Which office, which app, and what order to do things in.
Most new arrivals do not struggle because UAE government services are slow. Many are genuinely fast and almost fully digital. They struggle because the system is split between federal bodies and seven emirate governments, each with its own portal, app and service centres, and because a handful of steps have to happen in a strict order. Do them out of sequence and you lose days.
Every fact that could change is tagged.
Federal or emirate legislation.
A government website, ministry statement or the state news agency WAM.
Consistent figures from reputable UAE businesses, used where no official page states the number.
Established UAE media reporting official statements.
We could not confirm it against a primary source at the time of writing, so check it before you rely on it.
Use this guide sensibly. This is general information written by expats, not legal, immigration or financial advice, and it has not been reviewed by a lawyer. Fees, thresholds and procedures change, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm the current position on the official portal at the point of payment, and speak to your employer's PRO team or a licensed adviser for anything that affects your legal status.
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Last verified: 27 September 2026 | Next scheduled review: 1 December 2026 | Built by UAE-based expats
This guide is a router. It tells you which authority handles each task in each emirate, which app or portal to use, what to have ready, what it officially costs, and which deadlines carry fines. Where another Relocate2UAE guide covers a topic in depth, we link to it rather than repeat it.
| What | The rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Your digital key | UAE Pass. Most federal and emirate services now expect a verified account | OFFICIAL |
| Emirates ID fee (residents) | AED 100 per year of validity, plus AED 40 online or AED 70 at a printing office | OFFICIAL |
| Lost Emirates ID | AED 300 replacement, plus the channel fee | OFFICIAL |
| Proof of residency | Your Emirates ID. Passport visa stickers were replaced from 11 April 2022 | OFFICIAL |
| Unemployment insurance | Mandatory for most private and federal sector employees. AED 5 a month (basic salary up to AED 16,000) or AED 10 a month (above). Fine for not subscribing: AED 400 | OFFICIAL |
| Health insurance | Mandatory for private sector employees in all seven emirates since 1 January 2025 | OFFICIAL |
| Family sponsorship | Minimum salary AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation | OFFICIAL |
| Newborns | Register the birth within 30 days; complete residency within 120 days or pay AED 100 a day | OFFICIAL |
| Grace period after visa cancellation | Typically 60 to 180 days depending on visa category. Check yours on ICP smart services | REPORTED |
| Abu Dhabi rents | Increases frozen at 0% on renewals and re-lets from 2 June 2026, until further notice | OFFICIAL |
The UAE runs on two layers. Federal bodies set national rules and run national systems. Each emirate runs its own local services, and Dubai also runs its own immigration directorate. The practical upshot is that the right office for the same task can depend on which emirate issued your visa and which emirate you live in.
ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security): Emirates ID for everyone, and residence visas for every emirate except Dubai. Portal: smartservices.icp.gov.ae. App: UAEICP. [OFFICIAL]
MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation): work permits, employment contracts and labour complaints for mainland private sector employers. Free zone employees deal with their free zone authority for most employment paperwork. [OFFICIAL]
MOI (Ministry of Interior): federal police services, including police clearance certificates and traffic fines across emirates. App: MOI UAE. [OFFICIAL]
MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): attestation of documents for use in the UAE. [OFFICIAL]
FTA (Federal Tax Authority): VAT and corporate tax registration through the EmaraTax portal. [OFFICIAL]
u.ae: the official federal information portal. When two websites disagree, u.ae and the relevant authority's own site win. [OFFICIAL]
| Task | Abu Dhabi | Dubai | Sharjah | Ajman, UAQ, RAK, Fujairah |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residence visa | ICP | GDRFA Dubai (Amer centres) | ICP | ICP |
| Main services platform | TAMM | DubaiNow and entity apps | Sharjah government portals [VERIFY] | Emirate portals plus federal channels |
| Tenancy registration | Tawtheeq (via TAMM or DARI) | Ejari (Dubai Land Department) | Sharjah Municipality attestation [VERIFY] | Local municipality [VERIFY] |
| Electricity and water | TAQA Distribution | DEWA | SEWA | Etihad Water and Electricity [VERIFY] |
| Health regulator | Department of Health (DoH) | Dubai Health Authority (DHA) | MOHAP / Emirates Health Services | MOHAP / Emirates Health Services |
| Driving and vehicles | Abu Dhabi Police and ITC via TAMM | RTA | Sharjah Police / MOI | MOI and local police |
A useful rule of thumb: if it is about who you are (ID, residency), start with ICP or GDRFA Dubai. If it is about where you live (tenancy, utilities, parking), start with your emirate. If it is about your job, start with MOHRE or your free zone.
