Moving to the UAE
from Australia

Are you moving your furniture and other household goods to the UAE? If so, OSS World Wide Movers will provide safe and reliable moving & relocation services to all parts of the UAE. Our professional packing and shipping services provide fast and efficient moving of your effects through customs at your destination.

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The UAE has recently become a popular and exciting destination for Australians and people from all over the world. Moving to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or other cities in the UAE to further one’s professional training, skill base, and/or career opportunities are common occurrences. For over 50 years OSS World Wide Movers has been assisting individuals, business people, and Corporates, with the professional service and advice that comes from choosing a quality international moving specialist.

Moving and Living in the UAE

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The ‘United Arab Emirates’ or UAE as it’s more commonly known lies at the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf. As a country, the UAE is made up of 7 emirates or city states; these are the Capital Abu Dhabi, the world-famous Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-haimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. The country consists of approximately 90% desert and mountainous regions.

The cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are well known for their incredible skyscrapers, amazing architecture, man-made islands, and miles of sandy beaches. The UAE has something for everybody, such as shopping, incredible food, the ability to travel to many close by countries, and many places to relax and put your feet up.

Dubai is truly a unique destination. Situated in the UAE, it is in the world’s top 10 most popular tourism destinations (Forbes List 2019) and is one of the Arab World’s most popular. Dubai is both a dynamic business hub and a tourist’s paradise.

The Emirate offers more attractions, shopping, fine dining, and quality hotels than virtually any other destination on the planet. In 2019, Dubai welcomed over 16 million visitors from around the world, which is an increase of 17% from 2016.

From the timeless tranquillity of the desert to the lively bustle of the souks, the city presents a fantastic ensemble of attractions and activities for its visitors and residents. In a single day, one can experience everything from rugged mountains and breathtaking dunes to white sandy beaches and lush, beautifully landscaped parks, from dated villages to luxurious residential districts, and from traditional houses with wind towers to ultra-modern shopping centres.

The Emirate’s scoring point lie in its entrepreneurial abilities to create the inconceivable found in its tourist attractions, landmarks, shopping centres, nightlife and hotels. Although it strictly safeguards its traditional practices, it allows space for other religions to breathe, a rare quality amongst the conservative Arab world. Thankfully, it has been successful in shielding itself from extremism, much needed for it to survive. Today, Dubai has emerged as a cosmopolitan metropolis that has grown steadily to become a global city and a business and cultural hub of the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region.

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Moving to The UAE from Australia with OSS

At OSS World Wide Movers, our network of FIDI / FAIM accredited partners cover the whole of the UAE.

Our partners in the UAE are well versed in all aspects of the requirements for importation of personal and household goods.

This guarantees you a seamless, tailor made move to the UAE, right through to your new home not only your personal effects and vehicles, but also for your much loved pets as well.

From the timeless tranquillity of the desert to the lively bustle of the souks, the city presents a fantastic ensemble of attractions and activities for its visitors and residents.

Moving your household goods to the UAE

Choosing an international moving company will no doubt be one of the first and most important decisions you make in the relocation process. OSS World Wide Movers move thousands of Australians and other nationals to and from Australia every year. Being Australia’s only specialist international mover, OSS World Wide Movers can ensure a professional approach geared specifically for moving overseas.

Can I pack my own goods when I move to the UAE?

If you are sending items which have been packed by yourself “owner packed” then they will attract more stringent inspection by Customs on arrival in the UAE. Providing a detailed carton by carton inventory will assist Customs in inspecting your effects, and may avoid unnecessary delays.
It is advisable to have your goods packed by OSS if you are looking at sending larger consignments, to ensure the clearance process can be conducted with a minimum of time and fuss.

How do I move my car to the UAE?

Moving motor vehicles and motor bikes to the UAE is possible provided Customs criteria are met. This service is usually depot to depot, meaning the motor vehicle will be collected by you from our partners depot in Dubai following customs clearance. Customs may require evidence that the owner of the vehicle has lived abroad for 12 months or longer, so a copy of your passport with date stamp showing arrival in the UAE, or copy of lease or rental agreement on in the UAE would be sufficient.

