The United Arab Emirates is located on eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula and this is one of the most popular places to work in the Middle East. The UAE borders Oman and Saudi Arabia, and has maritime borders in the Persian Gulf with Qatar and Iran. View our guide to working in the UAE including information about jobs for foreigners and English speakers, visas, eligibility and contacts.
Jobs in the United Arab Emirates for Foreigners
These are some of the main industries hiring foreign workers:
• Travel and tourism
• Hotels and hospitality
• Business and IT
• Engineering and construction
• Manufacturing
• Retail
• Healthcare
• Marketing and Media
• Education and teaching
Best Places to Seek Employment
Other places which are slightly lesser known but where you can also find employment:
• Sharjah
• Ajman
• Ras al-Khaimah
• Musaffah City
• Al Fujairah City
• Khalifah A City
• Reef Al Fujairah
• Bani Yas
• Zayed
• Umm al-Quwain
Summer Jobs in the UAE
Are you looking to get a summer job abroad? Do you like the idea of working somewhere like Dubai? Although this is more challenging than some destinations there are short term seasonal type work available in the hotel, hospitality, travel and tourism industries.
Working in the UAE – FAQ
Quick Stats:
• Capital: Abu Dhabi
• Dialing code: +971
• Population: 9.89 million (2020) World Bank
• Gross domestic product: 421.1 billion USD (2019) World Bank
Language:
The top five languages used throughout the UAE are English, Arabic, Urdu, Malayalam and Hindi
Money/Salaries:
The currency of the UAE is the United Arab Emirates Dirham. Salaries in the UAE are among the highest in the Middle East/world. Salaries are also tax free – one of the main benefits of working here.
Work Permits, Employment Contract and Labour Cards
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued guidelines for foreign workers who wish to work here to protect their rights and at the same time understand their responsibilities.
This guide should be read and understood to avoid misunderstanding between the worker and employer. The MOLSA believes that this guide would help both parties to have a harmonious relationship.
General Directives
The General Directives brought out by the UAE Labor Law is beneficial to both worker and employer, thus, the Ministry advise all concern to abide the following principles:
• Be punctual with the working schedule.
• Do not fail to come to work without a prior permission or acceptable reason.
• Abide by the orders of your client.
• Do not mess with the machines and equipments at work.
• Don’t assault your chief or direct-in-charge neither by act or say.
• Do not feign illness and do not neglect the health and work and safety instruction.
• Do not abscond from work whatever the circumstances.
• Do not fail to come to work at the end of your annual leave or any other leaves.
• Should you have any other grievance, try to solve it amicably with the concerned parties at your company.
• Should you fail to solve any grievance at your company you have to put the issue up to the Concerned Labor Department and you should follow their advice to settle same.
• As you enter the UAE, make sure that your employer has obtained your Labor Card from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
Work Permits
Working in foreign land requires you to be properly documented to avoid any unpleasant circumstances. It’s a must that one should secure a proper working document such as working permit and not a tourist of visit visa in working overseas.
Work permits should be sponsored by the company licensed and registered at the Ministry of Labour. This should be issued with specific terms to foreign workers who are:
• between 18 to 60 years old;
• professional and academic qualifications useful to the UAE;
• hold a passport with six months validity; and
• medically fit and not suffering from any illness.
Employment Contract
Employment contract is the strongest weapon of foreign workers. Workers who’ll arrive at UAE must possess a copy of the employment contract, certified by the Labor Department, with the company who hired them throughout the contract term.
Employment contract states the start and duration, salary, place, term, and type. It should be made in three copies; for foreign worker, employer and the Labor Department. It is very important that the workers read and understand everything written in the employment contract carefully. Do not hesitate to ask the Labor Department or any authorize person if you do not understand something.
Labour Cards
Labour cards must be provided by the employer within 60 days upon the arrival of the worker and it has three years validity. It should be carried by the worker everytime they move around the UAE.
If the employer failed to provide labour card for the foreign worker, former would be liable for the penalty. If this happens, workers should inform the Labour Department to take the actions against the employer.
The labour card can be renewed within 60 days from the date of expiry upon the consent of both employer and worker. If the card expires, it can only be renewed if the employer was able to justify to the Ministry, fines should charge with the employer too.
Working Hours, Overtime and Leaves
If the employer wishes to increase or decrease the number of working hours, it should be approved by MOLSA depending upon the nature of work. The following working hours, overtime and leaves are approved by the Ministry:
• Eight hours per day or 48 hours workweek
• During Ramadan, two hours will be cut on the ordinary working hours
• Since Friday is the weekend for all workers, except for per day manpower, if they are required to work in this day between 9p.m and 4a.m 50% will be added to his salary, another rest day or receive basic salary plus at least 50% of the said salary.
• Overtime should not exceed two hours except in cases of major force.
Annual leave for each year of service:
• For six months and less than a year contract, workers are entitled for two days leave for each month.
• For contracts exceeded one year, workers are entitled for 30 days leave.
• Sick leave should not exceed 90 consecutive or alternate days. During the first 15 days of his leave, he will receive a full pay, next 30 days; half pay and no pay for the following periods. This should be granted for workers who have spent three months of continuous service after the probationary period.
They are also granted for other leaves such as:
• 10 days of official holidays
• Hajj leave – without pay and should not exceed 30 days
• Maternity leave – 45 days against a full pay including the day before and after delivery
Compensation for Work Injuries and Professional Diseases
The employers are responsible to shoulder the expenses in treating the workers’ injury or professional disease. It includes hospitalization, surgeries, X-rays, medical examinations, medicines, donation of the organs, artificial devices, transportation expenses during the treatment, and should also give his compensation.
If the injury prevents the worker to return to his job, the employer should also provide him with financial aid equal to his salary during the whole period of treatment or within six months whichever is shorter. If the treatment exceeded in three months, the assistance will be reduced into half, for another six months or until the worker heals or causes his incapacity to work or death which ever is shorter.
If work injuries or professional disease causes his death, the employer should give the worker’s family with compensation equal to his basic salary between AED 18,000 (about Php 245,500) or US$ 4,900) to AED 35,000 (about Php 477,500 or US$ 9,529) within 24 months.
The above statement does not apply if the investigation found out that the worker has intentionally caused the injury to himself due to suicidal attempt, to obtain compensation/sick leave, under the influence of alcohol or drug, violation of safety rules at the work premises.
Related Destinations:
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Turkey