Dubai at a Glance

Jobs and Free Trade Zones in Dubai

Dubai is an attractive business location for global companies.

Expats working in Dubai make up roughly 80% of the emirate’s population. Want to join their ranks? Then make sure to get a good idea on what working in Dubai is like! Our InterNations article on working in Dubai can help you form your opinion with info on the economy, job search, and a lot more.

Public Sector Jobs

Despite its Emiratisation measures as well as investments in jobs for local citizens, Dubai’s government prides itself on welcoming expats from all over the world. Those with the right qualifications can find work in the private, semi-private or government sectors, enjoy tax-free salaries and often rapid careers.

The government indeed offers job positions for skilled expats. Their online job portal lists all vacancies for work in the government sector. Expats can even apply online. However, even though this may seem like an attractive alternative to working in the private sector (provided you have very good Arabic skills), government jobs can also be subject to Emiratisation.

Employment Laws

To regulate labor relations between employer and employee, Dubai follows the UAE federal law no. 8 of 1980. Every now and then, the regulations of this law are expanded with cabinet decisions and ministerial announcements.

In 2006, for instance, Dubai saw the implementation of a landmark HR measure, regulating code of conduct, work environment, recruitment and employment policies as well as compensation and benefits. Another ordinance, which was issued in 2011 by the Ministry of Labor, limits the establishment of private employment agencies to UAE citizens. Only if every partner and signatory is an Emirati is the agency eligible to receive all the necessary licenses.

Hence it is essential for foreign businesses and expats alike to keep themselves informed. New ordinances and regulations may very well affect them and their life in Dubai.

Free Trade Zones

The free trading zones in Dubai function as neutral areas, where foreigners may work, trade or establish their business under more relaxed laws than those which apply in the rest of the UAE. These free zones are, of course, one of the main reasons why many foreign companies view Dubai as the right place to invest and open their branch office. In this way, Dubai has been able to expand its non-oil exports.

Each of the free zones in Dubai is run by an independent free zone authority (FZA), which issues operating licenses and assists companies with establishing their business. Foreign investors can register their company as a Free Zone Establishment (FZE) or open a branch or representative office instead. FZEs are run as limited liability companies and are subject to the rules and regulations of their respective free zone.

For foreign companies, there are many advantages to setting up their business in these free trade zones:

100% foreign ownership
100% import and export tax exemptions
No corporate taxes for 15 years
No personal income taxes
Assistance with recruitment, sponsorship and housing

Local Free Zones

There are free trade zones all over the UAE, most of them in Dubai. The Jebel Ali is the most famous and, having been established in 1980, also the oldest free trade zone. With its international port (the biggest man-made one in the world) and its giant international airport Al Maktoum, the Jebel Ali free zone is one of Dubai’s economic assets.

Other free trade zones include: