The leaving Dubai checklist, in order

All 46 steps for leaving Dubai, from about three months before your flight to the last refund after you land. Each one has its own page with the short answer and the official link. Key It blocks other steps, or costs money if you miss it.

Get it with my dates

Two months or more before your flight

  1. Give your landlord notice KeyYour contract decides the notice and any early-exit penalty, not a general rule.3 months before
  2. Give the school written notice KeySend written notice early. Fees count from the date of your request, not the last day at school.3 months before
  3. Start your pet’s export now KeyDestination rules drive the timeline; some need a blood test months ahead.2 months before

6 to 8 weeks before your flight

  1. Cancel credit cards at least 45 days before you fly KeyA card can take up to 45 days to close; the clearance letter comes after.7 weeks before
  2. Decide: sell, ship or return the carSelling takes time; shipping needs an export certificate.6 weeks before
  3. Decide what to ship, sell, donate or binSea freight is priced by volume; sort before the mover’s survey.6 weeks before
  4. Read your contract before you resign KeyNotice period, flight ticket, non-compete and anything owed to you.Before you resign

4 to 6 weeks before your flight

  1. Resign in writing and agree your last day KeyEmail plus signed letter; get the date and settlement plan confirmed.6 weeks before
  2. Get three mover quotes and bookSurvey, door-to-door, insurance and customs at destination.5 weeks before
  3. Pick your visa cancellation date KeyUsually in your last 7 to 10 days, after banking, car and DEWA are done.4 weeks before
  4. Decide what happens to the home you ownSell, rent out or leave empty, and who manages it.4 weeks before

2 to 4 weeks before your flight

  1. Decide which bank account stays open KeyRefunds and gratuity land after you leave. Keep one account; close the rest.3 weeks before
  2. Tax Residency Certificate (if your home tax office will ask)Proof you were UAE tax resident for the year you leave.2 weeks before
  3. Shipping the car abroad? Export certificateCancel the Dubai registration with an export certificate.2 weeks before

The last two weeks your flight

  1. Settle loans or agree a plan in writing KeyGet the settlement figure, pay, collect the clearance letter.2 weeks before
  2. Check you have no travel ban KeyTwo minutes in the Dubai Police app, free.2 weeks before
  3. Get the Transfer Certificate and recordsFor a school outside Dubai the TC goes through KHDA. Ask as soon as you know your last day.2 weeks before
  4. Attest UAE birth and marriage certificatesMOFA attestation, AED 150 per document, much easier before you leave.2 weeks before
  5. Sell the car and transfer it at RTA KeyClear fines and Salik, settle the loan, transfer, then cancel insurance.12 days before
  6. Return company assets and get HR clearanceLaptop, phone, access cards, company car and card, signed off in writing.12 days before
  7. Your domestic worker: dues, ticket and visa KeyPay what is owed, book the ticket home, cancel the work permit through MOHRE.10 days before
  8. Clear fines on your traffic fileIncluding rental cars and parking you forgot.10 days before
  9. Police clearance certificate, if you will need one soonCheaper as a resident; valid for three months.10 days before
  10. Cancel your family’s visas first KeyYou sponsor them, so their visas go before yours.9 days before
  11. Check your final settlement before you sign KeyCompare it with the calculator. Sign only once the money has arrived.8 days before
  12. Your sponsor cancels your visa KeyYour spouse or parent cancels yours before their own.8 days before
  13. Close DEWA and get the deposit back KeyRequest it while your UAE bank account and number still work, dated for your handover day; refund to an IBAN in your exact name.8 days before
  14. Close the accounts you don’t needClose linked products first, then the account, then collect the letters.8 days before
  15. Your employer cancels work permit, then visa KeyMOHRE first, then GDRFA. You sign that you received your dues.7 days before
  16. Cancel your own residence visa KeyGolden, Green, investor or freelance: you are your own sponsor.7 days before
  17. Bridge your health cover and collect medical recordsUAE cover ends soon after your visa is cancelled; records and prescriptions are easier to get now.7 days before
  18. Sell and give awayList early, schedule pickups before packing day.7 days before
  19. Close district coolingEmpower, Emicool or Tasleem (Tabreed): separate from DEWA, separate deposit.5 days before
  20. Stop memberships and subscriptionsGym, clubs, streaming, delivery memberships, school bus, cleaning.5 days before

The last three days your flight

  1. Hand back company accommodationClearance from HR or facilities, meter readings and keys.3 days before
  2. Close piped gasBook the disconnection, pay the final bill and get the deposit back from your gas provider.3 days before
  3. Cancel insurance policies, but check life cover firstHome, car and personal health policies can refund unused months.3 days before
  4. Return the leased or long-term rental carCheck early-return fees and clear fines first.3 days before
  5. Move-out inspection, keys and deposit KeyPhotos, readings and a signed handover. Deposit agreed in writing.1 day before
  6. Cancel home internet and return the routerFind your contract end date, cancel the way your provider takes it, and return the router.1 day before
  7. Build your exit folderEvery letter, receipt and certificate, scanned in one place.1 day before
  8. Flight day: what to carryOriginals in your hand luggage, not in the shipment.Flight day

After you land

  1. Make sure the Ejari is cancelledYou or your landlord cancel it in the Dubai REST app after handover. A management company cancels it itself.3 days after
  2. Keep your UAE number, then cancel it lastBanks, DEWA and UAE PASS send codes to it.3 weeks after
  3. Chase the refunds that come after you flyGratuity, DEWA, cooling, rent deposit, insurance, car.6 weeks after
  4. Close the last UAE account, or keep it on purposeOnly once all refunds have arrived.3 months after