UAE Pass is the national digital identity. It logs you into ICP, MOHRE, TAMM, DubaiNow, banks and hundreds of other services, lets you share official documents digitally and lets you sign documents electronically. [OFFICIAL]
There are two levels, and the difference catches people out:
You can create one without an Emirates ID. It works for some lookups but many transactions will refuse it.
Linked to your Emirates ID and your biometrics. This is what most services, including digital signing and document sharing, require. [OFFICIAL]
How to get verified. Download the UAE Pass app, scan your Emirates ID, confirm your mobile number and email by OTP, set a PIN, then complete face verification in the app. If face verification fails, you can upgrade at a UAE Pass kiosk. [OFFICIAL]
Timing tip. You cannot fully verify until your Emirates ID is issued. In your first weeks, expect your employer's PRO or a typing centre to do some steps for you. Once your card arrives, verify the same day. Almost everything after that gets easier.
Security. Never approve a UAE Pass login or signing request you did not start yourself, and never read an OTP to anyone who calls you, however official they sound. Government bodies will not ask you to do this.
This is the sequence that works for a typical employee on a mainland or free zone employment visa. Your employer or free zone usually drives steps 1 to 4.
| Step | What happens | Who does it | Why the order matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Entry permit issued, you arrive | Employer or free zone | Your status inside the UAE starts here |
| 2 | Medical fitness test | You attend; employer books | Residency cannot be issued without it |
| 3 | Biometrics for Emirates ID | You attend (ICP or Amer / GDRFA) | Needed before the card prints |
| 4 | Residence visa and Emirates ID issued | ICP or GDRFA Dubai | Everything else needs your Emirates ID |
| 5 | Verify UAE Pass | You | Unlocks most online services |
| 6 | Subscribe to unemployment insurance (ILOE) | You | Deadline applies from your work permit date |
| 7 | Sign lease and register it (Ejari or Tawtheeq) | Landlord or agent, with you | Utilities will not connect without it |
| 8 | Connect electricity and water | You, online | Needs Emirates ID and registered lease |
| 9 | Bank account, then family sponsorship | You | Family visas need salary proof and a registered lease |
| 10 | Driving licence exchange or test | You | Needs Emirates ID; see our driving guide |
The Work Bundle shortcut. Private sector employers can now run work permits, residency, medical tests, biometrics and Emirates ID through a single unified application. The government's stated target is five working days, two visits and five documents, down from roughly 30 days, seven visits and 16 documents. It launched in Dubai in March 2024 and was extended to all emirates in June 2024. [OFFICIAL] Ask your employer whether they use it. If they do, your first two weeks should be noticeably smoother.
For the full personal checklist, see our First 30 Days in the UAE guide and the Before You Arrive UAE Checklist.
Since 11 April 2022 the Emirates ID has been the primary proof of an expatriate's residency. Visa stickers are no longer placed in passports, and airlines verify residency using your passport number and Emirates ID. [OFFICIAL] You can still view and print your residency details through the UAEICP app or the ICP website. Dubai-issued residents should use the GDRFA Dubai channels for residency records. [VERIFY: confirm current Dubai print option]
For expatriate residents, the card's validity follows the residence visa, and the card is normally renewed together with the visa rather than separately. [REPORTED]
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Issue or renew (residents) | AED 100 per year of validity | OFFICIAL |
| Channel fee | AED 40 via ICP website or app; AED 70 at an approved printing (typing) office | OFFICIAL |
| Replacement if lost or damaged | AED 300, plus channel fee | OFFICIAL |
| Replacement to change printed data | AED 150, plus channel fee | OFFICIAL |
| Urgent (Fawri) service | About AED 150 extra; for expatriates generally only for lost or damaged card replacement | REPORTED |
| Late renewal fine | Widely reported as AED 20 a day, capped at AED 1,000 | REPORTED |
These are ICP's published fee components. Some channels add delivery or other small service charges, so the total at checkout can be slightly higher. Confirm the total on screen before paying.
