The United Arab Emirates is one of the youngest, but at the same time wealthy countries in the world. Many immigrants from the CIS countries dream of working there. Employment in the UAE is an opportunity to make good money and gain invaluable experience. Let’s take a closer look at how to find a job in the United Arab Emirates and what difficulties you may encounter in the process of finding a job.
The situation on the labor market in the UAE
The UAE is one of the richest countries in the world. The state budget is replenished for the most part at the expense of oil revenues. Local residents live on subsidies and do not agree to work for a salary of less than 5-10 thousand dollars. This is what caused the demand for foreign labor.
The United Arab Emirates is called the country of expats, that is, invited experts. 90% of jobs are occupied by labor immigrants. Mostly they come from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh.
Foreigners go to work in the UAE for the following reasons:
- High salaries.
- A good social package, because most employers are well-known large companies.
- Stability. Mostly long-term contracts for 2-3 years are concluded.
- Career prospects. Management often focuses on staff development and regularly holds thematic seminars, trainings, and advanced training courses.
- Simple work visa process.
- No income tax.
- Low crime rate.
Job Search Methods
Before you start looking for a job, you need to write a resume (CV – Curriculum Vitae). It indicates the experience and education of the applicant, information about achievements and awards, recommendations from previous jobs. After that, we proceed directly to the search for vacancies, there are several ways.
Independent search
Personal contact is a fairly effective, but costly way to find a job. It consists in the fact that the applicant applies for a tourist visa or a visa to the UAE, buys an air ticket and flies there. The visa will be valid for a month. It is during this time that you need to find a job. It is also worth arranging accommodation in advance.
You can search for vacancies in local newspapers and magazines, as well as use the sites:
- https://layboard.in/vacancies/jobs-in-uae/jobs-in-dubai;
- amito jobs,
- Jobs in the Middle East,
- bayt,
- dubizzle (work in Dubai),
- international labor exchange,
- portal of the UAE Ministry of Labor.
If you find a suitable vacancy (or better, several), contact the employer and go for an interview. A significant drawback of the method is the high cost. The applicant must have about a thousand dollars to live in the country for the first time. In addition, you need to buy a return ticket in advance with the possibility of reissuing for another date. This will be insurance in case you fail to find a job.
Remote search is an inefficient way. There are many vacancies in the UAE, but employers are very unlikely to immediately invite a person to work on an online application. This method is suitable only for highly qualified in-demand specialists, in particular for top managers, programmers, medical workers.
Search through recruiting agencies
It is very effective to look for work through specialized personnel or recruiting agencies. The most reliable of them:
- https://layboard.in/vacancies/jobs-in-uae/jobs-in-dubai
- Global Vision,
- DOGLOBAL,
- Job Travel Possible.
Typically, their services are paid by the applicant in the amount of 600-1000 dollars. Less often, the recruitment agency is paid directly by employers.
Overview of vacancies and salaries
The size of the minimum wage in the UAE is not fixed at the state level. Salary is set directly by employers depending on the position, knowledge and work experience of the applicant. On average, foreigners receive 2,000-3,000 dirhams per month for professions that do not require special training, and 10,000-30,000 for highly qualified positions.
The dirham exchange rate at the end of 2021 is approximately 16 rubles or 0.27 US dollars. The Central Bank of the AEO decided to peg the country’s currency to the dollar, so the inflation rate there is low and the exchange rate is stable.
Among the most demanded professions are the following (wages are indicated in the local currency – dirhams):
- flight attendant (10000–14000),
- web developer (10000–50000),
- doctor (15000–75000),
- nurse (5000–30000),
- middle manager (5000–50000),
- civil airline pilot (30,000–50,000)
- industrial engineer (8000–75000)
- software and application developer (3000–50000),
- system administrator (3000–50000),
- financial manager (8000–16000).
There is almost no IT infrastructure in Dubai, which is probably why there is little demand for programmers here. But system architects are very much needed – everything here is in the process of active construction. I work for a company that creates large WiFi installations – hotels, malls, cottage villages. The last facility had more than 600 access points (there are no small hotels here), and now two more projects have started – to put WiFi and GPS in all buses, and a working village. Plus, exclusive participation in Dubai Smart City is being discussed. To put it simply, projects are pouring in from a cornucopia, and poor HR work without raising their heads.
You can find a job without professional experience. It is quite common for employers to train new employees in key skills. But without knowing the language, it is impossible to get to a highly paid position. It will be possible to get a job only in places that do not require communication with people: a cleaner, a gardener, a maid. However, at least a basic level of English is required in order to communicate with employers. Without knowledge of languages, workers receive low wages – from 500 to 2000 dirhams.
In the UAE, there is also seasonal work in the restaurant and hotel business. Foreigners can work as animators, waiters, administrators.
Women in the Emirates most often work in the following professions:
- administrator,
- bartender,
- flight attendant,
- housemaid,
- cashier,
- consultant,
- waitress,
- dishwasher,
- salesman,
- cleaning woman,
- hostess.
There is no payroll tax in the UAE. That is, the employee receives the entire amount earned in his hands.
The amount of salary consists of several parts:
- base rate (specified in the employment contract);
- additional payment for knowledge of the language (usually about $ 70);
- tips (if required by position);
- premiums.
The following social guarantees are provided for foreign workers:
- Overtime pay (125% supplement on hourly rate).
- Payment for night hours from 9 pm to 4 am (150% surcharge on the hourly rate).
- Paid vacation up to 30 days after the end of the year of work.
- Payment for sick leave.
- Medical insurance for the employee and his family members.
- Consideration of labor disputes by the Immigration Service and the Ministry of Labor of the UAE.
The working week is usually six days and is 48 hours long (from 8 am to 5 pm). The duration of the working day should not exceed 8 hours a day. This rate can be increased for professions in certain industries, such as civil aviation and hospitality. The day off usually falls on Friday.
Official job placement
Obtaining UAE citizenship is quite difficult, but the process of official employment here is simplified as much as possible. It includes the following steps:
- Legalization of the diploma of education (if required).
- Applying for a work visa.
- Entry on a work visa.
- Conclusion of an employment contract.
- Registration of a resident visa and an electronic labor card.
Entry on tourist and temporary visas for the purpose of work is prohibited.