Families moving from the United Arab Emirates are often internationally mobile already. Many hold a passport from another country, have lived in two or three places, and run businesses across several jurisdictions. That makes the UAE corridor different. U.S. immigration options depend on each family member's nationality, not on UAE residence. The tax change is also unusually sharp, from a country that levies no personal income tax to one that taxes residents on worldwide income. This guide sets out both for Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Le Strand coordinates the move in one written Le Strand Landing Plan.
Why does nationality matter more than UAE residence?
Nationality matters for treaty-investor and Visa Waiver Program eligibility. A UAE residence visa or Golden Visa does not itself grant U.S. immigration status; work, investment, family and other requirements still need their own assessment. The State Department's treaty-country list and Visa Waiver Program list both refer to nationality.
- Emirati nationals. The UAE is not on the State Department's list of E-1/E-2 treaty countries and is not in the Visa Waiver Program. Emirati families use B-1/B-2 visas for visits and look at L-1, EB-5, EB-1 and O-1 for the move.
- UAE residents with a VWP passport. Holders of British, French, German, Swiss or another VWP country's passport can use ESTA for visits of up to 90 days. Many of those countries are also E-2 treaty countries. The UK treaty includes its own residence requirement, which counsel should assess for a British national based in the UAE. See the UK to Florida, France, Germany and Switzerland guides.
- UAE residents of Indian, South African or other nationalities. These families are assessed on their own passports. See the India and South Africa guides.
- Mixed-nationality households. Each family member may qualify differently. When one spouse holds a treaty-country passport, counsel assesses whether that spouse can be the principal applicant for the household.
Le Strand records every family member's nationality and status in the Landing Assessment. Independent immigration counsel then confirms the route for each person. See the U.S. immigration pathways overview.
Which U.S. visa routes do UAE-based families use?
UAE-based families can discuss L-1, EB-5, EB-1, O-1 and, where nationality allows, E-2.
- L-1 intracompany transfer. This suits owners and executives of UAE-headquartered groups opening a U.S. entity. Counsel reviews how the UAE free-zone or mainland entity relates to the U.S. entity. See L-1 intelligence and business expansion with a family move.
- EB-5 investor green card. For petitions filed on or after 15 March 2022, the USCIS Policy Manual sets the minimum at $1,050,000, or $800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project. The amounts are scheduled to adjust on 1 January 2027. Source-of-funds documentation for income earned in a no-income-tax jurisdiction needs careful assembly. See EB-5 intelligence. See also the EB-5 regional centers map.
- EB-1 and O-1. EB-1 includes qualifying multinational executives and extraordinary-ability applicants; O-1 requires extraordinary ability. See EB-1 and O-1.
- E-2. This is available only through a treaty-country nationality. See E-2 intelligence.
Independent immigration counsel advises on the route. Le Strand sequences the move around their answer.
What changes when you move from the UAE's tax system to the U.S. system?
The change is from a country without personal income tax to one that taxes residents on worldwide income. The UAE government states that it does not levy personal income tax on individuals. Once a family becomes U.S. tax-resident, the United States taxes worldwide income, including income from UAE businesses and investments held elsewhere. Florida has no state personal income tax, but federal tax applies.
There is no U.S.–UAE income tax treaty. The UAE does not appear on the IRS list of U.S. income tax treaty partners. No U.S.–UAE Social Security agreement appears on the SSA list either. Ask your advisers which treaty residence and other eligibility conditions apply to each income stream; a previous address alone does not establish treaty entitlement.
Questions to take to your advisers: On what date do we become U.S. tax-resident under the substantial presence test or a green card? Should assets, companies or trusts be restructured before that date, and in what order? How will income from our UAE free-zone or mainland companies be taxed once we are U.S. residents? How do U.S. rules on foreign corporations and foreign trusts apply to our structures? Which U.S. reporting applies to UAE and third-country accounts, including the FBAR and Form 8938? What happens to the UAE end-of-service gratuity and any employer savings plans? What UAE corporate-tax obligations continue for our companies or business activities after departure?
Le Strand records these questions, owners and dates in the Landing Plan. Your UAE advisers and your U.S. tax professionals provide the answers.
How do UAE school calendars and curricula translate?
Most UAE private schools on British, American, IB or Indian curricula run their own calendars, and the transition depends on which one your children follow. Florida's 2026–27 year began on 10 August 2026 in Broward and Palm Beach and on 13 August 2026 in Miami-Dade.
- American-curriculum students usually transfer most directly, though records still drive placement.
- British-curriculum students sitting GCSEs or A levels need an early decision on staying in a British-style or IB pathway, or moving to the U.S. diploma. See the UK to Florida guide for the year-group conversion questions.
- IB students can look for IB programmes in the tri-county area.
- Indian-curriculum students (CBSE, ICSE) face an April-start academic year. See the India guide.
- Arabic. Families who want to keep Arabic study should raise it early with each school.
Florida law makes a child eligible for public kindergarten if they turn five on or before 1 September. Bring vaccination records for a Florida health professional to complete the school-entry documentation, normally Form DH 680, or the applicable exemption documentation. Le Strand coordinates the school timetable alongside the home search. Schools decide admissions. See Schools & family and the South Florida education corridor.
For a later intake, confirm the receiving school's published calendar, application deadline and available places. Private-school dates vary. Le Strand places those confirmed dates alongside the home and adviser timetable.
Choosing an area in South Florida
Le Strand helps each family compare areas against its own priorities: the daily commute, the school journey, the setting it wants and the type of property. Every shortlist covers Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, and each option is compared at the address level, with the journeys that shape the family's ordinary week.
- For a short drive to Brickell offices: Brickell for apartment living, with Coconut Grove in the City of Miami and Coral Gables, including Gables Estates and Cocoplum, a few miles south-west of downtown Miami.
- Near established public and private school options: Coral Gables and Coconut Grove for established residential streets near schools in Miami-Dade County.
- For waterfront and island living: Key Biscayne, reached by the Rickenbacker Causeway from Brickell Avenue, and Miami Beach and the Venetian Islands across Biscayne Bay. Fisher Island, Star Island, Indian Creek, Bal Harbour and Surfside offer different coastal and island settings.
- For canal-front homes and boating: the Fort Lauderdale waterfront, including Las Olas Isles and Harbor Beach, in Broward County, with a central position between Miami and Palm Beach.
- For condominium living between Miami and Fort Lauderdale: Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach in Miami-Dade County.
- For more space and a quieter base: Palm Beach, Manalapan, Gulf Stream, Boca Raton and its waterfront enclaves in Palm Beach County.
See the Miami landing overview, the Fort Lauderdale landing overview and the Palm Beach landing overview.
Ownership costs work differently in Florida than in Dubai. Florida homeowners pay annual property tax, and windstorm and flood insurance, homeowner association fees and hurricane preparation all add to the cost. The Landing Plan sets out the full cost of each shortlisted option.
Which flights connect South Florida and the UAE?
Miami's October schedule lists a Dubai nonstop with Emirates. Compare the full journey from your UAE departure location, including the ground transfer to the airport. The UAE is eight hours ahead of Florida during U.S. daylight saving time and nine hours ahead in the northern winter, which limits the shared working day.
Route examples checked 19 October 2026. Confirm operating dates, seasonal service and connections with the airline before booking. Compare total journey time, including the transfer to your South Florida destination.
What practical steps are specific to UAE-based families?
Four practical items to plan for UAE-based families: the driver's licence, credit history, the working week and household staff.
- Driver's licence. Florida requires new residents to get a Florida licence within 30 days of establishing residency. A UAE licence does not qualify for Florida's test waiver. Holders of a licence from Canada or France may qualify. Holders of a German licence still take the knowledge test. Since 6 February 2026, Florida licence exams are given in English only.
- Credit history. Ask the receiving bank, lender or landlord which U.S. credit records and alternative financial evidence it accepts. Bring your existing records into that conversation before committing to a lease or vehicle finance. Le Strand coordinates the document timetable with the institutions you choose.
- Working week. The UAE federal government follows a four-and-a-half-day week, with a shorter Friday. Confirm the working pattern of each business and adviser when scheduling calls. The overlap with Florida business hours is mainly the Florida morning.
- Household staff. Bringing household staff to the United States involves its own visa and employment questions for counsel. Le Strand includes them in the Landing Plan as a separate workstream.
How does Le Strand coordinate a UAE-to-South Florida move?
Le Strand starts with a Landing Assessment. It records each family member's nationality and status, the route under discussion, the tax-residence timing, the curriculum each child follows and the role of the Florida home. The Le Strand Landing Plan then sets out the sequence in writing, with dependencies, dates and owners.
Le Strand introduces you to independent immigration counsel and U.S. tax professionals experienced with UAE-based families where you need them. It coordinates their requirements with your existing advisers, family office and the property search. See also the Landing Plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does a UAE Golden Visa help with a U.S. visa?
A UAE Golden Visa does not itself grant U.S. immigration status. Independent counsel assesses nationality, the proposed U.S. activity and the requirements of the relevant category.
Is the UAE an E-2 treaty country?
No. The UAE is not on the State Department's E-1/E-2 treaty list. UAE residents with a treaty-country nationality may still qualify through that passport.
Is there a U.S.–UAE tax treaty?
No. The UAE does not appear on the IRS list of U.S. income tax treaties, and no Social Security agreement is in force.
Do Florida residents pay state income tax?
No. Florida has no state personal income tax, but U.S. federal income tax applies to residents' worldwide income.
Is there a direct flight from Dubai to Miami?
MIA's October 2026 schedule lists an Emirates nonstop from Dubai. Confirm the operating dates with the airline.
My children follow the British curriculum in Dubai. What happens in Florida?
They can continue in a British-style or IB pathway at schools that offer one, or move to the U.S. diploma. Decide early for students in GCSE or A-level years.
Can I exchange my UAE driver's licence in Florida?
No. A UAE licence does not qualify for Florida's test waiver. You take the knowledge and driving tests, in English, unless you hold a qualifying Canadian, French or other listed licence.
Relocation guides by country
Each guide sets out the country-specific sequence for a move to Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Sources checked October 2026
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U.S. Department of State: Visa Waiver Program and visitor visas
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Palm Beach County Tax Collector: overseas licence test waivers
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Hillsborough County Tax Collector: English-language examination policy
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UAE Federal Tax Authority: business activities of natural persons
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Florida Legislature: public-school entry age, section 1003.21