Can I move my boat to the UAE?

Moving a boat to the UAE has similar requirements to moving a car to Dubai when it comes to registration requirements and process.
Customs and Quarantine in the UAE will have a special interest in the boat due to its exposure to marine life, however as Australia has a fairly clean marine environment, your boat should pass customs and quarantine without any problem.

How long will my move to the UAE take?

When moving your household goods to the UAE by sea freight, this will typically take between 6-8 weeks for an FCL service. For services such as LCL and shared container services (i.e. groupage), these will take longer to reach your destination as your goods will need to be consolidated with other consignments heading to the same destination. Please discuss these options & shipping times with your removal consultant, as shipping times will vary greatly for each destination when using this type of service over an FCL service.

What insurance should I have when moving to the UAE?

OSS offers a full range of moving insurance options depending on your needs. Although your shipment to the UAE will be packed to export standards (designed to withstand the longest journey), the small cost of insurance gives you complete peace of mind with regard to the exposure and rigours inherent in moving from one side of the world to the other. Ask us about Movecover and our Marine Transit Insurance product to cover those risks that are unforeseen in every move.

Tax implications when moving to the UAE

The UAE does not levy income tax on individuals. However, it levies a corporate tax on oil companies and foreign banks. Excise tax is levied on specific goods which are typically harmful to human health or the environment. Value Added Tax is levied on a majority of goods and services.

It is vital that you understand and obtain specific accounting and taxation advice suitable to your individual circumstances prior to your arrival.

Restricted and Prohibited items when moving to the UAE

When looking to relocate to the UAE you will need to consider the extensive list of restricted and prohibited items. The following is a sample of the extensive list from FIDI, you can see via this via the PDF: Moving to UAE – FIDI Guide

  • Weapons, Firearms and ammunition
  • Firecrackers
  • Alcohol, sprits or narcotics of any kind
  • Banned drugs and medicines
  • Pornographic material
  • Food stuffs in large quantities
  • Various records, tapes films, CDs, photographs, books and magazines depending on content.

If any of these items or others are found during inspection by UAE customs they will be either confiscated or censored. In some cases you will be required to provide and explanation or face severe punishment via fines or imprisonment.

Can I move to the UAE with pets?

Moving overseas with your pets presents a unique set of logistical challenges. When moving with your loved pet, eg Cat or Dog, this process will be managed with a specialist ‘OSS approved’ pet moving provider who understands the needs of both pets and their owners, and will take care of all the relevant arrangements for your move to the UAE.
The regulations for bringing in or taking out a pet from the UAE depend on the rules of the country to which it is going. The entry of pets to the UAE requires an import permit from the Ministry of Environment and Water. For this, you will need a vaccination card or certificate for each pet dog or cat, your passport copy and a microchip number clearly marked on the vaccine book or microchip certificate.
The UAE has a ban on certain breeds of dogs, including any dog that falls under the umbrella term of “Pit Bull”, a ‘fighting’ breed including Mastiffs, any dog mixed with a wolf or an American Staffordshire Terrier.

For more information about moving overseas with pets, please refer to our detailed guide to moving pets overseas page

Electrical goods and compliance when moving to the UAE

The standard voltage in the UAE is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Sockets suitable for three-pin 13 amp plugs of British standard design are the norm, however, it is a good idea to bring an adapter with you just in case. Adapters can be purchased in local supermarkets.

In the United Arab Emirates the power plugs and sockets are of type C, D and G

Visa and Immigration Information

The kind of visa needed to enter the UAE can depend on several different factors such as nationality, the purpose of the planned visit and the duration.

For those on an Australian passport, you do not require pre-entry visas to enter the UAE, you are able to enter, on arrival with 30-day visa granted.
The UAE authorities have taken many steps to make this process as straightforward and easy as possible. Citizens of 39 countries, which include Australia, do not require visas prior to arrival.

