TFS Gulf 
- The United Arab Emirates is a popular destination for expats, thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed’s AED 32 trillion economic plan.
- Wondering how you can apply for a job in the UAE as an expat, or what industries are hiring Finance Professionals the most?
- We have answered some frequently asked questions to make your journey to the UAE smoother.
Q: Is it hard to get a finance job in the UAE from India?
Yes—it’s tougher if you’re applying from outside the UAE. Most companies prefer candidates already in the region due to ease of interviews and faster onboarding.
Q. Want to Job Hunt in the UAE? Here Are Your 2 Visa Options (2025)
1. Tourist Visa (30 or 90 days)
- Still the most common way job seekers come to the UAE
- Cost: ₹15,000–18,000 via VFS, BLS, Musafir, etc.
- Return ticket required
- Technically not meant for job search — but widely used
- Affordable, fast to get, fewer eligibility rules
- Popular among job seekers from India, Pakistan, Egypt
2. Job Seeker Visa (60, 90, or 120 days)
- Official visa created specifically for job hunting
- No sponsor required
- Cost: ₹35,000–45,000+
- No return ticket needed
- Requires:
• Bachelor’s degree or diploma
• Must fall under MOHRE Skill Levels 1, 2, or 3 - Apply through the UAE ICP website or a trusted visa agent
Make sure you have at least ₹2-3 lakh saved for living expenses.
You can check out this link to find detailed information regarding the same.
Q. When is the best time to visit the UAE to find a job?
The best time is between October and April when the weather is cooler. Job hunting may take 4 weeks to 3 months, so plan accordingly.
The summer months (June to August), including the month of Ramadan, can be particularly hot and humid in the UAE. This makes job hunting more challenging.
However, now the UAE is buzzing with activity through out the year including summers!
Q. What Finance qualifications do companies in the UAE look for?
The specific qualifications required for finance jobs in UAE companies may vary depending on the job position and the industry.
However, some common qualifications and skills that are often required for finance jobs in the UAE include:
- A relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (e.g., accounting, finance, economics)
- Professional certifications like CPA, CFA, ACCA, and CA (Semi-qualified CAs with article experience are also valued.
- Experience in a similar role
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Knowledge of relevant financial laws and regulations
- Proficiency in financial software and tools
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
There is also a local qualification, namely Emirates Certified Public Accountant (ECPA), that you can obtain. The ECPA is one of the most popular and useful certifications for accountants in the UAE.
Q. What are the most popular industries and sectors in the UAE hiring Finance Professionals?
UAE’s economy is the 5th largest in the Middle East with a GDP of US$503 billion (AED 1.84 trillion) in 2022.
And the following sectors and industries played a vital part.
Oil and Gas:
- Approximately 3 million barrels of oil are produced every day in the UAE.
- Oil and Gas is one of the most established sectors in the UAE with lots of opportunities for Finance Professionals.
Banking and Financial Services:
- The banking sector has grown tremendously, as a result of inflows from various other sectors like Oil and Gas, real estate, and Tourism.
- With many Fintechs coming to the UAE, huge growth in the banking sector is expected shortly, along with a wide scope of job opportunities.
- A few of the large banking groups in the UAE are – First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) (Dubai), Emirates NBD (Dubai), Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (Abu Dhabi), First Gulf Bank (Abu Dhabi), RAK Bank (Ras Al Khaimah).
- Most of the Job openings can be viewed in the bank’s career portal.
Real Estate:
- The UAE government is working on minimizing the country’s financial reliance on oil and gas revenue.
- The real estate industry is a critical pillar of the UAE’s economic diversification.
- According to various reports, the real estate industry accounts for roughly 7% of the UAE’s GDP overall.
- Furthermore, increased interest in foreign investment (Thanks to Golden Visa) and tourism attracts more opportunities in this industry.
- EMAAR, Nakheel, Dubai Properties, DAMAC Properties, and Kingdom Real Estate Development are a few well-known real estate corporations.
Hospitality:
- The well-established Hospitality Industry of the UAE has over 1,00,000 four-star and five-star hotels in Dubai.
- The UAE now hosts one of the richest hospitality markets in the world.
- The industry is expected to grow 25% by 2030 according to a report by KPMG.
Manufacturing:
- The manufacturing sector is growing to meet the demands of other ancillary industries in the economy.
- With the advantages of High seas trading, there are many businesses with Commodity trading and other trading activities.
E-Commerce Companies:
- Dubai has become one of the most prominent contributors to the Middle Eastern E-commerce sector, surpassing Abu Dhabi, which has a significantly greater population than Dubai.
Owing to all the aspects mentioned above, lots of job vacancies are being created for Finance Professionals daily.
