Chapter 03 · 8 min read
Relocation planning checklist
Before you arrive

Relocation planning checklist

Everything to organise before you land — split by commitment, documents, housing, finances, healthcare and final preparations.

Overview

Whether you're moving solo or with family, this checklist will keep you on track and avoid the late-night panics. The interactive checklist tool tracks every item; this chapter explains the why behind each grouping.

Most items branch off the same fact: you can't sign a tenancy, clear customs for pets or shipping, or finalise a bank account without your Emirates ID — so almost every milestone funnels through visa processing.

Key steps
01
Before you commit
Visa path, area research, cost-of-living estimate, CV in Gulf style, job offer or business plan.
02
Important documents
Passport (6+ months), photos, attested marriage & birth certificates, attested degree certificates, employment contract, medical records.
03
Belongings & pets
Decide what to ship, get three quotes, microchip and vaccinate pets, schedule shipments AFTER Emirates ID issuance.
04
Housing
Short-term accommodation, understand cheque system, budget 5% deposit + 5% agency fee, prepare Ejari documents.
05
Schools, finance, healthcare
Shortlist on KHDA, 3–6 months of living expenses, confirm what employer insurance covers, transfer medical records.
06
Final preparations
Flights, airport transfers, licence conversion check, expat communities, HMRC notification, tourist SIM on arrival.
Documents & checklist
Passport (valid 6+ months) + copies Plenty of passport-sized photos Attested marriage & birth certificates Attested degree certificates Employment contract or business setup docs Updated CV (job-seekers) Medical & vaccination records Digital copies in cloud storage
Pro tips
Schedule shipments after Emirates ID is issued — you can't clear customs without it.
Plan for essential items in luggage. Sea freight can take 6–10 weeks.
Notify HMRC of your relocation before you leave the UK to avoid tax-residency confusion.
Related tools
Interactive
Open checklist tool
Concierge
Ask the concierge about this chapter
Get a specific answer scoped to relocation planning checklist.
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02 · Your Dubai timeline
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04 · Visa & legal requirements