Correction note. Our previous version of this page quoted "AED 370 to 670 depending on validity." That was not how ICP prices the card. The fee scales at AED 100 per year of validity plus a channel fee, so a two-year card through the ICP app is roughly AED 240 in core fees before any delivery charge.
Renewal. For employees, renewal usually runs through your employer as part of the residence visa renewal (including a new medical test for adults). Start at least 30 days before expiry. [REPORTED]
Lost card. Report it and apply for a replacement through ICP smart services or the UAEICP app. Dubai residents can also go through GDRFA Dubai channels.
Changed details. If printed details change (new passport, name change, occupation), apply to update. Report changes promptly. [MARKET]
Children. Every resident, including children, needs an Emirates ID. Our previous page listed "family member additions" as an Emirates ID service. That is not correct: each family member gets their own card, issued through their own residence application.
After a residence visa is cancelled, you have a grace period to leave or change status. It now varies by category: widely reported as 180 days for Golden and Green visa holders and some skilled professionals, 90 days for some categories including property owners, and 60 days for most standard residencies. [REPORTED] Do not rely on a general rule. Check your exact grace period on ICP smart services once your cancellation is processed, and confirm with the employer who cancelled it that the cancellation has actually gone through.
This guide covers the offices. For visa types, eligibility, documents and costs, including the 30 and 60 day tourist visas, the job-seeker visa and the Golden Visa, see our UAE Visa Requirements Guide.
Correction note: our previous page listed a "90 day tourist visa". Standard tourist visas are issued for 30 or 60 days. [REPORTED] Multi-entry and other visit visa types have their own rules, covered in the visa guide.
For mainland private sector jobs, your work permit and employment contract are registered with MOHRE. You can check your permit and contract with MOHRE online or through the MOHRE app using UAE Pass. [OFFICIAL] If you work for a free zone company, your free zone authority usually handles the employment side, and ICP or GDRFA Dubai still issue the residence visa.
Check that the salary and job title in your registered MOHRE contract match your offer. The registered contract is what matters in any dispute.
The Involuntary Loss of Employment scheme is the government's job-loss insurance. It has been compulsory since 1 January 2023 for employees in the private sector and federal government, citizens and residents alike. Exempt groups are investors who own and run their own business, domestic workers, temporary contract workers, under-18s, and retirees on a pension who have taken a new job. [OFFICIAL]
Basic salary AED 16,000 or less
AED 5 / month
AED 60 a year, for compensation up to AED 10,000 a month.
Basic salary above AED 16,000
AED 10 / month
AED 120 a year, for compensation up to AED 20,000 a month.
Deadline. MOHRE says employees who received work permits after 1 October 2023 must register within four months. [OFFICIAL]
Penalties. AED 400 for failing to subscribe, and AED 200 for failing to keep up payments. Unpaid fines can block a new work permit and can be deducted from salary or end-of-service pay. [OFFICIAL]
How. iloe.ae, the ILOE app, kiosks, exchange houses, some banking apps, or the ILOE call centre on 600 599 555. [OFFICIAL]
To claim. You must have been subscribed for at least 12 consecutive months. [OFFICIAL] Resignation and dismissal for disciplinary reasons do not qualify.
Our advice: subscribe in your first week, choose annual payment, and screenshot the policy. It is the single most commonly missed step in the first months.
Health insurance for private sector employees is mandatory in every emirate. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have required it for years under their own laws, and a Cabinet decision extended it to Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah from 1 January 2025. Employers must buy the policy as a condition of issuing or renewing residency. In the northern emirates, MOHRE's basic package costs AED 320 a year. [OFFICIAL] Dependants' cover rules differ by emirate. See our UAE Healthcare Guide for how to choose cover that actually fits your family.
Employees with a valid UAE residence visa can sponsor their families regardless of job title if they earn at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Family members aged 18 and over must pass a medical fitness test. Residents can sponsor a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs. [OFFICIAL] Sponsoring parents has separate, higher requirements that vary by emirate. [OFFICIAL]
Applications go to ICP, or GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-issued residencies. You will typically need a registered tenancy contract (Ejari or Tawtheeq), salary proof, health insurance for each dependant, and attested marriage and birth certificates. The attestation step is the one that takes longest, so start it before you move (see section 7). For the whole family journey, see Moving to Dubai With a Family.
