Study in UAE: Pre-departure Packing Checklist for International Students

The United Arab Emirates, a nation in the Middle East, has silently been emerging as a popular study abroad destination. This is mainly due to the Government’s strong focus on inculcating courses based on recent trends. Despite being a relatively new overseas education spot, the country hosts numerous universities and institutions, which provide courses from a variety of disciplines.

Every year, thousands of students enroll in these universities to study in the UAE, and Congratulations, because you are one of them. You must be experiencing an adrenaline rush, but it is important not to lose focus, because you only have about 2 months before your flight to the Emirates leaves, and there is a lot to go over.

First and foremost, make a packing checklist so that you can have a better understanding of what you need to carry and what you can let go momentarily. Through this article, we will help you bifurcate your stuff and make a checklist to pack accordingly. Keep reading to get a better understanding.

Essential Documents to Carry When You Study in UAE

The first things on your checklist are your documents, which ensure your journey and entry into the new country. These are further bifurcated into Travel Documents, University-specific Documents, etc. Below, we have mentioned what these documents are.

• Travel Documents: Air Tickets, Student Visa, Passport, Medical Prescription.

• University-specific Documents: Letter of Acceptance, Previous Academic Transcripts, etc.

• Financial Proofs: Tuition Fee Receipts, Loan Documents, Scholarship Confirmation (if eligible), etc.

• Health Insurance Cover: Student Health Insurance Certificate, Medical Test reports.

The list of documents to carry when going to study in UAE may vary depending on the university requirements, so it is advised to do thorough research. Plus, keep these documents in your carry-on bag with your money and Financial Essentials for easy access. Let us discuss more about them in the next section.

Money & Financial Essentials to Prepare When You Study in UAE

The next thing on your checklist is your money and other financial materials. You need these to make essential payments once you reach the Emirates, so convert your currency into AED beforehand. Remember, as an international student in Dubai, you can carry any amount of cash, but it is advised to declare cash above AED 60,000 to customs. These include:

• Cash

• Forex Cards

• Mobile-based payment apps

Carry small amounts of cash for basic payments and rely more on Forex cards. Try to avoid making excessive payments to balance your budget and offset your overall cost of living in the UAE. Up next, let us understand what to pack in your regular bags.

Personal & Daily Essentials to Carry When You Study in UAE

Picking your personal and daily items may be a bit difficult, so first, understand what kind of weather the Gulf Nation experiences, and then start packing. The UAE has a hot desert climate, with temperatures crossing 45 °Celsius in Summers, so pack accordingly. Your Daily and Personal Essentials include:

1. Clothes: Due to the exceedingly hot climate, carry breathable and light-colored clothing. These include:

   Casuals: Carry 6-8 Pairs of T-shirts/Jerseys, 3 Pairs of Trousers/Jeans.

   Formals: Carry 3 Pairs of Shirts and Pants

   Accessories: Cap, Hat, Goggles, etc.

   Footwear: Carry 4 Pairs of breathable Footwear.

2. Electronics: Laptop, Mobile Phone, Chargers, a Hard Disk, a Universal Power Adapter, a Power Bank.

3. Grooming Material: Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Shaving Kit, Cosmetics, Sunscreen, Towels, Soap, Shampoo, Comb, etc.

4. Medical Essentials: Health-related and Basic Medicines, First-aid Kit, Sanitary Pads, etc.

It is noteworthy that carrying prescriptions with your medicines will ensure a smooth customs check for you. Further learn ways to pack more materials in limited spaces, such as rolling your clothes instead of folding them, etc. Now, let us understand what things you can avoid while going to study in the UAE in the section ahead.

Items to Avoid Carrying When You Study in UAE

While making a packing list, thoroughly research the things banned in the Emirates, such as flammables and weapons. Plus, the weight restrictions in International Flights are 23 kg for Economy Class and 32 kg for Business Class, so avoid carrying:

• Heavy Utensils

• Raw Food

Strictly adhere to the guidelines of the airport and only carry limited items, especially cosmetics, as they can be bought in the UAE at affordable costs.

If you follow a proper packing checklist, you’ll be done packing in no time. But remember that this is a general list and may vary based on your desired city and prospect university. If you wish for a city-specific checklist, consult a study abroad consultant for a seamless and hassle-free process. Their counsellors can provide you with some insights into the country as well. Happy Journey!