When travelling or moving to the UAE, make sure your passport and visa’s are correct and valid. Check these links to find out some of the latest requirements.

Visa Information

General visa information can be found here: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id

Passport Information

Passport information can be found here: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/passports-and-traveling/the-emirati-passport

Immigration Information

Immigration information can be found here: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id

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Consulate / Embassy in Australia

Contact the UAE Embassy by visiting Unit 3, 40 Blackall Street, Barton, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia. Phone +612 62868802 Fax +612 62868804 Email canberraemb@mofa.gov.ae or follow this link to the Embassy website: https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/missions/canberra

What’s it like Moving to and Living in the UAE?

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According to the Global Finance magazine’s safety index 2021 the UAE is the 2nd safest country in the world to live in, just behind Iceland. Fear not if you have left your wallet or purse in a taxi or in a restaurant… you should be getting this back with all the contents still there.
While living in the UAE you will have access to a number of top international schools, quality healthcare and a social life like no other and is the reason why so many people who relocate to The UAE sometimes struggle to ever go back
The UAE and in particular Dubai and Abu Dhabi have a multitude of international schools that will be able to cater for most nationalities and curriculums, meaning that your children should be able to easily continue their education with minimal disruption. When the kids aren’t at school, there are plethora of theme and water parks in the region, including Warner Bros. World, Bollywood Park, Legoland and Legoland water park, Ferrari World, and others along with numerous family-friendly beaches and parks.
Other incredible things to do & see include the Burj Khalifa the world’s tallest building, The Louvre Abu Dhabi, Burj Al Arab Hotel, Atlantis The Palm resort, World Expo 2020 site, head into the Hajar Mountains, or explore the UAE’s desert landscapes. Some other highlights include nightlife – bars, clubs, restaurants, some of the best in the world, music concerts and major sporting events, over 100 shopping malls, fitness classes and sporting leagues, glorious beaches, pools and spas to relax and recharge. Overall, there’s so much to do here we can’t list it all.

Mobile phones
Mobile phone usage in the UAE is incredibly widespread and has one of the highest smartphone penetrations in the world.

When you’re dialing within the UAE, the first few digits depend on whether you are calling a landline or a mobile. Landline phone numbers depend on the Emirate and begin as follows: 04 (Dubai), 02 (Abu Dhabi), 06 (Ajman), 06 (Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain), 07 (Ras al-Khaimah), and 09 (Fujairah).

Mobile phone numbers begin with the following digits, depending on your carrier: 050, 054, and 056 are Etisalat, while 052, 055, and 058 are Du. To call a mobile number from abroad, the 0 at the beginning of the prefix should be left out. If you call a mobile number from within the UAE, the 0 should be kept. To call a UAE number from outside the UAE, dial +971, drop the 0, and dial the number.

Internet
The UAE’s digital landscape has witnessed a complete transformation in the last two decades. The country has become the most digital-friendly country in the Middle East by creating a favourable environment for digital innovators. The UAE ranks top among other countries in terms of internet usage, Covid-19 further boosted it. In the period of 2020 to 2021, there was around a 2% increase in Internet usage in the country.
UAE’s love for digital is reflected in the large-scale adoption of digital technologies by its population. In 2021, the UAE population is almost 10 million, and a whopping 99% of the people are active internet users.
The avg. mobile internet speeds come close to 90 Mbps.

