10 Most In-Demand Jobs For Foreigners in Dubai
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people move to Dubai. Nearly 89 percent of the country’s population (8.92 million people) is made up of expats, and the majority of them move here for work.
Are you currently looking for jobs for foreigners in Dubai? If so, this guide is for you.
In this guide, we’ll teach you what skills are currently in demand, as well as which jobs are in high demand. You’ll find visa information for foreign workers and a step-by-step checklist explaining how to find a job in this country.
What Skills Are in High Demand in Jobs for Foreigners in Dubai?
If you want to qualify for the most in-demand Dubai jobs for expats, you need to have the right skills. The following are 10 high-demand skills employers in Dubai are looking for:
1. Finance/Money Management Skills
Finance and money management skills are in high demand throughout Dubai. There are lots of businesses in Dubai and the UAE that need help balancing their budgets, preparing and filing tax documents, and offering advice on investments and other financial matters. If you have training in the accounting or finance sector — and have experience working with business or personal finances — you’ll likely have an easy time finding a job in Dubai.
2. Cybersecurity/Risk Management Skills
The tech industry is one of the largest industries in Dubai, and cybersecurity knowledge is also in high demand here — and in the UAE — right now. Lots of businesses are looking for tools and advice to help them protect their clients’ data and prevent breaches. If you have training in the cybersecurity sector — or relevant fields like risk management — you will find that there’s a significant need for your skills in Dubai, among businesses of all sizes.
3. Coding/Web Development Skills
Because the tech industry is so prominent in Dubai, there is also a need for web developers and people with coding experience. If you’re trained in programming languages like CSS or Javascript, you will find lots of opportunities for work in Dubai, either as an in-house web developer or as a freelance developer who works with lots of different clients.
4. Administrative Skills
Administrative skills like organization, time management, and written/verbal communication are all in high demand throughout Dubai. Lots of businesses — small, medium, and large businesses — need help from administrative assistants to help them manage their workload and serve their clients. Other professionals, such as HR professionals and marketers, can also benefit from administrative skills.
5. Marketing Skills
If you’re looking for work in Dubai for foreigners, you may want to brush up on your marketing skills. Plenty of businesses need help attracting new clients, promoting their products or services, and building their brands. If you are creative, detail-oriented, and good at creating and executing marketing campaigns, your skills will be very valuable in Dubai.
6. Social Media Marketing Skills
In addition to general marketing skills, social media marketing skills are also in high demand among Dubai-based businesses. If you have knowledge of various social media platforms — and know-how to analyze performance and manage paid advertising on these platforms — you can help businesses improve their reach, grow their audiences, and boost conversions.
7. Language Skills
Dubai is a very diverse place, and people from all over the world call it home. Because people move here from all over the world, tons of different languages are spoken in this emirate. Because of this, the ability to speak more than one language — and speak it fluently — can come in very handy in Dubai, whether you work in the business world, the tech sector, or the medical field.
8. Teaching Skills
The ability to deliver information to others — in a way that they can understand — is very valuable in Dubai. If you know how to communicate your knowledge and deliver it in a simple, easy-to-digest way, you may have what it takes to be a great teacher. This is especially true if you’re also a good listener, are very patient, and can manage your time effectively.
9. Personnel Management Skills
If you have the ability to work well with others, provide training, and settle disputes, you will likely be a good candidate for positions in the human resources field. From human resource management to talent acquisition, personnel management skills play an important role in helping businesses run smoothly. After all, if employees aren’t receiving proper training or don’t feel that they have support from the HR team, they aren’t going to be able to perform to the best of their abilities.
10. Patient Care Skills
There are lots of job opportunities in Dubai for foreigners who have training and experience in the medical field. This includes nurses, physicians, nursing assistants, and more. If you have worked in any of these prepositions previously, and are confident in your ability to give patients the care they need and deserve, you will likely have an easy time finding a job in one of Dubai’s hospitals or healthcare clinics.
What Are the 10 Most In-Demand Jobs for Foreigners in Dubai?
Currently, there are some jobs for foreigners in Dubai that are in higher demand than others. This list features 10 of the most in-demand job opportunities in Dubai for foreigners:
Dubai has recently become known as the business capital of Africa. Tons of businesses operate out of this emirate, and they need help from finance professionals to manage their budgets and make wise decisions. Plenty of individual residents also need help with their financial management, so there’s a high demand for accountants of all kinds in this emirate.
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The tech sector is quickly growing in Dubai, too, and there is a high demand for cybersecurity specialists, specifically. Because so many businesses operate out of Dubai, there are lots of professionals who need help keeping their data secure and protecting customers and clients.
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The best web developers have extensive knowledge of programming languages (HTML, Javascript, CSS, etc.). They use this knowledge to create websites that meet a client’s specific needs and goals. As businesses continue to grow and thrive in Dubai, so will the demand for web developers who can help them expand their online presence and reach a larger audience.
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Administrative assistants carry out a variety of tasks, including scheduling appointments, making phone calls, and sending and responding to client emails. Tons of business professionals work in Dubai, and they need help from administrative assistants to get all of their work done, so it’s understandable that administrative assistants (as well as virtual assistants) are in high demand right now.