This is the most deadline-heavy process most families face. [OFFICIAL]
The hospital issues a birth notification. Government hospitals issue the birth certificate; for private hospitals you apply to MOHAP or your emirate's health authority.
Register the birth within 30 days.
Get the baby's passport from your embassy.
Complete the baby's residence visa and Emirates ID within 120 days of birth. After that, a fine of AED 100 a day applies and the baby cannot leave the country until the status is regularised.
Birth certificates for expatriates need MOHAP and MOFA attestation. A DoH or DHA stamp counts as the MOHAP stamp.
ICP's newborn residence service has been reported at AED 350 in total when applied for through its smart channels. [REPORTED] Book the embassy passport appointment as early as you can, because it is usually the slowest link in the 120-day chain.
Foreign certificates (degrees, marriage and birth certificates) must usually be legalised in a chain before UAE authorities accept them:
Certified in the issuing country (typically a notary or the issuing body, then that country's foreign ministry or designated authority).
Attested by the UAE embassy or consulate in that country.
Attested by MOFA once in the UAE.
MOFA runs the UAE step online and at service centres. Reputable UAE providers consistently quote AED 150 per personal document at MOFA, and AED 2,000 per commercial document. [MARKET] [VERIFY: confirm on mofa.gov.ae at submission] Documents not in English or Arabic generally need a legal translation.
Do it before you move. Steps 1 and 2 happen in your home country and are far easier while you are still there. A degree certificate is often needed for the work permit; marriage and birth certificates for family visas.
Issued by MOI through its website and the MOI UAE app, or by Dubai Police through its website and app for Dubai. [OFFICIAL] Non-residents apply with a fingerprint card attested by the UAE embassy. MOI's fee has been reported as AED 50 for applicants inside the UAE and AED 100 for those outside. [REPORTED]
| Emirate | System | Who registers | Why you care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Ejari (Dubai Land Department) | Usually the landlord or agent; tenants can register too | Needed for DEWA, family visas and many other services |
| Abu Dhabi | Tawtheeq (via TAMM or DARI) | Landlord or property manager | Needed for TAQA Distribution utilities, parking permits and family visas [REPORTED] |
| Sharjah | Sharjah Municipality tenancy attestation | Landlord or tenant | Needed for SEWA [VERIFY] |
| Other emirates | Local municipality | Varies | Check with the municipality [VERIFY] |
Never pay a deposit on a property you cannot register. If a landlord says the lease "doesn't need" Ejari or Tawtheeq, walk away.
Abu Dhabi rent freeze. On 2 June 2026 the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre set the permitted rent increase to 0% on renewals, and said new leases on previously rented units must use the rental value in the last registered contract, for a temporary period until further notice. [OFFICIAL] Law firm guidance notes a carve-out for properties under ADGM's framework. [MARKET] If you rent in Abu Dhabi, check the last registered Tawtheeq value before you sign.
| Emirate | Electricity and water | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | DEWA | Apply online once Ejari is registered; a refundable security deposit applies |
| Abu Dhabi | TAQA Distribution | Replaced ADDC and AADC as the customer-facing brand from January 2025 [OFFICIAL]; needs Tawtheeq |
| Sharjah | SEWA | Also supplies gas in many areas [VERIFY] |
| Ajman, UAQ, RAK, Fujairah | Etihad Water and Electricity | [VERIFY] service areas and account set-up |
Correction note. Many older guides, and our previous version, still name ADDC as Abu Dhabi's utility. Bills and branches now carry the TAQA Distribution name.
For renting and buying in depth, see our UAE Housing Guide.
This is covered in full in our UAE Driving and Vehicle Guide, including licence exchange by nationality, registration, insurance, Salik and Darb. The routing in brief:
Dubai: RTA for licences, vehicle registration and parking.
Abu Dhabi: licensing through Abu Dhabi Police services on TAMM; tolls (Darb) and parking through the Integrated Transport Centre, also via TAMM.
Other emirates: MOI and the local police.