Post
The general postal authority runs an efficient postal system with red post collection boxes dotted throughout the cities and towns. Mail is usually collected morning and evening. Stamps can be purchased and post mailed from your hotel. Express postal facilities are also available at post offices.
In general, post office opening hours are from 8 A.M.- 1 P.M. And 4 P.M. – 7 P.M. Saturday to Wednesday. Closed Thursdays and Fridays.
8 A.M. – 12 Noon on public holidays, but closed on the first day of eid holidays. Note that there are no telephones or fax facilities at post offices in the UAE and poste restante facilities are not available.
The main post office in Dubai is on zaïsabeel road, bur Dubai (8 A.M. – 11.30 P.M. Saturday to Wednesday, 8 A.M. – 1 P.M. And 4 P.M. – 8 P.M. Thursday and closed Fridays). There is also a smaller post office in Deira on al sabkha road. Other post offices are located in Satwa, Karama and Jumeirah.

Opening hours and holidays
Normal shopping hours are from 9.00 A.M. – 1 P.M. And 4.00 – 9.00 P.M. However many shops, particularly in dubai and abu dhabi stay open all day. Most shopping centres open from 10 A.M to 10 P.M – frequently later. Some supermarkets are open for 24 hours. Although shops and shopping centres are fully air conditioned, the cool of the evening is a favourite time for shopping. Shopping centres and most shops are open on Friday, the islamic day of rest, but they all close for juma (Friday) prayers from 11.30 A.M. To 1.30 P.M.
All shops are required to close at prayer times in raï’s al-khaimah.

Offices
Government offices open at 7.30 A.M. And close at 3.00 P.M. But you would be wise to visit in the morning. Private offices tend to keep longer hours, coming back to work in the evening after an extended mid-day break. Some private businesses open from 8 A.M. To 5 P.M.
All government offices close for the weekend at mid-day on Thursday and do not open again until Saturday morning. Some offices outside the public sector are open on Thursday and close on Friday and Saturday.

Tipping
Tipping is not expected, but is common practice. Gratuities to staff at hotels are at your discretion. Most restaurants add service charges to the bill (Abu Dhabi 16 per cent; Sharjah 15 per cent; Dubai 10 per cent). If this charge is not included, add 10 per cent of the total to the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped. Supermarket baggers, bag carriers and windscreen washers at petrol stations are generally given dh2.

Photography
Ask permission before photographing people in general. Avoid photographing Muslim women and do not photograph airports, docks, and telecommunications equipment, government buildings, military and industrial installations.

Time
The UAE is four hours ahead of GMT. The time does not change during the summer. This means that there is a three-hour difference between UK and UAE local times in summer and a four-hour difference in winter.

Weights and Measures
The UAE uses the metric system, although British and US standard weights and measures are understood.

Clothing
Lightweight summer clothing is ideal with a wrap, sweater or jacket for cooler winter nights and air-conditioned premises. Although the dress code in the UAE is generally casual, guests in the larger hotels do tend to dress more formally in the evening. Since you are visiting a Muslim country, bikinis, swimsuits, shorts and revealing tops should be confined to beach resorts.
Women are usually advised not to wear short skirts and to keep their shoulders covered. Note that in Sharjah women are prohibited from wearing swimsuits on public beaches.

Toilets
Most shopping centres, public gardens, museums etc. have clean, well-maintained public toilets. Public toilets in souqs and bus stations are usually just for men. Outside of the cities, you can find public toilets at restaurants and petrol stations; however they may not be in good condition and will generally lack toilet paper.

Food and Water
The standard of food hygiene and water quality is extremely high, especially in all of the larger centres. You should take the time to investigate conditions in smaller cafés in remote areas, although again standards are usually good. Raw salads and shawarmas (meat cooked on a spit and served in a pitta bread sandwich) are to be avoided if you have any doubts. Water is usually produced by desalination so it is normally safe to drink, nevertheless you may prefer the taste of bottled water. In any case it is advisable to drink plenty of water in the heat so carry a bottle with you at all times.

