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Step-by-step moving guide

Your Complete
GCC Relocation Checklist

Everything you need to do — 6 months before to Day 1 in your new GCC city. Tick off each step as you go.

60+ action items across 6 phases
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Printable checklist
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The 6-Phase Relocation Timeline

Follow this timeline from your decision to move until you are fully settled. Click any phase to expand, and check off each task as you complete it.

1
Phase 1
6 Months Before — Documents & Licensing
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  • Gather all original nursing degree / diploma certificates
  • Order official transcripts from your university
  • Obtain Certificate / Letter of Good Standing from your nursing council
  • Apply for police clearance certificate valid 6 months from issue — time carefully
  • Start DataFlow primary source verification application (takes 4–8 weeks)
  • Book Prometric exam after receiving exam authorisation from your licensing body
  • Open a bank account that supports international transfers (Wise, Revolut, or major bank)
  • Begin dedicated GCC exam study — Archer Review, Saunders, or equivalent
2
Phase 2
4 Months Before — Attestation & Applications
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  • Notarise all documents with a Commissioner for Oaths / Notary Public
  • Submit documents to home government apostille authority (DFA, MEA, FCDO, etc.)
  • Submit to GCC embassy for authentication (UAE and Saudi Arabia require this)
  • Submit licensing application via HAAD / DHA / SCFHS / QCHP portal
  • Apply for jobs on GCCNurseJobs.com — complete your profile to 100%
  • Create or update your Video Profile on GCCNurseJobs.com
  • Create or update your Resume Builder profile on GCCNurseJobs.com
  • Research your target country / city — cost of living, neighbourhoods, transport
  • Arrange 2–3 professional references — inform them DataFlow will contact them directly
3
Phase 3
2 Months Before — Job Offer & Pre-departure
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  • Pass Prometric exam
  • Receive HAAD / DHA / SCFHS / QCHP license
  • Accept job offer — review contract carefully: salary, benefits, probation, gratuity formula
  • Employer initiates employment visa process
  • Complete medical fitness examination (required for most GCC visas — confirm requirements)
  • Research bank accounts in destination country (Emirates NBD, Al Rajhi, QNB, etc.)
  • Check if your home bank has international ATM partnerships
  • Download key apps: WhatsApp, Careem / Uber, Google Maps, local news app
  • Notify home country tax authority if required (important for UK, USA, AUS residents)
  • Check if your driving licence is valid in your destination country (UAE accepts most)
4
Phase 4
1 Month Before — Preparing to Leave
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  • Book flights — employer may provide or reimburse; check policy
  • Ship or sell unwanted belongings (most GCC accommodation is fully furnished)
  • Pack core essentials (see the packing list section below)
  • Get international travel insurance for the transit period
  • Check vaccination status: Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, COVID-19, Influenza
  • Collect 3-month supply of any prescriptions plus a doctor's letter in English
  • Get multiple passport photos — at least 20 (needed for Emirates ID, Iqama, QID, etc.)
  • Make certified copies of all important documents and save digitally (Google Drive / iCloud)
  • Set up an international call / data plan for the first few weeks
  • Inform family of your contact details and employer's address
  • Check airline baggage allowance — book extra bags early if needed
5
Phase 5
First Week in GCC — Arrival & Orientation
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  • Arrive at accommodation — confirm address with employer's PRO before you travel
  • Complete medical fitness test (if not done at home) — required for residency visa
  • Biometrics appointment for Emirates ID / Iqama / QID — employer's PRO will arrange
  • Open a local bank account (requires passport + employer salary letter + Emirates ID / QID)
  • Get a local SIM card — Etisalat / du in UAE, STC / Zain in KSA, Ooredoo in Qatar
  • Register with your home country's embassy (UK: FCDO, Philippines: DFA, etc.)
  • Download city apps: Careem, Talabat / Deliveroo, local maps
  • Explore your neighbourhood — nearest supermarket, hospital, ATM, pharmacy
  • Meet your nursing colleagues — most hospitals have WhatsApp welcome groups
  • Find nearest place of worship if relevant to you
  • Set up remittance transfer — Wise or Al Ansari Exchange account
6
Phase 6
First Month Ongoing — Settling In
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  • Receive Emirates ID / Iqama / QID — carry this always
  • Set up regular salary transfer home (schedule via Wise or your bank)
  • Explore your city — malls, parks, beaches, social events
  • Connect with your country's nurse community (Filipino Nurses Association UAE, etc.)
  • Register with a local GP / clinic for non-emergency care
  • Understand public vs private healthcare options — what does your medical insurance cover?
  • Understand local driving rules if you plan to drive
  • Check gym, social clubs, and community groups at your hospital or compound
  • Review your first payslip for accuracy — salary, housing, and transport allowances
  • Save your gratuity calculation date — your start date is Day 1 of end-of-service accrual
Packing guide

