can help – fill in your details and we’ll call you back.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of the Middle East and member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and OPEC. Located on the Arabian peninsula, it borders Oman to the southeast, the Persian Gulf to the north and Saudi Arabia to the west and south. Its territory is made up of seven Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sarja and Umm al-Qaywayn. Each emirate has considerable political, judicial and economic autonomy.
The emirates are inhabited by 9 million people. The capital is Abu Dhabi, although the most populated and well-known city is Dubai, which is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Arab and English are the official languages. The official currency is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED).
The United Arab Emirates is one of the most attractive countries in the world for establishing businesses and residency. What makes living in the UAE so compelling? Among its primary benefits is its tax-free status, high quality of life, excellent opportunities for business development on both the Mainland and the dozens of Free Zones, and of course, economic and political stability.
The UAE implemented a new system for long-term visas in 2019 for people to live in the country without a local sponsor and the ability to have full foreign ownership in a company on the Mainland. The whole foreign ownership bit is crucial because most Mainland companies require an Emirati national to own a minimum 51% stake in an entity. There are eligibility categories for these visas, and there are five-year and ten-year long-term visa options. If this sounds familiar, it’s because these visas got introduced under the moniker “Golden Visa” at the time. So, what are the categories for these golden visas? Here’s a closer look.
If you would like to apply for a ten-year residency visa to the UAE, you must meet one of two sets of criteria:
If you wish to qualify as an investor, you must put in at least 10 million AED (around £2,047,915.25), while ensuring you have solvency of at least that amount, not investing the funds in the form of a loan and retaining that investment for at least three years.
The other available option is to qualify as someone with Specialised talent. They can include inventors that have patents that bring value to the Emirati economy with the appropriate stamp with the Ministry of Economy. They can also be creatives in culture and the arts, scientists and doctors hailing from top research institutions as long as they have corroborating accolades from influential journals or recognised accreditations from government ministries and specialists. These individuals must have an employment contract in the UAE in an industry that has a priority on the national agenda.
If you don’t meet the classes stated for the ten-year long-term visa, don’t fret. There are five-year options available for you. Who can enjoy the benefits of five-year permanent residence in the UAE? They are:
If you invest in a property in the UAE worth at least 5 million AED (£1,024,040.25), you can acquire a five-year visa. You must meet the following terms for the visa:
You must hold onto the property for at least three years.
You must not purchase the property in the form of a loan.
If you have a project with approval from a UAE-based business incubator or an already-existing idea with at least 500,000 AED (£102,385.65) in capital. The long-term visa for entrepreneurs includes:
Three executives
A partner
Spouse and children
Entrepreneurs can also apply for a six-month multiple-entry visa that you can renew for another six months.
Purchasing real estate: If you buy a residential property in Dubai or any other Emirate worth at least one million Dirhams, you can obtain a UAE residence visa valid for two years.
Entering an employment contract: If you are planning on gaining official employment in the UAE from a UAE-based company or the Emirati government, you will need a work visa. Your employer must perform all the formalities of the visa sponsoring process and will take you an average of two-three weeks to receive your initial work entry permit that has a two-month validity. Then, you would convert the entry permit into a residence visa valid for either two or three years depending on the issuing zone.
Incorporating your own company in the UAE: This route is the most efficient and convenient way of acquiring a residence visa in the UAE as an investor or shareholder. The process only takes a few weeks, and the costs are relatively low. The business structure can be purely formal, as long as it meets the necessary Economic Substance Regulations. Visas for investors or shareholders are valid for three years.
Studying in the UAE: You can gain a student visa for pursuing a course of study in the Emirates.
As a family member of a UAE resident or national: You can also gain residency in the UAE through this pathway.
In all these cases, you must renew each visa after a certain period and can get revoked. But, what if you did not want to go through the hassle of having your visa tied to your employer, or desire more longer-term ties in the Emirates?
One of the simplest ways of obtaining UAE citizenship is by marrying an UAE citizen. Foreigners married to Emiratis may acquire UAE citizenship if the marriage lasts for at least three years. After ten years of marriage, a foreign citizen will usually be naturalized. Another way of obtaining an UAE passport is if after years of work within a Dubai company, the employer decides to offer the employee with an indefinite work or residence permit.