Full country name: United Arab Emirates
Area: 83,600 sq. km
Population: 9.99 million
People: Egyptians (4.23%), Emiratis (11.48%), Pakistanis (12.69%), Indians (27.49%), Filipinos (5.56%), Others (38.55%) – Emritas Population (11.48% = 1.15 million) & Expat Population (88.52% = 8.84 million)
Language: Arabic, English, Urdu, Hindi, Persian, Bengali, Malayalam, Tulu, Tamil, Kannada, Sinhala, Marathi, Telugu,
Tagalog and Chinese
Religion: Article 7 of the UAE’s Provisional Constitution declares Islam the official state religion of the UAE.
The government subsidises almost 95% of mosques and employs all Imams; approximately 5%
of mosques are entirely private, and several large mosques have large private endowments
Dubai also has large Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Bahá’í, Buddhist & other religious communities
residing in the city.
Government: Constitutional monarchy
President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Vice President/Prime Minister: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Major industries: Although Dubai’s economy was historically built on the oil industry, the emirate’s Western-style model of
business drives its economy with the main revenues now coming from tourism, aviation, real estate, and
financial services
Major trading partners: US, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan
Health risks: None
Time: UAE standard time (UTC+4)
Electricity: 220 volts. Sockets suitable for three-pin 13 amp plugs of British standard design are the norm
County code: + 971
Weights & measures: Metric with local variations

The UAE is unarguably located in one of the most strategic spots on the globe– halfway between Europe and Asia. Few destinations require more than eight hours of flying to the UAE. Just seven hours from London, four hours from Malta, three hours from Mumbai, seven hours from Hong Kong and direct, but lengthier, flights from many major cities in the US, Canada or Australasia. The UAE is definitely a destination of choice for vacationing, living and doing business.

Dubai, a major hub, is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level (16 m or 52 ft above). The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Hatta, a minor exclave of the emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman (in the west) and Ras Al Khaimah (in the north).

The Persian Gulf borders the western coast of the emirate. Dubai is positioned at 25.2697°N 55.3095°E and covers an area of 4,110 km2, which represents a significant expansion beyond its initial 3,900 km2 designation due to land reclamation from the sea.

Dubai has a hot desert climate. Summers in Dubai are extremely hot, windy, and humid, with an average high around 41 °C (106 °F) and overnight lows around 30 °C (86 °F) in the hottest month, August. Most days are sunny throughout the year. Winters are warm with an average high of 24 °C (75 °F) and overnight lows of 14 °C (57 °F) in January, the coldest month. Precipitation, however, has been increasing in the last few decades, with accumulated rain reaching 94.3 mm (3.71 in) per year. Dubai summers are also known for the high humidity level, which can make it uncomfortable for many.

The UAE is a modern country that welcomes visitors from around the world. However, as it is also a Muslim country, there are certain factors to take into consideration in terms of dress code and behaviour.

Religion plays a significant role in the culture of the UAE. Mosques can be found throughout the city and from sunrise throughout the day to sunset the call to prayer can be heard across the rooftops.. It is possible for non-Muslim tourists to visit certain mosques in Dubai; perhaps the most impressive is the Jumeirah Mosque, tours of which can be booked through the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Ramadan is a popular time of year to visit the UAE in particular; although all residents and visitors must refrain from eating or drinking in public in daylight hours, it is a wonderful time to experience the local culture and strong religious heritage of the city. Non-Muslims may eat and drink in designated areas, and many hotels and shopping malls will have various outlets that remain open during Ramadan.

Visitors to the UAE should dress modestly, particularly in conservative areas and public places. Swimwear is acceptable at the beach or around the swimming pool, but visitors should cover up elsewhere. Shorts and T-shirts are suitable attire in many places, although when visiting mosques, religious sites or older parts of the city, both men and women may feel more comfortable wearing loose-fitting clothes that cover shoulders, arms and legs. Women will usually be required to wear a headscarf when entering mosques.

Courtesy and hospitality are important virtues in the Arab world, and visitors will enjoy the friendliness and warm welcome provided by locals. If you are invited to a majlis, remove your shoes at the entrance. Males and females will probably be escorted to different sections. If you are sharing a meal with your host, accept food and refreshment before moving on to matters of business. It is important to stand up for new guests and older or higher-ranking people, and men are expected to stand when a woman enters the room. When greeting a member of the opposite sex who is Muslim, it is important not to offer to shake hands unless they extend their hand first – both men and women (more commonly women) may prefer not to shake hands with the opposite sex due to religious reasons.

