What’s it like to work in the UAE?
Pick your line of work: the working day, pay, remote working, commuting and culture change to fit you. Tap any question for the detail.
What do you do?
Pick the closest match · 9 job typesFor you: technology
Why people love it
- Demand is strong, especially for AI, data and cloud
- You want tax-free pay and a hybrid week
- You’d like a long-term visa that isn’t tied to one employer
What catches people out
- Pay spreads are wide: benchmark before you negotiate
- Some firms are more hierarchical than UK tech
- Meetings with the US can run late
A working day
Monday to Friday for most; typical, not fixed- 09:00Stand-up; much of the team may be remote
- 09:30Deep work: build, review, ship
- 12:30Lunch; teams often eat together
- 14:00Calls with UK and Europe (2–3 hours behind)
- 18:00Most leave; US calls some evenings
- 19:00Meet-ups, padel or a run in winter
What it pays
| Role | Monthly, AED | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Software engineer, full stack (startup) | 25,000–35,000 | Cooper Fitch 2025 |
| Product manager (startup) | 35,000–45,000 | Cooper Fitch 2025 |
| AI and machine learning roles | 25,000–75,000 | Michael Page 2026, via The National |
Large firms usually pay more than startups. Ask how the package splits between basic salary and allowances.
No income tax on salary. Figures are market surveys or self-reported, monthly in AED (AED 1 ≈ 20p). Sources: Cooper Fitch UAE Salary Guide 2025; Michael Page UAE Salary Guide 2026; The National: UAE salary guide 2026; Engel & Völkers: Dubai agent salary guide; Teacher Horizons: UAE teacher pay; Glassdoor: staff nurse, Dubai (self-reported).
Remote working and the commute
Remote: hybrid or remote
Hybrid is common: often two or three days in the office. Fully remote roles exist but are rarer than in the UK.
Getting to work
Tech clusters: Dubai Internet City and Media City (on the Red Line), DIFC, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Hub71 in Abu Dhabi.
What the culture’s like
In your field
- Very international teams: British, Indian, Arab, European
- Titles and seniority matter more in large firms
- Networking events most weeks in the cool season
Everywhere
- Relationships first: coffee before business
- Seniority shows more than in the UK
- Dress modestly at work; suits in finance and law
- Take care online: defamation laws are strict, including for reviews and posts
- Some offices finish early on Fridays
What’s different from the UK
| UK | UAE | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax on pay | Income tax and National Insurance | None on salary |
| Pension | Workplace pension, auto-enrolled | End-of-service gratuity instead, unless your employer offers a savings plan |
| Your visa | Not tied to a job | Usually sponsored by your employer; change jobs and the visa moves too |
| Contracts | Often open-ended | Fixed-term, registered with MOHRE on the mainland |
| Healthcare | NHS | Employer health insurance; check who it covers |
| Holiday | 28 days including bank holidays | 30 days plus public holidays |
| Summer | Best time of year | Hottest months; many take long leave |
How people land jobs here
- Networks first. Many roles are filled through referrals. Tell everyone you know who has moved already.
- Recruiters and LinkedIn. Specialist recruiters cover most sectors. Set your LinkedIn location to Dubai when you’re ready.
- A scouting trip. A week of coffees in the cool season often beats months of applications from the UK.
- Get documents ready. Attested degree, references and a UAE-style CV (a photo is still common).
Getting in
- Offer letter, then your employer applies for the work permit
- Attest your degree before you fly
- Medical test, Emirates ID, residence visa
Most employed visas are sponsored by your employer. ·
Your first 90 days at work
| Week 1 | Medical test, Emirates ID and visa stamping. HR usually handles it, but you’ll need to attend |
| Month 1 | Open a bank account with your salary certificate. Your first pay may come late while payroll catches up |
| Months 1–3 | Probation. Build relationships early: they matter more than in the UK |
| Month 3 | Review your health cover, housing and commute now you know the city |
The rules everyone works under
Mainland private sector · tap for detailDIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws. Sources: Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021 (MOHRE), u.ae: working hours and overtime.
Questions people like you ask
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