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A data entry specialist is a type of administrative employee. They play a key role in helping businesses of all kinds and sizes run smoothly.
A data entry specialist collects data from various sources (written files, audio files, phone calls, etc.) and then compiles all of that data into one document or database. This makes it easier for other professionals to find the information they need.
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Many of the businesses in Dubai need help to expand their online presence and promote their products or services virtually. This is where the need for digital marketing specialists comes in. Digital marketing specialists have extensive marketing knowledge and assist with content creation, social media marketing, assessing analytics, and more.
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The various businesses operating out of Dubai also need help managing personnel and hiring new employees. Human resource managers — as well as those who work under them — play a key role in helping businesses run smoothly and making sure employees are satisfied with their jobs.
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Teachers are almost always in demand throughout the world, and Dubai is no exception. Teachers who have extensive knowledge in a specific subject are an asset to the schools of Dubai. It’s important to note, though, that Dubai takes its education very seriously — before they can be employed, teachers must have a good conduct license from their previous employer and a license to teach in the UAE.
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Nurses — and other healthcare professionals — are and always have been in high demand throughout Dubai. They play a key role in caring for patients and making sure they get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
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Hospitals and healthcare clinics in Dubai also need physicians to care for patients and help them feel their best. It’s true that there is always a demand for physicians. However, in the last couple of years, the demand has become even greater.
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Visa Information For Foreigners with Jobs in Dubai
If you’re looking for jobs in Dubai for foreigners with visa sponsorship, here are some important factors you need to keep in mind.
Types of Visas
Dubai and the UAE, specifically, offer several different types of visas, including entry permit visas, visit visas, student visas, and visas for medical treatment.
Before you can legally get to Dubai for work, you’ll need to obtain an entry permit visa. Then, you’ll need to obtain a residence visa and work permit.
Eligibility Criteria
To get a residence visa and work permit, you’ll need to provide the following documents:
- Application form
- Original passport (plus a copy)
- Multiple passport photos
- A copy of your company card (provides information about the company you’re working for)
- A certificate of health
- An entry permit from the Ministry of Labor
- Proof that you’ve paid the application fee
To get a Dubai work permit, you’ll also need to submit these additional documents:
- An employment contract showing you’re employed by a company in Dubai
- Copies of your birth certificate and passport
- Proof of accommodations (e.g., a copy of a lease agreement)
You’ll also need to provide evidence that shows you can support yourself in Dubai.
How Hard Is It to Get a Visa?
To get a visa for a foreign worker in Dubai, the application process is quite lengthy. You’ll need to allow plenty of time to gather documentation and submit it to the proper authorities — never mind the amount of time you’ll need to commit to applying for jobs and finding a good fit.
Because Dubai has such a large expat population, though, your chances of having your application approved are fairly good. This is especially true if you’ve already been hired by a Dubai-based company.
5 Essential Steps for Getting Jobs for Foreigners in Dubai
Do you know what kinds of jobs you want to search for in Dubai? Are you confused about the application process?
If so, here are some steps to follow to help you find work in Dubai for foreigners:
1. Search for Jobs in Dubai
In general, it’s easier to get a visa to live in Dubai if you’ve first been offered a job here. Start searching online to find job openings in Dubai that align with your training, background, and skill set.
Take advantage of job sites like GrabJobs to simplify your search and narrow down your results based on job type, education requirements, salary, and more. You can also reach out to recruiting agencies in Dubai and let them know that you’re looking for jobs in the area.
2. Apply for Jobs
Once you’ve found some jobs in Dubai that seem like a good fit, it’s time to start filling out applications. This process can be tedious, for sure. It’s necessary, though.
Keep in mind, too, that tools like GrabJobs can help you simplify the application process. They allow you to create an online profile and apply for jobs quickly. This, in turn, speeds everything up and increases your chances of hearing back from potential employers sooner.
3. Get the Right Visa
Once you’ve heard back from a business and been offered a job, you can start the visa application process. Remember, you’ll need to go through the process of applying for an entry permit visa and a work permit.
Similar to the process of filling out job applications, this process is time-consuming and tedious. It’s important, though, if you want to start a new life in Dubai.
Be patient and do your best to follow the instructions that come with each application. This will speed things up and help you get your visa faster.
4. Get Your Documents in Order
An important part of getting your visa is submitting all of the right documents. Reference the checklists mentioned in the previous section so you can collect all of the relevant documents and get them sent over as quickly as possible.
Try to get everything right the first time. That will expedite the process and save you from having to go through multiple submission rounds.
5. Stay Connected
It’s important to stay in touch with your future employer even after you’ve been accepted for jobs in Dubai for foreigners with visa sponsorship. They may be able to help you with the process and keep you informed about the status of your visa application.
Staying in touch also shows that you’re serious about the job. It lets them know that you are doing everything you can to get to Dubai and start working as quickly as possible, too.
Find Jobs for Foreigners in Dubai Today
Before reading this guide, you may have felt a bit stressed about finding jobs for foreigners in Dubai. However, with this information in mind, we hope that you can feel more empowered to take steps toward finding the perfect job for you.
If you’re ready to kickstart your job hunting process, check out GrabJobs today. Our free search tool makes it easier than ever for you to learn about and apply for Dubai jobs for expats.
