Moving to Dubai as a US citizen - what's the visa process and how long do I need to pay US taxes after relocating?

So I've been seriously considering relocating to Dubai for work and I'm trying to figure out all the logistics before I commit. The visa stuff seems complicated, and I'm especially confused about my tax situation as a US citizen living abroad. I understand that the US taxes worldwide income, but are there specific steps I need to take before leaving? Do I need to file special forms? I've heard about some foreign income exclusions but don't really understand how they work or if there's a time limit on how long I'd be paying US taxes after moving. I know I should probably get a CPA or accountant to help me navigate this, but would a regular tax person be able to handle expat taxes? Or do I need to find someone who specializes in international situations? Any advice from people who've done this before would be super helpful. Thanks!

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19 comments

Isabella Costa

•8M

As someone who's helped many US citizens relocate abroad, I can definitely provide some guidance on this. For the visa process, Dubai (UAE) offers various visa options depending on your situation. Most Americans go with an employment visa (sponsored by your employer), an investor visa (if you're starting a business), or the newer remote work visa. Each has different requirements, but generally you'll need your passport, photos, medical exam, and sometimes proof of income or employment. Regarding taxes, the US is one of the few countries that taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of where you live. You'll need to file US tax returns every year, even after moving. However, there are two major provisions that help expats: the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE), which allows you to exclude up to $120,800 (2025 amount) of foreign earnings from US taxes, and the Foreign Tax Credit, which gives credit for taxes paid to other countries. You should also be aware of FBAR filing requirements if you have foreign financial accounts totaling over $10,000 at any point during the year.

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Isabella Costa

•8M

The FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) is relatively straightforward but crucial to file correctly. It's an online form where you report your foreign accounts if their combined value exceeds $10,000 at any point during the year. The penalties for not filing can be severe, even if it's an honest mistake. For the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, it's not automatic - you must qualify through either the Physical Presence Test (physically present in foreign countries for 330 days in a 12-month period) or the Bona Fide Residence Test (established residence in a foreign country for an entire tax year). You'll need to file Form 2555 with your tax return to claim it.

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Freya Andersen

•8M

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Freya Andersen

•8M

Yes, it absolutely works for Dubai/UAE situations! You're right that the UAE doesn't have income tax, which means you won't be able to use the Foreign Tax Credit, but the service specifically addresses this scenario and focuses on maximizing your Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Foreign Housing Exclusion since those become your primary tax reduction strategies. The service doesn't handle the visa application process directly, but it does provide information about the tax implications of different visa types and residency statuses. It gives you documentation explaining how your visa status affects your US tax obligations, which has been helpful for many users navigating both processes simultaneously.

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Leila Haddad

•8M

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Emma Johnson

•8M

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•8M

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Astrid Bergström

•8M

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PixelPrincess

•8M

Don't forget about state taxes too! This is something a lot of people overlook when moving abroad. Some states like California and Virginia are notorious for trying to claim you're still a resident even after you've moved abroad. Before you leave, make sure you establish residency in a tax-friendly state or take clear steps to terminate your residency in your current state. This might include: - Selling property - Canceling state licenses/registrations - Closing state bank accounts - Getting a driver's license in your new location - Changing voter registration I paid double taxes for a year because I didn't properly handle my New York residency termination before moving to Dubai.

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PixelPrincess

•8M

Keeping a house doesn't automatically make you a resident, but it does create a connection to the state that tax authorities might use to argue you've maintained your residency. If you rent out your house, you'll need to report that rental income to your state, but that doesn't necessarily make you a full resident. To strengthen your case for non-residency, make sure you have documentation showing you've established a genuine home in Dubai, like a long-term lease or utility bills in your name. Also keep records of your physical presence (entry/exit stamps, flight records) to demonstrate you're genuinely living abroad. Some states have specific requirements about maximum days you can spend there annually without triggering residency.

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Isabella Costa

•8M

You can generally keep your retirement accounts as they are when moving abroad. For contributions, it gets tricky - you need US taxable income to contribute to an IRA, so if all your income is excluded via the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, you might not be eligible to contribute. For 401k contributions, it depends on your employer - if you're working for a US company abroad, you may still be able to contribute, but if you're working for a foreign employer, you typically can't.

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