What to Pack — and What Not to Bother Packing

DO Bring
Documents
  • Passport + 10 copies, attested degree, nursing license
  • Employment contract, police clearance, vaccination records
  • At least 20 passport photos for IDs and admin
Electronics
  • Unlocked smartphone
  • Universal adapter — UAE & KSA use UK-type G plugs
  • Laptop and portable charger
Medications
  • 3-month supply of any prescriptions + doctor's letter in English
  • Travel-size first aid: paracetamol, antihistamines, antidiarrhoeals, ibuprofen
Clothing
  • Modest day clothes (1–2 weeks' worth)
  • 1–2 formal outfits, comfortable shoes, sandals
  • Lightweight layers for aggressive air-conditioning
Comfort & Finance
  • Favourite snacks from home — a small taste of home matters
  • Photos and a meaningful personal item
  • Some USD or EUR cash (easily exchangeable), bank cards
  • Wise account set up before departure
DON'T Bother
Bulky Items
  • Large furniture — all GCC employer accommodation is furnished
  • Most appliances — different voltage in some units, all typically provided
Clothing
  • Excessive formal clothing — Dubai and Qatar are casual outside work
  • Heavy winter clothes — GCC winters are mild by global standards
Books & Media
  • All your books — ship or sell them; most nurses go digital
General Advice
  • Anything you can buy for less in destination (electronics, toiletries in malls)
  • Excess luggage adds cost — budget airlines to GCC are strict on weight
Cost breakdown

What Does Relocating to GCC Actually Cost?

One-time upfront costs before your first salary. Most nurses recoup this entire investment within their first month.

Relocation Item Estimated Cost
DataFlow primary source verification$140 – $200
Document notarisation$100 – $400
Government apostille fees$50 – $200
Embassy authentication fees$100 – $300
Prometric exam fee$150 – $250
Licensing application fee (HAAD / DHA / SCFHS / QCHP)$200 – $500
Police clearance certificate$30 – $80
International travel insurance$50 – $150
Flights (if not employer-provided)$400 – $1,200
Total estimate$1,200 – $3,280
GCCNurseJobs.com recruitment fee$0 — always free for nurses
Most nurses recoup this entire investment within their first month's salary. GCCNurseJobs.com Premium ($29/month) includes a document tracker with deadline alerts, a personalised relocation timeline planner, and a dedicated GCC relocation advisor — so nothing slips through the cracks.
Common questions

Relocation FAQ

Can I bring my family immediately when I move?
Yes, but it is a separate process. You will need to settle in first and initiate a family sponsorship visa once you have your residency. In the UAE, the minimum salary requirement for sponsoring a family is typically 4,000 AED/month. Most nurses arrange this within the first 2–3 months of arriving. Your employer's PRO or HR team can guide you through the process.
What if I can't find accommodation before I arrive?
Reputable GCC employers provide transitional accommodation for new hires — this is standard practice. Confirm this with your employer in writing before you travel. Always get your accommodation address from the employer's PRO before your flight so you know exactly where to go on arrival. If your employer cannot provide this, raise it with your GCCNurseJobs.com recruiter immediately.
How much cash should I bring for the first week?
Bring $500–$1,000 USD for your first week. You can exchange this at the airport money exchange or any bank — UAE Dirhams, Saudi Riyals, and Qatari Riyals are all easy to obtain. Avoid exchanging too much before arrival as airport rates abroad can be poor. Once you have your local SIM and bank account set up (usually within days), you can use cards for everything.
Will my mobile phone work in GCC countries?
Yes — all modern smartphones work in GCC countries (4G and 5G coverage is excellent). However, roaming charges can be very expensive, especially for data. Buy a local prepaid SIM card within your first 1–2 days. In the UAE use Etisalat (e&) or du; in Saudi Arabia use STC or Zain; in Qatar use Ooredoo. SIM cards cost $5–$15 and include generous data packages.
What if my employer doesn't arrange my visa?
Arranging your employment visa and residency is a legal obligation of the employer in all GCC countries. If your employer is delaying or failing to arrange this, do not wait — contact GCCNurseJobs.com support immediately. This is a serious compliance issue and one of the red flags GCCNurseJobs.com screens employers for. All hospitals on the GCCNurseJobs.com platform have been vetted for compliance with GCC labour law.

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