Moving to Dubai from South Africa: 2026 Guide

How to move to Dubai from South Africa

The process of moving to Dubai from South Africa is essentially the same as for any other foreigner. To live in the UAE legally for the long term, you need a residency visa.
You can obtain UAE residency in several ways. For South Africans, the most transparent and relatively fast options are:

Find a job

If you officially get a job with a company in the UAE, your employer will sponsor your 2-year employment visa. Along with the visa, you receive an Emirates ID and can open a salary account in a local bank. In some cases, employers also cover part of your living costs: housing allowance, transport, annual tickets to your home country and similar benefits.

Become a freelancer

You can obtain a freelance license in one of the UAE free zones and then apply for a residence visa on its basis. This visa normally allows you to live in Dubai for 2 years, rent long-term accommodation, work with clients, and use local services. A freelancer in the UAE falls under the corporate tax regime and is expected to pay 9% tax on business profits, register with the Federal Tax Authority, and file an annual tax return. This option is more flexible than employment, but you take full responsibility for your business, taxes, and compliance.

Start your own business

Another route is to open a company in Dubai — either on the mainland or in a free zone. In this case, you also obtain a 2-year residence visa, the right to sponsor family members, rent housing long term, open corporate and personal bank accounts, and the obligation to pay corporate tax and submit financial reporting.

At first glance, this path looks complicated and intimidating. In reality, with the right structure and support, it often turns out to be the most efficient solution. Business consultants in Dubai know dozens of practical setups that allow you to open a company affordably and with minimal overheads.

Invest in real estate

You can also obtain residency by buying property in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE. The type and validity of the visa depend on the size of your investment:

For property worth from AED 750,000 up to AED 2,000,000, you can qualify for a 2-year investor visa.
For investments of AED 2,000,000 and above, you may be eligible for the so-called Golden Visa valid for 10 years.

If you are unsure which path to choose it makes sense to get a detailed consultation. A specialist can compare these options for your profession, budget, and family situation, and also highlight the tax consequences in both South Africa and the UAE before you make the final decision.

A step-by-step process of relocation to Dubai from South Africa

Step 1: Choose the right visa type

Start with a simple question: what exactly do you want to do in Dubai? Work for a local company, run your own business, freelance, invest in property, or move mainly for lifestyle?

Each visa type has its own rules and costs. Instead of guessing, speak to a specialist. A good consultant in Dubai will explain all residency options for South Africans and help you pick the one that matches your budget, career plan, and family situation.

Step 2: Find a job or set up a business

If you choose the employment route, your priority is clear: get a job offer from a UAE company. The offer becomes the basis for your entry permit and 2-year work visa. Your employer will then need your signed contract, attested diplomas and certificates, medical test results, and biometrics to complete the process.
If you prefer to sponsor yourself, you can:

• open a company,
• get a freelance licence, or
• apply as a property investor or Golden Visa holder.

In these cases, you apply either through official service centres (such as Amer in Dubai or ICP centres in other emirates) or via a business setup consultant.

Step 3: Arrange accommodation and schooling

Decide on your budget, areas you like, how far you are ready to commute, and what you need nearby: schools, metro, malls, clinics.

Many newcomers start with a short-term rental for 1–3 months. This gives you time to explore different neighbourhoods before you commit to a long-term lease.

If you move from South Africa with children, research schools early. Look at curriculum (British, IB, American, etc.), annual fees, places available, and whether the school runs buses to your future community. Popular schools fill up quickly.

Step 4: Prepare documents and apply

When your base is clear — job offer, registered business, or property purchase — you can move to the visa application itself.
Usually you will need:

• passport and photos,
• signed contracts,
• attested diplomas and certificates,
• and later your medical test results and biometrics.

Your employer or consultant will give you a full checklist and submit everything through the official systems or service centres.

Working in Dubai as a South African

For South Africans, Dubai can offer very strong career opportunities – especially for white-collar professionals.
Below are the key sectors where South Africans are in demand and more often get jobs:

Healthcare

Many South African registered nurses, doctors and allied health professionals work in Dubai hospitals and clinics. To practise, you need a healthcare license from the relevant authority (DHA, DOH, MOH). Be ready for exams, document attestation and experience checks.

Education

There is a big demand for qualified school teachers, especially those with a B.Ed and several years of experience. South Africans often work in international schools and government programmes. To teach legally, you will need a teaching licence and school approval.

Construction and engineering

Dubai is constantly building: residential projects, infrastructure, hotels, offices. Engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors and HSE specialists from South Africa are well regarded, especially if they bring GCC experience and strong technical skills.

Finance, banking and accounting

Accountants, auditors, financial controllers and banking professionals are needed in both international and local firms. In many cases you must obtain a local professional registration or accounting-related license, and global qualifications (CA, ACCA, CIMA) help a lot.