Q. What is the startup ecosystem like in the UAE?
The UAE’s startup ecosystem is rapidly growing, thanks to strong support and infrastructure. Key highlights:
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Initiatives like Dubai Future Accelerators and Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Innovation Centre help startups succeed.
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The 2021 Startup Law encourages innovation and entrepreneurship.
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Dubai and Abu Dhabi are major hubs for tech startups and venture capital, with success stories like Careem and Souq.com.
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Grants up to AED 3 million and support like insurance and accommodation are available for startups.
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Nearly 30 venture capital firms operate in the UAE today, up from just a few in 2018.
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Over 450,000 companies are registered in the UAE, with SMEs making up 94% and employing 86% of the private workforce.
Q. Beyond Big 4: 10 Tier II Audit & Advisory Firms in UAE
In the UAE, many tier II professional services firms provide a range of specialized services to businesses and individuals.
- BDO
- Grant Thornton
- Baker Tilly
- RSM
- HLB HAMT
- UHY JAMES
- Kreston Menon
- Mayur Batra & Co.
- Premier Brains
- Crowe Horwath Chartered Accountants
- MMJS
These Firms in the UAE also hire Finance Professionals for Assurance, Advisory, and Consultancy roles like the Big 4s.
Q. What are the popular finance job roles in the UAE and their expected salaries?
Almost every industry has a demand for 2 types of roles:
- Accounting and Finance
- Sales/Business Development.
Here are the types of roles that are available for Finance Professionals in the UAE as of 2022. (It has stayed pretty much the same even in 2025)
- Chief Financial Officer – AED57k – AED100k PM*
- Financial Manager – AED21k – AED38k PM*
- Financial Controller – AED19k – AED54k PM*
- Chief Accountant – AED 13k – AED 21k PM*
- Finance Director – AED41.5k – AED64.5k PM*
- CEO or Operational roles – AED 55k – AED 117k PM*
- VAT Accountant / Tax Accountant – AED 4k – 12k PM*
- Business Analyst – AED 15k – AED 26k PM*
- Financial Analyst – AED 11k – AED 23k PM*
- Investment Analyst – AED 13k – AED 44k PM*
- Compliance Officer – AED 12k – AED 24k PM*
- Management Consultant (Mid-size firms) – AED 4k – AED 58k PM*
*PLEASE NOTE – The above salary ranges will differ from industry to industry. Also, a Finance Director responsible for a finance team of 5 is likely to earn less than a Finance Director responsible for a team of 20.
(The salary estimates have been acquired from GulfTalent and Payscale)
Q. Can I get a government job in the UAE as an expat Finance Professional?
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The UAE allows foreign nationals to work in some government roles.
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Government jobs often pay 3-4 times more than private sector roles, making them attractive to expats.
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Roles needed include CFOs, Finance Directors, Investment Professionals, Risk Managers, and Accountants.
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Preference is usually given to candidates already in the UAE with 2-3 years’ experience.
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Job openings are posted on official government websites and portals, with online applications.
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Some positions may require fluency in Arabic or specific language skills.
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Certain sensitive roles, especially in security and defense, are typically restricted to UAE nationals.
Q. Which Emirate in the UAE is Best for Finance Professionals? (2025 Update)
| Emirate | Economic Overview & Growth Drivers | Finance Sector Highlights | Key Industries Supporting Finance Jobs | Opportunities for Finance Professionals | Cost of Living & Lifestyle Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | – Leading commercial & financial hub – Strong government support for innovation and startups (DIFC, Dubai Future) |
– Booming fintech & asset management sectors – Wealth management firms growing rapidly – Hedge funds relocating HQs |
– Financial services – Real estate & construction – Tech startups & innovation |
– Roles in wealth & asset management, fintech, risk management, hedge funds – High demand for mid to senior finance professionals |
– High cost of living but higher salary opportunities – Cosmopolitan lifestyle |
| Abu Dhabi | – Rapid urban development – Major oil & gas reserves underpinning wealth – Expansion of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) |
– ADGM saw 43% entity growth in Q1 2025 – Surge in global financial institutions like BlackRock, Morgan Stanley – Growth in AI, digital assets & ESG finance |
– Oil & gas – Sovereign wealth funds – Financial services & digital assets |
– Strong demand for investment analysts, CFOs, ESG & sustainable finance experts – High paying roles in asset management and advisory |
– Slightly higher living costs than Dubai – Family-friendly environment |
| Sharjah | – Cultural & educational hub – Focus on SMEs and startups – Lower operational costs than Dubai and Abu Dhabi |
– Gradual increase in finance roles, mostly in local banks and small firms | – Education – Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) – Manufacturing & logistics |
– Entry-level finance roles – Opportunities in accounting, audit, SME finance support |
– Lower cost of living – More conservative cultural setting |
| Ras Al Khaimah | – No oil reserves, focused on diversification – Growth in tourism, manufacturing, real estate |
– Increasing finance roles (130+ openings) – Back-office finance and accounting hubs growing |
– Hospitality & tourism – Manufacturing – Real estate & agriculture |
– Growing opportunities in accounting, financial analysis, and CFO roles – Ideal for budget-conscious professionals starting careers |
– Lowest cost of living among major emirates – Quiet, less urbanized lifestyle |
| UAE-wide Trends | – 3.5% employment growth Q1 2025 – Rising ESG & green finance jobs – Growing remote & hybrid work roles |
– Capital markets expanding – Increased IPO & sukuk activity – Adoption of AI in finance roles |
– Financial services across sectors – Capital markets – ESG, fintech, digital assets |
– High demand for ESG specialists, AI-savvy finance professionals – Remote finance roles are growing rapidly |
