Are you looking for a job opportunity in Dubai? Things are improving after a difficult 2016. According to LinkedIn’s 2017 “Middle East & North Africa Recruiting Trends” report, Dubai will be a major focus in 2017.
The report also listed statistics analysis, data mining and public policy as the most desired skills for people looking to work in Dubai.
If you are ready to get into Dubai’s booming job market, then where do you begin? This guide will walk you through all the important information including visas, sponsorship and where to search for jobs. It also includes interview tips.
Now let’s get back to the original purpose of this page.
1. Get the right visa
A work visa is required if you plan to work in Dubai. It’s easy to get a work visa if you are employed in Dubai.
It is easiest to travel to Dubai once you have been offered a job. It is possible to travel to Dubai on a tourist or visitor visa, and then change your visa status after you have found employment.
Visitors to Dubai don’t need to apply for a visa in advance. One will be issued upon arrival.
Citizens don’t require a visa for more than 90 days
The following countries allow job seekers to stay in the UAE for up to 90 days after arriving.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Holland
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Citizens who do not require a visa for 30 consecutive days
The following countries don’t require visas to be obtained in advance. However, visas issued upon arrival are valid for only 30 days. These citizens may extend their visas for up to 60 days.
- Andorra
- Australia
- Brunei
- Canada
- China
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Russia
- San Marino
- Singapore
- South Korea
- United Kingdom
- United States
- The Vatican
These tourist visas can be a great way to get into the country to do your job search. However, you should either obtain a work visa if you find employment or leave the country after your visa expires. You could be deported or jailed if you are caught with a tourist visa.
Good news: Once you have found a job, it is almost impossible to get a visa. Except for the fact that you will need to give your employer some documents such as your passport number, they will take care of all aspects of your sponsorship and visa application. Your job is not done, however.
2. Register for your labor and health cards
While you wait for your work visa to be processed, you will need to submit your medical records and passport copies, as well as your job offer letter and visa application, to the Department of Health and Medical Services. To rule out the possibility of developing diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and tuberculosis, you will need to have a blood test. The UAE does not allow foreigners with these diseases to live in its emirates at the moment. After passing all tests, you will be issued a medical card that is required for foreign workers in Dubai.
A labor card is also required. This involves sending your passport photo and employment contract to the Ministry of Labor.
You will also need a residence permit, issued by Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. You will need to fill out the form in person.
That’s all! You are now legally able to work in Dubai with your Dubai Work Visa, Health Card, Labor Card, and Residence Visa.
3. Know your market
While the overall financial stability of Dubai is improving, not all job markets are ready for a rebound. However, some markets are expected to flourish in preparation for Dubai hosting duties at Expo 2020. These are some markets where job seekers might have success:
- Legal
- Finance
- Marketing
- Procurement
- IT
- Hospitality
- Telecomm
- Tourism
Many of these sectors perform so well that they are expected to see an increase in salaries. LinkedIn’s MENA Recruiting Trends 2017 Report goes further into detail. It notes that those looking for work in these sectors will have the best chance of finding employment in Dubai if they are interested in the following positions:
- Operation
- Sales
- Engineering
- Business Development
- Marketing
4. The big companies
Some companies are known for their strict hiring practices and outstanding standing as work places in Dubai. Retail chains THE One, Splash and Estee Lauder are among the top 10 businesses. Media giant Omnicom, EMC2 IT specialists, Hilton Worldwide, Weber Shandwick Professional Services and FedEx are also among them.
5. Apply online
enrology.in is a popular place for job-seekers in Dubai to get an idea of the companies hiring.
Other good websites for internships and jobs include:
- Middle East Enrojobs
- Dubai Task
- Khaleej Times Jobs
- Dubizzle
- Naukrigulf
- Indeed
- Laimoon
- Gulftalent
- Efinancial Careers
These sites are great for finding internships:
- Dubai Minds High school placement
- Internsme
- GoAbroad.com
6. Hire a recruiter
Headhunters are a common way for Dubai businesses to hire. It is still the best way for emirates to find work. The following agencies are some of the most highly rated:
- Jivaro Partners (marketing & communications jobs)
- ESP International Conferences, Events, Hospitality
- MCG and Associates (PR. Publishing, marketing, & communications jobs).
- Robbert Murray Development, construction, engineering, & public sector jobs
- BAC Middle East – Engineering, marketing & management jobs
Look for agencies that will take a commission on behalf of the employer, not you if you decide to work through one. Avoid scams that ask for high fees from job-seekers.
7. Your CV should be updated
Your CV is the most important tool you have in your job search.
Dubai’s job market can be very competitive. A recruiter will spend on average six seconds reviewing your resume. Avoid using buzzwords and other major CV pitfalls. Annalinde Nickisch, of The Thought Factory, stated that she prefers applicants to present themselves in a unique way. She also added facts like projects completed, targets achieved, and other relevant information. Monster is a great source for CV tips, advice and other useful information for those who are looking for more.
8. Network
Dubai is well-known for its ability to hire both internally and from employee-referenced candidates. You are 6.6% more likely than others to get the job if you know someone in the company. You can still network even if you are unable to travel to Dubai for the networking events. There are many online communities and social media networks. You can also find “online job fairs” that will help you “who-you know”.
Additional Tips for Job Seekers
- Create your online personality. A recruiter will not find your MySpace photos if they Google you. Your social media profiles should be tailored professionally or kept private. You should also improve your SEO by creating an internet resume, filling in job seeker profiles on sites like Bayt and LinkedIn, and publishing and sharing content relevant to your industry. You will be more successful in a Google search if you have more experience.
- Do not apply for jobs you aren’t qualified for. These applications are not likely to get you a “way in”, and hiring managers often view scattered applications as a sign that a candidate doesn’t know what they want or lacks direction.
- Take your time. Finding a job in Dubai is not easy. Due to the talent shortage, Dubai’s hiring season is seasonal. This means that most of the recruitment occurs between January and March. It also means that almost all of the jobs are filled during Ramadan and the hottest summer months. Your job search can take up to six months or more. So don’t give up!
Best of luck!
