Dubai has a very buoyant economy, with a wealth of job opportunities available. Traditionally, many of the jobs in this region have been in the oil and gas industries, or in engineering. With the establishment by the Dubai Government of a number of specialist 'free zones' there is also likely to be a growing demand for professionals in the banking and finance, IT and media industries.

Although there is great variation in the salaries to be earned in Dubai, they are among the highest in the world, are tax-free and are often only part of an employment package which includes accommodation, air fares, and medical insurance.

You can either apply for jobs from your home country, or enter the UAE on a visit visa which can later be exchanged for a residence visa if you are successful in finding employment. The company offering you a job will need to apply for a work permit to The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, which now operates an on-line application process.

The Dubai International Financial Centre, the new financial free zone, is being promoted by the Dubai Government as a global financial centre, where companies can benefit from a zero tax rate and the latest technology and facilities. It will extend over 110 acres and be a self-contained community containing housing, hotels, restaurants and bars as well as many office blocks. Companies are currently being invited to apply for inclusion in the free zone, and individual jobseekers with relevant experience and qualifications can submit their resumeïEURˆ in order to be considered for employment in the free zone.

The Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, established in 2000, consist of Dubai Internet City, in which ICT companies are located, Dubai Media City which is for media companies, and the Knowledge Village for knowledge-focused companies. The free zone website has an online job-board where vacancies are posted in these three areas of work.

Other on-line jobsites for Dubai indicate that a wide range of jobs are available in the city in various sectors including real estate, administrative work, construction, transport and interior design. The local newspapers also advertise jobs, particularly Gulf News which publishes an Appointments section several times a week, and also posts vacancy details on its website. The Emirates Network.com has a particularly useful website which contains job vacancies from a variety of popular recruitment agencies in Dubai, and contains articles to help in your search for employment in the UAE.

The American Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates, a non-profit organisation which promotes the development of commerce and investment between the USA and Dubai/the Northern Emirates, advertises jobs on its website on behalf of its member companies. Applicants are required to apply direct to the relevant companies, not the Business Council.

Similarly, The British Business Group, Dubai & Northern Emirates (BBG), with a membership of more than 430 companies, advertises members' job vacancies on its website.

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