This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about getting a job in the United Arab Emirates, we’ll cover everything from the job market and salary insights to work culture, labor laws, and the essential requirements for working in the UAE. When you’re ready to explore opportunities in the UAE, including connecting with a recruitment agency for UAE placements, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in and get you on the path to a successful career in the UAE
Work in the United Arab Emirates
If you are finding jobs in UAE, take a look at some of the benefits and advantages of working in the UAE
The job market in the United Arab Emirates
Because the UAE has grown significantly over the previous decade, there are several job possibilities available. Dubai, in fact, boasts the world’s lowest jobless rate, at only 0.5 percent. The majority of inhabitants work in a few industries, including information technology, banking, petroleum and petrochemicals, construction, and tourism. Startups and fintech firms have exploded in popularity in recent years. DHL, Microsoft, Omnicom, Hilton and Marriott Hotels, BP Shell, Standard Charted, and HSBC are just a few of the world’s largest corporations with operations in the UAE.
Job vacancies in the United Arab Emirates
It should come as no surprise that IT, banking, property, energy, and tourism are among the businesses presently hiring in the UAE, given its rapid expansion and the government’s goal of creating a genuinely 21st-century country that looks to the future. Candidates with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) abilities are in great demand, as are those with accountancy credentials who can assist with financial and company management. Tax professionals are in high demand right now in the UAE, thanks to the recent implementation of VAT.
Salaries in the United Arab Emirates
Salaries in the UAE can vary considerably due to a variety of variables, some of which are completely arbitrary. In general, the greater your payment will be, the more qualifications and experience you have. However, you will need to learn the art of bargaining; your ability to talk your way into the best wage and benefits package will be mainly dependent on your ability to negotiate.
It’s crucial to remember that in the UAE, there is no such thing as a minimum wage. However, in recent years, the government has enacted legislation stating that businesses cannot pay university graduates less than AED12,000. This implies that every offer you get is negotiable.
Average incomes are comparable to those in the EU; keep in mind, however, that you will not be paying taxes, thus you will take home all of your earnings. Wages in the UAE vary based on your work, just like anyplace else; here is a list of some average salaries in the UAE – but keep in mind that as an ex-pat, you can normally anticipate more:
- General Manager: AED 30,500/month
- Attorney: AED 24,000/month
- Civil Engineer: AED 15,300/month
- Architect: AED 15,000/month
- Developer: AED 15,000/month
- Accountant: AED 11,300/month
Work culture in the UAE
Your day-to-day work life in the UAE will most likely be similar to that in your own country. You’ll usually work eight or nine hours a day, five days a week; during Ramadan, this will be reduced to six or seven hours. The first important thing to remember is that in the UAE, weekends are celebrated on Friday and Saturday, not Saturday and Sunday. After your first year of employment in the private sector, you will typically receive 30 days of paid annual vacation, as well as 9 to 11 public holidays.
When looking for work in the United Arab Emirates, keep in mind that the culture is likely to be more conservative than you are used to, and this extends to the workplace. Asking people in the know about cultural norms will be your best chance.
Labor laws and labor rights in the United Arab Emirates
When it comes to finding jobs in UAE, ex-pats have it fairly well. As previously stated, you will typically be eligible for at least 30 days of annual leave, in addition to public holidays. If you are required to work on a day off, you are entitled to a day off in lieu, as well as 50% of your daily salary. You are also entitled to full salary if you work on a Friday.
During your probation period, you will not be allowed to take sick leave; however, after that, you will have up to 90 days in total, 15 of which will be at full pay and require medical certifications. After one year of work, women are entitled to a minimum of 45 days of paid maternity leave. They are allowed two 30-minute extra breaks during the day for up to 18 months following delivery to nursing their kid.
In the UAE, there are two types of employment contracts: two-year renewable contracts and limitless contracts. Of course, salaries are at the core of every contract, but most expatriates also get a variety of extra perks. These may include corporate housing or a housing stipend, return flights to your home country at least once a year, and education for your children, depending on your employer.
Employers are also obligated to provide medical insurance as part of your contract. You’ll also have to go through a six-month probationary period during which any side can fire you at any time. Gratuity pay is a distinctive characteristic of UAE employment. When you leave a firm, you are entitled to a pro-rata share of your income if you have worked there for at least a year.
Requirements to work in the UAE
Major requirements for finding jobs in UAE include:
Work visas in the United Arab Emirates
If a foreigner wants to work in the UAE, they must first get a visa. Your company will be required to sponsor you (or the free zone you will be working in). If you are coming from another country, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization will issue you a preliminary visa. After that, you’ll have two months to complete procedures such as health tests once you are in the UAE.
Both the UAE embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country will need to validate your credentials (i.e., university degrees). Those working in specialized fields such as teaching or nursing may be required to pass qualification examinations and get a letter of approval from a local competency organization.
Language requirements
Any employment will need a high degree of English fluency. Many businesses prefer applicants who can communicate in Arabic, and even a rudimentary understanding of the language will offer you an advantage in your job hunt.
Qualifications
In Dubai, employment is divided into five skill categories, ranging from highly specialized professional jobs to low-skilled labor roles. In the UAE, the top three categories all need credentials, which effectively implies that you’ll need a degree to work in any white-collar professional position, from medicine to law to marketing and finance.
International credentials, particularly those from British schools and colleges, are typically highly welcomed and understood in the UAE. To verify that your qualifications are recognized in the UAE, you will typically require an equivalence evaluation from the Ministry of Education. There are a lot of opportunities for jobs in UAE for freshers.
Other requirements to work in the UAE
While in the UAE, you will need health insurance, and companies are required to offer it. However, if you are traveling with your family, you may need to get personal health insurance for them. A police clearance certificate from wherever you resided in the five years preceding up to your migration to the UAE is also required.
Recruitment agencies in the United Arab Emirates
If you are an experienced professional wanting to relocate to the UAE, one of the country’s numerous recruiting firms may be more convenient. This is particularly true if you are finding jobs in UAE from another country. Michael Page, Hays, and Robert Half, Marfa Overseas employment promoter among the best-recruiting agencies, it’s worth contacting them.
Job fairs and networking in the United Arab Emirates
Finding jobs in UAE, like most other nations, is considerably simpler if you know the proper people. If you’ve already arrived in the nation and are seeking work, make it a point to visit one of the many job fairs to meet the appropriate individuals. You may engage directly with individuals who can provide you a job by attending events like the National Career Exhibition, Abu Dhabi International Education Recruitment Fair, and DIAC Annual Career Fair.
