Working in Fujairah
Fujairah is one of the smaller emirates of the United Arab Emirates, located on the East coast. It is positioned as one of the most popular destinations for expats around the world because the cost of living here is relatively low. If you are moving to Fujairah, you will have every opportunity to make the most of your tax-free salary. The first step, however, is to find a job in Fujairah. We've highlighted a few key points to make this easier for you, from Fujairah's key industries and sectors to salary breakdowns and cost of living.
Key industries in Fujairah
Fujairah does not have many natural resources, and oil and natural gas reserves are quite rare in this emirate. Thus, this city's diverse economy is mainly based on manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and fishing.
In recent years, however, the port sector has been experiencing accelerated development due to the geographical position of Fujairah, which also promoted the growth of the free zone in the region. In addition, the United Arab Emirates government focuses now more on the tourism and hospitality sectors to take advantage of white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and mountains and desert landscapes. Fujairah is home to some major tourist attractions, such as the Wadi Al Wurayah waterfalls, the Ain Al Madhab Gardens, and the historic Al Bidya Mosque. Visitors and residents in other emirates often flock to Fujairah for its moderate climate. Thanks to its geographic location, Fujairah offers a cool sanctuary when the heat becomes unbearable in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Tourism and hospitality sectors
If you're looking to work in the tourism or hospitality sector, Fujairah is definitely a place worth looking into. The emirate has been working towards further increasing its number of tourists per year through initiatives led by the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Department.
This has led to a thriving hospitality industry that welcomes millions of tourists every year. Even for domestic visitors, there is a high demand for accommodation facilities, further catapulting the hotel industry. This growing demand has led to an increase in job opportunities within the sector.
Education sector
Teachers, professors, and other academic professionals can also find plenty of opportunities to work in Fujairah's educational sector. The options include the University of Fujairah, , the Ministry of Education, and other colleges and higher education institutes.
In recent months, the UAE has introduced the “Zayed Educational Complexes” project to further enhance the country's educational offerings. One of these complexes is located in Fujairah and features a range of modern facilities such as sports amenities, labs, and classrooms equipped for theoretical and practical learning.
There are currently 27 schools and 13 colleges and universities in Fujairah.
Fujairah Free Zone
The Fujairah Free Zone that surrounds the port of Fujairah mainly promotes foreign investment when it comes to banking and trade. Fujairah Plan 2040 aims to develop Fujairah port by tapping into new terminals for oil, marine services, dry bulk and containers, and improvement in the Fujairah Airport.
Fujairah's Free Zone also includes Creative City, which is tailored for businesses specializing in consulting, education, communications, marketing, music, entertainment, design, and technology.
The Free Zone has attracted many business owners across several industries due to its quick and flexible procedures, which have created several different job opportunities.
Salaries in Fujairah
Before making the decision to move anywhere, understanding the salary scale is crucial to determining whether the move is right for you. According to the Pay Scale, the average base salary in Fujairah is AED 50,000 per year or AED 37 per hour.
Salaries have different ranges and averages depending on the industry, of course, and below is a brief overview of some of the popular occupations in Fujairah (salaries listed are per year):
- Accountant salaries have a range of AED 4,000 to AED 140,000, with the average currently at AED 41,374;
- Finance Manager salaries have a range of AED 3,000 to AED 281,000, with the average currently at AED 210,000;
- Civil Engineer salaries have a range of AED 47,000 to AED 102,000, with the average currently at AED 61,000;
- Secondary School Teacher salaries have a range of AED 24,000 to AED 92,000, with the average currently at AED 84,000;
- Graphic Designer salaries have a range of AED 11,000 to AED 45,000, with the average currently at AED 30,000;
- Barista salaries have an average salary of AED 19,200;
- Operations Supervisor salaries have an average salary of AED 48,300.
While the salaries might seem lower than those offered in other emirates, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it is important to remember that the cost of living in Fujairah is also relatively lower. Paired with tax-free income, this makes Fujairah the ideal place for those looking to save money.
Job hunting in Fujairah
The most popular sectors in Fujairah to find a job are the energy sector, tourism, hospitality and catering, as well as in the free zone (which has evolved to cover a range of industries). If you're outside of the UAE, you can browse for vacancies in online publications, such as English newspapers like Khaleej Times. You can also check your local newspapers for “job vacancies overseas” in the Classifieds section. You can also opt to register your profile on LinkedIn, or with licensed recruitment agencies. There are other online platforms you could use to find jobs in Fujairah, such as Bayt, Dubizzle and Indeed.
Some recruitment agencies which cover jobs in the emirate of Fujairah are:
As of 2023, the most popular employers in Fujairah are Fujairah National Group, GEMS Education, the Ministry of Health, Perma Pipe, and Rivoli Group.
Fujairah National Group offers a number of services across several industries, including construction, real estate, healthcare, education, transport, oil storage, aviation, trading and hotel services. As such, it provides a wide range of job opportunities for professionals in different sectors. You can explore the current vacancies through their website.
GEMS Education is one of the world's largest private school operators. It currently has 44 schools across the UAE, with one operating in Fujairah. Jobs at GEMS Education can range from teaching to administrative positions, and current vacancies can be found on its website.
Perma Pipe offers services specifically related to pipes, such as insulation solutions, engineering support, and more. Job opportunities range from technicians and other field positions to administration. You can find a list of available jobs on their website.
Work permit in the UAE
Work permits are issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) of the United Arab Emirates. Your employer must apply for your work permit, which allows you to enter the UAE for employment. This permit is valid for 2 months after the date of issue.
Once you're in the country, the employer sponsoring you should proceed to complete other formalities, such as medical testing, obtaining an Emirates ID card, a Labour Card, and having the work residency permit stamped on your passport within 60 days. The work residency permit is issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) from Fujairah. If you have family members joining you, you will be eligible to sponsor them and bring them into the country once this process has been completed. Your employer should also facilitate residency visas for your family members.
Unless you have applied for a Golden Visa, you must be sponsored by an employer to be eligible to work in Fujairah.
It is important to note that, similar to the rest of the UAE, it is illegal to work on a tourist or visit visa. Additionally, 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.
Transportation in Fujairah
Fujairah is considered to be a fairly walkable city, and is a very safe place to live, but you might find it too hot during the summer months. If you're not looking to buy or rent a car, there are some public transportation options available.
Bus services are available that connect to major parts of the city. Fully equipped with air-conditioning, they are a good way to get around during those hotter months. Bus fares are very affordable, with a trip around the entire city costing no more than AED 15.
Taxis are easy to find, and can be hailed from the side of the road. You can also book your taxi in advance by calling one of the following operating companies:
- Cars Corporation – 092244889;
- Rayama Company – 0556786113.
Commuting to Fujairah
Fujairah offers a very relaxed and laid-back lifestyle, but this might not appeal to everyone. If you're looking to work in Fujairah but prefer to live in a different emirate, it's very important to consider the daily commute you will need to take.
Unless your company offers remote working arrangements, you can expect to be on the road for long hours each day due to Fujairah being quite isolated from the other emirates. Below are the average commute times from other emirates (this will change depending on your specific location within each emirate):
- Commuting from Dubai would take you around 1 hour and 20 minutes;
- Commuting from Abu Dhabi would take you around 2 hours and 40 minutes;
- Commuting from Sharjah would take you around 1 hour;
- Commuting from Ajman would take you around 1 hour and 20 minutes;
- Commuting from Umm Al Qaiwain would take you around 1 hour and 20 minutes;
- Commuting from Ras Al Khaimah would take you around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
While this can end up in having to spend between 3 to 6 hours on the road (depending on where you live), the mountainous route is enjoyable and scenic for those willing to take it.
Benefits of working in Fujairah
When most expats think about working in the UAE, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are usually the most popular choices. However, Fujairah is an overlooked gem with plenty of benefits that come with living and working there. We've outlined a few of them here for you to keep in mind when making that life-changing decision.
Cost of living
The cost of living in Fujairah is noticeably lower than other emirates. This includes everything from rent to daily essentials. While salaries are also somewhat lower, Fujairah is the ideal place for those looking to really save money. The most recent comparison has shown that the cost of living in Fujairah is 27% cheaper than it is in Dubai. This includes everything from lower rental costs, to more affordable dining options.
Total cost of living for an individual would average at about AED 4,139 per month, and goes up to an average of around AED 9,137 for a family of four. This can fluctuate depending on what type of property you choose to live in (apartment or townhouse / villa), as well as your lifestyle choices.
Scenic environment
Living in Fujairah means you'll be surrounded by the pristine water from the Gulf of Oman, and the beautiful Hajar Mountains. It's a completely different environment than the ones you would find in some of the other emirates, which have developed into more modern cities. However, this means that you would be more exposed to the local culture and customs than you would in bigger cities.
Relaxed lifestyle
Unlike the fast-paced day-to-day life you would find in Dubai, Fujairah offers a more relaxed lifestyle that can be enjoyed more easily. This would be ideal for those looking for a quieter place to raise their family. Despite the slower daily routine, Fujairah's natural landscape offers endless weekend activities for the whole family to enjoy, from snorkeling and diving to hiking and camping. If you're a family who enjoys the outdoors, this is the emirate for you.
Better weather
Although the summer months throughout the country can be quite hot and harsh, Fujairah's geographic location by the Hajar mountains and Gulf of Oman offers a cooler option than that of other emirates. Fujairah's peak weather comes between November to March, ranging between 20°C to 30°C, ideal for outdoor activities.
Fujairah is an attractive option for those seeking a unique mix of career opportunities. If you're looking for an easy, family-friendly lifestyle that allows you to save money without missing out on fun activities, working in Fujairah just might be the perfect choice for you.
Useful links:
The Official Portal of Fujairah Government
