The UAE is one of the countries where you can find many job openings for OFW professional and skilled workers. To find a job in UAE, start by looking online on job portals like Indeed, CareerBuilder, and Monster. You can also try searching on company websites or contacting companies directly. Please be guided on the steps for Filipinos on how they can search for opportunities in the UAE.
Also Read: How to Identify Illegal Recruiters in the Philippines
The United Arab Emirates is made up of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi (the capital), Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain. They form a federation. Together, all of these emirates make up the Federal Supreme Council.
Abu Dhabi’s emir is President and Dubai’s emir is the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, so they work together to make the United Arab Emirates work better as a whole. There were 9.2 million people in the country in 2013, of whom 1.4 million were Emiratis and 7.8 million were foreigners. As of 2020, the United Arab Emirates is thought to have a population of about 9.9 million people.
Foreigners include workers who are hired to work in their country. OFWs are included in the population. With the rich industry of UAE, many try their luck to work in UAE.
Table of Contents
Requirements
To apply for work in UAE, you must have the following requirements.
- Two pieces 2 x 2
- Passport, at least six months valid from the date of issuance
- Birth certificate from Philippine Statistics Authority
- High School/ College Diploma
- Transcript of Records (if applicable)
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (if applicable)
- Certificate of employment (if applicable)
- Employer contract / Job contract
- NBI clearance
- Marriage contract (if applicable)
- Professional license (if applicable)
- Training Certificates
- Work Permit
- Visa
Qualifications
To work in the UAE, both you and the company that hires you must meet the following qualifications:
- You must be at least 18 years old to participate.
- The company that hires you must have a valid license.
- There must be no violations in the company.
- The work you do must be appropriate for the company that hired you.
The first thing to do in applying for a job in UAE is to search for a job. There are many ways to search for a job but since we are in a time of technology, online job searching is a trend nowadays and is a must. To guide you, here are the websites for job searching in UAE and the steps in doing it.
How to Search for Jobs in POEA Website in United Arab Emirates (UAE)
1. Click the link or you can search for ‘POEA’ in your browser – https://www.poea.gov.ph/poeaonline.html
2. After you clicked the link, this will appear. Select ‘Verification of Agency’s Job Orders’.
3. Then, select ‘Search Available Job Orders by Country’.
4. From the drop-down choices, select ‘United Arab Emirates’ and click ‘Submit’
5. You will be shown job orders from UAE which is listed and approved by POEA.
How to Search for IPAMS Jobs in United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Websiet: http://www.ipams.com
1. Search for IPAMS on your browser or just click IPAMS or the link above to redirect you to the site. This page will appear after clicking. Click the green box with the word “APPLICANT”
2. You will be asked to log in with your registered email and password if you already have an account.
3. If you are new to the site, click sign up and create your account.
4. Then, scroll down until you see the ‘Search Jobs’ with search bars.
5. On the first search bar, enter your desired job. On the bottom left, under the job, choose the job category from the drop-down menu. On the right, select ‘UAE’ and click ‘Find Jobs’.
6. And, you will be shown search results based on your searched job and location.
How to Search for AMEINRI Jobs in United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Website – https://ameinri.workabroad.ph/profile/agency/693/ameinri
1. Click the link above or you can search for ‘Ameinri’ on your browser. The page looks like this.
2. In the search bar, type the position title you are finding for and hit ‘Search’.
3. And, search results will be shown.
Applying for a UAE Work Permit and Visa
Before applying for a work permit and visa, here are the things to consider.
1. Who is eligible for a work visa in the UAE?
Any foreigner over the age of 18 can work in the UAE as long as they meet the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s requirements (MoHRE). There is no upper age limit for employment in the UAE, but employers must pay a higher fee for workers over 65.
Based on their academic qualifications/skill sets, foreign workers are divided into three categories:
- If you have a bachelor’s degree or higher, you are in category 1.
- If you have a post-secondary diploma in any field, you fall into category 2.
- If you have a high school diploma, you are in category 3.
2. What documents do I need for an employment visa in the United Arab Emirates?
Several supporting documents are required when applying for an employment visa in the UAE, including:
- A copy of your passport as well as your original passport
- A passport-size photograph, as required by the UAE
- Copies of your academic credentials. Your credentials must be approved by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in your country, as well as your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- A medical certificate from a UAE government-approved health center.
- Documents from the company that hired you, such as the company’s commercial license or business card.
Steps on how to get a work permit and visa
The work permit must be obtained on your behalf by your employer. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) is responsible for issuing UAE work permits. The procedure for obtaining a work permit in the UAE is as follows:
- The employer prints the work permit application from the Tas’Heel website, which is run by the Ministry of Labour.
- They hand in the required paperwork (see below)
- The Ministry examines their application and requests that any documents or irregularities be resubmitted or corrected.
- The approval is issued by the Ministry, and the employer can download it from the Ministry’s website.
Preparation in Going to UAE
These are the things you will need to search and expect before going to UAE.
Filipinos in Dubai will find a wide range of luxury and budget-friendly accommodations. Al Satwa, Al Rigga, Al Karama, Al Nahda, and Bur Dubai are popular areas for Filipino expats. Rental offers such as chiller-free apartments in Dubai can help you save money. For expats in Dubai, the metro is a popular mode of transportation. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Careem are also common.
