The Myths and Magic Of Relocating To Dubai

Dubai is increasingly popular as an international relocation destination. As one of the seven emirates that form the United Arab Emirates (UAE) it emerged in 1971 following UAE’s independence from Great Britain. Since then, Dubai has thrived as a business and visitor location.

In HSBC Expat’s 2021 survey, UAE claimed fourth spot out of 46 countries based on living, aspiration and future outlook. The three countries positioned above UAE were: Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand.

Why Dubai is great for international assignees

Relocating to Dubai offers some powerful benefits. Have you thought about:

1. Tax haven - Dubai is a tax-free nation. There is no income tax on income generated in Dubai. Also, there is no sales tax on most goods and services. Its attraction as a totally tax-free commerce hub is set to change in 2023 when Dubai’s first corporate tax is introduced. The country's statutory tax rate will be 9% for taxable income exceeding 375,000 UAE dirhams ($102,000).
2. Career acceleration – alongside New York and Shanghai, Dubai is one of the best international hubs for career progression.
3. High standard of living – although the cost of living in Dubai is relatively steep, the impressive salaries and faster rate of promotions mean most people enjoy a better quality of life compared to at home. Most rental accommodation in the UAE is unfurnished and even the most basic appliances may not be provided.
4. Unique experiences – from vast deserts to huge skyscrapers, the tallest building to the largest shopping mall in the world … Dubai offers truly exceptional sights and experiences to explore.
5. Outstanding infrastructure – substantial investment in transport, education and healthcare means that Dubai offers world-class provision.

Dispelling myths about Dubai

• Dress code – you need to avoid wearing ‘indecent’ clothing however you do not have to adhere to the Islamic dress code.
• Alcohol – can be purchased from shops with a special licence (granted to non-Muslins)
• Community – there is a truly international group of people living in Dubai including a thriving expat community. This reflects the plentiful job opportunities in Dubai.

“We’ve seen an increase in the number of people moving to Dubai,” says Louise Chilcott of BTR International. “The tax-free status and changes in Hong Kong and Singapore have made Dubai increasingly popular. BTR is part of Writer Relocations, so we have an office in Dubai to facilitate proactive, efficient relocations to and from Dubai.”

Are you interested in moving to Dubai?

Does your business relocate employees to international destinations such as Dubai?

Talk to the friendly relocation experts at BTR International. We appreciate that every assignee is a unique individual with their own requirements. We are proud of providing flexible relocation support, so they thrive in their new role and location.