Home to 9 million expats, the UAE is a very popular relocation destination. If you are employed by a company in Dubai, you will be able to apply for a residence permit and access all the amenities of this cosmopolitan emirate.
Working in Dubai can be a great way to further your career, gain international work experience, and broaden your knowledge of other cultures. Thanks to its multicultural makeup, Dubai can be a great place for networking, letting you meet professionals from across the globe.
Employment opportunities for expats in Dubai mostly lie in the service sector. This covers trade, restaurants, hotels, transportation, storage, communication, finance, insurance, real estate, business services, community, social and personal services, entertainment, etc. Sectors like construction and energy also employ a large number of foreigners. Medical professionals, engineers, and IT professionals are generally in high demand in Dubai — and the UAE.
Work conditions in Dubai
Expats are generally offered very generous packages when working in Dubai. In addition to salary, you will have access to a wide selection of benefits, which often include housing or a housing allowance, return tickets to fly home during the holidays, allowance for education for their children, and more.
As per the labor law, companies will offer you at least 30 days of annual leave in addition to public holidays. You will also have up to 90 days of sick leave — with 15 days of full pay if you provide a valid medical certificate. Note, however, that you won't be allocated any sick days during your probation period. Women are entitled to at least 45 days of maternity leave after they've worked for the company for at least a year. For a year and a half after delivery, women are also offered two additional 30-minute breaks for nursing their child.
You will also be provided with medical insurance. Some companies will also offer coverage for your dependents — but in some cases, you will need to purchase medical insurance for your family separately.
Recently, a mandatory unemployment insurance scheme was introduced to provide residents with added security in the case of termination from work. The goal of this scheme is to provide people with compensation for a period of 3 months in order to be able to sustain a decent lifestyle while looking for alternate work opportunities. Subscription to this scheme is as follows:
- Those with a basic salary of AED 16,000 or less must pay AED 5 monthly or AED 60 annually. The compensation for this amount will not exceed AED 10,000 monthly;
- Those with a basic salary of more than AED 16,000 must pay AED 10 per month or AED 120 annually. This compensation for this amount will not exceed AED 20,000 monthly.
Job hunting in Dubai
You can start your job hunt even from outside of the UAE.
Newspapers and websites
There are lots of local publications like Gulf News, Khaleej Times, or Emarat Al Youm (available in English) that regularly post the most recent job offers. Plus, there are a number of job-hunting websites where you can find lots of work listings in Dubai in different categories. Check out Bayt, Gulf Talent, Indeed, and others.
Social media
Professional social media can also be a great tool in your job hunt. As you search for career opportunities in Dubai, make sure to keep your work profile on Linkedin (or other platforms) up-to-date. Consider changing your status on Linkedin to “open to finding a new job” and your location to “Dubai” so that potential employers and headhunters can see your profile.
Recruitment and headhunting agencies
If you are an experienced professional in your field, you can reach out to headhunting agencies directly with your CV and an outline of the position you are looking for. Most well-known headhunting agencies have offices in Dubai, including Michael Page, Hays, and others.
Events and fairs
If you are already in Dubai, work on expanding your professional network in the emirate. To do so, make sure to attend career fairs, professional meet-ups, and other related events. The National Career Exhibition in the UAE is a great place to start. You can also look into online career fairs like Ru'ya Careers.
Writing your CV and cover letter when looking for work in Dubai
Once you have found a vacancy or vacancies that you want to apply for, you can apply for the position with your CV and cover letter. There is no specific CV format that you should keep in the UAE. As we have mentioned above, Dubai is home to a large number of expats and employers in the emirate who use various CV and job application formats. With that, it's definitely a good idea to make your CV as clear and convincing as possible. Think about the experience, professional and personal qualities, background, etc., that can help you stand out among other applicants, and make sure these are emphasized in your application.
