Dubai has developed into one of the most active employment centers in the world.  This evolution was partly pushed by His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s determination on the quick realization of his vision to transform the emirate into a leading global business, real estate, and tourist capital.  This is further pushed by the success of the government’s reforms and strategies to put in place Sheik Mohammed Al Maktoum’s overall vision for Dubai. 

As a result, the influx of foreign companies and businesses for operations in the emirate has opened more employment opportunities in diverse fields, such as financial services, public relations, recruitment, media, and engineering.  In addition, the resulting property boom has added employment opportunities in the construction sector and hospitality industry, albeit these opportunities are predominantly short-term contracts.  Temporary workers in these areas usually consists both blue-collared and white-collared workers, such as engineers, architects, interior designers, hospitality management professionals, office staff, and accounting personnel.

There are several ways of securing employment in Dubai.  First and most convenient of these is applying for a position on line either directly unto the company’s website or through online recruitment agencies.  These recruitment agencies act like middlemen for job applicants from other countries.  Some may specialize in certain areas of labor recruitment.  For instance, some may deal exclusively with the hiring of blue-collar temporary workers, while others recruit professional and educated workers.  There are also a few recruitment agencies that are willing to help visitors or spouses of expatriates to find employment, provided that they have the proper credentials and experience.

Unfortunately, recruitment agencies in this region are alleged to have less than good reputations.  Nonetheless, there are several agencies that generally conduct their business professionally.  These include GulfTalent.com,

Dubai-Recruitment.com, iqselection.com, bacme.com, charterhouseme.ae, sosrecruitment.net, kershawleonard.net, and bayt.com.  Job applicants must be wary of agencies who promise a definite job placement in return of an upfront fee.  In addition, care must be taken in finding recruitment agencies, which is preferably registered and holds a credible reputation.
Another possible way of securing employment in this emirate is by directly going to Dubai.  As approximately 80% of the emirate’s population is made up of foreign expatriates, competition for most desired positions could be quite fierce.  It is, therefore, much desirable to have an offer in hand from a company based in Dubai before deciding to travel into the city.

Yet this may not always be probable, and the second best option is to come into the emirate with a visiting visa.  One advantage of coming into Dubai with a visiting visa is the applicant’s apparent immediate availability for an interview, thus rather increasing the chances of securing a position in that company.  A visiting visa, however, is no guarantee of securing a job in Dubai.

A jobseeker with a visiting visa should take advantage of the opportunity to seek more potential companies.  A longer stay in Dubai, like a month or more,  greatly increases the chances of securing a job, rather than staying for just a week or two.  It would also be wise to broaden one’s contacts in the industry.  This is but another way of securing a job in the emirate.

Upon securing a position, a contract will be signed and the hiring company will act as the job applicant’s sponsor. A contract should mainly specify the basic salary, job title and description, duration for the contract, and termination conditions among other details.  Negotiating for a good package of benefits and allowances is vital before signing any contract.  These packages could include basic salary and other incentives, housing allowance or free housing, transportation allowances, medical or health benefits, educational benefits for employees with children, coverage for utilities, and annual vacation leaves.  Companies in Dubai are mandated by law to provide their employees vacation leaves and/or airplane tickets back to the employee’s home country for at least every two years.

It must be noted that a foreigner could not work and live in Dubai without an employment visa, which is equivalent to a residence visa.  Any potential employee could enter the country with an entry visa provided by a potential hiring company or upon the proof that a job seeker is about to secure a job in the emirate.  The entry visa entitles the holder a single entry into the country for a period of 30 days and is valid for two months.  Should a position in a company is acquired, the hiring company acts as the sponsor and is responsible for providing the necessary documents required by the government to secure the employee’s employment and residence visa, labor card, and health card.

Before a residency visa and a labor card could be obtained, all foreign workers are required to undergo a medical and blood test.  Employers usually cover for the costs and arrange for the necessary documents.  However, should an employee is not covered by a company or by a private medical insurance; it would be most practical for the employee to apply for a health card at any public hospital.  The completed application and all necessary documents must then be submitted to the local health center.  The Health card holder is entitled to low cost medical treatment at public hospitals and clinics, wherein it can remain valid for a year and could be renewed online.

The labor card, issued by the employer, is a vital document for any foreign worker in Dubai.  Before a labor card could be issued, a labor contract from labor authorities must be signed first and completed with the details of the employment.  It is then printed in both English and Arabic, with the Arabic copy treated as a legal document.

The employment visa, which stays valid for three years, allows its holder to reside in Dubai.  However, it does not permit permanent residency in the emirate.  Generally, the government does not grant foreign workers permanent residency and citizenship.  Upon the expiration of the contract, the employee usually goes back to his home country and receives an “indemnity” or end of service benefit which is one Mont’s pay multiplied by the years of completed  service.

A worthy point to consider for anyone considering acquiring a job in Dubai are the house and rental prices, as well as the education of one’s children should they be also relocating into the emirate.  Property prices are currently high and are continuously rising.  Without free housing or housing benefits, a potential job seeker should secure a job that would allow for rent payments in addition with other expenses.  Public schools are only open to UAE national children.  Private international schools abound in Dubai, yet they could be quite expensive.

It might be advantageous to be familiar with the emirate’s labor law before making a final decision to secure a job in Dubai.  Should a solid decision is made to  seek out  employment opportunities in the emirate, the job seeker must also be aware of certain customs  and procedures done  when seeking a job in Dubai.  Here are a few of them:

•    There should be no indications of transferring into another company upon the acceptance of a position in a certain company.
•    Have all relevant certificates, such as diplomas and marriage certificates, certified before coming to the emirate.
•    Applications through e-mails are usually not replied to.  
•    Inform the company’s HR department before faxing a CV.  Unannounced CV; s immediately get binned.
•    CV’s should be presentable, with all significant events and details arranged in a chronological descending order.  
•    Mention proficiency in any dialect or language of the Middle East.
•    Extra copies of the CV and passport should be carried at all times.
•    Wait for an invitation to be seated when going in for an interview.
•    More than one interview could be conducted for a single job placement.
•    Avoid criticizing former employers.
•    Do not mention live-in relationships.  Only mention if single or married.
•    Positions in the free trade zones are usually easier to get than other job opening found outside these areas.

In spite of all these daunting factors, Dubai will remain as a magnet for attracting foreign workers.  With a continuously growing economy, and factors favorable for the setting up of businesses in the emirate, foreign workers will continue to come into Dubai for many years to come.