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Getting a job in United Arab Emirates

Maria Santos, 29. Registered Nurse in Dubai.

Maria moved from a Manila hospital to a private hospital in Dubai. Her licence from the Dubai Health Authority was the longest step; the hospital handled the visa.

From
Manila, Philippines
Industry
Healthcare
per month
AED 12K ≈ $3.3K
Timeline
12–20 weeks
Visa route
Employer-sponsored employment visa and Emirates ID
Maria Santos at work
“Pass the DHA exam first. Hospitals move fast once you have the eligibility letter.”

Step by step

  • You
  • Employer
  • Government
  1. 1

    Search and interview

    3–8 weeksYou

    Applied for Registered Nurse 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

    DHA licence and DataFlow

    6–10 weeksYou

    Primary source verification (DataFlow) of degree, licence and experience, then the DHA Prometric exam. The eligibility letter is valid for one year.

    Cost: about USD 600 including DataFlow and exam

  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