Abu Dhabi, like other parts of the United Arab Emirates, is full of expats — and has been for quite some time. Expats make up the majority of Abu Dhabi’s residents, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
Abu Dhabi is a great place to work, whether you’re a foreigner or a natural-born citizen, so it makes sense that there’s been an uptick in recent years of people moving from other parts of the world to live and work here.
Abu Dhabi offers an exciting living environment and a chance to get to know folks from across the globe. Foreign employees also help the businesses based out of Abu Dhabi to expand their reach, learn to solve problems in new ways, and create a better global image.
For those who are thinking about relocating to Abu Dhabi and need help finding work, this is the perfect guide. It breaks down what every job seeker needs to know about looking for jobs for foreigners in Abu Dhabi, from the most in-demand types of jobs and visa requirements to the best full-time jobs and remote jobs worth looking for.
What Types of Jobs Are in Demand for Foreign Workers in Abu Dhabi?
All kinds of jobs are available in Abu Dhabi. However, there are some Abu Dhabi jobs for expats that are in particularly high demand, including the following:
Web developers are responsible for designing and writing code to create websites for various businesses. Because Abu Dhabi — and UAE — is a major tech hub, there are lots of opportunities for web development experts here.
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professionals work with businesses to help them keep valuable data safe — both the business’s data and customers’ data.
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Businesses across all kinds of industries need skilled project managers to help them plan and execute projects effectively.
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The healthcare industry in Abu Dhabi always needs help from skilled medical professionals. This includes everyone from nursing assistants and nurses to doctors and surgeons.
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Because so many businesses operate out of Abu Dhabi and the UAE, there’s a strong demand for sales professionals. Skilled salespeople can help these businesses to attract more clients and achieve their revenue goals more easily.
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In the same way that there’s a strong need for skilled salespeople in Abu Dhabi, there’s also a need for marketing professionals. Marketers work side by side with sales professionals to promote the business and help it grow.
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All of the businesses in Abu Dhabi need help from human resources managers and human resources experts to assist with hiring, training, and personnel matters.
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Abu Dhabi — and the rest of the UAE — is a popular location for those who work in the engineering field. This is especially true of those who work in the world of petroleum engineering or who are part of the oil and gas industry.
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Abu Dhabi’s businesses also need communications specialists to help them present themselves to the public in an effective and professional way. Communications and PR professionals play a key role in helping this happen.
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There’s also a high demand for customer support professionals in Abu Dhabi. Businesses of all sizes need help responding to customer questions, addressing concerns, and making sure people are satisfied with their experience.
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Visa Requirements for Working as a Foreigner in Abu Dhabi
Before you begin to look for work in Abu Dhabi for foreigners, you’ll need to take a step back and make sure you understand the UAE’s visa requirements.
Anyone who wants to apply for a work visa (for a remote or in-person job) must first obtain a visa to enter Abu Dhabi legally. Some of the visas that allow you to do this include:
- Student visas
- Entry permit visas
- Tourist visas
- Visit visas
- Visas for medical treatment
- Multiple-entry visas
Next, you can start looking for a job. The UAE’s work visa requirements state that you need to have been asked to work in Abu Dhabi before you can apply. In addition to filling out and submitting an application, you’ll also have to pay a fee and show that you have a place to live in Abu Dhabi.
