Starting a career in a different country is a critical and most of the time difficult decision. This is why when applying for a job in another country, you should always come in prepared with all the knowledge such as the rules and regulations in that place.
And when it comes to the usual go-to nation of expats seeking for greener pastures, what is the first thing that comes to mind? That’s right, the United Arab Emirates.
And there are quite a number of reasons why people from around the world want to work and build their careers in this country with a melting pot of cultures.
Expat Life – Why work in the UAE?
Working in the UAE is definitely considered as a lucrative choice because of the following:
- usually good living and working conditions;
- diversified career options;
- rewarding foreign benefits;
- a good amount of salary; and
- a lot of work opportunities.
Middle East is a great region to jumpstart your career with its dynamic portfolio offering different disciplines. Specifically, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are great places to start applying for that dream job.
Things to remember first before starting a career in UAE
You must remember first that working in a different country is not a walk in the park. You are not there as a tourist who can leisurely go around asking people things you don’t know about.
As a newly hired employee, you should know your rights and privileges very well, or else you may fall victim to illegal recruiters or abusive employers. Once you start working there, you are already subject to the UAE Labor Law.
You must also know that your employment is a two-way contract agreement: it both depends on your employer and your overall performance as a good and abiding employee.
Here are some of the things you should take note of when working and living in the UAE:
1. Job Offer and Job Description
Always make sure that your job offer and job description in your employment contract match. You should read and study your job description very carefully first and see if it matches with the job offer which was first given to you.
You should also study the terms and conditions first so you won’t have conflicting issues with your employer in the future.
Finally, double-check your job title (if it matches your job offer as well), responsibilities, equivalent salary and benefits which are all indicated in the contract given to you.
2. Contract Signing
Signing your contract seals the deal of your employment. This contract will be signed both by you and your employer.
This valid document is also crucially needed before you start working for your employer.
Make sure to read every word and clause in this employment contract.
You should also clarify everything in the written agreement beforehand. This includes information such as the following:
- salary
- specific job description
- responsibilities as employee
- responsibilities of your employer
- notice period and end-of-service pay
- leaves that you’re entitled to
Note: You must have an annual leave of 30 days in a year, which generally accounts to 22 days of paid vacation leaves. All public holidays are paid as well.
Make sure that all of these information are included in the contract. If not, be proactive enough to ask your HR about any of these.
3. Copy of the Signed Contract
After you and your employer have signed your contract, your employer should give you a copy of the signed employment contract.
Your signed contract is your piece of evidence of your employment in UAE (or in any emirate or foreign country for that matter) so take good care of it.
This is one of the most crucial documents that you need in your expat career, so make sure that you know your right being the one who is responsible for keeping it.
Why is this so important?
Because it serves as your future reference about your job description in case you got into a conflicting issue or dispute with your agency or employer.
Make sure to ask for your employment contract if the employer doesn’t voluntarily give you one.
4. Travel and Recruitment Expenses
This is important: your agency must be the one to shoulder ALL your travel expenses and other recruitment costs.
Do not believe any other job offers where the recruiters would ask you otherwise. It is definitely a red-flag or a downright scam if you are told to pay upfront for your travel costs or other recruitment processes.
By ALL costs, it means that your employer or agency that hired you should shoulder the following:
- visa for entry
- working visa
- plane ticket
- agency costs
- residence permit
All of these processing of your employment requirements should be done by the HR of the company that hired you.
Make sure to wait for your employer to process and complete all the necessary documents that you would need before going to work.
5. Personal Documents
Consequently, after all your documents have been processed, you are responsible for them already. Your documents include your passport and visa among others.
You are required three visas: the UAE visa, the UAE Tourist Visa/UAE Visit Visa and the UAE Work Visa so that you would be allowed to work for a minimum of three months.
You must also keep your employment contracts, work permits and identification cards.
The passport rule in the UAE is that you get to keep all your documents. Your employer has no right whatsoever to any of your personal documents.