Generally, there are two popular ways of organizing your CV: reverse chronological order (when you list your experience from your latest position to the oldest) and a skill-based format (when you center your CV around a specific skill set rather than work experience). Alternatively, you can always use a combination of the two formats to arrange the information in your CV. Take into account the job you are applying for and your situation. If you have a lot of work experience, it would make sense to list it first. If, on the other hand, you are new in the job market, you may start with your education, certificates, and qualities that would make you a good fit for the job.
Good to know:
Note that in the UAE, it is customary to include more personal information in your CV than, for instance, in the US. Most CVs will mention age and nationality and include a photo. However, this is not a mandatory requirement and can be left out if preferred.
Together with your CV, it is also recommended that you include a cover letter for a better chance of standing out. A cover letter should focus on why you are interested in the job and what makes you the best candidate for it. It's best to compose a separate cover letter for each new job application so that you can make it as specific as possible to the position you are applying for.
Important:
Be aware that as an expat, you won't have access to welfare programs. This means that if you plan to come to Dubai and search for work on the spot, you will need to make sure that you have enough means to support yourself throughout your job hunt.
As you are waiting for replies to your job applications, you may want to enroll in professional or language courses to improve your chances. There are lots of foreign language schools in Dubai — as well as centers and tutors who can help you learn Arabic. If you prefer to study online, consider platforms like Skillshare to gain new skills or improve the ones you already have. Additionally, some universities also offer online study programs with diplomas and certificates upon completion.
Top industries in Dubai
As a constantly growing and developing city, there is rarely a shortage of job opportunities in Dubai. You can find work in virtually any industry, but there are a few key ones that have become high in demand in recent years.
IT sector
As Dubai continues to invest in its technological development, there is a growing demand for professionals in the IT sector. Dubai has recently been ranked among the top 15 cities for tech workers globally and ranked 12th for having the highest number of tech companies. Cloud computing, software engineering, and data scientist are some of the most in-demand roles in this sector.
Dubai's top companies in the IT sector include IBM Middle East and SAP Middle East.
Healthcare sector
The expansion and development of Dubai's healthcare sector have been at the forefront of its vision for future growth. Established in 2002, Dubai's Healthcare City free zone was brought to life with the goal of bringing together all core healthcare services under one roof. Doctors, nurses, technicians, and other healthcare professionals will always be able to find plenty of job opportunities in Dubai.
Dubai's top healthcare companies include Aster DM, Siemens Healthineers, and Arabian Medical Enterprises.
Hospitality and tourism sector
It's no doubt that Dubai is seen as one of the world's top tourist destinations. As such, its hospitality and tourism sector has grown to become one of the top industries for work. In the first half of 2023 alone, the city welcomed more than 8.5 million visitors and has set a goal of attracting 25 visitors per year by 2025. With this increase in tourists comes a greater demand for facilities. Professionals in hotel management, event planning, customer service, and more will likely have no trouble finding work opportunities in Dubai.
Dubai's top companies in the hospitality and tourism sector are Emaar Hospitality Group and Jumeirah Group.
Securing a work visa to work in Dubai
Work permits are issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) of the United Arab Emirates and sponsored by your employer. Without it, working in the UAE is illegal. With this work permit, you can enter the UAE for employment while your residency visa is being processed. The validity of the work permit is 2 months after the date of issue.
The necessary formalities, such as medical testing, obtaining an Emirates ID card, a Labour Card, are sponsored by the employer, and the work residency permit is stamped on your passport within 60 days. The work residency permit is issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) from the emirate where you will be employed.
You are not eligible to sponsor any of your family members unless your work visa is completed. This should also be facilitated by your employer. If you enter Dubai on a tourist visa, you should check beforehand how many days you are allowed to stay in Dubai, as there is a limit for some countries.
If you're outside of the United Arab Emirates, you can contact Visa Service centers in various parts of the world. These have been set up by the MoHRE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Their goal is to explain rules and regulations between employees and employers to ensure complete transparency between the two and avoid any issues or misunderstandings.
