New visa rules are predicted to create a flood of jobseekers in the UAE market in the next year.
The changes, which came into effect on Monday, will lead more businesses to offer freelance work, project-based employment and part time roles, recruiters said.
Talib Hashim, managing director of TBH advisory, a Dubai-based talent and business advisory firm, predicted high competition for jobs in a market where candidates far outnumber available roles.
This should lead to a boom for recruitment and also bring more competition in the job markets. Local talent will have to compete with international talent
Talib Hashim,
TBH advisory
“These changes have been in discussion for years and will add more flexibility and mobility of expat talent,” he said on ARN's Business Breakfast radio show.
“In order to have a more knowledge based economy there needed to be a mechanism to attract the skilled worker, this move was overdue and the pandemic accelerated the need for this to happen.
“This should lead to a boom for recruitment and also bring more competition in the jobs markets, as local talent will have to compete with international talent tapping into the job market here."
Under the old system, the vast majority of expats worked for a single company who sponsored their residency visa and provided their medical insurance.
While that will continue, more companies are expected to offer freelance and project based work to keep costs such as medical insurance and school fee subsidies down.
Earlier this year, research by jobs portal Bayt.com found that 87 per cent of freelancers said there was an increase in their services since the start of the pandemic, while 70 per cent of firms in the Middle East region planned to hire more on a project-by-project basis.
Freelance visa costs
As the changes attract more talent from overseas to apply for jobs in the UAE, competition is expected to increase among those already living here.
Affordable freelance visas and no requirements for office space, which was once a requirement, have made the self-employed option a cheaper and easier process for flexible working.
A one-year freelance permit costs Dh7,500, with additional costs of Dh2,000 for an establishment card.
A freelance employment visa in Dubai, valid for three years, costs from Dh4,960, bringing the total fees to around Dh14,460, which includes a medical, visa stamping and Emirates ID.
While set-up costs are low, freelancers are unable to sponsor employees and are restricted to one of Dubai’s 35 registered free zones.
In addition, five and 10-year residency schemes aim to attract more skilled professionals and those with medicine and science backgrounds, and highly sought after skills.
Meanwhile, wealthy investors, entrepreneurs and company owners are also being sought in the hope they will set down roots, invest in property and make the country their long-term home.
Tough job market
"One of the biggest concerns among young people is what they do after university due to the lack of options, this will allow them time and flexibility to find the right career for them,” said Mr Hashim.
“The Emirati community is concerned as the job market has taken a hit in recent years.
“Increased competition means the Emirati community will not just have to compete with the local talent already here, but an influx of new international talent.
“Because of that we are seeing a different conversation between policy makers and community," he said.
“Initiatives are being rolled out to enable Emiratis in the job market, but this will constitute a challenge for Emiratis and long term residents.
“They must look at how they can differentiate their skills against the competition from overseas.
“We need to look at showing the need for local knowledge among employers.
“There needs to be an understanding of local culture and networks and the locals are the best people to tap into that, so there is a great opportunity here.”
Project-based work and freelance work
Green visas aimed at skilled workers, freelancers and the self-employed will also grant a five-year residency, as long as certain criteria is fulfilled.
Applicants require a monthly salary of Dh15,000 and a bachelor's degree in certain skilled fields, including science, law, education, culture or social sciences, among others.
This option is also appealing to those with a two- or three-year trade licence to work in a freelance capacity, but new applicants must be aware of potential pitfalls.
Rebecca Kelly, litigation and regulatory partner with Morgan Lewis & Bockius, told the same ARN show that new rules allowing residents to sponsor themselves and their family changes the employment market significantly.
“Visa regulators have been in place since 1973 without any significant changes, so these are long overdue,” she said.
“The changes reflect the trend towards more hybrid and remote working, but also has allowed companies to consider alternative work patterns for people.
“We have part time working available now and these changes reflect that.
“You still have an obligation to meet certain criteria, such as being able to afford a certain lifestyle and earn a minimum wage through your company.
“The fundamental issue is that any rights with a previous employer would then be taken up by yourself as self-employed.
“This can be acting around repatriation costs, medical insurance and taking holidays.
“You no longer have an employer to keep records to ensure those things have been met.”
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
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Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Maestro
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The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 592bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Price: Dh980,000
On sale: now
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
