10 Things To Do When Leaving The UAE

The geographical hub and ambitious vision of the UAE has always been a huge draw for expats from around the world. As the government strives to launch even more innovation and talent initiatives, there are a host of opportunities for international workers. The numerous draws of the UAE lifestyle and the extension of visa age limits continue to drive global mobility in large numbers. But expats, by their very nature, tend to be somewhat transient. Whether on a 12-month secondment or a 12-year stint, many expats still ultimately decide to return to their home country at some point.

Following the immeasurable upheaval of 2020, a lot of UAE based expats have found themselves wondering if now might be the time for them? At EER we understand the complications that can occur when moving to or from a new country. On arrival, you need to make sure you have the right immigration and visa details and know the rules of your new home. But when it comes to leaving the UAE, you might not be as aware of the essential things you need to do.

Here are some top tips on how to make things as stress-free as possible, so you can look forward to the next chapter:

1. Set a Schedule – Leaving the UAE smoothly will undoubtedly take time, so you need to try and give yourself as generous a timeline as you can in order to get everything done and avoid a panic. Ideally, you need around 6 weeks. However, some items can only be taken care of at the last minute.

2. Take Stock – Chances are you have accumulated more than you think during your time in the UAE. From furniture to crockery, artwork to mementos, there is bound to be a lot in your house to sort through. Make sure you leave plenty of time to sort through everything so you can determine what you will be shipping, what you will be carrying, what you would like to sell or donate and what possibly might need to go in the bin. Make sure you get multiple quotes for shipping companies (and preferably a good reference from a trusted source) so you have a good idea of how much it will cost to transport your possessions (as this may make you re-think your choices).

3. Distribute Wisely – In the stresses of packing it can be easy to discard things without a lot of thought, but things that you don’t consider worth keeping could be so useful to others. There are lots of amazing charity groups and donation hubs that you can contribute to, all of which will make sure they make it into deserving hands. Also, if you can’t donate things, make sure to recycle what you can.

4. Give Notice – You will need to give your landlord notice of your departure. Even if you have timed it with the end of your lease, you need to avoid the fines of an auto-renewal (check your contract). If you need to break your lease, make sure you get accurate information from the Dubai Land Department on what your rights are.

5. Sell the Big Ticket Items – Plan out how to advertise and sell the large items such as a car or truck, boat or motorcycle. There are lots of websites and social media groups that can help. The more time you can give yourself with these the better, so you can be assured of the best price and don’t have to settle in a hurry.

6. Get the Kids Sorted – If you have kids in school in the UAE, you will need to make sure they have the right certificates before leaving. Remember to check if they need to be attested for the new country that you are going to. They will give any new school a record of your child’s educational background and provide evidence that you have no outstanding fee liability with the school.

7. Transfer your UAE Number – With all that you have to do, you need to make sure people can get in touch with you during the process and often after you have headed on. Opt for a homebound package or dual sim, but make sure movers and shippers can easily get in touch with you to avoid any issues.

8. Cancel your Visa – Whether you are on an employee visa or a sponsored visa, it is vital that you make sure it is cancelled before you exit the country. You also need to make sure that you have been provided with all of the outstanding elements you might be due from your company including salary, allowances and gratuity.

9. Finalise your Bills – You will need to time this with leaving your apartment or villa (no one wants to sit in the dark for their last few hours) but you need to make sure you have cancelled and concluded your bills like DEWA and DU. If you haven’t taken your name off, the bills could continue and you could accumulate debt without knowing it. This process has become easier in recent years, but will still take a day or two and may need to be done in person. You may need to book into a hotel for the last days in order to cancel all utility accounts.

10. Close your Bank Account – Depending on who you bank with, this process can take several weeks and needs to be done in person. Make sure you contact your bank early to find out how it works and ensure that you can leave with a clearance certificate that states there are no outstanding liabilities.

If you would like to speak to one of our expert consultants on leaving the UAE or get help with making sure everything gets done, do get in touch via info@eerme.com or +971 4 421 1819 today.