Just Landed in the UAE? Here's the Paperwork You'll Actually Need to Handle First

The first month in the UAE is exciting—and chaotic.

New job, new city, new everything. But before you settle in, there's a stack of documents waiting for you. And most of them need to be sorted before you can do basic things like rent an apartment or drive legally.

Here's what typically lands on your desk in the first few weeks, and what actually needs translation.

1. Your driving license

This is usually the first question: "Can I just use my current license?"

It depends on which country issued it. Some nationalities can convert directly. Others need to take a test.

Either way, if your license isn't in Arabic or English, you'll need a certified legal translation before RTA will even look at it. This tells you immediately which track you're on—direct conversion or driving school.

2. Your rental contract

Most tenancy contracts in Dubai are bilingual, but the Arabic version is the legally binding one.

Before you hand over those post-dated cheques, make sure you understand what you're signing. Penalty clauses, early termination terms, maintenance responsibilities—it's all in there. If you're not reading the Arabic, you're signing blind.

A translated version lets you review everything properly before you commit.

3. Family sponsorship documents

Planning to bring your spouse or children?

You'll need birth certificates, marriage certificates, and possibly other civil documents—all translated and attested. Immigration and visa authorities require certified translations before processing residency and Emirates ID applications.

Getting these done early avoids delays later.

What "certified" actually means here

In the UAE, official bodies require translations from providers approved by the Ministry of Justice. This isn't about quality preference—it's a legal requirement. Documents without proper certification get rejected.

The practical approach

You don't need to translate everything you own. Focus on what's immediately required:

• License translation — so you can drive or know what test you need
• Rental contract — so you understand your obligations before signing
• Family documents — so visa applications don't stall

Everything else can wait.

Get these sorted early

The first month has enough going on—finding your way around, setting up banking, adjusting to the city. The less time you spend chasing paperwork, the faster you actually settle in.

If you need certified translations accepted by UAE ministries and government departments, that's what we do at OnlineTranslation.ae. Fast turnaround, WhatsApp-based ordering, no need to visit an office.

Questions about which documents need translation for your specific situation? Drop them in the comments or reach out directly.