Work in Dubai
Do you want to live and work in the United Arab Emirates? Do you have questions about the job market in Dubai, visas, or the opportunities to start your own business? To plan your move abroad with peace of mind, it is important to have as much information as possible at your disposal.
Dubai attracts many international professionals and offers a highly diverse professional environment. Before leaving, however, you need to understand the rules concerning visas, residency status, in-demand sectors, and the level of income actually required to live comfortably in the Emirates.
For other aspects of settling in, also see the Practical Life in Dubai page.
Obtain a visa to work in Dubai
A tourist visa is not enough
If you come to the United Arab Emirates on vacation, you may be eligible for a tourist visa. But be careful: this visa does not allow you to work in Dubai.
To carry out professional activity, you must obtain a specific residence and work visa.
A renewable visa
The residence and work visa is valid for 2 years and can be renewed every 2 years.
This duration provides some stability for foreign workers, but also entails a regular administrative process to maintain residency status.
Specific procedures
The application involves several formalities, including obtaining a medical certificate and providing documents justifying the intended employment in Dubai.
It is therefore important to prepare your application in advance to avoid delays in the process.
The residence and work visa: an essential step
In conclusion, the Dubai residence and work visa is a crucial step for professionals wishing to settle and work in this dynamic city in the United Arab Emirates.
With relatively accessible procedures for French nationals, this administrative process enables foreign workers to take full advantage of the professional opportunities available in Dubai.
Establish a company to work in Dubai
Offshore company
The offshore company is a non-resident structure. It does not allow you to live and work in Dubai and does not provide access to a residence visa under this arrangement.
Free-zone company
The free zone company may enable you, your partners, your employees, and your family to obtain a residence and work visa, depending on their circumstances.
Mainland Company
The Mainland company also allows you to obtain a visa for Dubai, but it operates under different rules from those of a Free-zone company.
Which sectors are hiring?
Computing
Information technology is one of the sectors where French-speaking professionals can find opportunities.
Hospitality & catering
Hospitality and food service are also among the sectors that regularly recruit.
Teaching
Teaching can offer opportunities to qualified individuals.
Medicine
The medical sector is also one of the fields that are hiring.
What about salaries in Dubai?
Sometimes high salaries
In Dubai, certain in-demand or high-responsibility professions can offer high salaries and make it possible to live comfortably in the United Arab Emirates.
Significant disparities
There are significant disparities between professions. Salaries can be high for certain positions with major responsibilities, while they are much more modest for other jobs, such as cleaners, servers, or taxi drivers.
Adjust your salary to your situation
Before accepting an offer, make sure the proposed salary will genuinely allow you to live in good conditions.
This is even more important when relocating abroad with your family, as you need to consider the size of your accommodation, school fees, and daily expenses.
Living and working in Dubai, yes, but not at any cost.
Get support
Working in Dubai is only possible with the appropriate residence and work visa.
If your project involves setting up a company in Dubai, Merritt can assist you with registering and managing your Free-zone company in the United Arab Emirates, as well as with the visa-related procedures.