It is customary to accept food and drink with your right hand; this is also the hand you should eat with. Avoid showing the soles of your feet, or pointing your foot at anyone. If you are sitting in front of an important guest, it is considered rude to cross your legs. Do not beckon or point with your finger; if you need to use a hand gesture, use the whole hand. If you are hosting Muslim guests, do not offer those alcoholic beverages or pork.

Alcoholic beverages are available in licensed bars and restaurants in the UAE. In order to get a licence, an outlet must be attached to a hotel or sports centre, and therefore, most bars, pubs and licensed restaurants can be found inside hotels. Visitors may also purchase alcohol from Duty Free shops at Dubai International Airport, as long as they observe the limits set by the UAE Customs. Drinking and driving is strictly prohibited, and Police take a zero tolerance approach – in other words, it is not safe to have even one drink if you are driving.

Visitors should remember that, as Dubai is a Muslim city, a more modest code of behaviour is required. Being drunk and disorderly in public is unacceptable, and may result in a fine or worse. Public displays of affection should be minimal – holding hands is acceptable but kissing and hugging in public is not. Noise disruptions, bad language, making obscene gestures and showing disrespect in any way to Dubai’s religion or its leaders are all forbidden and may land you in legal trouble. The following are also considered illegal in the UAE: use or possession of drugs, cohabitation, sex outside of marriage, having a baby out of wedlock, adultery and homosexuality.

Article 7 of the UAE’s Provisional Constitution declares Islam the official state religion of the UAE. The government subsidises almost 95% of mosques and employs all Imams; approximately 5% of mosques are entirely private, and several large mosques have large private endowments. All mosques in Dubai are managed by the Government of Dubai, and all Imams are also appointed by the Government. Any Imam caught preaching racial or religious hatred or caught promoting Islamic extremism is usually jailed and deported.

Dubai also has large Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Bahá’í, Buddhist and other religious communities residing in the city. Non-Muslim groups can own their own houses of worship, where they can practice their religion freely, by requesting a land grant and permission to build a compound. Groups that do not have their own buildings must use the facilities of other religious organisations or worship in private homes.

Non-Muslim religious groups are permitted to advertise group functions openly and distribute various religious literatures; however, outright proselytising is strictly prohibited under the penalty of criminal prosecution, imprisonment, and deportation for engaging in behaviour offensive to Islam. Strict prohibition extends to small Muslim groups such as the Ahmadiyya.

Arabic is the national and official language of the United Arab Emirates. The Gulf dialect of Arabic is spoken natively by the Emirati people.
English is used as a second language. Other languages spoken in Dubai, due to immigration, are Urdu, Hindi, Persian, Bengali, Malayalam,
Tulu, Tamil, Kannada, Sinhala, Marathi, Telugu, Tagalog and Chinese, in addition to many other languages.

Since Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of phases of the moon, the dates outlined below for Islamic religious holidays are approximate. The precise dates are not announced until a day or so before they occur. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the holiday is usually taken at the beginning of the next working week.

A three-day mourning period is usually announced when a member of the ruling families or a government minister or the head of a neighbouring state dies. Government offices and some private companies will close for the period.

Jan 1 New Year’s Day Local holiday
Dec 2 National Day Local holiday
Al-Hijra Islamic New Year
Mouloud Birth of the Prophet
Leilat al-Meiraj Ascension of the Prophet
Eid al-Fitr End of Ramadan
Eid al-Adha Feast of the Sacrifice

For over 50 years OSS World Wide Movers has been moving individuals, business people, and Corporate clients relocate to the UAE. Moving to the UAE with OSS provides you with a professional service and the advice that only comes from choosing a quality specialist international moving company.

Request a quote