| Many job hunters still believe that the | | | | information available. Some excellent |
| streets of Dubai are paved with gold. | | | | resources include employment sites such |
| This may be true to some extent. Even | | | | as Bayt.com, directories such as |
| so, securing employment is not always | | | | GulfJobSites.com, as well as free online |
| easy. For those hoping to find jobs in | | | | UAE and Dubai job classifieds sites such |
| Dubai, there are various avenues to | | | | as Emirates-Ads. |
| take. | | | | Once a job seeker has secured a |
| Many job hunters still believe that the | | | | position, a contract will be signed and |
| streets of Dubai are paved with gold. | | | | the employer will act as the sponsor. |
| This may be true to some extent - the | | | | The contract should include basic |
| economy is booming (particularly the | | | | salary, job title and description, |
| construction industry) and Dubai is a | | | | length of the contract, and termination |
| tax free haven where net income is | | | | conditions among other things. It is |
| typically much higher than in other | | | | vital to negotiate a good "package" |
| parts of the world. Even so, securing | | | | including salary, housing, and school |
| employment is not always easy. | | | | fees if the employee has children. |
| Approximately 80% of the population in | | | | Other allowances may include coverage |
| Dubai consists of foreigners and | | | | for medical, transportation, utilities, |
| competition for desired employment | | | | and / or annual vacation with an |
| positions can be fierce. It is best to | | | | airplane ticket to one's home country. |
| have an offer in hand from a company | | | | (The law stipulates that companies must |
| before traveling to Dubai. Of course | | | | provide a vacation / airplane ticket at |
| this may not always be possible and | | | | least every two years). Each company is |
| there are certain advantages to entering | | | | different and packages will vary. The |
| Dubai on a visit visa in hopes of | | | | work week also varies from company to |
| finding a job as opposed to searching | | | | company with some working straight shift |
| from one's home country. For example, | | | | and some working split shift (with a few |
| many employers will give preference to | | | | hours break in the middle of the day). |
| hiring someone actually in Dubai (and | | | | The sponsor should handle all paperwork |
| thus available for an interview), rather | | | | required by the government for foreign |
| than having to endure the extra hassle | | | | workers, including getting the employee |
| and risk of hiring someone sight unseen. | | | | an employment visa, health card, and |
| However, there is no guarantee of | | | | labor card. A company's PRO (Public |
| landing a job before expiration of a | | | | Relations Officer) will typically handle |
| visit visa, making a bit of luck and | | | | the logistics, ensuring all paperwork |
| local contacts invaluable in the | | | | arrives at the necessary government |
| process. | | | | offices for approval. First an |
| For those hoping to find jobs in Dubai, | | | | employee's application is approved by |
| there are various avenues to take. | | | | the Ministry of Labor, then the employee |
| There are several recruitment agencies | | | | undergoes a health screening, and |
| with good reputations available to | | | | finally all relevant documents are |
| assist job hunters in their quest for | | | | transferred to the Ministry of Interior |
| employment, including long-standing | | | | who stamp the residence visa in the |
| companies such as Claredon Parker and | | | | employee's passport. Employment visas |
| Kershaw Leonard. As there are many | | | | are valid for a maximum of three years |
| recruitment agencies in operation, it is | | | | although they are renewable. In |
| always advisable to do some research | | | | general, expatriate workers are not |
| into their reputation and methods before | | | | granted UAE citizenship or permanent |
| using their services. Unfortunately it | | | | residency. The Dubai government has |
| is not an uncommon occurrence for job | | | | taken steps to drive Emiratization of |
| seekers from poorer nations to drain | | | | the workforce (stipulating that a fixed |
| their entire life savings and go into | | | | percentage of workers in certain |
| debt through payment to unscrupulous | | | | industries must be UAE nationals and |
| agents from their home countries who | | | | that all companies having 100 or more |
| falsely promise visas and jobs. | | | | employees must hire UAE nationals as |
| Fortunately, recruitment agencies in the | | | | their PRO and/or Human Relations |
| UAE are regulated and must be licensed, | | | | Manager). However, it is still believed |
| so the potential for scams in the UAE | | | | that expatriate employees will make up a |
| itself is greatly reduced. | | | | major part of the workforce in the UAE |
| For those who choose to search online | | | | for years to come. |
| there is also a wealth of options and | | | | |