Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is one of the world’s fastest
growing employment hotspots in the world. Up to 20 new companies
establish themselves in the emirate’s free trade zones every week and
since 2002 some 650 companies have registered in the Dubai Media City
free trade zone alone.
Yes, you heard me right, Dubai is tax free – if you live and work
in the emirate your income will be paid to you gross and furthermore,
if you buy a house to live in you will not be subject to property taxes
because direct personal taxation is against the law in Dubai!
The emirate currently has 15 free trade zones and 7 more are in the
planning stages. The free trade zones are where foreign businesses can
establish themselves and grow without the restriction of corporate
taxation for example and without having to submit to a local majority
shareholding structure. As a direct result of all of the incentives
offered to overseas businesses, take up in the free trade zones has
been incredible and employment opportunities for foreign personnel are
being created within them on a weekly basis.
To work in Dubai you require a work permit and a residency visa and
the majority of employers arrange these for their expatriate work force
when they appoint them. If you’re planning on travelling to Dubai to
look for work you can enter the country on a temporary visa and then as
soon as you secure employment you can apply for your work permit and
visas. Rules relating to the period of time you can remain in the
country on a temporary visa vary depending on the country you herald
from and you should check with your local UAE embassy on rules that
apply to you before you travel.
Most business in Dubai is done on a networking basis and so when you
first arrive it can feel a little alien to have to immediately get out
there and start introducing yourself to people. But don’t worry, you
soon get used to it. Just make sure you have a pocketful of business
cards to hand whenever you leave your accommodation as trading in
business cards is the first step to successful networking!
Once you’ve settled into the different working hours in Dubai –
many businesses close for a few hours in the afternoon and no local
people take appointments on a Friday – and once you’ve settled into
the fast pace of your social life you will begin to love your new
surroundings. The quality of life achievable in Dubai for expatriates
is quite possibly inimitable elsewhere as such emphasis has been placed
on creating a paradise where foreign workers can work hard, play hard,
live life to the full and experience everything in one day from skiing
on an indoor slope to playing golf to diving to camel riding in the
desert.
Expatriates make up 94% of the population in Dubai and as a direct
result you can almost guarantee you’ll make friends very quickly and
easily. The environment in Dubai is so multi cultural, open and free
and there are a great deal of social clubs and events designed for
people to meet up and make friends. These all help ease new residents
into their brand new life. Everyone makes a great effort to get along
in Dubai because they are all in the same boat together – working
away from home but enjoying being in a country that offers first class
business opportunities and a tax free lifestyle – could you ask for
more?
By Rhiannon Williamson is the publisher of Shelter Offshore which
features 3 channels offshore investment, property investment abroad
& overseas lifestyle and which guides you to a low tax, maximum
investment profit lifestyle abroad
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