Even it does not grant UAE citizenship, naturalization is another way of gaining the right to live in the Emirates. In order to be naturalized, foreign citizens must fulfill certain criteria. Arab citizens must have lived in the UAE for at least 30 years before being naturalized. However, any foreigner may acquire UAE citizenship without any limitation if they have provided honorable services and if:
Children of Emirati women may apply for UAE passports once they turn the legal age of 18.
Dubai is one of the fastest-growing commercial hubs that attract businesses from every part of the world. Besides established companies, new startups and SMEs are continuously searching for fresh talent in the emirate. Whether you’re a college student looking to forge your career path or a professional seeking a new challenge, understanding the various trending careers in the UAE represents essential knowledge. For those considering a job change or looking to move to the country, we’ve rounded up the most in-demand jobs in Dubai.
With the corporate landscape rapidly evolving, businesses are looking for streamlined financial processes to achieve cost efficiency and set targets. There is good demand for professionals in the accounting and finance sector, from startups and SMEs to multinationals.
The most sought-after occupations in Dubai for accounting and finance include:
Also included in the list of most in-demand jobs in Dubai for 2022 are positions for risk managers and security analysts. With most companies going entirely digital and adopting new technologies, there is a greater threat to data and business security. Now companies want to hire in-house professionals who can foresee, inspect and mitigate these risks.
The occupations in Dubai that are most in-demand in this context include:
Belonging to the Artificial Intelligence or Digitalisation sectors can boost your chances of getting a job in Dubai by several folds.
Employers’ increasing reliance on new technologies has led to high demand for professionals in this sector. Today there is a healthy need for AI specialists for in-house technology teams in Dubai. Besides landing a high-paying job in Dubai, Artificial Intelligence specialists can also apply for a long-term UAE residency visa.
If you have relevant experience in digital transformation or have led a company’s Digitalisation, you qualify for one of Dubai’s top in-demand job roles for 2022. With Dubai at the forefront of digital prowess, modernisation in businesses is inevitable.
As more and more companies, including startups and SMEs, switch to digital practices and remote work models in the country, the demand for software development professionals and people who can manage or implement digital transformation is rising. Various technical jobs like developers (front-end, full-stack), cyber security expert, cloud engineer and IT project management are available on the market.
Belonging to the fields of HR and talent acquisition is a plus if you’re looking for a career in Dubai. With the labour laws regularly updated to create a secure and healthy work environment for employees, there is a tremendous demand for HR professionals. Similarly, companies need to find exceptional talent that is also the right fit for the organisation – this is where talent acquisition specialists come into play.
Candidates with experience in launching employee well-being and mental health support initiatives get the upper hand. Also, when reviewing candidates’ CVs, employers emphasise work-life balance, achievements related to employee engagement, workplace culture, and performance management.
So, if you specialise in compensation and benefits or finding the right person for the right job – keep a lookout for job vacancies in Dubai. You can find good-paying jobs in Dubai if you fall in one of the following categories:
The UAE has a comprehensive legal framework that efficiently regulates the corporate and social aspects of the life of residents. As Dubai broadens its legal horizon to accommodate the rapidly evolving global business landscape, there is a need for efficient legal professionals, exceptionally fluent in dispute resolution, FinTech and financial regulations.
If you’re looking for high demand jobs in Dubai’s legal sector, you can find employment in the following roles:
According to the top-rated job portals in the UAE, these are the most commonly advertised jobs by companies in Dubai.
Engineering is another career field that includes some of the top Dubai jobs in demand. Foreign engineers specialising in chemical or petroleum engineering can find good, high paying jobs in Dubai, thanks to the abundance of oil rigs and refineries in the region. Engineers belonging to the mechanical, aerospace and electronics industries also have a great scope of finding well-paying job opportunities in Dubai.
Business support and administration is essential for companies to continue operating smoothly. Data entry specialists and administrative assistants ensure that businesses, both big and small, function efficiently, establish a stronger industry presence, build networking relationships, and maintain a proper information database and documentation.
Marketing is a core component of success for any business. Hence, jobs in this line are never going out of demand. However, with most companies striving to create a fabulous online presence, the job market has shifted towards more digital marketing related jobs – opening up several other career avenues for job seekers in Dubai.
You have good chances of landing a well-paying job in Dubai if you specialise in marketing, digital marketing or other related fields. The job roles in Dubai garnering the highest demand for the marketing and digital industries include:
Software developers, too, can get some of the most in-demand jobs in the UAE and Dubai. The business-friendly policies of the emirate have made starting business in Dubai fairly easy, which has led to the launch of many new tech startups.
Consequently, there has been perennial demand for software developers and programmers needed for these startups to thrive and flourish. Companies in Dubai’s prime business districts are always looking for good talent specialising in software programming and development.
While the demand for some careers in Dubai fluctuates now and then, some job categories never go out of the market given industry requirements.
Even without a pandemic at large, doctors and nurses in Dubai have always been in great demand to keep up with the emirate’s progressive healthcare system. Frontline nurses and doctors have become some of the highest in-demand jobs in Dubai in 2022.
The pandemic has been a major driver behind the increasing demand for medical roles. Regardless of their size, healthcare organisations are looking to streamline their operations to address the changing medical needs of patients and keep pace with the testing requirements.
One of the major goals of the Ministry of Education is to ensure quality education that is inclusive and equitable for all. This has led to a healthy demand for teachers in Dubai and across the UAE.
Foreign teachers need to qualify for the teaching license in Dubai to become a part of the emirate’s innovative education system. Salaries offered for teaching jobs in Dubai are usually based on the candidate’s experience level.
Another set of in-demand jobs in Dubai is found in the tourism and hospitality industry. Dubai has a healthy tourism sector that caters to visitors from across the globe. Hence there is a perennial need for:
Dubai is home to some of the world’s most popular malls. Naturally, it is one of the more prominent employment sectors in the emirate. With more tourists expected to visit the city, the need for store managers, sales staff, trainers and other such roles will increase.
1. Black toppers
2. Engineers for agricultural machinery
4. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineers) for power engineering technology
5. Graduates in power engineering
6. Pavers
7. Special(ist) power engineers
8. Concrete fitters
9. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineers) for data processing
10. Carpenters
11. Special fitters
12. Graduate engineers for data processing
13. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineers) for mechanical engineering
14. Construction joiners
15. Physicians
16. Floor and wall tilers
17. Building plumbers
18. Graduate nurses
19. Pipe installers, pipe fitters
20. Graduates in weak-current and telecommunications engineering
21. Electrical installers, electrical fitters
22. Welders, cutting torch operators
23. Cost accountants
24. Metal turners
25. Graduate mechanical engineers
26. Milling machinists
27. Ophthalmic opticians
28. Special graduate engineers
29. Technicians with a higher education (engineer) for civil engineering
30. Special floor layers
31. Construction and furniture joiners
32. Special fitters
33. Bricklayers
34. Other civil engineering specialists
35. Specialist technicians for mechanical engineering
36. Payroll accountants
37. Wood machine workers
38. Graduate engineers – special professions
39. Varnishers
40. Motor vehicle mechanic
41. Glaziers
42. Train conductors, stokers
43. Building fitters, sheet metal fitters, construction fitters
44. Engineers/technicians for rough mechanicals
45. Special technicians for low voltage engineering and communication engineering
46. Other technicians for fuel and gas technology
47. Restaurant chefs
48. Painters, house painters
49. Stove fitters, potters, stove makers
50. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineer) for technical chemistry, chemical engineers
51. Plastic processors
52. Special technicians in business administration
53. Special technicians for civil engineering
54. Toolmakers, cutters and punchmakers
55. Dealers and sales clerks for iron and metal goods, domestic and kitchen appliances
56. Certified public accountants
57. Special technicians
58. Butchers
59. Vehicle body and radiator sheet metal workers
60. Machine fitters
61. Medical technology specialists
62. Special(ist) technicians for data processing
63. Stone masons, stone sculptors
64. Furniture makers
65. Qualified healthcare assistants
66. Healthcare assistants
67. Estate managers, other hotel and restaurant professionals, residence managers
68. Waiters / Waitresses
Many foreign citizens are interested in coming and applying for residency in Dubai. One can obtain residency in Dubai in 2022 or in another emirate in UAE if sponsorship by an employer is provided. The Dubai residence visa must be renewed every three years. Another way to obtain residency in Dubai is by purchasing real estate. Once a person obtains residency, he or she will also be allowed to open a bank account in Dubai.