Top 10 Best Full-Time Jobs for Foreigners in Abu Dhabi
There are plenty of Abu Dhabi jobs for ex-pats that allow you to work full-time. The following are 10 of the best ones to consider, whether you’re looking for jobs in Abu Dhabi for foreigners without experience or jobs that require a great deal of experience and highly specific skills:
Full-stack developers write code and work on both the front end and the backend (or server-side) of apps and websites. They are highly sought-after professionals, and there are lots of full-time jobs available for them in Abu Dhabi. – AED 156,000 per year
Browse Full-Stack Developer jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Cybersecurity architects design and implement firewalls and other systems. They play an important role in keeping various businesses’ data safe from hackers and breaches. – AED 337,000 per year
Browse Cybersecurity Architect jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
A registered nurse is a healthcare professional that plays a key role in caring for patients. They administer medications, check vitals, provide education, and more. – AED 106,366 per year
Browse Registered Nurse jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
A project manager works for businesses of all kinds — from healthcare to tech. They plan projects and ensure they get done on time, under budget, and to the client’s exact specifications. – AED 159,921 per year
Browse Project Manager jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
A sales manager oversees a business’s sales team. They create sales plans, help individual team members set goals, and ensure the team consistently meets its sales goals. – AED 128,312 per year
Browse Sales Manager jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
A marketing manager oversees a business’s marketing team. They work with team members to set goals, create and execute campaigns, and monitor data from those campaigns. – AED 140,231 per year
Browse Marketing Manager jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
A human resources manager is the head of a business’s human resources department. They create plans for recruiting and hiring new employees, assist with onboarding and oversee various personnel matters. – AED 103,397 per year
Browse Human Resources Manager jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Petroleum engineers play a key role in finding oil beneath the earth’s surface. They also create and execute plans to extract that oil. – AED 427,800 per year
Browse Petroleum Engineer jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
A communications specialist is sometimes known as a PR specialist. They write press releases, speak to the press on a business’s behalf, and make sure the business is presented well to the public. – AED 211,348 per year
Browse Communications Specialist jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Teachers create lesson plans, and then deliver those lessons to students of all ages. This is a high-demand position in Abu Dhabi and throughout the world and is a great full-time option for those with a passion for education. – AED 73,842 per year
Browse Teacher jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Top 10 Best Remote Jobs for Foreigners in Abu Dhabi
There are plenty of chances to work remotely in Abu Dhabi, too. If you want to find work in Abu Dhabi for foreigners but don’t want to work in a traditional office setting, here are some of the best jobs to consider:
If you’re looking for jobs in Abu Dhabi for foreigners without experience, a job as a personal assistant is a good choice. You can even do it from home if you have a computer and internet connection. – AED 56,844 per year
Browse Personal Assistant jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Customer service representatives answer customer questions, respond to complaints, and solve problems. They communicate via phone, email, and/or chat. – AED 47,026 per year
Browse Customer Service Representative jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
IT helpdesk support jobs are similar to customer service jobs. They specifically focus on issues related to technology, such as hardware and software malfunctions. – AED 199,200 per year
Browse IT Helpdesk Support jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Jobs as data entry specialists are also examples of unskilled jobs in Abu Dhabi for foreigners. These jobs don’t require a lot of training and can be done almost anywhere. – AED 77,915 per year
Browse Data Entry Specialist jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Many app developers work from home in Abu Dhabi. As long as they have a computer and internet connection, they can write code and create apps for their clients. – AED 68,016 per year
Browse App Developer jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Content marketing specialists assist with content writing and design for various businesses. They play a key role in helping companies execute their marketing strategies. – AED 80,090 per year
Browse Content Marketing jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Digital marketing specialists also play an important role in helping marketing teams achieve their goals. They specifically handle tasks related to digital and internet marketing (SEO, blogging, email marketing, etc.). – AED 57,634 per year
Browse Digital Marketing jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
With the help of email and video conferencing, it’s easier than ever for salespeople to work remotely in Abu Dhabi and throughout the world. They can make calls and connect with potential clients from almost anywhere. – AED 45,055 per year
Browse Salesperson jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Online tutors work from home and help students improve their performance in specific subjects. They may assist with assignment completion or help them better understand certain concepts. – AED 71,844 per year
Browse Online Tutor jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Bookkeepers work with businesses to help them manage their finances. They use software to keep track of incoming and outgoing funds, balance the books, and assist with tax preparation. – AED 37,187 per year
Browse Bookkeeper jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Search for Jobs for Foreigners in Abu Dhabi Today
As you can see, there are tons of jobs for foreigners in Abu Dhabi.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for unskilled jobs in Abu Dhabi for foreigners or highly skilled jobs. Either way, there’s something for you, and GrabJobs can help you track it down.
Check out our free search tool today to begin looking for your dream job.
Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash
