest City:Dubai
Currency:UAE dirham (AED)
Timezone:GST
Date Format:dd/mm/yyyy
Dialling Code:+971

Why Relocate To Dubai?

There are plenty of reasons why so many people from all over the world relocate to Dubai each and every year— but perhaps the main reason is that it is one of the fastest growing cities in the world in terms of economic rates, investments and population. Not only that, but there’s tax-free living to take into consideration, as well as an enviably low crime rate, luxurious lifestyle no matter your budget, and a close proximity to everything, making it the perfect place to live for those who want to travel frequently. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy when they choose to move to Dubai. It is one-of-a-kind.

Top 10 Reasons To Relocate To Dubai:
1. It is a city of endless leisure possibilities.
2. The weather is favourable, it is a sun-lover's paradise.
3. The financial incentive of tax-free living.
4. Healthcare and education standards rival any in the world.
5. The public transport system is efficient and reliable.
6. Accommodation is generally of a very high standard.
7. You can enjoy affordable luxury.
8. Its hugely diverse and culturally rich culinary scene.
9. It is a perfectly positioned gateway to the globe.
10. It has an enviably low crime rate.

Things You Need To Know Before Moving To Dubai

Moving to a new country overseas is a life-changing, but nonetheless daunting experience. There is a lot to consider, and thorough research is necessary for easing any hesitations or concerns you might have in the months leading up to your move. With it being such an expensive process, it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. From understanding the way of life, the cost of living and the weather, as well as wrapping your head around the healthcare system and language— here are just a few of the most important things you need to know before up and moving to Dubai.

Cost Of Living

As with any country, the cost of living largely depends on where exactly you live and the type of lifestyle that you lead. Rental prices are fairly high in some of the most popular areas of the city, however, if you move slightly out, you can rent quality accommodation for much less. As well, many would say that Dubai’s tax-free living makes it one of the best places to live in the world. Salaries go untaxed, as well as food, restaurants and all other goods. It goes without saying that this saves people a huge amount of money.

The Weather

Dubai has an extremely favourable climate, which makes it a very attractive place to live. Generally speaking, sunshine remains year-round and temperatures rarely drop below 20 degrees celsius, which makes it a sun-lover’s paradise. Compared to unpredictable weather found in many locations around the world, such as the UK, Dubai is much better.

Way Of Life

Each and every country around the world is different. Each has its own laws, values, rules and way of life— and Dubai is certainly no exception to this. However, contrary to popular belief, it isn’t quite as restrictive as many people believe. That said, a certain standard of behaviour is expected. Generally, people are expected to cover up from shoulders to knees in public places as a mark of respect. Avoid swearing, making rude hand gestures, picking fights and public displays of affection, as these things aren’t tolerated and could land you in trouble. As well, out of respect to the country’s Islamic heritage, consumption of alcohol is restricted to restaurants, hotels and bars or clubs owned by hotels— but that certainly doesn’t mean you can’t let your hair down in Dubai. Just keep yourself out of trouble, and never, ever drink and drive. All of these things mean that Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world, with a crime rate that is enviably low.

Healthcare System

The healthcare system in Dubai is of an incredibly high standard. Medical facilities are modern and easily accessible, and even public hospitals offer good quality healthcare either for free or very low cost. That said, many expats choose to opt for private medical insurance, which ensures you get the very best care in excellent facilities in the city.

Dubai Cuisine

Thanks to its huge expat population, Dubai has a culinary scene that is influenced by international culture, which is music to any foodie’s ears. Throughout the city, you will find restaurants serving almost every cuisine from Greek, to Japanese and Middle Eastern.

The Language

Although Arabic is the official language of the United Arab Emirates, English is in fact the most widely spoken language in Dubai. Due to its huge expat population (around 75%), most of whom speak English and/or their native language. The city is truly a melting pot.

