How to Move to Dubai from Australia (90-Day Relocation Plan)

Relocating your life and business from Australia to Dubai can be seamlessly achieved within a single Australian spring or UAE winter — if you follow a clear and structured plan. The 90-day roadmap below is based on the proven process developed by our senior consultant, Jomon, who has led finance and real-estate initiatives in Dubai since 2011. Use it as your reference point, and book a personalised consultation so we can tailor the journey to your specific goals and timeline.

Why a 90-Day Window Works

1. Visa processing for most Australian nationals now averages 20-35 calendar days (ICP and GDRFA data, Q2 2025).
2. Free-zone or mainland business licences can be issued in as little as one week once KYC files are complete.
3. The Australian Taxation Office’s updated 183-day residency test gives you a clear buffer to plan exit and entry dates.

Compressing the move into 90 days minimises dual-rent periods, reduces interim school fees and lets you capitalise on Q1 hiring cycles in Dubai.

90-Day Relocation Overview

*Upper figure assumes a two-bed apartment rental deposit and health-insurance premiums for a family of four.

Visa Options for Australians Moving to Dubai

Australians moving to Dubai have several visa pathways depending on their purpose — employment, business, investment, or family relocation. The right visa structure depends on income source, investment level, and long-term plans.

Employment visa (company-sponsored)
If you secure a job in Dubai, your employer sponsors your residency visa. This is the most common option and allows you to live, work, open a bank account, and sponsor immediate family members.

Business / investor visa
Australians setting up a company in Dubai can apply for an investor or partner visa. This option is ideal for entrepreneurs launching a mainland or free zone business and typically requires company registration and shareholding documentation.

Property-linked residency
Property investors may qualify for a residency visa if their real estate investment meets the minimum value threshold set by UAE authorities. This option suits Australians purchasing property for lifestyle or long-term investment purposes.

Family sponsorship option
Residents holding a valid UAE visa can sponsor their spouse and children, subject to minimum income requirements. This makes Dubai a practical relocation choice for families moving from Australia.

Phase 1 (Days 1–30) – Plan and File

1. Strategy Alignment Call (Day 1–3)

• Define the purpose of relocation: lifestyle, regional headquarters, investment hub.
• Choose legal structure: free-zone LLC, mainland LLC or branch. Our comparison guide on mainland vs free zone is a useful primer.

2. Pre-Visa Document Pack (Day 4–10)

• Australian police clearance (AFP, digital copy accepted).
• Degree and marriage certificate attestations via DFAT and UAE embassy.
• 6-month bank statements and resume — mandatory for some free-zone categories.

3. Entry (Employment or Investor) Visa Application (Day 11–25)

• Submit to ICP portal with sponsorship letter from the free zone or mainland entity.
• Medical insurance quotation obtained simultaneously to shorten Emirates ID issuance.

4. Flight Booking & Temporary Housing (Day 20–30)

• Time arrival for the start of Islamic work week (Monday) to squeeze two government errands into week 5.
• Use serviced apartments covered in our analysis of serviced apartments in Dubai for a flexible landing pad.

Jomon Tip: Arriving with the entry visa already stamped at Dubai International Airport means you can complete medical tests the very next morning, shaving three days off the average timeline.

Phase 2 (Days 31–60) – Licence and Land

5. Trade Licence Issuance (Day 31–38)

• Pay the licence fee (AED equivalent AUD 2,500–6,000). Expect a digital PDF within 48 hours once payment clears.
• If relocating purely for employment, obtain labour approval instead.

6. Open UAE Bank Account (Day 35–45)

• Schedule KYC with your chosen bank. Our step-by-step banking guide explains required documents.
• Maintain an opening balance of at least AED 10,000 to avoid monthly charges.

7. Long-Term Accommodation (Day 40–55)

• Ejari registration completed online in 15 minutes once cheques are issued.

8. Utilities and Telecom (Day 46–60)

• DEWA connection requires passport, title or Ejari, and a refundable deposit (AED 2,000 flat for apartments up to 200 sqm).
• Etisalat or du home internet packages start at AED 379 per month, contract-free for visa holders.

Phase 3 (Days 61–90) – Settle and Scale

9. Dependent Visas & Schooling (Day 61–80)

• Submit family visa applications on the GDRFA smart app. Average approval: 5 days.
• Schools run rolling admissions. Allow AED 25,000–60,000 per child per year for KHDA-rated “Good” British curriculum schools.

10. Driving Licence Conversion (Day 70–75)

• Australians can convert without a road test. Present passport, Emirates ID and eye-test certificate at RTA Al Manara. Cost: AED 870 including card printing.

11. Hiring First UAE Employee (Optional, Day 75–85)

• Secure establishment card and quota on the MOHRE portal.
• Use our visa rulebook in Sponsoring Employees in Dubai.

12. Final Compliance Check (Day 85–90)

• Register for corporate tax if turnover will exceed AED 375,000.
• Map your ATO obligations on foreign income using the checklist in Tax Talk.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Overlapping leases — lock a UAE tenancy only after your Emirates ID printout is confirmed.
2. Incorrect visa category — a property investor visa does not permit local employment. Clarify intent early.
3. Australian residency ties — gym memberships and primary residence leases back home can trigger ATO “continuity of association” tests.
4. Bank account delays — incomplete KYC leads to repeat visits. Our clients use a pre-boarding checklist to secure same-day approvals.

Cost Snapshot (Solo Founder)

Use this baseline and scale according to family size and office footprint.

How Dubai Invest Makes the 90-Day Plan Frictionless

• Single portal for paperwork – upload once, we route to immigration, free-zone and banks.
• On-ground execution by Jomon’s bilingual team – power of attorney options mean you can continue running your Australian operations while we stand in line.
• Access to pre-negotiated housing and schooling slots through our relocation partners.
• ATO and UAE tax positioning – our chartered tax affiliates model your split-year outcomes before you fly.

Investing a few hours in a structured consultation upfront typically saves our clients 10–14 days and several thousand dollars in rushed, repeat fees.

Conclusion

Moving to Dubai is no longer a leap of faith. With a disciplined 90-day roadmap, clear budgeting and the right advisory bench, Australians can unlock Dubai’s zero capital-gains environment, strategic time zone and booming consumer market before the next financial quarter closes.

Ready to put real dates against each milestone? Book a 30-minute relocation strategy call with Jomon today and receive a personalised Gantt chart and cost model within 24 hours.