Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations on earth to visit. Travellers who have been once just don’t want to leave! But there’s something more that attracts people worldwide to land here – the lucrative job opportunities!
The UAE Emirate is home to some of the biggest companies in the world. With a thriving business scene, tax-free wages, year-round sunshine and a chance to live a luxury lifestyle, it’s no wonder more expats are choosing to relocate to the UAE each year.
Whether you’ve recently been to Dubai and have caught the bug, or you’re just curious and fancy a career change as well as a new location; we’ve put together a step-by-step guide on How to Work in Dubai.
Is it Easy to Get a Job in Dubai?
Getting a job in Dubai can be difficult if you are not already living here. You need to consider many things such as getting a working visa, finding accommodation and getting sponsored to relocate.
Saying that, there are many job sites which are readily accessible and offer help in finding work in Dubai. Some of the best sites for finding jobs in Dubai can be seen below:
The above are the most popular job sites for finding work in Dubai and all have online recruitment agents which will help you with your search.
Dubai welcomes more than 200,000 expats into the city each year, which shows what huge opportunities there are here.
Can Foreigners Work in Dubai?
Yes, foreigners can work in Dubai. However, before you begin to live and work in Dubai you must register and gain residency and a work permit.
Employers are supposed to take care of the work permit for you. However, the following circumstances may mean you will have to apply individually:
- The employer has failed to meet its contractual obligations (including lack of pay for 60 days or more)
- You’ve had confirmation from the MoHRE that the employer has not provided any work for two months
- A court case between the employer and the employee has taken place with the employee winning the right to early termination or an upfront payment of wages of up to 60 days.
If your circumstances fall under the above then you need to visit the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship to apply for a work permit, although this is highly unlikely.
What Visas Do You Need to Work in Dubai?
To be able to work in Dubai, foreigners require an entry visa as well as a residency visa. Both of these are required before you or your potential employer can apply for a work permit.
The type of permits available are below:
- Entry Permit Visas
- Visit Visas
- Tourist Visas
- Student Visas
- Multiple Entry Visas
- Visas for Medical Treatment
What Documents Will I Need to Apply for a Residence Visa?
Once you have your entry visa you will need to gain a residency visa. To apply for a residency visa you will need the following documents:
- Application Form & Proof of Payment
- Passport and Copy Of
- Several Passport Photos
- Certificate of Health (From your local doctor) You will also be examined in Dubai
- Entry Permit
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Work Permit in Dubai?
Once you have your entry visa and residency visa granted, your employer will apply for a work permit with the following documents:
- An Employment Contract with the Employer in Dubai
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
- Marriage Certificate (If Applicable)
- Proof of Accommodation in Dubai (Rental Agreement for Example)
- Bank Statements (To prove you can support yourself in Dubai)
What is the Process for Getting a Job in Dubai?
Once you have found a suitable employer, the process is relatively simple, as in most cases the employer will take care of the visa and application fees. It is however good to understand what documents are required and the process, shown below:
- Employer files to the Ministry of Labour to hire a foreign employee
- The employer applies for an entry visa on your behalf which will grant you access to stay in Dubai for an initial 30 days
- Once you arrive in Dubai you have 60 days to gain a residence visa
- Visit an Emirates ID Centre with your passport and entry visa to get an Emirates ID
- Go to a hospital or local GP in Dubai for your examination
- You can now apply for your residence visa through the UAE Immigration Authority
- Once you have your residence visa, you need to visit the DNRD to have your passport stamped as a resident of the UAE
- Your employer will apply for a work permit on your behalf
See below the location for the DNRD (Department for Naturalisation and Residency Dubai).
Can You Bring Your Family to Dubai While Working There?
Once you (the employee) have your residency visa, you must apply for any spouse or children to also be residents in the UAE. Proof of your relationship with your spouse or children must also be presented along with the Application Forms.