Q. What are some best Finance job portals to find employment in the UAE?
Some well-known job portals are:
- LinkedIn,
- Michael Page,
- Bayt,
- Naukrigulf,
- Gulf talent,
- Indeed,
- Monstergulf,
- Dubizzle
Having a LinkedIn profile is a must. Create Job Alerts – LinkedIn alerts, Google alerts, and network a lot.
Target companies based on your previous employer’s industry and apply to them.
Other than applying through a job portal, you can connect with peers, and hiring managers/ex-managers, and attend events with your CV.
You can also register with recruitment agencies (local, regional, and multinational) that deal with your job titles/industry roles.
Q. What should the ideal CV format be?
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Keep your CV to a maximum of 2 pages.
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Use a simple, professional format with consistent font, size, spacing, and alignment.
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Avoid including references or objective statements unless you’re a fresh graduate or changing careers.
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List work experience and education in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
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Use 10-12 bullet points max per job, each 1-2 lines long.
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Optimize with relevant industry and role-specific keywords—bold at least one per bullet, but don’t overstuff.
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Use an ATS-friendly format: simple top-to-bottom, left-to-right layout (avoid columns, graphs, colors).
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Customize your CV for each job based on the description; avoid sending the same CV for all applications.
Q. What is the usual interview process for a job in the UAE?
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Research the company, industry, and role deeply (beyond their website—use Google, LinkedIn).
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Research your interviewer’s LinkedIn to find common interests or relevant projects to mention.
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Compare your CV with the job description; identify and prepare to address any gaps.
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Practice common interview questions through mock interviews.
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Dress professionally and bring necessary materials.
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Arrive 10-15 minutes early, maintain confident body language, and avoid inappropriate language.
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Send a thank-you email immediately after the interview and a follow-up within 72 hours.
Q. How can one get a UAE work visa from India? What documents are needed?
To obtain a UAE work visa (usually employer-sponsored), you typically need:
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Valid passport.
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Completed visa application form (provided by employer/sponsor).
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Employment contract detailing salary and terms.
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Educational certificates and degrees.
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Professional certifications/licenses if required by your profession.
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Passport-size photos.
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Police clearance certificate (to prove no criminal record).
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Medical examination report (to confirm good health and no contagious diseases).
Note: Document requirements vary by employer, profession, and visa type. Always confirm specifics with your employer or visa sponsor.
Q. Other things to keep in mind.
Analyze and understand the pros and cons of moving to a new country and starting all over.
Citizenship of the UAE:
- The UAE, like many other countries, allows foreign individuals to move and remain in the country for some time before granting them citizenship.
- However, the rules are strict.
- Foreigners can come here for work, but they must stay for 30 years before getting citizenship by naturalization.
- You can check out this website for more details.
Cultural norms:
- The UAE is an Islamic country, so it’s important to be respectful of local customs and dress modestly in public places.
- Alcohol is only permitted in licensed venues, and public displays of affection are frowned upon.
- I am eating or drinking in public during Ramadan.
Climate:
- UAE is known for its hot and dry climate, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C in the summer months.
- It’s important to stay hydrated and take necessary precautions to avoid heat exhaustion.
Insights for this article were provided by Conor McHugh – Founder of Alchemy Search, CA James Mathew, Managing Partner at UHY James Chartered Accountants, Dinesh DSouza, Head of Recruitment and Talent Acquisition at GENESIS Executive Search, Yogesh Lakhani – Manager for Accounts & Advisory at HLB HAMT.
Career Overseas: The Finance Story brings Global Finance professionals together to discuss how to build a career in Finance in foreign countries. We go live on LinkedIn every Wednesday and Thursday at 6 pm IST (4.30 PM UAE Time). Join our WhatsApp career overseas group for more insights and daily job vacancies. Group Link
