Dubai Jobs - A Complete Guide to Working and Living in Dubai

Dubai - An Overview of the Job Market

The robust presence of industries in Dubai and other regions of the UAE generates plenty of employment prospects. The reported number of job openings in a variety of industries, including banking, construction, information technology, and others, appears to be steadily increasing recently. This trend can be attributed to increased foreign investment in the city as well as the Dubai government's numerous efforts to improve investments and employment outlook in the region.

Following the pandemic, Dubai and the UAE witnessed a notable surge in its healthcare sector's growth. As a result, hospitals and healthcare facilities across the nation are experiencing a surplus of available open positions.

It is not surprising that Dubai has one of the most fiercely competitive labor markets in the Middle East, and according to a recent survey, second only to Doha. Because of the high number of job seekers in the region, finding a job in Dubai is extremely difficult, even for seasoned professionals.

However, job seekers in the city face both opportunities and challenges as the market shifts and new trends emerge, especially in relatively new fields like technology and computer science.

Things to Know Before Working in Dubai

Dubai is an incredible place to visit and work but there are a few things you should consider before travelling to Dubai to ensure the success of your job search. In this section, we'll go through a few points to help make your job search in Dubai worthwhile and successful.

1. Social Etiquette to Follow while Working in Dubai

Dubai, despite its cosmopolitan and liberal appearance, is an emirate within the UAE, an Islamic country governed by strict laws. So, if you're planning to relocate to Dubai in search of work, it's very important that you respect the country's cultural and religious sensibilities.

Here are some thoughts on the subject.

1. Dress Moderately and Conservatively

It's crucial to remember to dress appropriately when you're outside in Dubai. Men are expected to refrain from dressing inappropriately, such as wearing shorts or baring their upper bodies, and women are expected to wear full-length conventional clothing. This is true for every public area in Dubai, with the exception of a few beaches where men are allowed to dress more casually.

2. Being Drunk in Public is Illegal

Since the UAE is an Islamic country, it has severe laws against alcohol and other intoxicants, and Muslims are not allowed to consume alcohol. While it is legal for non-Muslims to buy alcohol in Dubai as long as they have a liquor license, public alcohol consumption, and intoxication are prohibited and can land you in trouble with the law.

3. Religious Values should be Respected

Residents of Dubai and the UAE must strictly adhere to Islamic religious values. During Ramadan, Muslims must strictly observe rules such as fasting, abstaining from listening to loud music, and so on. Even non-Muslims are expected to respect and honor these practices, and eating or drinking in public during Ramadan is discouraged.

4. Public Displays of Affection are Not Tolerated

Due to the country's predominantly conservative society and the religious and cultural connotations of its social values, public displays of affection or intimacy are not well tolerated in the UAE. This applies to even married couples in the country. So, engaging in acts of intimacy in public places such as parks, beaches, malls, and so on is inappropriate.

Residents will find it easier to live and work in Dubai if they strictly adhere to the UAE's social, religious, and cultural norms.

2. Employment & Visa Laws and Regulations in Dubai

Let us now look at the current employment rules and regulations in Dubai. It is important to have a solid awareness of these laws and regulations when seeking for Dubai jobs. The UAE labor law has recently been amended, and understanding its key provisions and rules is beneficial to new job seekers in the UAE.

1. Visa Types and Validity

There are various kinds of visas available in Dubai, including business, visit, and tourist visas; however, not all of these allow you to work in Dubai. You must have a valid work visa, commonly referred to as a residence permit, which should be provided by your employer, in order to work legally in Dubai. A medical examination is another requirement for obtaining a work visa in Dubai.

If you are an entrepreneur looking to open a new business or startup in Dubai, you can apply for a multiple-entry business visa, which is valid for up to 6 months and must be converted into a residence permit after that.

2. Unemployment Insurance Scheme

The UAE government has included an unemployment insurance scheme under the new labor law, which allows employees to receive a fixed portion of their monthly salary for up to three months after their employment contract is terminated. Employees must contribute AED 5 per month if their monthly salary is less than AED 16,000, and AED 10 if their monthly salary is greater than AED 16,000.

If an employee has been enrolled in the scheme for more than a year, he or she is eligible for unemployment insurance, which pays 60% of their monthly basic salary for three months after their employment contract is terminated.

Advantages of Working in Dubai

Now that we've covered the essential facts about working and living in Dubai, the cultural and social norms in UAE, visa regulations, and so on, let's take a look at the major benefits and attractions of working and living in Dubai.

1. Tax-Free Income

One of the main benefits or attractions of the Dubai jobs is that there’s no income tax in the country, as it enables individuals to allocate and save a greater portion of their earned funds for future investments and savings.

2. Quality of Living

Dubai, a futuristic city with shopping malls, beaches, and hotels, is a major economic center of the world with every modern amenity a modern city can hope for. Also, the UAE is classified as a high-income country, with a low cost of living in comparison to other major cities around the world. Hence those seeking a comfortable lifestyle and good quality of living may move to Dubai. 

3. Safety

Moving to Dubai provides you with the security of living in a safe city with an abundance of activities, vibrant nightlife, and other amenities without compromising the safety of its citizens, as the UAE is a peaceful nation with a very low crime rate.

4. Presence of Large and Diverse Industries

Dubai and the UAE have many vast and diverse industries, including construction and real estate development, manufacturing, oil and gas, and trade, among others; therefore, Dubai's economy is robust. The strength of Dubai's labor market can be attributed to UAE's wide range of industries.

Consider These Tips when Applying for a Job in Dubai

Now that you've made the decision to live and work in Dubai, here are some things to think about when applying for Dubai Jobs. You can improve your chances of being hired by reputable companies in Dubai by paying attention to these points.

1. Start with Your CV

A CV is a crucial document that promotes an individual's professional worth and candidacy to the business community. Thus, a meticulously crafted CV should effectively convey your qualities, experiences, and professional proficiencies to potential employers, without appearing exhaustive.

While cover letters are no longer considered essential, it is still advisable to supplement your curriculum vitae with a well-written cover letter that emphasizes your professional achievements.

2. Register Your Profile on a Job Portal

Once you have prepared a polished CV and cover letter, the next step is to create an account on a job portal such as Talentmate.com. Talentmate lists a wide range of job openings in Dubai and the UAE in a variety of industries and sectors. Additionally, you can register your profile on other job boards like Indeed, Bayt, and so on.

3. Contact Recruitment Agencies in the UAE

After you've registered your profile on a few job boards, the next step is to contact some UAE-based recruitment agencies. Please keep in mind that recruitment agencies should not charge you for the registration process. However, if they insist on a small fee, make certain that you receive their guaranteed service.

4. Network with Other Professionals

Making connections in Dubai may be especially beneficial to you because professional connections may keep you informed of any new job openings in UAE companies. There are several ways to network in Dubai, including through online networking sites like LinkedIn, as well as by attending seminars, workshops, and other events.

Because English is widely spoken in the UAE, there will be no language barriers to effective networking in Dubai; however, learning Arabic is also advantageous.

Conclusion

To conclude, in this article, we have discussed the various aspects of working and living in Dubai, such as the most important things to know before applying for work in Dubai, the various employment laws and regulations in Dubai, the benefits of working in Dubai, tips to apply for Dubai jobs, etc. We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of these matters and will enable you to apply for jobs in Dubai and get hired there.