Sales and marketing

From tech and real estate to FMCG and hospitality, Dubai runs on sales. Strong English, proven sales numbers and B2B/B2C experience are key. Competition is high, but good performers can move up quickly and earn attractive commissions.

Real estate

Many South Africans work as real estate brokers and sales managers. To do this legally, you must complete training and obtain a real estate broker license.

IT and digital

Developers, IT support engineers, cybersecurity specialists, product managers and IT business analysts are all in demand. Depending on how you work (employment, freelance, own company), you might need an IT-related license to invoice clients legally.

Cost of living in Dubai vs. South Africa

Housing will probably be your biggest expense in Dubai. Rent is high compared with most South African cities, especially if you want to live close to the beach, metro or major business areas. If you need to keep costs under control at the start, you can look at a studio or a small apartment in a more distant neighbourhood and then upgrade later

Another important detail: in the UAE, rent is usually paid for the whole year upfront or in a few large cheques. This is very different from month-to-month rentals in South Africa, so you need to plan your cash flow carefully and in advance

Many South Africans who stay in Dubai long term eventually decide to buy property instead of renting forever. If you don’t have the full amount in cash, you can try to get a mortgage in the UAE bank and gradually move from “paying your landlord” to “paying for your own asset.”

Cost of living in Dubai for a single person

All amounts are average estimates. The actual costs will depend on your income and lifestyle.

The exchange rate is 1 ZAR ≈ 0.216 AED or R1,000 ≈ AED 215–220.

Paying taxes in Dubai

Personal tax. Dubai does not levy personal income tax. This means the salary you earn in the UAE is not taxed by the UAE Federal Tax Authority. However, you may still have to pay tax to SARS if you remain a South African tax resident.

To reduce your tax in South Africa, you can consider becoming a UAE tax resident. In practice, this usually means applying for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate.

If you choose to remain a South African tax resident, you can use the foreign employment income exemption (the “expat tax exemption”). Under this regime, qualifying foreign employment income is exempt from South African tax up to a legal limit (currently R1.25 million per year if the time requirements are met). Income above that cap is taxed at normal South African rates, which can go up to 45%.

Corporate tax. If you have your own business in the UAE, a freelance licence, or any other commercial activity, you fall under the UAE corporate tax law. The standard corporate tax rate is 9% on business profits above AED 375,000. For eligible small businesses with annual revenue of up to AED 3 million (for tax periods up to 31 December 2026), there is a special Small Business Relief regime that can effectively reduce the corporate tax to 0% if the conditions are met.

Even if your calculated tax for the period is zero, you must still register with the Federal Tax Authority in advance and file a “zero” corporate tax return on time.

Because tax residency and double-tax rules are complex, it is wise to discuss your plan with a qualified tax advisor in both South Africa and the UAE before you move.

Best Areas in Dubai for South African Expats

Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is one of the most popular choices for South African professionals and young families. It’s central, walkable, right next to the beach and full of cafés, gyms and nightlife. The tram and Metro make it easy to reach Media City, Internet City and JLT for work, so you don’t have to rely on a car. If you want a busy, waterfront lifestyle with lots of other expats around and a strong South African presence, Marina is usually the first place to look.

Arabian Ranches

Arabian Ranches feels familiar to many South Africans because it’s very similar to an upmarket gated estate back home: villas, gardens, quiet streets, golf, and good international schools nearby. It’s a great option if you have children, work in Motor City, Dubai Hills, JLT or along Sheikh Zayed Road, and prefer space and a suburban lifestyle over towers and nightlife. Rents are higher than in budget areas, but you get community facilities, parks and a strong family focus.

Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)

JVC is very popular with South Africans who want good value for money. You get a mix of apartments and townhouses, lower rents than Marina or Downtown, and plenty of parks, small malls, clinics and gyms. It sits between major roads, so commuting to Internet City, Marina, JLT or Business Bay is manageable. There are active “South Africans in Dubai” conversations around JVC and nearby communities, so it’s easy to find neighbours with a similar background and lifestyle.

Downtown Dubai

Downtown Dubai suits South Africans working in finance, consulting or corporate roles in DIFC, Business Bay or along Sheikh Zayed Road. You’re next to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, with restaurants, offices and the Metro all within walking distance. It’s one of the more expensive areas, but you can often live without a car and be right in the centre of the action, which is convenient if you travel a lot for work or host visiting clients.

Start your move with expert support

Emirabiz is your one-stop consultancy for moving from South Africa to Dubai and building an expat life in the UAE. Whether you want to start a business, obtain a licence, secure residency, open a bank account or relocate with your whole family, you get end-to-end support in one place. Our specialists usually respond to enquiries within 15 minutes, and during your first free consultation you’ll receive an assessment of your case and a clear, step-by-step action plan. Some of the steps you can start implementing straight away while you are still in South Africa. Emirabiz stays in touch at every stage and guides you all the way to your goals in Dubai and across the UAE.