Fines: you can view and pay traffic fines across emirates through the MOI UAE app. Check before you renew registration or leave the country.
Individuals: the UAE has no personal income tax. Most residents only meet the tax system through VAT at 5% on purchases. See our UAE Taxation Guide.
Businesses and freelancers: VAT and corporate tax registration go through the FTA's EmaraTax portal. [OFFICIAL]
Licensing: mainland licences come from the emirate's economic department (for example Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, or Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development through TAMM). Free zone licences come from the relevant free zone authority.
Correction note. Our previous page quoted business setup "costs of AED 15,000 to 50,000+" and "7 to 30 days" without a source. Costs vary so widely by activity, jurisdiction and visa quota that a single range misleads. See our UAE Business Setup Guide [VERIFY slug] for sourced, jurisdiction-specific figures.
Most services are digital, but some tasks still need a visit (biometrics, medicals) or go faster with help.
| Centre | What it is | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| ICP customer happiness centres | ICP's own offices | Complex residency and Emirates ID cases, urgent replacements |
| ICP-approved typing centres | Private offices licensed to submit applications | Help filling applications; charge the AED 70 printing office fee plus their own service charge |
| Amer centres (Dubai) | GDRFA Dubai's licensed service centres | Dubai residency, family visas, status changes |
| Tas-heel and business service centres | MOHRE-linked centres | Work permits, contracts, labour services |
| TAMM centres (Abu Dhabi) | Abu Dhabi government service centres | Any TAMM service you cannot complete online |
Hotlines (confirm on each authority's website before calling): ICP 600 522222 [REPORTED]; Amer (GDRFA Dubai) 800 5111 [REPORTED]; ILOE 600 599 555 [OFFICIAL]; MOHRE 600 590000 [VERIFY].
Official federal and emirate sites end in .gov.ae or are well-known official domains (such as u.ae, tamm.abudhabi and icp.gov.ae). Search results sometimes show paid ads for look-alike sites. Type addresses directly or use the official apps.
Government bodies do not ask you to confirm card numbers, OTPs or UAE Pass approvals by phone or WhatsApp.
ILOE subscription, UAE Pass verification and fine checks are all free or low-cost directly. If someone charges hundreds of dirhams for them, ask what you are paying for.
See section 8.
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Our guides provide comprehensive information, but every relocation is unique. Get personalized advice tailored to your specific situation.
Book Free ConsultationPick your emirate and task to see which office handles it, where to apply, what to have ready and the official fee. Then work out your personal deadlines.
General information only, not legal or immigration advice. Fees and rules change: confirm on the official portal before paying. Tags show the source type: OFFICIAL (government), REPORTED (UAE media citing officials), MARKET (consistent industry figures), VERIFY (check before relying on it). Last verified 27 September 2026.
For the tasks where professional help saves time or protects your legal status, these are the partners we work with.
Immigration & employment law
Complex visa, employment or family status questions.
Business setup
Setting up a company or freelance licence.
Banking
Opening your first UAE bank account.
Partners are listed because they are useful for the task described; they do not pay for editorial coverage.
ICP (icp.gov.ae, smartservices.icp.gov.ae), including ICP's fee clarification statement and UAE Pass page; u.ae pages on family residence visas, having a baby and police clearance certificates; MOHRE (mohre.gov.ae) health insurance scheme page; WAM reporting of MOHRE statements on unemployment insurance and the Work Bundle; WAM and Abu Dhabi Media Office on the TAQA Distribution merger; Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre statement of 2 June 2026 as reported by Aletihad; UAE Pass developer documentation (docs.uaepass.ae).
Gulf News and Khaleej Times reporting of ICP statements on visa stickers, tourist visas and grace periods; Gulf Today reporting of ICP newborn residence fees; Baker McKenzie on the Abu Dhabi rent freeze; consistent MOFA fee figures from Property Finder, Bayut and Cleartax.
Free zone and agency marketing pages were only used as leads and are not cited as sources.
Relocate2UAE is an independent platform. This guide is general information only and is not legal, immigration, tax or financial advice. It has not been reviewed by a lawyer. Rules and fees change; always confirm with the relevant authority before acting. Relocate2UAE accepts no liability for decisions made on the basis of this guide. Partners are listed because they are useful for the task described; they do not pay for editorial coverage.