10 Top Tips For Relocating To Dubai:

  1. Start planning as far in advance as possible.
  2. Make checklists to stay on top of what you need to do.
  3. Get your immigration documentation sorted as early as possible.
  4. Set up a UAE bank account as soon as you can.
  5. Get your healthcare in Dubai sorted early to avoid any problems.
  6. Keep a record and stay on top of your finances— save, save, save!
  7. Sell/donate goods that you don’t really need to free up space.
  8. Do plenty of research on your new area (social media is a great tool!)
  9. If you’re moving for a job— don’t be afraid to ask your employer for help.
  10. Compare different quotes and choose your movers wisely.

Moving Your Possessions: What are your options?

When it comes to relocating overseas, one of the most important things to consider and plan adequately is how you’re going to transport all of your possessions to your new home. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to do this, with a number of options to suit different budgets and circumstances. To shed a light, we’re detailing a few options.

1. Hiring an international removals company.

Hiring a traditional international removals company has proven to be one of the most popular methods of transporting belongings overseas when relocating. If you need to transport exceptionally large items such as sofas, beds or even your car to Dubai, then this method can certainly prove to me the most cost-effective. However, depending on the scale of your move, costs can quickly mount up. If you’re only shipping small items, it can be expensive, so do keep that in mind when it comes to planning your relocation.

Container shipping is generally the most affordable method of international removals. You will make significant savings when you opt for sea freight over air freight. However, you should bear in mind that it can be an exceptionally slow voyage— in fact, you could be waiting for up to two months for your belongings to arrive with you in Dubai, depending on where they are coming from. It’s also important to be aware that although the majority of international removals companies will deliver straight to your door, some may require you to arrange transportation to and from the ports entirely yourself.

Air freight is a much faster method of shipping your belongings, though as it is typically priced by weight and volume, it is more costly as a result. Again, some international removals companies will offer a full door to door delivery service, whereas some may require you to arrange the transportation of your items to and from the airports yourself.

2. Carrying bags with you on your flight.

Of course, an easy, go-to way to transport your belongings to Dubai is by simply carrying them with you on your flight. However, if you have a large amount of things to bring with you in multiple heavy bags and suitcases, then it could really weigh you down on your long-haul travel— literally! Not only that, but if you do not take careful consideration when packing, you could be faced with excess baggage fees at the airport check-in desk if any bag or suitcase even slightly exceeds the allowed limit. As a result, the overall cost of your move to Dubai could be significantly increased, which certainly isn’t ideal.

3. Booking with My Baggage.

My Baggage offers a brand new approach to transporting your belongings to Dubai. We provide a convenient, reliable and affordable removals service to Dubai and to over 200 countries worldwide, across over 1,000 routes. With stress-free door to door shipping, full online tracking and dedicated, unrivalled customer support at any time.

My Baggage: International Removals Solution

By providing fast, convenient, reliable and affordable door to door luggage shipping services, at My Baggage we can offer a more feasible method of shipping your belongings in suitcases and boxes to your new home in Dubai. Relocating is an undeniably expensive process, and for many people, it could be a much more cost-effective option to sell or donate large, bulky items and ship only their most essential belongings with My Baggage.

Convenient and Reliable Services

Relocating is exciting, however, that certainly doesn’t make it nonetheless daunting. When it comes to transporting your worldly belongings to a destination far away, it’s only natural to feel slight apprehension at the thought of handing it all over to a removals service, entrusting that it will all arrive at your new home overseas in one piece. With that in mind, we at My Baggage strive to provide an alternative international removals service that you know you can trust every single time. We have partnered with some of the world’s leading courier services to bring you the highest standard of service.

From the moment your booking is confirmed on our website until the moment your boxes, bags and suitcases arrive safely at your new home in Dubai— My Baggage keeps you up to date on every aspect of the journey. We give access to full online luggage tracking information, so that you can keep an eye on the status of your shipment every step of the way. Your tracking information can be accessed at any time just by logging into your My Baggage account. During the booking process, you’ll also have the option to opt-in for text and email notifications so that you can stay up to date even on the go.

