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Getting a job in United Arab Emirates

Marco Rossi, 32. Sous Chef in Dubai.

Marco joined a hotel restaurant in Dubai Marina. Accommodation and meals were part of the package, so his costs on arrival were low.

From
Naples, Italy
Industry
Hospitality
per month
AED 9K ≈ $2.5K
Timeline
6–10 weeks
Visa route
Employer-sponsored employment visa and Emirates ID
Marco Rossi at work
“Staff housing let me save from the first month.”

Step by step

  • You
  • Employer
  • Government
  1. 1

    Search and interview

    3–8 weeksYou

    Applied for Sous Chef roles through recruiters and job boards, then interviewed remotely. Asked for the full package in writing: basic salary, allowances, flights, medical cover and notice period.

  2. 2

    Food safety training (PIC)

    1–2 weeksYou

    Dubai Municipality requires food handlers to hold an occupational health card and supervisors to pass Person in Charge (PIC) training.

    Cost: about USD 150

  3. 3

    Signed MOHRE offer letter

    3–5 daysEmployer

    The employer issues a standard offer through MOHRE. The salary on this offer becomes the salary on the labour contract, so check basic pay, allowances and notice period before signing.

  4. 4

    Work permit and entry permit

    1–2 weeksEmployer

    After the work permit is approved the employer issues a 60-day employment entry permit. Enter on this permit, not on a tourist visa.

  5. 5

    Medical test and Emirates ID biometrics

    1 weekGovernment

    Blood test and chest X-ray at an approved medical fitness centre, then fingerprints and photo for the Emirates ID.

  6. 6

    Residence visa and labour contract

    1–2 weeksEmployer

    Residence is linked to the Emirates ID. By law the employer pays work permit and visa fees, never the employee.

  7. 7

    Settle in: bank, SIM, housing

    2–4 weeksYou

    Open a salary account with the Emirates ID, sign a lease in Dubai, register it (Ejari in Dubai, Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi) and connect utilities.

Employment journeys

All journeys
Priya Nair, Senior Software Engineer

United Arab Emirates · Dubai

Priya Nair, Senior Software Engineer

Priya moved from a product company in Bengaluru to a Dubai fintech. Her employer sponsored the work permit and residence visa; she handled degree attestation, housing and banking herself.

per month
AED 28K
Timeline
10–14 weeks
Ahmed Hassan, Civil Engineering Project Manager

Saudi Arabia · Riyadh

Ahmed Hassan, Civil Engineering Project Manager

Ahmed joined a contractor delivering a Riyadh metro extension. Engineering roles in Saudi Arabia require professional accreditation, which added a step most other professions do not have.

per month
SAR 22K
Timeline
12–16 weeks
Maria Santos, Registered Nurse (ICU)

Qatar · Doha

Maria Santos, Registered Nurse (ICU)

Maria was recruited by a Doha hospital through a licensed agency. Healthcare is the longest route on this site because licensing has to finish before the visa can start.

per month
QAR 11K
Timeline
16–24 weeks