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Moving to The UK From the UAE
Visa Requirements, Moving Costs, and a Checklist
Moving to the UK is becoming increasingly popular among UAE expatriates. If you’re interested in moving to the United Kingdom from UAE, read on to learn how to make the process of moving abroad easier. We prepared information regarding costs, visas, how to move, and a final checklist you can use.
Cost of Moving House to the UK
Our table below shows you a breakdown of estimated costs to move in the UK:
| Property Size | Estimated Moving Cost (AED) |
| 1 Bedroom | 10,000 – 16,000 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 16,000 – 21,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 21,000 – 30,000 |
| 4 Bedrooms | 30,000 – 40,000 |
| 5 Bedrooms | 40,000 – 50,000+ |
Disclaimer: These prices are only estimates. Request moving quotes if you want accurate price offers directly from international movers in the UAE.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Moving House to the UK
When moving to the UK, it is good to know what your costs will be based on. There are different factors that contribute to the total cost of your relocation. Let’s name them:
- Destination: The further you relocate, the more expensive it will get.
- Seasons: The best season for moving to the UK would be during winter. That’s when the prices are lower.
- Moving Services: If you hire extra moving services such as packing or storage, you will have to pay extra, unless the movers offer a full-service option.
Sirelo Tip: As your moving costs are completely based on weight or volume, we recommend you use our Furniture Volume Calculator to get a close-to-accurate estimation. This will help you when communicating with your mover.
Car Shipping UAE to UK
Car shipping to the UK from the UAE can be done by either RoRo (Roll-On Roll-Off), shared container, or fully dedicated container. The prices differ based on the method of transportation.
| Method | What It Means | Approx. Cost (AED) |
| RoRo (Roll-On/Roll-Off) | Vehicle is driven on/off the ship | AED 5,500 – 11,000 |
| Shared Container | Multiple cars share one container | AED 7,300 – 9,500 |
| Dedicated Container | One container reserved for your vehicle only | AED 9,200 – 12,800 |
Disclaimer: The prices are mere estimates.
Moving Pets from UAE to UK
Moving pets from the UAE to the UK requires a few things. It’s crucial to have all these aspects considered before you move:
- Microchip with ISO 11784/11785: Do so before the rabies vaccination.
- Rabies Vaccination: Must be done after microchipping and at least 21 days before departure.
- International Health Certificate: Must be obtained from an authorized vet in the UAE 10 days before travel.
- Transportation: The pet/s must be transported in cargo. The UK does not accept pet transportation in cabins.
To find more information regarding the requirements for moving pets to the UK, visit Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain.
International Removals UAE to UK
Finding the right international moving companies from the UAE to the UK is the most important step in your moving process. To make it easier for you, we prepared a list of the best movers to the UK from the UAE:
Removals Dubai to the UK
Wondering which removal companies to the UK are best from Dubai? Check out the following international removals from Dubai to the UK:
For more international movers, please visit our full database of international movers from the UAE.
Request Moving Quotes to the UK
Get your 5 free moving house quotes to the UK from Sirelo. This process is free of charge and only requires a few minutes to fill in our form. You will get your offers in less than 24 hours.
Click the button below based on your household type.
UK Visas and Immigration
Many United Kingdom visa types may suit your needs. To find the one you need, you must first define the purpose of your stay. Based on that, look at the following visa types:
- Skilled Worker Visa: This visa is meant for people who want to work in the UK for a job that requires a university degree.
- Student Visa: Designed for people who want to follow a full higher education degree in the UK.
- Family Visa: For when you are moving to the UK with family. For this, a member must have already been settled in the UK for a while.
United Kingdom Visa Application
The general United Kingdom visa application procedure is not very complicated. You generally need to follow these steps when moving to England and apply for a visa:
- Secure a job/study program
- Start gathering documents
- Apply online (see the links to the application platform below)
- Wait for the decision
You can read more on the application procedure on Visas and immigration.
United Kingdom Visa Fees
The United Kingdom visa process includes paying some administrative fees. You can view the approximate costs in the table below.
| Visa Type | Approximate Fee |
| Student Visa | AED 2,437 (£524) |
| Skilled Worker Visa | AED 3,576 (£769) |
| Family Visa | AED 9,017 (£1,938) |
Disclaimer: These fees may not be accurate.
Life in the UK
The United Kingdom has always been popular for its multicultural integration, and of course the Royal Family. If you want to learn more about living costs, the best places to live, and jobs in the UK, then keep reading.
Cost of Living in UK vs UAE
The average cost of living in UK per month, depending on the household type, can be seen in the table below:
| Country | Single Person | Family of 4 |
| UAE | AED 3,600–4,180 | AED 12,500–14,500 |
| UK | AED 7,900–10,200 | AED 17,000–23,500 |
Disclaimer: The costs may vary.
Here is another table with a comparison of average living expenses in UK based on products and services:
| Item | UAE (AED) | UK (AED) |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | 30.00 | 75.00 |
| Monthly public transport pass | 200.00 | 350.02 |
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | 10.71 | 27.23 |
| 1-bedroom apartment | 6,352.64 | 5,168.81 |
| Preschool (monthly, private) | 2,519.95 | 6,323.21 |
Source: Numbeo
How Much Does Healthcare Cost in the UK?
When moving to England, it is mandatory to apply for an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) immediately during the visa application.
Here is a breakdown of estimated health insurance fees:
| Applicant Type | Annual Fee (AED) | 3-Year Visa Total (AED) |
| Adult (18+) | AED 4,810 | AED 14,430 |
| Student / Child (-18) | AED 3,607 | AED 10,821 |
Disclaimer: Check the official website of the IHS for more accurate prices.
UK Income Tax
The UK income tax rates can be viewed in the table below:
| Annual Salary (GBP) | Tax Rate |
| £10,000 | 0% |
| £20,000 | 20% |
| £60,000 | 40% |
| £130,000 | 45% |
| £200,000 | 45% |
Source: Gov.uk
Best Cities to Live in UK
The United Kingdom is enormous. Therefore, here is a short list of the best cities to live in UK:
- Edinburgh: If you are a history lover or are a Harry Potter fan, Edinburgh can be an amazing choice for you. The city is full of great architecture, pubs, and festivals all year round.
- Bristol: This city offers a more artistic and natural ambiance. It’s a lovely place, especially for young adults or students.
- Manchester: It is almost as big as London, but without the heavy prices. Best for people who enjoy city life, clubbing, and more.
Living in UK: Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Moving to the UK Guide: How to Move to the UK
Follow these steps for a smooth relocation to the UK.
- Read more about Moving Abroad.
- Estimate the size of your move.
- Request Moving Quotes with Sirelo.
- Start decluttering your belongings. Sell or throw away what you don’t need.
- Prepare and store all your moving documents safely. This will reduce stress.
- Be present during the moving process, as the movers are handling your items.
Ready for Moving to the UK?
We hope our article helped you understand how to move to the UK better. For more information, check out our FAQ section below.
