Dubai Move-In Guide
Everything to set up after getting your keys: Ejari, DEWA, cooling, internet and gas. Tick off each step; your progress is saved.
Choose your situation to begin.
Get UAE Pass
Do you have a UAE Pass account?
UAE Pass is the national digital identity. One login works for Dubai REST, DEWA, telecom and most government apps, and lets you sign documents digitally, so every later step gets much faster.
- Install UAE Pass
- Sign up with Emirates ID
- Face scan
- Upgrade to Verified
What to prepare
- Emirates ID (or the unified number for new residents)
- UAE mobile number
Download the UAE Pass app (App Store, Google Play or AppGallery).
Register with your Emirates ID and UAE mobile number, then complete the face scan.
To reach the full verified level (needed for signing documents), confirm your identity once: at a UAE Pass kiosk in a mall or via the in-app verification.
With a verified UAE Pass you can sign the tenancy contract and most applications fully online, without visiting typing centres.
Register Ejari
Have you registered your Ejari yet?
Ejari is the mandatory registration of your tenancy contract with the Dubai Land Department. You need it before DEWA, chiller or internet can be connected.
- Open Dubai REST
- Sign in with UAE Pass
- Services
- Ejari: register contract
- Enter DEWA premise number
- Upload signed contract
- Pay AED 177.75
- Landlord approves
- E-certificate by email
What to prepare
- UAE Pass account (verified level)
- Signed unified tenancy contract (photo or scan)
- DEWA premise number of the unit (from the landlord or building management)
- Valid Emirates ID (front and back)
- Passport copy and valid UAE residence visa (entry permit accepted while the visa is in process)
- Original signed tenancy contract in the unified format
- Landlord's title deed copy
- Landlord's passport or Emirates ID copy
- If the landlord is a company: trade licence and the authorised signatory's ID
Online with UAE Pass you need only two things: an account signed in via UAE Pass and the official unified tenancy contract signed by both sides. Submit it in the Dubai REST app or on the DLD portal and wait for the landlord to approve; the e-certificate arrives once approved.
Prefer in person? Typing centres across Dubai (for example Al Barsha Mall or City Walk) will file it for you.
Fees and charges
- Online: Dubai REST app / DLD portal
- AED 177.75AED 100 registration + AED 10 knowledge + AED 10 innovation + AED 55 service partner + 5% VAT
- Typing centre, in person
- ~AED 220
Recommended: EGSH (Emirates Government Services Hub).
Connect DEWA (Electricity & Water)
Is your DEWA account active?
DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) connects electricity and water to your unit. Tenants must have a registered Ejari before opening a DEWA account.
- Open the DEWA app
- Sign in with UAE Pass
- Move-in
- Enter premise number
- Pay deposit + fees
- Same-day activation
What to prepare
- Valid Emirates ID (front and back)
- Passport copy
- Ejari-registered tenancy contract
- Title deed
- DEWA premise number for the unit (on the Ejari certificate or from the landlord / building management)
Register via the DEWA app, dewa.gov.ae, or an approved service centre (Ejari counter). Activation is usually completed the same day once documents are verified.
Fees and charges
- Refundable security deposit
- AED 2,000
- Refundable security deposit
- AED 4,000
- Refundable security deposit
- AED 6,000+varies by size
- Activation fee
- AED 135 + VAT
- Activation fee
- AED 310 + VAT
- Activation fee
- AED 310 + VAT
- Knowledge + innovation fees
- AED 20one-time
Connect Chiller (District Cooling)
Is your district cooling account set up?
Most new towers use district cooling instead of individual AC units. The provider depends on the building: Empower, Emicool or Tasleem. Check your Ejari or ask building management which company serves your address.
What to prepare
- Emirates ID (front and back)
- Passport / visa copy
- Ejari certificate and tenancy contract
- Title deed
- Updated IBAN (for billing and refunds)
Confirm your building's provider first, then register on that company's app or website. The deposit and connection charge are payable before activation.
Fees and charges
- Connection chargeEmpower
- AED 1,000one-time
- Security depositEmpower
- AED 2,000
- Security depositEmpower
- AED 3,000
- Meter maintenanceEmpower
- AED 30/monthor AED 50/quarter
- Activation feeEmicool
- AED 200one-time
- Security depositEmicool
- AED 1,500-2,000depending on size
- Activation feeTasleem
- AED 300one-time
- Security depositTasleem
- AED 1,000or one month's capacity charge
Connect Internet
Is your home internet ordered?
Home internet is provided by two operators: Etisalat (e&) and du. Availability depends on which operator has infrastructure in your building; check with building management if unsure.
What to prepare
- Valid Emirates ID (front and back)
- Passport copy and valid UAE residence visa
- Ejari-registered tenancy contract
- Title deed
- DEWA premise number or active DEWA account (some installers request it to confirm the address)
Order on the operator's app or website. A technician visit is usually required for fibre installation, typically completed within 24-72 hours of application.
Prices change frequently with promotions; check current fibre/5G packages and exact building coverage on the official apps or websites.
Connect Gas (LPG)
Is your gas connected?
Homes are supplied either by a centralised piped gas system (billed by a licensed gas company) or by refillable LPG cylinders delivered by a supplier. Which one applies depends on your building.
What to prepare
- Emirates ID or passport copy
- Tenancy contract (Ejari)
- Title deed
- Supplier's application form
- Any NOC or safety certificate requested by the building (for centralised connections)
Ask building management which system your building uses, then apply with the matching supplier by phone or on their site.
Fees and charges
- Central gas: activation fee
- up to ~AED 330one-time
- Central gas: security deposit
- ~AED 2,000
- Central gas: security deposit
- ~AED 4,000
Royal Gas, WADI Gas, Union Coop gas and other local cylinder distributors also operate across Dubai.
Get Your Move-In Permit
Do you have the move-in permit from building management?
Most communities require a move-in permit from building management before movers can bring furniture through common areas or use the service lift.
What to prepare
- Registered Ejari certificate
- Title deed or handover letter
- Emirates ID copy
- Passport copy
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the landlord, where required by the building
Submit a move-in permit application to building management or the developer's tenant portal, with the documents above.
Receive written move-in approval.
Book the service lift slot and complete the move within the approved time.
Moving out later? Clear all utility bills, get a landlord NOC if required, close or transfer DEWA / chiller / internet accounts, and de-register Ejari to release your deposits.
You're all set to move in!
Save this page; your progress stays if you come back. If anything is unclear, our team can help with every step.