Dubai Average Salaries for 2022
Now you know the process of How to Work in Dubai. So, let us take a look into some of the most popular jobs in Dubai and their average salaries for the year 2022. Below we have researched across multiple sites to give you the best idea of salaries in Dubai. All salaries are per year.
We have used the below sites to gain an accurate average salary across the board.
Things are always changing in Dubai, so it is a good idea to keep checking many different sources to get a true understanding of average earnings. But don’t forget, salaries in Dubai are tax-free!
Construction
| Job Title | Salary (AED) |
| Construction Manager | 230,000 |
| Civil Engineer | 240,000 |
| Design Manager | 250,000 |
| Head Architect | 600,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | 252,000 |
| Electrical Engineer | 165,000 |
| Pipe Welder | 150,000 |
Teachers
Private International School Teachers in Dubai earn an average of 11,000AED per month / 132,000AED per year.
Medical & Health Care
| Job Title | Salary (AED) |
| Nurse | 180,000 |
| Mental Health Nurse | 216,000 |
| Head Nurse | 228,000 |
| Doctor (Av. Across all Disciplines) | 540,000 |
HR & Recruitment Specialists
| Job Title | Salary (AED) |
| HR Manager | Up to 240,000 |
| HR Officer | 125,000 |
| Recruitment Consultants | 150,000 + |
Salaries in the HR sector in Dubai vary more than in most other jobs. This is due to the huge companies that are involved in Dubai which push up the average potential earnings.
For example, some HR Managers will be earning around 8,000AED per month / 96,000AED per year whilst others can earn upwards of 240,000AED per year.
The same principle goes for recruitment consultants. Freelance consultants can earn up to 300,000AED as they’re paid per lead and if they manage to work for major companies this can contribute to a higher salary. Most other recruitment managers working in-house for a major firm can expect a minimum salary of 150,00AED per year.
Paralegals
The average salary for a paralegal based on experience ranges from between 80,000AED per year and 180,000AED per year.
Many sites are reporting Paralegal salaries at around 60,000AED per year which is grossly inaccurate.
Admin Assistants
Similar to HR, the role of Admin Assistant and its salary varies greatly. Admin Assistants for small businesses can expect to earn around 50,000AED per year whilst other more professional firms can pay up to 110,000AED per year.
How Is It Working in Dubai as a Woman?
There was once a time in Dubai when women did not go out to work and were seen only as domestic housewives. Times have and are still changing over in Dubai as the city adapts to more immigrants from different backgrounds. This is contributing to making the city one of the most diverse places on earth to build a career.
The UAE is still a Muslim country and it is still important to follow and respect their rules and culture (not going to work in a mini-skirt for example!), but you will be pleasantly surprised at how they’re adapted to the western principles of the world.
Women have just as much chance of getting a job out in Dubai as men now and so working in Dubai as a woman couldn’t be any more exciting right now as the city presents all of the opportunities it once did for men only.
Advantages of Working in Dubai
There are many advantages of working in Dubai, some of which we have listed below:
- Tax-Free Salaries
- The Warm Climate all around the year
- The City of Dubai is itself amusing
- Endless things to do ensure you are constantly on holiday every weekend
- Incredible night life
- A great place for the family to come and visit
- Huge business opportunities and world-renowned companies benefit your career and your CV
- The luxurious lifestyle
Disadvantages of Working in Dubai
Oh, how we hate to write about any disadvantages about Dubai whatsoever… but I guess, we need to be impartial. So, here goes!
- The hot summers, and I mean really hot!
- Adapting to a different way of life if you are non-Muslim
- There won’t be any alcohol during work lunches or on the beaches
- Driving – People are crazy on the roads out here!
- Expensive cost of living
Conclusion
Being able to live and work in Dubai is a fantastic opportunity. You should be fortunate enough to do so. The attractive tax-free salaries, incredible climate and luxurious lifestyle are the main reasons you may want to work in Dubai. But the city unveils more and more to fall in love with.
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