Ways To Work & Live In Dubai As A Foreigner

Dubai is one of the seven United Arab Emirates. Well-known for its skyscrapers alongside the desert, Dubai is a fascinating place to live and work. 

Working in the UAE is a popular option for foreign workers, as the salaries are tax-free and the packages are generous. Add to that the fascinating culture, easily accessible travel options and window to a life of luxe many of us can only dream about, and jobs in Dubai for foreigners are hot property!

Why TEFL is best for Dubai job opportunities

Teaching jobs in Dubai can be found in schools, language centres, universities and in-company. TEFL teachers teach learners of all ages, from kindergarten to adults. 

Read More: 6 Differences Between Teaching Adults And Young Learners

Because of the high expat and immigrant population in Dubai, teaching positions can include teaching Emiratis (even royalty!) but also children of foreign nationals.

A major reason teaching English in Dubai is one of the best jobs in Dubai for expats is because of the generous salary packages. Teaching salaries in Dubai are competitive but to top it all off, they include accommodation and return flights to your home country. 

Read More: Teaching Salaries In United Arab Emirates

A teacher in Dubai can earn between AED 9,000 to AED 20,000 ($2,400 – $5,500) a month. 

Read more: Teach English In The UAE

Requirements to work abroad in Dubai

It’s illegal to work in Dubai on a tourist or visitor visa. To work in Dubai employees need a work permit and a residence permit.

Working in Dubai for foreigners requires sponsorship. This means you need to look for and apply for a job before you go into the country. Once you have secured a job, your employer will apply for a residency visa for you. With a residency visa you can apply for a work permit to work abroad in Dubai.

To get a visa for the UAE, medical checks are very important. Anyone who tests positive for a communicable disease or condition like HIV or TB won’t be approved for a visa. Besides submitting a health certificate when applying for a visa, foreigners need to undergo a medical assessment on arrival.

It’s possible to enter Dubai on a tourist or visitor visa in order to look for employment. But you can only start work once your work visa has been issued.

Do you need to speak Arabic to work in Dubai?

Interestingly, no. 

Only 10% of the population of the UAE are nationals. This means that the UAE – and Dubai in particular – is a glamorous melting pot of international cultures and languages. As the global lingua franca, English is widely spoken throughout the country.

Having said that, a basic knowledge of Arabic is useful when working in Dubai for dealing with UAE nationals. A knowledge of Hindi, Persian or Urdu is beneficial too!

So while proficiency in Arabic is not a requirement for most employment opportunities in Dubai, it’s always a good idea to try to learn the local language to help you assimilate into the local community.

Salaries, benefits and cost of living in Dubai

The work week in Dubai runs from Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday are considered the weekend – rest days, in other words. 

We’re not going to beat around the bush: the cost of living in Dubai is sky-high. The average monthly cost of living in Dubai is AED 10,000 to AED 15,000 ($2,700 to $4,000). 

This is why salaries are high and employment packages are generous. Many positions include housing, which saves a huge amount of money. And your salary is tax-free!

Employees get 30 days of annual leave after employment for a year, plus nine days of national holidays. 

In terms of living in Dubai, it’s important to be respectful of local customs. Laws are strict here and possibly different to your home country. Be sure you’re familiar with the laws so you abide by them.

What types of jobs are popular in Dubai?

Employment opportunities in Dubai are often found through multinational companies. If you work for an engineering, pharmaceutical, technology or logistics company, it might be possible for you to transfer within your company to Dubai.

Hospitality jobs are common in Dubai because of the massive tourism industry. Casual work and summer contracts are not common, though. Short-term contracts are generally found in the construction, oil and retail industries. 

Creatives such as art directors, photographers and advertising executives commonly find agency work abroad in Dubai. 

English teacher

How to get a job in Dubai? Easy – be an English teacher! 

Education is held in high regard in the UAE. With so many different foreigners living and working in Dubai, there is a high demand – and plenty of work opportunities – for English teachers. 

To work as an English teacher in Dubai, a TEFL qualification is a must. Some teaching positions may also require a degree. 

Because of the high teaching salaries, employers in Dubai favour teachers with high qualifications and experience. If you have a post-graduate degree and a few years’ of teaching experience, you can apply for higher-paying posts in international schools and universities. 

Corporate jobs

Corporate jobs like executive assistants, wealth managers, financial analysts, auditors and investment bankers are in high demand in Dubai.

Salaries are good and lifestyles are comfortable for those with corporate jobs. But a lot is expected of you, and the money coming into your bank account can just as quickly go out of your bank account if you’re not careful!

A popular option for corporate workers in Dubai is to stay and work here for a few years, saving up money before moving on.

Digital nomad

Dubai offers a Dubai Virtual Work Residency Visa for individuals who’d like to work remotely in Dubai. To be eligible for this visa you need to:

• Be a remote employee for a foreign company outside the UAE,
• Have an income of more than $5,000 a month,
• Have proof of an employment contract for at least a year or proof of ownership of company of more than one year. 

Numerous charges exist relating to the different stages of the visa application.

Ready to work abroad in Dubai?

Craving a change? Consider joining jet setters across the globe working abroad in Dubai.

Our top tip for getting a job in Dubai? Get yourself a TEFL qualification that’ll make you stand out from the rest of the crowd and use those teaching skills to earn the big bucks in Dubai?

With its chic lifestyle and dazzling desert dunes, an adventure of a lifetime awaits!