Your comprehensive checklist for a smooth international relocation from the UAE

Accommodation & Tenancy Contract

• Review Contract Dates: Identify your contract end date and notify your landlord well in advance.
• Termination Notice: Be aware of the notice period required for termination or extension, usually ranging from 1 to 3 months.
• Ejari Cancellation (Dubai): To cancel your tenancy contract, you must apply for cancellation of your Ejari, either online or at a typing centre. This will be done after you have moved out and completed your move-out inspection to proceed with refunding your security deposit.
• Tawtheeq (Abu Dhabi): Your landlord will automatically cancel your Abu Dhabi tenancy registration.

Utilities

• Electricity and Water: Contact DEWA (Dubai) or ADDC (Abu Dhabi) for disconnection. You can request your final bill and deposit refund by phone, email or at a local branch.
• Chiller/Air-Conditioning: If your accommodation is not chiller-free, you will need to contact your district cooling company (Empower, Emicool, Tabreed etc.) to request disconnection, final bill and deposit refund. 
• Gas: If you have a gas contract, you should contact the relevant company (Emirates Gas, ADGDC, Sergas etc.) directly for disconnection, final bill and deposit refund.
• Internet and Phone: Final bills should be requested online, by phone or in your local Du/Etisalat branch. Remember that you must return all original equipment to get your deposit back! 

School Transfer 

• School Transfer Certificate: This is needed when applying for admission to a new school. 
• Return of Tuition Fees: You will need to contact the school authorities to know whether or not the tuition fees paid in advance are eligible for return if you are leaving before the end of the academic year.

Banking & Tax

• Settle: Before closing any accounts, you must clear any outstanding debts, loans, credit cards, or overdrafts.
• Transfer: Consider transferring funds to your new overseas account through reputable foreign exchange services like Moneycorp.
• Account Cancellation: Close any existing accounts you hold before you exit the UAE. If you need any accounts to remain open, ensure you discuss this with your bank directly before you leave.
• Tax: It’s recommended that you seek expert advice from tax lawyers or accountants to ensure that there are no tax liabilities before you leave the country.

Employment & Visa

• Notice Period: Be clear on the notice period you are required to give your employer to ensure a smooth transition. This will also help you calculate accurate moving and shipping dates. 
• Residency Visa: Your employer is responsible for cancelling your visa. Once cancelled, you will have a minimum of 30 days grace period before you must leave the country. Some visa types provide longer grace periods (up to a maximum of 180 days); you should check your individual circumstances with your employer to avoid any overstay fines.  
• Spouse/Child/Housemaid Visa: If you sponsor anyone on your visa, they will need to be cancelled before the commencement of your visa cancellation to avoid delays. 
• Fines/Debts: In addition to clearing any dependants from your visa prior to cancellation, any overdue traffic fines via the RTA, or other debts such as loans will also need to be cleared in order for the cancellation to proceed. 
• Medical Insurance: Medical Insurance provided by your employer will expire once your visa is cancelled and after the relevant grace period (30-180 days). Before your medical insurance expires, you should check your vaccinations are up to date for the Country you are travelling to. 
• Final Settlement & Dues: Upon leaving your employment, you will be due a final settlement, including your gratuity and other agreed-upon terms as per your contract, such as repatriation expenses or airfares. You can contact the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation for assistance if any issues arise.

Moving Your Belongings

• Selling: Before leaving, consider decluttering items you don’t want to take by selling items on platforms like dubizzle or local Facebook groups.
• Donating: If you don’t want the hassle of selling items, you could consider giving away unwanted items to those in need via a junk removal service such as Take My Junk UAE.
• Shipping: Arrange international shipping well in advance to align with your moving schedule.
• Transit Protection: Safeguard your precious belongings during transit; explore our options to ensure the security of your valuable or delicate items.

Ready to Move?