Based on the latest information from Dubai's statistics website (http://www.dsc.gov.ae/EN), the city registers a population of 1,785,149. As of the last census date it has 982, 296 members of the labor force.
More than 80% of the city's population and labor force are composed of migrant workers; a total of 200 nationalities converging on the Middle Eastern ‘City of Gold' for employment.
The primary reason why Dubai is such a hotspot for expatriates is, first and foremost, the tax-free salary.
In Dubai, a mid-level manager in a company earns 5,000 to 30,000 AED (UAE Dirham), which is equivalent to US$1,361.47 to US$8,168.84 monthly. This adds up to US$16,337.64 to US$98,023.68 annually.
Normally, if you take say 30% taxes from this annual cost you'd lose somewhere around 20 to 30 thousand from what you've earned. But in Dubai, you get every cent of your income. And this not only applies to higher or managerial positions, this applies to all jobs in Dubai.
One of the most common jobs for expatriates is in the field of teaching. Salaries for a teaching job in a university may range from 3,000 to as high as 22,000 AED (US$816.88 to US$5990.48).
Since the city wants to get the best of the best when it comes to their workers, they also offer accommodation and transportation provisions for qualified employees.
The dynamic labor situation in Dubai is another plus factor. Since 2002 some 650 companies have established businesses in the city's free trade zones, and an average of 20 per week are added.
Free trade zones are areas in the city where foreign businesses can establish themselves without paying corporation tax or submitting to a local majority shareholding structure. Dubai currently has 15 free trade zones and seven more are in the planning.
The biggest number of employees in Dubai is in construction or craft related work, with 385,710 workers. It is closely followed by those in the service and sales industry with 140,119 employees.
Work Permits
Before obtaining a work permit in Dubai, make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months. You should also already have a residency visa.
This paperwork is needed to apply for a UAE Labor Card, which functions as your work permit. Note that you can only qualify for a card if you have a sponsor in the country, which can either be a relative who is a legal resident of the UAE or a registered employer or company in the country. You will also need to undergo medical tests that will be done locally.
Normally, your prospective employer arranges this permit and shoulders the costs.
The
processing time for the work permit or labor card is 30 days based on the Labor Law.
Work Culture
In Dubai, visitors and expats are expected to show respect for the city's work culture.
Although you are not expected to wear their traditional clothing, it is best to steer clear of sleeveless tops, and short skirts or shorts for women to avoid unwanted attention, especially in the workplace. Men are also expected to be in decent garb, and business suits are appropriate in an office setting.
Also, physical contact with women, especially with the city's nationals is to be kept to a respectful minimum. You may only shake hands with women when it is offered.
Make sure that you are provided with two copies of your employment contract, one in English and the other in Arabic, as the latter is the one honored in the UAE in case of any disputes.
Always carry a copy of your paperwork (like passports, visas, and work permits) with you and make sure that the originals are placed in a safe but accessible location. The government may do periodic checks or you may find yourself in need of them in certain situations.
More Expat Resources
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