You got the offer. Now let's make sure it's worth it.
I've seen dozens of professionals relocate to Dubai for work. Some negotiated packages worth $30K more than the initial offer. Others accepted lowball deals and struggled for years. The difference? Understanding how Dubai employment actually works.
The headline salary will look amazing — no income tax means you keep everything. But the package structure, benefits, and hidden costs matter just as much.
This guide will help you evaluate your offer, negotiate effectively, and avoid the mistakes that cost people money and peace of mind.
Is this move right for you?
Not every Dubai offer is worth taking. Here's an honest assessment of who thrives in corporate Dubai.
Dubai employment works for you if:
- ✓You're in a high-paying industry (finance, tech, consulting, oil & gas)
- ✓You want to accelerate savings with tax-free income
- ✓You're comfortable in a corporate, hierarchical environment
- ✓You value safety, convenience, and modern infrastructure
- ✓You see this as a 2-5 year wealth-building chapter
- ✓You're okay with a transient social scene where people come and go
Think twice if:
- ✗The offer isn't significantly higher than your home country (factor in housing costs)
- ✗You're in an industry with weak Dubai presence (creative arts, academia, non-profits)
- ✗Work-life balance is your top priority (corporate culture here skews long hours)
- ✗You need strong employment protections (UAE favors employers more than EU/UK)
- ✗You're not comfortable with limited labor unions and collective bargaining
"The real question isn't 'is the salary good?' It's 'will I save significantly more than at home after accounting for housing, lifestyle, and what I give up?' Do the math honestly before you accept."
Understanding the package
Dubai packages are structured differently than Western offers. Here's what each component means — and what's actually standard.
Basic Salary
Your core monthly pay. This is what gratuity and other benefits are calculated from. Some companies lowball this and load up on allowances to reduce their gratuity liability.
Housing Allowance
Either provided as an apartment or a cash allowance. Cash is usually better — gives you flexibility and you might find cheaper housing.
Transport Allowance
Car allowance or company car. Cash is more flexible unless you value not dealing with car admin.
Annual Flights
Return flights to your home country for you and dependents. Usually economy, sometimes business for senior roles.
Health Insurance
Mandatory in Dubai. Quality varies massively — some plans are excellent, others barely cover basics.
Education Allowance
For families with kids. Schools here are expensive — AED 30-80K per child per year.
Companies love quoting "total package" numbers that include everything — housing, flights, insurance, even your hypothetical gratuity. Always ask: "What will I see in my bank account each month after deductions?" That's the real number.
Salary benchmarks by industry
These are typical monthly salaries (AED) for mid to senior roles. Junior roles are 30-50% lower. Executive roles can be 2-3x higher.
| Industry | Mid-Level | Senior | Director+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance & Banking | 25-40K | 45-70K | 80-150K+ |
| Technology | 20-35K | 40-60K | 70-120K+ |
| Consulting | 25-40K | 50-80K | 90-150K+ |
| Oil & Gas / Energy | 25-45K | 50-80K | 100-200K+ |
| Healthcare (Doctors) | 30-50K | 50-80K | 80-150K+ |
| Legal | 20-35K | 40-70K | 80-150K+ |
| Marketing / Media | 15-25K | 30-45K | 50-80K |
| HR / Admin | 12-20K | 25-40K | 45-70K |
| Hospitality | 10-18K | 20-35K | 40-70K |
| Education | 12-20K | 22-35K | 40-60K |
Note: These are base salaries only. Total packages including housing and benefits are typically 30-50% higher.
1. Check LinkedIn Salary Insights for your specific role and company
2. Use GulfTalent and Bayt salary surveys (free registration required)
3. Ask in expat Facebook groups — people are surprisingly open about salaries
4. If possible, talk to current employees at the company through LinkedIn
What to negotiate for
Most people focus only on salary. Here's what actually moves the needle:
High-impact negotiation targets
Affects gratuity calculation. 10% higher basic = 10% higher payout when you leave.
You can choose cheaper housing and pocket the difference. Often AED 20-40K/year savings.
Shipping, temporary accommodation, visa costs add up. AED 20-50K for a family move.
Schools here are expensive. Full coverage for 2 kids could be worth AED 100-160K/year.
Get clarity on realistic bonus expectations. Ask what % of people hit targets.
Business class for long-haul routes or cash equivalent (often better) for flexibility.
Standard is 30-90 days. Shorter gives you flexibility if a better opportunity comes.
Some companies can put you on paid leave during notice. Good to clarify upfront.
"The best time to negotiate is before you sign. Once you're in, your leverage drops dramatically. Companies expect negotiation — a reasonable counter-offer won't cost you the role."
The employment visa process
Good news: your employer handles most of this. Here's what happens and what you need to do.