Important:
To be eligible to work in Dubai, you must be sponsored by an employer. Working on a tourist or visitor's visa is illegal.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months after the date of entry in the UAE if you are to apply for a work permit.
Qualifications for working in Dubai
Occupations in the UAE are generally divided into nine skill levels. Jobs in levels from one to three are white-collar jobs (in business, medicine, marketing, finance, etc.) — to qualify for these positions, you will need related degrees and certificates that prove your expertise in the field. Most companies will accept a degree from your home country — in fact, international qualifications are typically very well received in the UAE. Note that you may be asked to get your degree evaluated at the Ministry of Education.
When it comes to language, you will need a good command of English for most positions. Knowledge of Arabic will give you an edge over other applicants, and your employer will greatly appreciate your effort to learn the language. As there is a large number of global companies in Dubai, additional languages you may speak may also come in handy (be sure to list these in your CV!).
Taxes in Dubai
An important benefit of working in Dubai is that there is no income tax. So, you will be able to enjoy a tax-free salary while earning income from the UAE. However, while there is no income tax in the UAE, you may still need to pay taxes in your home country. Check if your country of citizenship has a double taxation agreement with the UAE — if it does, you won't have to pay any taxes. In most cases, in order to avoid paying taxes, you will need to register as a non-resident in your home country.
If your home country doesn't have double taxation treaties with the UAE, you will probably need to file taxes at home.
To learn about double taxation treaties in the UAE, check the UAE Ministry of Finance for updates.
For more information on taxes in the UAE, refer to our guide on the tax system in the United Arab Emirates.
Working freelance in the UAE
In recent years, especially in the international job market — including the job market in Dubai — it has become more open to freelancing and remote work. With that, while you are sure to find freelance and remote work openings in Dubai, these are typically limited to specific fields — namely, content creation, design, app development, etc. You will also need to go through a number of legal formalities to work as a freelancer in Dubai.
To work freelance in Dubai, you will need to apply for a freelance license. You will need to provide the following documents:
- A copy of your passport;
- Degrees and certificates proving your qualifications in the field you will be freelancing in;
- Evidence of annual income from self-employment for the past 2 years, amounting to at least AED 360,000, or any other proof of financial means to sustain during your stay.
Depending on the specifics of your case, additional documentation may be required.
Note that as a freelancer, you won't be able to hire employees or sponsor visas for your family members in order for them to come to the UAE. If your freelance income exceeds AED 375,000 per year, you will need to register for VAT.
If you decide to start a company in Dubai, you will benefit from the emirate's very favorable tax system: there is no corporate tax in the UAE.
Working remotely from Dubai
With more and more people opting to work remotely, steps have been taken to facilitate the visa process for digital nomads in Dubai. Unlike the rest of the UAE, Dubai has a special “virtual working programme” which allows you to relocate to Dubai while continuing to work remotely for a company outside of the UAE.
The programme has a validity of 1 year and can be renewed through reapplication. Those whose applications are accepted can also bring their families along.
If you work for a company and would like to apply for this programme, you will need:
- A passport with a validity of at least 6 months;
- Valid health insurance covering your stay in Dubai;
- Proof of employment with a contract valid for at least 1 year;
- Proof of a minimum monthly salary of $ 5,000;
- Salary slips from the last month;
- Bank statements from the past 3 months.
If you are a company owner and would like to apply for this programme, you will need:
- A passport with a validity of at least 6 months;
- Valid health insurance covering your stay in Dubai;
- Proof of ownership of a company for at least 1 year;
- Proof of an average monthly income of $ 5,000;
- Bank statements from the company's account for the past 3 months.
You can expect to pay $287 per person applying, as well as medical insurance valid in the UAE if you are not already covered.
Useful links:
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai
The Official Portal of the United Arab Emirates Government
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Visas
UAE Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation
Job hunting websites:
Leading companies in top industries:
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