If your employer is insisting in keeping it, consider it as a red flag for illegal recruitment or violation of rights. You can report it at their MoHRE.
6. Full-time Work Perks
There are certain incentives or perks when you decide to work full-time in the UAE. If you have a spouse and you were able to secure a full-time job, he/she can work part-time there as well. You can easily gain a work permit for him/her in UAE or in any other emirate.
Working full time, be advised that you are bound to a contract and are obligated to fulfill the responsibilities and terms as stated in the said contract. However, you can speak with your employer in case there are part-time opportunities that may arise. You may need to request for an NOC (No Objection Certificate) should you decide to work part time in other industries.
7. Contacting the Labour Office
You can contact the Labour Office in case you arrived in UAE and no work was given to you there. These kinds of incidences should be reported to the UAE Labour Office because you were given a job contract before you even arrived in UAE.
There are cases when you book a flight and you still have no copies of your job contracts. Report this to the labor office so they can contact your employer or agency for you.
8. Contacting the MoHRE
For any issues with your employer, you can contact the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) anytime.
Reach out to them for any concerns and issues which include employment, job contracts, inner conflicts and termination. Here are their contact details:
- 800-66473 / 800MoHRE
- email at ask@mohre.gov.ae
- website at msohre.gov./ae/en/home
- Salary
Just like any regular job, your salaries working as an expat in UAE should always be given to you on time. Remember that you are entitled to this basic right as a foreign employee.
You must always remember this right so you can remind your employer to pay you on time in case he subjects you to a delayed salary.
Giving delayed salaries is against the law in UAE and you can actually file a case against him or her in case this happens.
9. UAE Tax System
The reason why working in the UAE is lucrative is because there is no tax implemented in your salary.
While there may be now a Value Added Tax (currently at 5%) on goods/services/merchandise, there is NO income tax which means you get your salary in full come payday.
10. Terms of Resignation
Also, just like in any job, you can resign anytime. Just bear in mind that there are also conditions and consequences for your resignation that are mentioned in your employment contract. Here are some of the conditions:
- You can only resign after at least one (1) year of employment.
- You cannot resign in less than a year or else your employer would file a case against you for breaching the terms of your contract. He or she can also suspend your gratuity pay.
- You should at least abide by the contract and finish the two or three year-term before resigning.
- You will be given your end of gratuity pay if you have worked for at least one (1) year. This includes a salary of 21 days annually for the first five years of service and a salary of 30 days for every additional year of service.
11. Living in UAE
There are also things you should know while living in the UAE. After all, you should also think about your life outside work. This is helpful as you understand the culture and the traditions of the people in the Gulf Region. You will be spending a few years or so in another country so it is wise that you learn to adapt and apply yourself in a different environment.
12. Language
Arabic is the official language used in UAE. This will show in your employment contract. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to study Arabic to survive and get by while working there.
This is because they use other languages in their work and everyday lives, such as English, Urdu, Farsi, Hindi and Malayalam.
13. Cost of Living
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two emirates with the highest cost of living in the Middle East. They both have expensive real estate status, thus making cost of living expensive as well.
14. Religion/Belief System
UAE follows Muslim culture and religion, so Islam is their official religion. Be advised that if you come from a different background, you will need to adjust and you will notice it when you go out of your accommodation. From the types of food available in public (halal food), wearing conservative clothing, etc.
In terms of work holidays, you will follow Islamic calendar so you will notice the Muslim culture during holiday events and important events. Ramadan, for instance, will require Muslims to fast, and thus have lesser work timings during this holy month.
You should NOT worry though as while you adjust to the culture, you are free to practice your religion as the UAE shows tolerance and respect for other religions.
15. Multi-cultural Society
In UAE, more than 80% of the professionals belong to the expat population. This country is definitely a melting pot of cultures from different backgrounds, ideologies and religions.
Depending on how you will adjust to the new environment of a foreign country, working and living in UAE can either be daunting, difficult, challenging or delightful.
As long as you blend in with the crowd, do your job, and follow the norms of the society, you will do just fine.