Working In Dubai

A Profile On What To Expect When Working In Dubai

The following information may be of help in deciding whether you would be interested in a quantity surveying, engineering or project management job based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Currency

The currency in Dubai is UAE Dirhams.
The lastest exchange rates and currency conversions can be obtained by clicking here

Political/ Religious Climate

Most Emiratis are Sunni Muslims who follow the Maliki or Hanbali schools of Islamic law. The UAE is probably the most liberal country in the Gulf but it is still very conservative by Western standards.

Culture and Leisure

There is a wide range of leisure time activities to keep you occupied in Dubai from legendary shopping experiences, a variety of water sports including sailing, sand skiing, camel rides and desert safaris as well as tennis, golf and other sports which can be played in breath-taking locations.

A standard range of non-alcoholic drinks is widely available; alcohol is only sold in restaurants and bars attached to three-star hotels and above.

Thursday and Friday make up the Dubai weekend. Ramadan, which takes place at a different time each year on the Western calendar, is strictly adhered to throughout the UAE. This means that eating, drinking or smoking in public from sunrise to sunset is frowned upon.

Accommodation/Transport/Education

Dubai has high quality accommodation in good supply throughout the city. Most houses/apartments have excellent recreational facilities, satellite television or in-house video and covered car parking. Some residential complexes provide a daily maid service.

Dubai has good public transport but it is no problem to transfer your driving license without a test to a UAE driver's license. Most makes of vehicle are on sale at affordable prices and the city has a vibrant second-hand market.

There is a comprehensive network of government schools providing free primary and secondary education to UAE nationals. For expatriate families, there are 85 private foreign schools offering a high standard of education to the curriculum requirements of the UK , USA and a number of other countries. English is usually the main teaching language

Maxim Recruitment can not offer any type of financial, taxation or immigration/visa advice to current or intending jobseekers, however we are aware of some organisations that are specialists in offering expatriates such advice. 

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Testimonial

“Trying to navigate the best time to move from a Quantity Surveyor role into the world of construction disputes can be a challenging endeavour. If you are like me, you might not have any idea where to start. That is how I found Maxim Recruitment who showed me the way in which I could make the transition. The guidance and support I received from Nilam was absolutely fantastic and I can confidently say I would not have been able to make the transition without her support. Her knowledge from the type of firm to the role and all the information I needed to make the successful transition was immeasurable. Having only three years’ experience as a QS but with a keen interest in Construction disputes paired with the guidance of Nilam secured my role as an Associate with a world leading construction disputes consultancy. Although I was a little apprehensive at first having only three years’ experience as a QS, my opinion is that it has enabled me to start with an open view and an eagerness to learn in this niche industry. The one piece of advice I would give those of similar experience (or lack of) is that if you are interested, willing to learn and certain this is the area you wish to work in then do not wait - you could make the transition sooner than you think! ”

C.S. Quantum Associate | September 2024

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