There are several conditions under which a foreigner can apply for a residence permit in the UAE. These conditions also depend on the applicant’s nationality. The following requirement must be met when applying for a Dubai residence permit:
Our Dubai company formation consultants can offer detailed information on all the benefits a foreign citizen can obtain once he or she has obtained a residence permit for the UAE.
In 2018, the UAE government has changed a few of the requirements related to obtaining Dubai residency. Under the new conditions, foreign citizens applying for a residence permit in Dubai based on a work contract must also submit a certificate of good conduct which must be obtained from their countries of residence. In the case of those who change jobs, this certificate is not required.
A new requirement for foreign citizens applying for residence permits in Dubai is having a valid email address, they will be sent an email by the local authorities in which they will be notified about their visas.
It should be noted that not all residency regulations apply in the case of foreign citizens moving to a Dubai free zone. The free zone authorities are in charge of the issuance of residence permits in Dubai which are easier and faster to obtain here.
The most common reasons foreign citizens apply for residency are when starting to work for a company in Dubai or when joining other family members who work and live in the city. Apart from the employer’s sponsorship, a foreign citizen may also obtain residency, if a UAE national will sponsor him or her when moving to Dubai.
In the first instance, a foreign citizen will be issued an entry permit that will allow him or her to move to Dubai before the residency permit is authorized. If the employer applies for the foreign citizen’s entry visa, the Dubai company must also apply for permission to hire a foreigner and must submit its business license. The entry permit has a limited validity of only 2 months, which is why residency must be obtained within this timeframe.
Perhaps the most popular way of obtaining Dubai residency is by registering a company in the Emirate or in one of its free zones. If opening an onshore company implies sponsorship from the local partner, the registration of a company in a Dubai free zone provides for full ownership of the company. This type of residency visa allows a foreign citizen to be a shareholder in a local company and also to hire employees in Dubai.
Most foreign relocating to Dubai are also interested in applying for visas for other family members. They should know that they can obtain a residence visa for close family members, such as spouses and children and even parents.
Together with the relevant application form, a foreigner applying for residency in Dubai must also submit copies of the valid passport, birth certificate, driver’s license, and marriage certificate if applicable. The applicant must also submit copies after all qualifications. It is also possible for the authorities to request details on previous work experience and references from former employers.
The applicant will also undergo a medical exam prior to his or her employment. A medical examination will be necessary every time the residence permit in Dubai is renewed.
The work visa in Dubai comes with several advantages, where the future employee can bring the family members to the Emirates. The same permit can grant any foreigner the possibility of staying in the country permanently. Even more, one should know that a residence or a work permit is issued for two years and can be renewed without a time limit or restrictions. Please consider that an entrance once in six months is necessary, in order to preserve the validity of the residence visa.
There are different types of visas for immigration from India. The visa types needed to move to Dubai are:
*Special Requirements:
Parents: If your parents sponsor you, you must be under 18 and not married.
Children: If your children sponsor you, their monthly income should not be less than AED 20,000.
Spouse: If your spouse sponsors you, then his or her monthly income should not be less than AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 in addition to accommodation.
Since a majority of people living in Dubai are expats from different backgrounds, you will not feel like a stranger there. Settling in Dubai won’t be difficult for an Indian expat. Yet, there are some things you need to learn before you go so you can start enjoying your life as soon as possible.
Living in Dubai is a lot of fun, and it is definitely worth the move. The Dubai lifestyle won’t be that difficult to get used to for Indians. You will need to adjust to some minor details to be able to fit in. These include:
You may need to readjust your weekend since Friday and Saturday are the weekend days in Dubai, and the work week starts on Sunday. They’re still two days, so it will not be an issue.
The official language in Dubai is Arabic, however, almost everyone speaks English.
There is a variety of cuisines available, including Indian cuisine. You will find the food you love and are familiar with, and if you need a change, the option is available as well.
Here are some of the best Indian restaurants in Dubai:
You can wear modern clothes or your own traditional Indian attire if you wish. People in Dubai are used to different cultures, and you won’t be stared at. Just wear whatever makes you feel comfortable, as long as you do not wear anything too revealing or tight.
Coraledu’s mission is to empower internationals to thrive in their lives abroad. We offer tailored work and settlement solutions designed to facilitate success for individuals and their employers worldwide, with a particular focus on Dubai. Contact us to discover how we can support you or your employees in achieving both professional and personal fulfillment abroad.
