Moving out of a home is never easy. It can be a daunting task that requires planning and organisation. When leaving Dubai to shift to another country or city, it is essential to prepare a checklist to avoid any last-minute hassles. Be it catching a flight or wrapping up your belongings, home shifting can get chaotic quickly.
If you plan to move to another country or emirate soon, here is a leaving Dubai checklist. It outlines all the essentials you must know when shifting to your new home. Let’s get started.
A Complete Checklist For Leaving Dubai
Moving out can become overwhelming, especially when leaving a home you’ve lived in for a long time. Whether you’re relocating to a different country or just moving to the neighbouring emirates, the process requires careful planning before bidding farewell to the vibrant city of Dubai. That is where a home moving checklist comes in. It helps make the entire process go smoothly while you keep tabs on all crucial tasks.
Moving forward, here are the things to do when moving out from Dubai.
CANCEL YOUR VISA
When moving to another country from Dubai, cancel your UAE visa. Those who have a sponsored-based visa must inform their employer as soon as possible. In addition, the employer might take your visa temporarily for the cancellation process.
You must have no due rent, fees or any payment that might hinder the process and delay the departure. However, only the sponsors can initiate the visa cancellation process. Once your company accepts the resignation, apply for gratuity payment. If you have a family on dependents’ visas, apply for its cancellation.
You are allowed to stay for up to six months after the resident visa cancellation in the UAE. After that, you will be subject to overstaying fines.
INFORM YOUR LANDLORD
If you live in a rental apartment in Dubai, the first thing to do is inform your landlord of the move-out. If the move-out aligns with the end of the tenancy contract, the process will go smoothly. However, problems can arise if the move-out occurs in the middle of the contract.
Talk to your landlord or agent about ending the lease and give them a notice period. Acquire an Ejari cancellation certificate. You must also get the security deposit back, provided you leave the property in good condition.
CLEAR ALL DUE PAYMENTS
Settling your debts and payments is another important pointer of the leaving Dubai checklist. Whether it is Dubai traffic fines or credit cards, ensure all payments are clear. Visit the Dubai bank to close your account and clear any outstanding dues. The process for bank account closure is quite simple and requires a few documents like your passport and Emirates ID.
In addition, cancel your Salik tag if you own a car in Dubai. To keep all the finances in check, you can consult an accountant who will provide you with professional guidance.
SETTLE DOWN UTILITY BILLS
If you are going to another city like moving to Sharjah from Dubai, make sure to settle down the utility bills. To cancel DEWA services for electricity and water, visit their on-site office in Dubai.
Besides, phone and internet connections can be disconnected both on-site and off-site by relevant companies. When leaving Dubai for good, you can also ask the customer services of each company to draft you a finalised bill.
GET A SCHOOL TRANSFER CERTIFICATE
For families whose kids study in the city, a school transfer certificate is another tick on the Dubai moving-out checklist. It is a required document when applying for a new school elsewhere. Moreover, if the move-out is planned in the middle of the academic year, consult the school authorities for a fee refund.
HOUSEMAID JOB TRANSFER
Those who hire a housemaid or nanny in Dubai must inform them of the move-out beforehand. This will help them find another job in sufficient time. To get your initial deposit back, first, acquire documents for your housemaid’s job transfer by visiting a typing centre.
After that, submit these documents to the residency section of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Fulfil all remaining formalities to complete the transaction.
Besides, if you are looking for house help, here’s how to sponsor a maid visa in Dubai.
PACKING AND STORAGE
When moving out, decluttering a home gets daunting. You get confused over which possessions to take with you and what to leave behind. In such scenarios, divide the belongings into three categories: sell, ship or donate. This helps get rid of unnecessary things and clutter.
You can also seek professional help from home moving companies in Dubai. They will help pack and carry your belongings safely to a new home.
ASSEMBLE A MOVING KIT
An often overlooked step in a leaving Dubai checklist is preparing a moving kit. As the name suggests, this kit must have all the essentials like phone chargers, water bottles and keys for on-the-go convenience.
HAVE A THOROUGH FINAL LOOK
After you have packed your belongings and loaded them on a truck, it’s time for a final search. Walk through each room and check for any overlooked items or damages. Verify that all appliances are turned off, faucets are closed tightly and lights are switched off. Once satisfied that everything is in its place, you can leave knowing your Dubai home in the best possible state.
FAQs
What to do when leaving Dubai?
When leaving Dubai, be mindful of some crucial steps. These include visa and DEWA services disconnection, getting a school transfer certificate and paying all dues and utilities.
What should I do with my DEWA account?
To close your DEWA account, you must visit their onsite office in Dubai.
What should I do with my belongings and furniture when leaving Dubai?
You can sell or donate the furniture and things you no longer need. In addition, you can hire international shipping companies for relocation.
That is all on our Dubai leaving checklist. At first, the move-out may seem overwhelming. However, if you note down the essential steps, it eases the shifting process. This checklist outlines all the necessary steps when moving from Dubai to Abu Dhabi or any other city or country.
Conversely, if you are planning to move to the megacity, consider these properties for sale in Dubai to choose your next home.
To learn more about home-moving essentials, ownership laws and property trends in the UAE, keep reading dubizzle’s real estate blog.
