Working abroad can be a wonderful thing to do. It can give you life experience like you’d never imagined, and many countries abroad offer higher paid salaries on average, too. But what goes into moving to the UAE?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an island in the Arab Gulf. While the country is predominantly Muslim and features Arabic as its official language, the country allows the practice of other religions and as a global commercial hub, English is widely spoken. These are just some of the reasons why the country has become such a popular place for workers to flock to.
We’ll talk you through what you need to have in mind before you begin the process of working in UAE. Hopefully, you should have a better idea with some practical steps you can take to kickstart the process.
Research the country
The UAE is a constitutional federation of seven emirates, which is home to more than two hundred nationalities who come together in this culture to do business, live and work. The country is a melting pot of international guests, globally recognised as a tolerant country.
The country experiences a desert climate, with warmth and sunshine all year round. The weather is typically humid, with high temperatures throughout the year. Cooler temperatures can be enjoyed to the east of the country.
Arrange your visa and work permit
The next thing to consider is the permits you’ll need to arrange. In order to live and work in the United Arab Emirates, you will need to get these documents in order. The key to working in the UAE is a work permit, often referred to as a labor card. These documents are issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Your employer is legally liable to organise a work and residency permit for you.
Your entry permit is the first place to start. You can obtain one of these using the UAE’s Channels portal, or through a number of government-sponsored apps. You can find out more information on the UAE government website.
Once you have an entry permit, you’ll need an Emirates ID. You can apply for one of these documents once you have your entry permit.
You will need to make the application for an Emirates ID in-person at an Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) center, as biometric data, including your fingerprints and photograph.
When these are in place, your employer will be able to apply for a work and residency permit for you, and this is your golden ticket to starting work in the UAE.
Sort out your finances
Given the country’s status as the financial center of the Middle East, setting up a bank account, is very easy in the United Arab Emirates, once your residence visa is authorised.
Some expats may stick to using overseas bank accounts, for example, one set up in their home country. There are benefits, however, to switching to a local account. For example, conversion fees that can be involved. Similarly, some employers will insist on the use of a local bank account for earnings to be paid into. On a purely practical level, if you intend to take out any kind of financial commitment perhaps a car loan, mortgage or credit card the provider will rely on you having a local bank account to process. Some banks will even allow you to set an account up online without visiting a branch at all.
Find accommodation
A quick Google search will land you lots of options for finding somewhere to stay in the UAE. Although the online offering is vast, not all properties are listed on the web. You might benefit from making direct contact with an agent to identify options for accommodation before moving out there on a more permanent basis.
Explore job opportunities
If you’re considering moving to the UAE, you can begin looking for employment on job boards, such as the Government job portal or the Dubai careers board. DrExpat is also here to help relieve most of your stress by placing you into a company best suited to your experience & arrange all the necessary licenses required.
Connect with other expats
With so many expats in the country, finding a network of social friend is unlikely to be a difficult task. If you are working for a large organisation or business, it’s likely that you will find other expats in the same business and be able to connect that way.
Final thoughts
There are many things to consider if you’re thinking of moving and working in the United Arab Emirates. There are many, many perks to working abroad. As with anything, there are pros and cons to consider.
If you decide it’s the right path for you, make sure, first and foremost, that you have the correct documentation, this is where our team of experts can help.
The world is your oyster, so dive in and make the move!
If you have any questions about this article, please feel free to drop me an email or alternatively give a member of our team a call on +971 4 311 6501.
For more information please visit our website – https://drexpat.com/
Written by Kaneez Nabijee
20th August 2022