Finding the Right Job Abroad

There are a number of important issues and practicalities to bear in mind before embarking on a job search in the Middle East. There are many incentives for wanting to start a new life in this prosperous and thriving region, and its growing economy and healthy, varied job market makes it an attractive proposition. The Middle East, notably Dubai, is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world, but living and working there is, as one would expect, markedly different from taking a holiday there.

Dubai is a brilliantly vibrant, thriving society, a metropolis at the very heart of the Middle East but although respectful foreigners are generally welcomed and valued for the role they play in building and shaping the flourishing economy, they are not usually ultimately integrated into the population. As the government is naturally keen to protect the UAE’s sense of identity and certainly the cultural values system inherent in the Arabic way of life, foreigners will not be granted citizenship no matter how long they stay unless they marry a national and convert to Islam (and even that won’t guarantee citizenship). Other religions are tolerated with the exception of Israeli Jews (a long-standing political issue between nations). The majority of UAE citizens are Sunni Muslims with only very few Shi’a. Many foreigners are also Muslim, with Hindus and Christians comprising around 4% of the population.