Your Expat Community in the United Arab Emirates

Why are expats moving to the UAE? Of course, the individual reasons why expats decide to move to the UAE can vary a lot. But thanks to our vast member base and our annual Expat Insider survey, we were able to uncover some of the underlying trends that make the UAE an appealing place to move to. Notably, the most valued attributes of the UAE as an expat destination are a sense of safety & security, that it's easy to live there without speaking the local language and the availability of quality child care and education.In addition, out of the 64 expat destinations worldwide in our Expat Insider 2019 survey, the UAE scores quite well in our Quality of Life Index (21st) and our Ease of Settling in Index (20th). However, it ranks less well in our Working Abroad Index (47th). the UAE isn’t just interesting for career-driven single expats. It has a lot to offer families as well, resulting in a very respectable ranking in our Family Life Index (23rd).

How much do expats earn in the UAE? On average, expats make on average 191,205 USD according to the ECA Survey for salary levels of expats in middle management positions. This is not the cash salary that expat workers take home after taxes, but the total value of their expat package that usual includes healthcare, cost of education, and housing (among other things). This relatively high salary combined with the not-too-high cost of living explain why the UAE scored so amicably in the Personal Finance Index (61st) and the Cost of Living Index (52nd) in 2019. The fact that there is no income tax makes the UAE even more attractive to expats.

Where are expats living in the UAE? Usually the expat population concentrates in places that offer the most career opportunities — at least for those who aren’t just looking for a place to retire in the sun. According to our member base these are the most popular cities for expats in the UAE:

• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi
• Al Ain
• Ras Al-Khaimah

Nestled in the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula, the UAE is a country on the rise. Fuelled by vast oil reserves, the Emirates have experienced significant economic growth since the 1960s, quickly becoming one of the richest nations in the world. The seven emirates that make up the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain) have been transformed from barren wastelands into glittering desert metropolises. The UAE is a melting pot of cultures, with around 85% of the entire population consisting of expatriates. Many come to the UAE seeking new opportunities. InterNations' vast network of expats in the UAE is the perfect place to start looking for tips to help you land that dream job and find the ideal place to live.

InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 420 cities around the world. Meet fellow global minds in your city of residence or get to know local expatriates before you're moving or traveling abroad and never feel like a stranger. InterNations makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your expat friends, both online and offline, so you can grow your network of friends and contacts from all over the world. Whether they live in Saudi Arabia or Spain, InterNations allows you to be close to them even if they are miles away.

InterNations UAE is a hub of insider information and is an absolutely essential tool for any expat seeking ideas to help with job-hunting. Check out the job board in our members' forum for some of a range of jobs dotted across the whole of the UAE. However, not everyone moves to the UAE for work. Some move to the UAE for the luxurious lifestyle and if you like to work hard and play hard InterNations has a variety of social events and groups to help you let your hair down. From 7-star hotels to serene desert safaris, the UAE offers an abundance of events and the InterNations Groups offer something for everyone.