Entry Permit
1-2 weeks
- →Employer applies for your entry permit
- →You receive permit via email (pink slip)
- →Valid for 60 days to enter UAE
Medical Test
Same day
- →Blood test and chest X-ray at designated center
- →Tests for infectious diseases (HIV, TB, Hepatitis)
- →Results sent directly to immigration
Emirates ID
1-2 weeks
- →Biometrics captured (photo, fingerprints)
- →Emirates ID card issued
- →This is your main ID in UAE (more important than passport)
Visa Stamping
2-5 days
- →Residence visa stamped in passport
- →Usually 2-3 year validity
- →Tied to your employer
Labor Card
1 week
- →Issued by Ministry of Human Resources
- →Confirms your employment status
- →Required for many official processes
From job offer to working legally: 3-5 weeks typically. Some companies can expedite to 2 weeks. You can usually start working once you have your entry permit, while the rest processes.
Probation and notice periods
UAE labor law has specific rules. Here's what you need to know:
Probation period
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum length | 6 months (cannot be extended) |
| Termination by employer | 14 days notice required |
| Resignation by employee | 14 days notice (if staying in UAE) |
| Resignation to leave UAE | 14 days notice + 1 month before departure |
| Gratuity | Not entitled during probation |
Notice periods (after probation)
Notice periods are agreed in your contract. Typical ranges:
- →Junior roles: 30 days
- →Mid-level roles: 30-60 days
- →Senior roles: 60-90 days
- →Executive roles: 90+ days (sometimes 6 months)
There used to be strict "labor bans" preventing you from working for another UAE employer after resignation. These have been largely removed under the 2022 labor law reforms.
Current rule: After your contract ends properly, you can join another UAE employer without restrictions. This includes resignation with proper notice.
End of service benefits (gratuity)
This is one of the best parts of UAE employment — a mandatory payout when you leave.
How gratuity is calculated
| Years of Service | Calculation |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | No gratuity (probation doesn't count) |
| 1-5 years | 21 days basic salary per year |
| 5+ years | 30 days basic salary per year (for years after 5th) |
Example calculation
Basic salary: AED 25,000/month • Service: 4 years
- • Only basic salary counts — not allowances
- • Maximum cap: 2 years total salary (rarely reached)
- • Resignation vs termination: same calculation since 2022 reforms
- • Must be paid within 14 days of last working day
- • Some companies now offer DEWS (savings scheme) instead — can be better if invested well
Healthcare coverage
Health insurance is mandatory in Dubai. But quality varies wildly. Here's what to look for:
Insurance tiers
- • What's the annual coverage limit?
- • Which hospitals are in-network? (Ask for the actual list)
- • Is my family covered? At what cost?
- • What's the maternity coverage and waiting period?
- • Is there pre-existing condition exclusion?
- • Can I see the policy document before signing?
Relocating with family
Bringing family adds complexity but is very common. Here's how it works:
Who you can sponsor
| Dependent | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | Marriage certificate (attested) | Straightforward process |
| Sons | Under 18 (or under 25 if studying) | Birth certificate required |
| Daughters | Any age if unmarried | Birth certificate required |
| Parents | Minimum salary ~AED 20K/month | Requires income proof |
Costs to budget for
Employer may cover this
Should be in your package
Negotiate allowance for this
2BR vs 1BR difference
If not provided by employer
Option 1: Family comes with you. Process visas together. Takes 4-6 weeks total.
Option 2: You come first, settle, then bring family. Common approach. Family can visit on tourist visa while you arrange permanent visas.
Calculate family relocation costs
Factor in schools, housing, and lifestyle for an accurate family budget.
Open Family Calculator→People who've made the move
“I was hesitant about the package — looked lower than my London salary on paper. Then I did the math: no income tax, housing allowance, and school fees covered. I'm saving 40% more than I ever did in the UK.”
“The biggest surprise was the gratuity. After 5 years, I walked away with almost 4 months salary as a bonus. Nobody told me about this before I came. It's like a forced savings account.”
“I underestimated how much schools would cost. My package covered AED 50K per child, but good schools are AED 70K+. Negotiate harder on education allowance than I did — it makes a huge difference.”
Frequently asked questions
Some packages are 'all-inclusive' with higher base salary instead of separate allowances. This can actually be better for gratuity calculation. Just make sure the total is competitive when compared to split packages.
Technically requires your employer's written permission and a part-time work permit. Many employment contracts prohibit outside work entirely. Check your contract and don't assume it's allowed.
You receive gratuity (if over 1 year), any accrued leave pay, and typically 30 days grace period on your visa to find new employment or leave the country. The 2022 labor law gives more protection than before.
Usually not. Most bonuses are discretionary based on company and individual performance. Get clarity on realistic expectations and what percentage of employees typically receive the target bonus.
Very difficult. Your leverage drops significantly after signing. If circumstances change (discovered higher cost of living, etc.), you can ask, but don't expect success. Negotiate everything before signing.
UAE doesn't have mandatory pension for expats. Gratuity is the replacement. Some multinational companies offer voluntary pension schemes. If retirement savings matter to you, factor this into your personal financial planning.
The 2022 labor law made all new contracts 'limited term' (1-3 years, renewable). This actually provides more clarity for both parties. There's no longer a meaningful unlimited vs limited distinction for new hires.
The Dubai Salary Negotiation Checklist
Package evaluation template, salary benchmarks by role, and the 5 things most people forget to negotiate — in one free download.
No spam. Just the checklist.