All cases are presided over by a judge (or ‘qadi)’ – there are no juries – and both plaintiff and defendant can be asked questions by him in order to determine guilt or innocence. The plaintiff must establish proof of guilt, and generally is required to produce two to four eyewitnesses (the number depends on the seriousness of the alleged wrongdoing). In the absence of eyewitnesses, the qadi may require the defendant to undertake an oath of innocence; refusal to do so will be regarded as proof of guilt. Visitors from Western countries to Gulf States need to be aware that these largely patriarchal societies do not yet share the same degree of sexual liberalism as Westerners may be accustomed to: homosexuality, adultery and ‘fornication’ each carry fixed, and frequently severe, penalties, as indeed do theft, murder and ‘apostasy’ (deserting or rejecting Islam). Lesser penalties are issued for drug and alcohol consumption, debt and usury or viewing pornography – but all are considered illegal. As in Western countries (only more so), ignorance of the law is not considered a defence – it’s advisable to be very familiar with the specific laws of the Gulf country you are about to enter.

Most people will start with internet search engines, where the searcher can connect to sites for newspapers, trade press, recruitment agencies and online job websites.  The more information you can put into the search engine the better as this will help to narrow down the field of search.

It is necessary to proceed with caution when approaching a recruitment agency.  Some agencies will try to request a fee from the applicant but these should be avoided.  A genuine gulf jobs agency will only charge a fee to the company that is looking for new staff.  If you have any doubts, most agencies will be registered with a regulatory body which will help you to check up on them.  There are also some internet forums where users will offer advice about which agencies to avoid. 

It is a good idea to concentrate the search on larger companies, as these will offer more benefits to the worker and can help those who are unfamiliar with the region to settle into a new way of life.  Benefits may include medical insurance, pension schemes and accommodation allowances.  There are even some companies who will make a contribution to the education costs for a worker’s family.

For a work permit in Dubai, you must have a firm offer of employment in place.  Your potential employer will be able to guide you through the whole process of applying for visas and should actually deal with obtaining the work visa for you.  Some companies will have a member of staff whose job it is to help new recruits to complete paperwork and settle in.

Passports must have at least six months left to run on them.  It is a good idea to have photocopies of the passport as you may need to leave yours with your employer so that it can be routinely checked by immigration officials as part of their process for checking on illegal immigrants. 

A residence visa is subject to the issuing of a work permit and a medical examination.  Residence visas may be issued for three years, but can be renewed if required.  Once a residence visa has been obtained the labour card can be applied for.  It is compulsory to have the labour card as it also serves as an ID card.  Foreign worker must carry ID with them at all times.

The most notable opportunity for long term, full time work in Qatar is the information technology sector.  Qatar IT jobs are vital to the success and proper operation of these multinational firms.  Whether communicating with offices outside of the nation in the neighbouring country of Saudi Arabia, or thousands of miles away with international clients in Japan, open lines of communication are absolutely necessary. The next most notable positions are project management and construction positions within these oil companies.  Whilst some construction projects are short lived, these sorts of project management positions can span several years.  Regardless, each and every support position in the petroleum industry is in demand in Qatar; it’s simply a matter of getting oneself in touch with those who are hiring.

There are several agencies which have offices in the countries they are recruiting for as well as offices in some of the world’s major cities, including London, Paris, Berlin and New York.  Agencies tend to be focused on one particular industry, although there are some general agencies which cover a number of disciplines.  Industries with vacancies include the oil industry, gas, teaching and the medical profession. 

If you are skilled in a particular area – especially if you have skills that are in demand in the Gulf – then it is a good idea to register with the agency as soon as you decide you want to work in the Gulf.  Vacancies are listed with them each day and may not necessarily be posted on their website or in trade or national press if they already have someone on their books who is suitable for the position.  Registering means that you will receive the information on new job listings as soon as it comes in. 

When working with an agency, no worker should be asked to pay any kind of fee.  Fees should be paid by the company who post the vacancy, and workers should be wary if they are asked for money when looking for jobs in Saudi Arabia or other Gulf countries. 

