Moving from A to B for the purposes of work, or perhaps retirement may seem like a dreamlike wish. However, that dreamlike wish is becoming reality for more and more people around the world. Metaphorically, the globe is being shrunk through more affordable and efficient transport connections, and today’s digital age keeps the planet connected across the continents.
The United Arab Emirates has become a boom destination for expats looking to expand their professional career where they can feel secure and pursue a more prosperous lifestyle. Retirees enjoy a relaxed way of life in a beautiful part of the world with wonderful weather, beautiful beaches and with plentiful sports and leisure facilities.
Ras Al-Khaimah is the Northernmost of the 7 emirates and, arguably, one of the most beautiful. This Emirate has managed to create a balance of the old and new, it has maintained its natural beauty whilst also embracing modernity. With its equilibrium of opportunity and tranquility, Ras Al-Khaimah has become one of the most desirable destinations in which to settle for expats from all over the world.
Decided to Relocate to RAS, What Now?
Having made the decision to relocate to Ras Al-Khaimah the first thing that dawns is that there is much to do. Prior to making that monumental decision, a great deal of research will have been undertaken, and most likely the emirate will have been visited and explored. The first real hurdle to overcome is obtaining a visa.
The government of Ras Al-Khaimah will issue a single visit, free-of-charge visa upon arrival, essentially a tourist visa, this is ideal for exploring the emirate. However, for those wishing to move to the emirate for work or retirement it is necessary to apply for a resident visa, should a partner and children also be locating, they too will need appropriate visas.
The resident visas come in two forms, for those working in the private sector, and those working in the public sector. The resident visas are valid for between 1 and 3 years, this is dependent on the passport issuing country. It is also common to be asked to produce a certificate of good conduct and character from your home country, as well as completing a health check.
If moving for the purposes of work, a contract from the employer in Ras Al-Khaimah will need to be produced. The Ras Al-Khaimah government has set up a website specifically for those people looking for a professional move to the emirate feature advice and job opportunities.
Where to Live?
Accommodation will need to be secured and there is abundant choice. For the most part, accommodation is modern, very affordable and the choice is varied and plentiful. Townhouses, villas, apartments and studios, in or out of the city, there is something to suit everyone’s needs, desires and pockets.
Some employers will assist in securing suitable accommodation, incorporate this into employment contracts and deduct rental costs directly from the employee’s salary payments. This, as an option, is becoming more and more common with expat professionals working in the emirate.
Planning the Move
Having secured employment, navigated through the stress of obtaining a visa and secured suitable accommodation, it is then time to plan the physical move to a new life. This, in itself, is a major undertaking. Coordinating dates alone can be extremely challenging. The visas, employment and rental contracts, the movers and packers, flights and transfers, it can all add up to frustration and stress.
Times, dates and details galore all need to be synchronized to create a seamless operation, so as not to take the gloss off the dreamlike move to a new life of prosperity and contentment. The key to the efficient morphing of a new life is to ensure that professionals with the necessary knowledge have been utilized all along the way.
This advice may seem logical, even obvious, but it is, in itself, fraught with potential pitfalls. There are many organizations that will claim to deliver a service which will ensure your move is painless and stress free. Sadly, the reality is very different.
The wise head will research local companies within the emirate. They have the, all-important, local knowledge to ensure that all angles are covered. This is achieved through their understanding of the systems within the officialdom that oversee every person’s move to the emirate.
Avoid any company that ‘claims’ to have local knowledge. Only with a locally based company can you be sure that they actually have the precise knowledge and expertise required to efficiently accommodate your move. Only with these skills can you be sure that your new life is delivered to you in the way in which you perceived it.
Relocating to a new life is not something that anyone undertakes lightly, and so, nothing should be left to chance. Such a move should be an adventure, one which is stress free and efficient. The only way to ensure this is to surround yourself with the professionals, allow them to take the stress out of the dream move, you are then free to concentrate on realizing the dream.
The most professional service within Ras Al-Khaimah, the one that will surround you with qualified advice, a professional and delivered result, is to be found at Smart Truck. Delivering the dreamlike wish begins here.