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Getting a job in United Arab Emirates

Priya Nair, 31. Senior Software Engineer in Dubai.

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.

From
Kochi, India
Industry
Technology
per month
AED 28K ≈ $7.6K
Timeline
10–14 weeks
Visa route
Mainland employment visa (MOHRE work permit)
Priya Nair at work
“The visa was the easy part. Getting my degree attested took longer than the whole interview process.”

Step by step

  • You
  • Employer
  • Government
  1. 1

    Search and interview

    4–8 weeksYou

    Applied through LinkedIn and two tech recruiters. Three remote rounds plus a final system-design interview. Asked for the full package in writing: base salary, housing allowance, annual flight, medical cover and notice period.

  2. 2

    Sign the MOHRE offer letter

    3–5 daysEmployer

    The employer issues a standard job offer through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) system. Priya signed it electronically. The salary on this offer becomes the salary on her labour contract, so she checked it matched the negotiated figure.

  3. 3

    Attest the degree certificate

    2–4 weeksYou

    Degree attested by the issuing state, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the UAE Embassy in New Delhi, and finally the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs after arrival. Required for her job title to be registered as a skilled role.

    Cost: about USD 250 through an agency

  4. 4

    Entry permit and travel

    1–2 weeksEmployer

    Once the work permit was approved, the company issued an employment entry permit valid for 60 days. She entered Dubai 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. The company PRO booked both appointments.

  6. 6

    Residence visa and labour contract

    1–2 weeksEmployer

    Residence status is now linked to the Emirates ID (no passport sticker). The final labour contract was uploaded to MOHRE. Employers are required by law to cover work permit and visa fees.

  7. 7

    Settle in: bank, SIM, home

    2–4 weeksYou

    Opened a salary account with her Emirates ID, took a one-year lease in JLT paid in four cheques, registered it on Ejari and connected DEWA utilities.

Employment journeys

All journeys
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
James Whitfield, Compliance Manager

Bahrain · Manama

James Whitfield, Compliance Manager

James relocated with his family to join a retail bank in Manama. Bahrain was the fastest process of the six countries, largely because LMRA handles permits on one platform.

per month
BHD 2.4K
Timeline
6–9 weeks