With a burgeoning population and increasingly prominent global profile, there will never be a shortage of jobs in the UAE across most industries, and historically Dubai was a significant centre for Western manufacturers. The preferential trading conditions offered by the various free trade zones throughout the UAE has attracted many kinds of business – the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority, for example, comprises many manufacturing and distribution companies and as with all of the 20 trading zones throughout the UAE, companies trading from here benefit from 100 per cent ownership and a loosening of usual trading restrictions including no tax liability. It is conveniently located next to Jebel Ali Port and close to the airport for swift and efficient transport links.

Manufacturing accounts for approximately 13% of the economy and in the last 30 years the UAE has invested a reported $6.8 billion in industrial development. Linked to the region’s trademark crude oil industries, chemicals and plastics represent big business and Dubai Aluminium is a leading supplier to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. The government encourages investment in manufacturing and offers low-interest loans (through the Emirates Industrial Bank) to private financiers willing to invest in manufacturing in the UAE.

Another career option in the Middle East is teaching. Many teaching jobs will be advertised either for ‘men only’ or ‘women only’, particularly those based in Saudi Arabia where male/female segregation is very much part of their tradition.

Start your search for Dubai banking jobs using the internet, unless you have already moved to Dubai where you can use one of the employment agencies.  You will need to make sure that you have refined your CV or resume as fully as possible so that you make a good first impression with the potential employer.  Remember that the most powerful CV or resume is only one page in length.

Firstly, search for banking jobs in Dubai offered by the largest firms who have been in business the longest and are well established.  The chances are that these firms offer the best salaries and the most secure employment when compared with the smaller ones.

Work visa requirements and attendant fees are very common when gaining employment anywhere in the Middle East.  Fortunately, many employers offer the tentative employee assistance with both of these, as well as those visas and fees that may be required by the spouse and family of the employee.

Work visa applications need to be made to the Saudi embassy or consulate in your country of origin.  All fees should be paid by the company who is sponsoring your move, although you may be liable for a small processing fee. Details and application forms are available from the website of the Saudi Arabian embassy.

It is possible to register a visa application online at the embassy website and employers have to get authorisation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before they can submit a work permit application to the embassy.  If any of the details that are given to the Ministry are different from those given to the embassy then the application will be rejected immediately. 

If you have worked in Saudi Arabia before you will need to get a reference from your previous employer. Those who have an Israeli stamp in their passport or any connection with Israel will not be allowed to enter the country. 

The rules and regulations have a tendency to change on a regular basis, so it is important to ensure that you have up to date information.  This can be obtained by checking the embassy website.  Some applicants may be asked to provide additional information.

Oil jobs in Dubai, Qatar and other Arab states are generally advertised on company websites, in newspapers, in trade press and with recruitment agencies.  Care is advised when dealing with recruitment agencies as there are some fraudulent organisations in existence.  Check that the agencies you are using are recognised by industry regulatory bodies.

Those who stand a good chance of obtaining employment in the oil industry include those with degrees in engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry and chemical engineering.  People with non-oil backgrounds may find that there are opportunities for them too, with a need for health and safety professionals and medical professionals.  Fire workers will also always be in demand.  Those with qualifications, experience and a good work record stand a good chance of obtaining employment.

The oil industry in the Gulf States is attractive to workers as it pays extremely well.  There are often benefits with regard to paying taxes and there are some who spend just a few years working in the industry and find they have earned enough to retire.  The cost of living in these countries is also relatively low, so well-paid workers can enjoy a higher standard of living there than they would in the West.

The majority of recruitment agencies also specialise in one niche market, making it easier for individuals looking for jobs in the UAE to find exactly the post they’re looking for. Recruiting for a number of positions including construction managers, managerial and office employees, engineers and IT professionals, agencies are in a prime position to fill new job vacancies with the right workers.

Agencies, particularly those in the Middle East, also offer a way for women to find jobs. Whilst male expatriates can readily find work across the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia, strict regulations on the movements and actions of women can make it extremely difficult for Western woman to find a working role in the region. Most agencies will provide a range of opportunities for spouses and take care of the extra paperwork involved, allowing for as smooth an integration as possible.

Whilst over the past few years Dubai in particular has begun to recruit an increasing number of its own nationals, the gulf jobs market remains relatively open. And with the use of a recruitment agency, the process can become far more streamlined than first imagined.