My Baggage’s convenient door to door collection and delivery service means you don’t have to worry about arranging for the transportation of your belongings to a port, nor do you have to worry about collecting them at the other side. My Baggage collects all of your belongings from your doorstep and delivers them straight to your destination.

If you have any pressing questions or concerns along the way, our dedicated customer support team will always be happy to assist in any way that they can. Thanks to so many years of experience in logistics, our team are experts when it comes to shipping personal effects to Dubai and the rest of the world. Contact us via telephone, email and live chat.

Super Fast Transit Times

At My Baggage, we understand that when it comes to relocating, getting your personal belongings transported to your new home as quickly as possible is what most people want. After all, it beats having to wait weeks for everything you own to arrive, possibly having to purchase temporary belongings to keep you going in the meantime.

In comparison to traditional international movers, which in some instances can take months to arrive— with My Baggage, you don’t have to worry about waiting. We offer super fast removals, with a 2-5 working day transit time to Dubai and worldwide.

Value For Money

Without a doubt, the best thing about My Baggage is our fantastic low prices. Hiring a traditional international removals company may not be suitable for all budgets, and airline baggage can be risky due to the restrictions involved. My Baggage can offer a welcomed and affordable alternative, designed to suit all kinds of relocation budgets.

We aren’t just affordable— our service offers fantastic value for money. We offer a huge 30kg/66lbs weight allowance per item for as little as £117 to Dubai. And, if you happen to find a better price elsewhere, you can even use our handy Price Match tool.

Student Shipping To Dubai

If you happen to be relocating to Dubai to further your education, My Baggage can help you with your move. Whether you’re studying for a semester, an academic year or even for the duration of your degree course— My Baggage can help you to transport all of your personal belongings straight to your new home on campus in Dubai quickly and safely.

My Baggage prices are student-budget friendly. And we’re not just affordable— our student shipping services offer value for money. You can send as many items as you like with us, and we offer a huge 30kg/66lbs weight allowance per box or suitcase.

My Baggage’s online booking system and door to door collection and delivery makes our service easy and convenient for busy students. And with My Baggage, you don’t need to worry about waiting weeks (or even months) for your important belongings to arrive. We offer fast transit times, with Express services available to and from all universities.

The My Baggage team is make up of former students and recent graduates, so we understand how stressful the prospect of moving to university can be— not to mention relocating to a new country to do so! We make it our priority to make your experience as easy as possible. Our convenient student shipping services to Dubai allows you to relax and enjoy what should be one of the most exciting times of your life. Want to know what other students think of My Baggage? You can read through our customer reviews.

Shipping Care Packages To Dubai

When you relocate to a new country far from home, it’s likely that you’ll want to send things back and forth to your loved ones. There’s nothing quite like receiving a thoughtful care-package from someone that you love. When you book with My Baggage, you can send a box filled with thoughtful gifts to your nearest and dearest in a different country.

Shipping Golf Clubs To Dubai

Dubai is known to have some of the best, world-class golf courses in the Middle East. With that in mind, you might want to bring your own golf clubs with you to Dubai to embrace your hobby there. With My Baggage, you can easily transport your golf clubs to Dubai. Just make sure they are packaged in a secure golf bag suitable for transit.

Shipping Bicycles To Dubai

Did you know? Dubai is one of the best cities in the world for cycling. It is actively promoted as a way of maintaining fitness. If you hope to bring your own bicycle with you when you move to Dubai, you can when you book with My Baggage. We make it easy for you to transport large, bulky items such as bicycles, even to long-haul destinations. In order to be transported, your bicycle will need to be dismantled and packaged securely into a bicycle box. However, a local bicycle shop should be more than happy to do this.

Prohibited and Non-Compensation Items

My Baggage specialises in shipping personal effects all over the world. However, for security and customs reasons, there are certain items which are considered prohibited.

As a general rule, you can be sure that the following items are prohibited:

  • Aerosols
  • Animal Products
  • Cash, Credit Cards, Debit Cards
  • Dangerous Goods
  • Hazardous Goods
  • Liquids
  • Medicines
  • Passports or other confidential personal documentation
  • Perishable Foods
  • Plants

When sending to the UAE, the following items are also prohibited:

  • Antiques
  • Furs
  • Gambling Devices
  • Jewellery
  • Plant Products
  • Plants
  • Precious Metals and Stones

It is also important to be aware that although certain items can be carried on our services, some may not be covered under our compensation cover and so are sent at your own risk. If you choose to send any non-compensation items, please ensure they are packaged appropriately, with plenty of internal packaging for fragile items.

Find out more about My Baggage’s prohibited and non-compensation items.

Please note that import allowances, security and customs processes differ all around the world, so we recommend that you do your own personal research into what may be prohibited in your destination country before booking your shipment with us.

Packaging Information

When sending your belongings with My Baggage, we recommend using either suitcases or strong cardboard boxes to package your items so they are suitable for transit.

We advise against using fragile or expensive suitcases, as packaging is not covered under our compensation cover. With regards to boxes, it’s always best to invest in a new, sturdy, double-walled cardboard box as they are most durable and suitable for transit.

If you are sending fragile or delicate items, we recommend using internal packaging to protect them during transit. You can use materials such as bubble wrap or newspapers.

You can read through our complete packaging guide here.

UAE Customs Information

When shipping goods to the UAE, you are legally required to complete and send a customs invoice with your shipment. Whether you are simply sending personal effects or a gift to a loved one— if your shipment does not have a customs invoice attached, it will not make it past your local country border, and you may have to pay return charges to get it back. My Baggage will provide you with the appropriate customs documents for you to print, sign and attach to your shipment when you send any shipments to the UAE.

Generally, My Baggage shipments clear customs in a timely manner, free from duties and taxes, as most countries offer a generous duty-free allowance on personal effects. However, customs processes and allowances differ around the world, and because My Baggage has no direct association with any customs authority, we do advise doing your own personal research into UAE customs regulations and quarantine before booking your shipment to the UAE. Please make yourself aware of any potential customs policies in the UAE and follow any advice provided by customs directly.

Shipments of personal effects being sent to the UAE for non-residents who do not hold a UAE passport, residence or employment visa should not exceed a value of £175/$250. Shipments exceeding this value will require a copy of the named receiver’s passport, and their residence or employment visa if they are a non-UAE passport holder.

How To Book With My Baggage: A Step By Step Guide

Booking to transport your belongings to Dubai with My Baggage is a straightforward process. There’s no complicated sign-up involved, as we offer a pay-as-you-go service. Our easy to use online booking takes just a few short moments to complete and is available 24/7. To help you place your first booking, here’s a step by step guide:

Step 1: Start by getting a quote from our homepage and proceed to booking.

Step 2: Input the dimensions and weight of each of your boxes/suitcases.

Step 3: Fill in the collection and delivery address details.

Step 4: Choose your preferred collection date.

Step 5: Pay for your shipment.

Step 6: Fill in your customs documentation straight from your account.

Step 7: Print and attach your customs paperwork and shipping labels.

Step 8: Attach the paperwork to your boxes and suitcases as per our packaging guide.

Step 9: Sit back and relax as we take care of the rest!

Reasons To Use My Baggage:

  • Convenient door to door collection and delivery services.
  • Full online tracking with text and email notifications.
  • International shipping to over 200 countries, across 1,000 routes worldwide.
  • Fast transit times – express services available on many routes.
  • Dedicated customer support via phone, email and live chat.

Are You a Business Or Personal User?

My Baggage offers convenient and affordable shipping services for absolutely everyone, whether you’re a business user, a holidaymaker, an expat or, of course, relocating. No matter your reason, absolutely anyone can take advantage of our competitive prices and excellent services. In fact, many savvy business users regularly avail of our low cost and convenient shipping services in order to relocate their employees all over the world.

So, what are you waiting for?

Learn more:

Luggage Shipping

College Shipping

Airline Allowances