After working in Dubai for almost five years now, I thought I’d come up with Five Reasons to Work in Dubai for the curious and Five Reasons Not To for the skeptical.
1. Financial – If you work in Dubai or anywhere in the United Arab Emirates for that matter, you enjoy an income tax free salary that will enable you to save up until you get tired of desert life and pack up your bags to jump into a plane to your next destination.
2. Multi-culture experience – In my current work, I am able to mingle with people from different nationalities learning about their language, culture and religion. Personally, I have learned to look beyond what is negatively portrayed in the media regarding Muslims (majority of my work colleagues are Muslims).
~ me (right most) with my work colleagues ~
3. Adventure – Now that I’ve mentioned the financial part (must be the most important aspect of any relocation), we can discuss about what’s in store after work or during your holidays. Dubai is a perfect starting point to exotic destinations you can think of: the neighboring Middle Eastern countries like Jordan, Syria or Egypt. Europe is not that far with London only a 7 hour flight as going to Bangkok and Singapore. Maldives is nearer too.
4. Free trip home – Expat packages include 30 days of paid vacation every 12-18 months (depending on your company/employer) including round trip ticket to home country. I never got this while I was an expat in Japan!
5. That resume appeal – Including a “difficult region” (Middle East) in places you’ve worked will definitely make your curriculum vitae pop out from the bunch.
…and five reasons NOT to.
1. Heat – This one is the most obvious. If you despise the heat, forget about moving to Dubai. It is hot 8 months of the year with humidity soaring up to more than 90% at the peak of summer. It would be difficult to walk to work even if you live nearby.
BUT – though many people criticize the heat here and think that we expats living here are living loony masochists happily suffering in the heat, I have to point out a word called “acclimatization”. The first summer is worse but after that, you won’t believe you’d be able to say that 30C is quite “cool”. Also, since all of the buildings including residences have centralized air conditioning system, I can vouch that it is far easier spending the summer here in Dubai than in Japan or the Philippines, two places I previously lived.
2. Multi-cultural experience – While this can be a good thing for others, I know people who do not like to work with other nationalities but their own. And I fully understand! There are cultures and working styles to adjust.
3. Driving – It is said that there are 200 different nationalities living in Dubai. That means, people put various meanings and practice to what is called “safety driving”. To be blunt, there are idiots on the road and you’ve got to practice defensive driving! As a personal experience, I’ve been driving in Japan for 7 years before coming here.
The difference is like heaven and hell – there are almost no courtesy in the roads, some drivers are rogue and never give way. It’s been better now than we first arrived in 2007 because the Roads and Transport Authority have tightened their rules in the driving schools.
4. Noise – Dubai is a city that’s not finished yet. It’s a work in progress everyday with construction going on left and right – contrary to what you’ve read in the tabloids that bash Dubai like it’s a new Olympic sport, it’s not a ghost town around here.
So if you live or work in a construction area, expect noise pollution. Or when you reside near a mosque, be prepared to be startled by the call to prayer five times a day starting before 6am! * The mosque is what we look out for when looking for a place to live here. We prefer away from it.
5. Second class citizen – You are in another country not your own so that categorizes you as a guest and in some cases, second class citizens, always next to locals or the white people (if you are Asian). You’ll be treated with good hospitality, yes but always be aware of your boundaries – and memorize the line: “This is their country, not mine.”
Whatever the reason or wherever you choose to go to live or work I guess there’s always two sides of the coin. I am sure there are other reasons to work here and not to, depending on the expat you ask but this is my list and things might be added when I have that random light bulb moment.
Finding Backroads 
hi grace how can i get a job of any kind in dubai actual anything that can earn me please if you can help me i will be greatfull
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Wow very interesting all I see is ten reasons TO WORK.
Cheers.
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Hi Grace!
Im from Canada, and it’s been weeks Im thinking about moving to Dubai! I just don’t know where to start!!
If you could help me with good tips that would be wonderful,
I give you my email : sara.r@live.ca
Thank you again, can’t wait to read you!
Sara
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Hi grace,
I’m am engineer and currently working as software engineer in an mnc. Now i want to work at dubai so what kind of job i’l get there and please guide me to get into dubai with a good job 🙂 Thanks 🙂 my email id is srajamohan1989@gmail.com
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Hey Grace,
I’m planning to visit Dubai in Aug-13 with the intent of securing a job in IT. I’ve heard IT guys are paid somewhere around 8000 dirhums per month. Would just like to know whether that much amount of salary would suffice a normal life in Dubai?
Thanks in advance. 🙂
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I have always dreamt of settling in dubai with my sons&hubby.please how can i&spouse apply for jobs in dubai.And what do I need to start processing for visa.thanks
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yes, nice article , u will find more details about dubai at http://manishareview.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/easiest-way-to-find-a-job-in-dubai/
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Best Article Ever!! I found the best website to sell cars in UAE. its really amazing I just added my car and people started calling me right after 2 hours. its http://uaecarmarket.org
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Hi! Miss,
I am conducting research on HR practises in Dubai. Evaluation on their unique methods to employee retention and retaining. Would you like to share me any of their HR practises a little bit more in detail? Thank you in advance.
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Dubai is really well planned and well cultured city, So working in Dubai is really Dreams comes true of any working professional..
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please I want to work and stay in Dubai but don’t have any qualifications.will I still get a job??
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Hi..i m gng thru a divorce right nw. I m planning to cum to dubai on partner visa. If so, can i sponsor my 9 yr old nd 7 yr ild kids? What are the formalities?
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My name is Chandra from India i would like to work in Dubai i have experience in Accounting is there any opportunities for Accounting please help me.
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“This is their country, not mine”… Native Americans?
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im a registred nurse and currently working here in saudi, just want to know if there are available job for male nurse like me??
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Hi Guys,
I have gone through this blog.It looks like most of guys like to work in Dubai but they don’t know where to start.I am currently working in Dubai.If you need any help feel free to contact me on asik.mamce@gmail.com
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That’s what I got too! great post 🙂 Thanks
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This is a fantastic blog post. I am travelling to Dubai for a 2 week vacation in September and although I am not there to live, it is still interesting to read about the experience of non Emirati residents in the UAE such as yourself. Really interesting blog post.
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Interesting read! A trip to the UAE is definitely on my bucket list.
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We initially set up our branch in Dubai for the convenience of travelers from Dubai, however our employees in Dubai have been having a wonderful time managing work and life.
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Hi my name is hope frm nigeria ad i hv made up my mind to come ad look for any job dat is available bt definatly i dn’t know any body der. pls i need ur help
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