Moving to Dubai from the US can open lots of opportunities starting from tax-free income and ending with having access to an advanced job market and healthcare system. But how to move to Dubai, what are the main reasons and key considerations?
In this article, we’ll talk about the pre-move preparation, visa and residency requirements, and the pros and cons of living in Dubai.
- The main reasons for moving to Dubai from the US include tax-free income, job opportunities, affordable living, an advanced healthcare system, a low crime rate, and the Golden Visa program.
- As an American, you can obtain either short-term or long-term visas to move to Dubai. Short-term visas include tourist visas and business visas. The long-term visa includes a Student visa, a Green visa, a Retirement visa, and a Golden visa.
- The pros of living in Dubai include tax-free income, world-class infrastructure, safety and security, career opportunities, advanced health care, and educational systems.
- The cons of living in Dubai are its strict laws, extreme weather, traffic, cultural adjustment, and job security.
Reasons to Move to Dubai from US
There are many reasons for moving to Dubai from the US. Some of them include:
Tax-free Income
One of the main reasons for moving from the US to Dubai is its tax-friendly environment. You don’t need to pay any income taxes, capital gains, inheritance taxes, or property taxes in Dubai. This helps expats enjoy the maximum profit. Beware that being an American National, there may be taxes due on your global income, please consult with your american tax expert on your specific matter.
Job Opportunities
Another reason for moving to Dubai from the USA is the job market. The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan maps out a comprehensive plan for sustainable urban development in Dubai. The plan emphasizes the importance of tourism, real estate, technology, education, and healthcare. Considering this, Dubai will create a diversified job market that has many job openings in these fields to align with its vision.
Affordable Living
Compared to the US, Dubai offers affordable living. Let’s compare costs in Los Angeles and Dubai. According to Numbeo:
- The cost of living in Los Angeles (without rent) is 31.1% higher than in Dubai.
- The cost of living in Los Angeles (including the rent) is 27.4% higher than in Dubai.
- Rental prices in Los Angeles are 22.2% higher than in Dubai.
- Grocery prices in Los Angeles are 79.1% higher than in Dubai.
Advanced Healthcare System
Dubai has a world-class healthcare system, with significant investments in advanced medical infrastructure. Public healthcare, managed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), offers free or affordable services to UAE nationals. Expats can access public healthcare if they have health insurance. Additionally, private healthcare services are widely available to both nationals and foreigners.
Low Crime Rate
Having a low crime index (16.23) and a high safety index (83.77) is yet another reason for moving to Dubai.
Golden Visa
The Golden Visa program is specially designed for entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals who want to move to Dubai. As a property investor, you need to meet the eligibility criteria and invest at least AED 2,000,000 in real estate. You can only consider the property that’s in the free zone area.
Moving from the US to Dubai can be a tough challenge. You need to compare Dubai's cost of living vs the US, learn about types of visa and their requirements, and financial and tax considerations. By researching the relocation process, having guidance while applying for the visa, and understanding cultural differences, Americans can ensure their smooth transition from the US to Dubai.
FAQ
Yes, Dubai is considered a good place to live, because it has a growing economy, low crime rate, tax-friendly system, and family-friendly environment.
Yes, living in Dubai as an American is beneficial because the cost of living in UAE is 21.4% lower than in America (not including renting).
Yes, Dubai is considered a safe place to live in. In fact, according to Numbeo, it has a very low crime index (16.23) and a high safety index (83.77).
Offering a luxurious lifestyle, great entertainment options, and job opportunities, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are considered the key destinations in the UAE for expats.
Depending on the way you try to obtain UAE citizenship, the duration of the process will be different. For example, obtaining UAE citizenship by naturalization takes 30 years, while marrying a UAE national will allow a foreign woman to apply for citizenship after 7 years.