Filipinos in Dubai will find the emirate to be a family-friendly destination with numerous activities and attractions. There are endless options in Dubai for those who want to go all out, from dining at the best restaurants to partying the night away. Expats from the Philippines can also explore Dubai’s cultural side by visiting the free museums and heritage districts. Before returning to the Philippines, Filipino expats should apply for an OEC in Dubai. It’s a good idea to get to know the fundamental rules for expats in Dubai. Filipinos in Dubai should apply for their Philippines passport renewal at least a year ahead of time.
Arrival in UAE
Arriving in UAE for work, you must know these things for you to avoid getting in trouble.
- Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ra’s al-Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm al-Quwwain are the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. Most of the people who live in UAE are expats or foreign workers. This makes the people who were born and raised there a minority in their own country.
- Arabic is the official language of UAE, but many people can also speak English because so many foreigners work there. This will help you talk to people, especially those who live there. Urdu and Hindu are two other languages.
- The weather in UAE is one of the most difficult things to get used to because it is subtropical and dry. During the summer, which lasts from April to September, the daytime temperature could be 50 degrees Celsius and the nighttime temperature could be -15 degrees Celsius. This country also has a lot of sandstorms.
- You can’t go to UAE if you’ve been to Israel before, even if you have a valid work contract.
- If you want to relax, you can’t just buy some alcohol. Before you can buy alcohol from registered vendors, you must first get a permit.
- Don’t let anyone have your passport, not even your boss. UAE law does not allow this, so if you are asked to give up your passport, say no.
- Not having to pay taxes is one of the best things about being a foreign worker. Because the government helps pay for utilities, they are also cheaper than in other countries. Don’t get too excited about shopping, though. Luxury items and well-known brands from around the world are expensive, so think twice before you buy.
- Get used to working with people from different countries. Your office will have people from 200 different countries, including 30,000 Americans. UAE is home to a lot of expats, so be ready to see different cultures and ways of living. You’ll get used to it in time. It would also help if you joined the Filipino community or went to group events, so you could meet new people and forget about missing home, if only for a few hours.
- Pay attention to what’s going on in the news and in your society. In contrast to the Philippines, lawmakers in the UAE pass laws quickly, which you need to know since you live in a different country.
- Don’t get a loan or credit card just so you can “shop.” One reason why foreign workers in UAE were locked up was because they couldn’t pay their debts. If you can’t pay for it with cash, don’t buy it. Or, even better, don’t spend more than you can afford and remind yourself why you chose to work overseas in the first place.
- Women have a place in society, which is not the case in Saudi Arabia. Women go to school and are taught by the government to become Sunni Muslim scholars. They also work in a lot of government jobs, so you don’t have to worry about being treated differently because of your gender.
- The United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country whose religion is Islam. Still, they are open to and accepting of people of other faiths. There are more than 40 churches and temples where people of different religions can worship.
Video: Tips to Landing a Job in UAE
Check out this video clip uploaded on YouTube which features a Filipina and how she was able to land a job in the UAE.
As you can see, it is possible for Filipinos to find jobs in the UAE. There are many ways to go about it, and the most important thing is to have the right mindset and be willing to work hard.
People usually ask her how she got to work in Dubai. She tells her story and gives tips she has learned along the way on how to find a job in UAE when you are in the Philippines.
Here are some trusted and legal recruitment agencies in the Philippines that she thinks you should check out if you want to look for a job in Dubai. They are well-known for giving jobs to Filipinos and sending a lot of them to Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I get OFW in UAE?
POEA, or Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, must process your travel, school, and other documents. You can then look for work to obtain a working visa. Your employment contract will assist you in obtaining a working visa or permit. Travel agencies charge a fee for visit or tourist visas.
2. How much is a 2-year work visa in Dubai?
The work visa costs 5000 AED and has a two-year validity period.
3. How long does it take to get a UAE Work Permit?
The Ministry usually issues the work permit within 5 working days of receiving all of the required documents.
4. How long is a UAE Work Permit Valid?
A work permit is good for 30 days, but it can be renewed for another 30 days. During that time, you and your employer must get a Residence Visa, an Emirates ID, and a Labour Card.
To live and work legally in the UAE, you need a Residence Visa and a Labour Card. UAE residence visa can be used for 1, 2, or 3 years, depending on how long the UAE government wants to give you.
5. How can I get a UAE Work Visa?
It is an entry permit that lets you go to the UAE because you have a job there. Your employer must set up a Residence Visa for you if you want to stay for up to 60 days. When you get to the UAE, the process to get an employment visa starts.
6. What is the UAE Employment Visa Procedure?
After getting permission from the MoHRE to enter the UAE, your employer must apply to the GDRFA of the emirate where you work for a Residence Visa for you.
If your application is accepted, you will get an Emirates ID and a Work Visa. You can legally work in the UAE if you have a Labour Card.
Summary
The search process can be a bit complicated at times, but it is also very exciting. You will experience many different emotions while looking for a job in the UAE. Keep your eyes open and be ready to take advantage of any opportunity that you can find. The most important thing is to keep following your dreams and never give up!
If you want to work in the UAE, it’s important that you know what type of job opportunities are available there. This will help you narrow down your search and make it easier for you to find the right job for yourself.