Work in the UAE: A Concise Guide to Relocating 2024
Job Hunting In United Arab Emirates
Work in the UAE abounds for expats non-expats. The United Arab Emirates has been a popular destination for professionals looking for work in other countries, with big swaths of professionals drawn here by the promise of a lavish lifestyle and a more acceptable weather conditions. The powerful metropolitan areas of Dubai and the capital, Abu Dhabi, are two of the most prominent and vibrant job centres in the world, offering far more than an exotic postcode and the promise of sunshine.
If you’re thinking of moving overseas, it’s crucial to be prepared, so we’ve put up a quick and easy guide to help you get started as regards to Work in the UAE.
This is everything you need to know about anything from job search recommendations to probable visa concerns as it relates to Work in the UAE.
General information On United Arab Emirate
The United Arab Emirates, which are located at the southernmost part of the Persian Gulf, were established as an independent sovereign state in 1971 and are made up of seven component Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman and Umm al-Quwain). The country’s GDP was roughly $350 billion in 2016, making it the world’s 30th biggest economy, while the unemployment rate was an amazing 3.7 percent during the same year.
The UAE’s demographics, on the other hand, are one of its most distinguishing characteristics. Expat arrivals account for a remarkable 88 percent of the 9.5 million-strong population, with Indians accounting for a significant portion of this influx. British individuals are likewise eager to migrate to the United Arab Emirates.
Work in the UAE
UAE Biggest sectors
The UAE’s tremendous economic expansion over the previous 40 years is unquestionably owing to its massive oil reserves, which continue to dominate major swaths of the country’s labor market. However, in recent years, the government have attempted to diversify, with tourism and business now serving as key job areas.
The following industries are important in general:
Key Industries In UAE |
| Oil and Gas |
| Business support services |
| Healthcare. |
| Tourism and hospitality |
| Financial services |
| Construction |
| Education |
In addition, a number of well-known worldwide corporations were created in the UAE and continue to have their headquarters there, including:
Headquarters of High Profile Business in UAE |
||
| Company | Sector | Remark |
| Emirates | Airline | Largest airline in the Middle East, based in Dubai |
| Etihad Airways | Airline | Prominent multinational airline, based in Abu Dhabi |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank | Finance | One of the largest banks in the Middle East, based in Abu Dhabi |
| ADNOC | Oil And Gas | The biggest company in the UAE and holder of the world’s seventh-largest oil reserve, based in Abu Dhabi. |
Work In The UAE – Salaries/Wages In UAE
Despite the fact that typical earnings differ by industry, the UAE’s large prevalence of white-collar jobs implies that the median take-home pay is very high. For example, the average annual salary in Abu Dhabi is roughly AED 145,720 (£29,910 / $39,680), whereas the average salary in Dubai is around AED 139,950 (£28,725 / $38,110).
Salaries tend to decline dramatically outside of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For example, the average annual wage in Sharjah, the second most populated emirate, is roughly AED 83,370 (£17,110 / $22,700).
Cost of living in United Arab Emirate
Your rental or mortgage expectations will vary greatly depending on where you choose to reside. A one-bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood of Dubai, for example, may cost roughly AED 6,600 per month (£1,350 / $1,800), but a comparable home in Abu Dhabi would cost around AED 6,020 (£1,230 / $1,640). However, costs tend to decline near the outskirts of each city, and with good transportation infrastructure and predictable low fuel prices, this may be a more realistic choice.
As a general rule, it’s a good idea to consult a professional real estate expert before you depart, as well as check into energy expenses, childcare/schooling fees, and the pricing of everyday necessities like food. This might assist you in customizing an expenditure estimate based on your specific needs.
Working Conditions in UAE
You are likely to find work at one of the numerous multinational institutions headquartered in the country, as are most expatriates. As a consequence, your work schedule will be more or less consistent with what you’re used to. In the commercial sector, typical working hours are 8 hours per day and in the public sector, 7 hours per day, with 11 yearly public holidays and a substantial leave allowance of 30 days per year.
However, there is one significant deviation from the usual. Because the UAE is an officially Islamic country, Friday is regarded as a holy day. The working week runs from Sunday through Thursday. During the month of Ramadan, normal working hours are also decreased.
Working conditions, particularly for low-paid migrant workers in the construction sector, have come under fire in recent years in terms of employment legislation. In the UAE, trade unions are prohibited, and strike action is punished by deportation. The International Trade Union Confederation has equated the situation of migrant workers to “slave labor” in several circumstances.
Finding A Job In UAE
Job hunting in the UAE is comparable to that in the West, with opportunities published both locally and online. However, like with many multinational companies, it’s worth checking to see if there are any internal openings or secondments available first.
Because most multinationals have a presence in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, it’s also worth looking at the individual websites of all the big companies in your field. Most of them will have dedicated online job portals. Don’t forget about your network; spend time on LinkedIn looking for prospective possibilities and connecting with experts who might be able to assist you.
When it comes to the application process;
- you should stick to the basics:
- conduct your research,
- keep your CV up to date, and
- properly prepare for any interview possibilities that come your way.
Knowing Arabic is a tremendous plus, albeit the majority of business is performed in English, so it is unlikely to hinder your job search.
Top Job Boards In UAE
The following are some useful regional job boards:
Bayt.com
GulfTalent
Monster Gulf
Visas and Work Permits
Before you may lawfully migrate to the UAE, all non-Emirati nationals must apply for a work permit. This procedure is managed by your employer, as it is in most nations, with permits for skilled employees divided into three tiers based on education. A work visa is also required, which is usually valid for two months; during this period, your employer is responsible for obtaining all relevant documentation on your behalf, including a UAE Residence Identity Card.
The contentious kafala visa system, in which unskilled migrant laborers – generally in the construction or domestic service industries – are expected to be legally supervised by their employer, has been roundly criticized by Human Rights Watch. There have been several reports of unskilled employees having their passports revoked, being subjected to physical and sexual abuse, and being forced to work long hours in deplorable circumstances, with nothing in the way of change.
Why Relocate To UAE
Moving to the UAE as a foreigner is a very attractive lifestyle decision. This is so due to the region’s opulent retail, leisure, and entertainment outlets contributing to the region’s reputation as an outward-looking nation. This is especially true in the employment market, where millions of global expats are still looking for work in the UAE.
Have you recently relocated to the United Arab Emirates? What advise would you provide to someone in this situation? Please let us know in the comments section below…
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