The United Arab Emirates is one of the fastest growing labour markets in the world. It attracts many foreign professionals due to its high salaries, favourable living and working conditions, and the opportunity to gain unique experience in an international environment.
The UAE labour market is predominantly made up of expatriates. According to various studies, about 90% of the country’s labour force is made up of foreign nationals. This is due to the fact that the local population is relatively small and cannot fully meet the needs of the rapidly growing economy.
It is possible to build a career in the Emirates, but you should be prepared for the fact that the process will be somewhat slower than in Russia. For the first few years you will have to work on your reputation and gain the trust of employers. Competition in the labour market here is extremely high, and in order to stand out, additional education and professional skills are often required.
Foreigners with high qualifications have a better chance of successful employment in Dubai. Such professionals include computer programmers, doctors, engineers, architects, analysts, accountants, experienced sales managers, English teachers and construction workers.
For these professionals, the employment process usually involves submitting a CV and going for an interview. If the candidate is suitable, the employer takes care of all the necessary paperwork and the financial costs of obtaining a visa.
It is possible to find a job without experience and special education, but the salary rate in this case will be much lower. The largest number of jobs with low requirements is available in the service industry: waiters, salespeople, hotel receptionists, assistant managers, drivers and real estate agents. In this case also the employer bears the cost of visa and insurance policy for the foreign worker.
Most locals are employed in government structures, while newcomers from other Southeast Asian countries, India and North Africa are more likely to work in low-paid positions. Russians have access to office positions and high chances of private business development. Specialists from Russia most often find themselves in tourism, construction, information technology, real estate, logistics, education, hotel and restaurant business.
The average income in Dubai is 15-20 thousand dirhams per month (approximately 4-5 thousand US dollars). These figures do not take into account the various benefits of different positions, such as insurance, rent and meal reimbursement, as well as additional bonuses depending on the company’s performance and fulfilment of KPIs.
The main criteria for finding applicants are
1. Qualifications and experience are your main trump cards.
The higher your professional qualities and the richer your track record, the greater your chances of success. Having work experience specifically in the UAE will be a strong argument in your favour. Salary offers for experienced professionals are much higher. Highly qualified specialists and real gurus in their field can count on employment in a short time. But the CVs of applicants with initial experience in most cases will be ignored.
2. Knowledge of English.
Knowledge of Arabic is not a prerequisite, but knowledge of English at a high level will significantly expand your opportunities. The more fluent you are at communicating, the more companies will open their doors to you.
3. Health.
Many employers give preference to non-smoking applicants without bad habits.
The employment process and the specifics of the law
Many people mistakenly believe that you can come to the UAE and work on a tourist visa. This is a dangerous misconception! Violation of this rule entails serious consequences, including fines and deportation. And the responsibility falls on both the employee and the employer. In order to work legally in the UAE, it is necessary to obtain a work visa. As a rule, the employer takes care of the visa application process.
The employment process involves several steps. Usually, after a successful interview and a job offer, the employer will issue a work visa, insurance policy and unemployment insurance. The probationary period is up to six months. If the employee is not suitable, he or she is dismissed with 14 days’ notice. At the end of the probationary period, a contract is concluded for two years, which can be renewed on the same or different terms an unlimited number of times. Each party has the right to terminate the contract by giving the other party a certain period of notice.
Labour law provides for a worker’s right to paid leave of 30 days each year. An employer cannot refuse to grant leave to an employee.
One of the significant advantages of working in the UAE is the absence of personal income tax (PIT) and payroll tax. Although there are no trade unions here, the Wage Protection System (WPS) ensures that wages are paid safely and on time, especially for expatriate workers. The WPS is mandatory for all employers and ensures that wages are transferred to the employee’s bank account within a set timeframe. This significantly reduces the risk of delays and irregularities in payments.
In case of labour conflicts, employees and employers can contact the Ministry of Labour and the Aliens Office. These bodies deal with complaints and dispute resolution. If either party disagrees with the decision, the case may be referred to the courts for further proceedings. This system ensures fairness and protection of the rights of all parties involved in labour relations.
In 2022-2023, the Emirates implemented a major labour law reform aimed at improving working conditions. The main changes include:
1. Reduction of working hours. Previously, the working week was 48 hours; this has now been reduced to 40 hours. The duration of the working week is 5 days, with Friday being a shortened day and Saturday and Sunday being days off. These changes are aimed at government agencies, but many commercial companies are also following the new system.
2. Job loss insurance. A social security programme has been introduced in which all employees are obliged to register. For salaries up to 16 thousand AED per month, 60 AED is deducted from the salary, and for salaries over 16 thousand AED — 120 AED. The maximum amount of redundancy pay is AED 10,000 and AED 20,000 respectively.
3. Cancellation of open-ended contracts. Labour contracts are now valid for a maximum of two years. This change is aimed at increasing the flexibility of labour relations and adapting to the rapidly changing conditions of the labour market.
4. Extension of the period of stay. In case of completion of the labour contract, the employee can extend his/her stay in the country, which provides additional stability and confidence in the future.
Preparation of documents
For specialists with higher education (and often with specialised secondary education), an important stage is the legalisation of the diploma. The procedure takes about 1-2 weeks and includes:
Some professions, such as doctors, require not only confirmation of the diploma but also passing a qualification exam. Examinations for doctors are held twice a year. A medical examination is a prerequisite.
In order to obtain a work visa, you must undergo a medical examination and obtain a health certificate. Examination requirements vary depending on the profession. However, in any case, the applicant must not have any diseases dangerous to others, such as:
Detection of such diseases may lead to cancellation of the work visa and deportation.
Job Search and Selection
There are several ways to search for a job in the UAE:
The main rule: start your job search early, pay special attention to legalisation of documents and be prepared for competition from highly qualified specialists from all over the world.
The interview process includes communication with a hiring manager and then with a direct supervisor (the process may vary from company to company). Interviews are most often conducted in English via the Zoom platform, but an offline meeting in the office is preferable for the employer.
The assessment of candidates involves analysing their actual skills and competencies, which takes place during in-person or online interactions. Once the candidate is approved, the employer’s lawyers prepare a job offer. If the applicant agrees to the terms, a contract is signed. In order to apply for a work visa, it is necessary to be in the UAE, undergo a medical examination and be fingerprinted.
Next, the employer starts collecting documents for the new employee, including translation and certification of the diploma, provision of scanned copies of documents. Some of the necessary documents, such as a medical certificate, can be obtained upon arrival in the country. Having received the entry permit, you can prepare for departure. Some employers book tickets, others organise a meeting at the airport. In most cases, the jobseeker will get to the workplace on his/her own.
Labour legislation continues to evolve, providing ever greater protection of workers’ rights and better working conditions. Paid holidays, pay protection, fair conflict resolution and no personal income taxes make the UAE an attractive place to work. However, before packing your bags, it is important to understand the intricacies of employment in this country, assess your chances and make an informed decision.