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Work and life in Dubai. My experience
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Are you ready to consider the UAE as a country for permanent residence? Is there a lot of oriental specificity, or am I wrong?
As for Dubai in particular, and the UAE as a whole, yes ... I consider this city as a place of permanent residence) Actually here, I have been living for a year (almost). And I’m going to stay as long as possible.
In general, the UAE (namely the UAE, and not Oman, Saudi Arabia), is a victim of prejudice. Dubai, for example, is a completely European city. Everyone here speaks English, girls don’t need to wear hijabs (black robes, obligatory for local girls) or cover their heads, there is relatively no problem with alcohol :). Dubai, a tourist city and local "learned to forgive" residents of other countries.
Yes, there are some limitations. Clothing should not be defiant, you should not appear drunk in public places. But all this is bearable :)
Are there any ways of independent immigration?
You cannot get citizenship here. Moreover, even if there are local relatives, it is far from the fact that it will be possible to make citizenship. The maximum that you can get here is a resident visa. It is issued by the employer for the entire duration of your work. This is generally considered a very good chance to stay here. Because for a company that wants to break the contract, there will be a large number of problems. It will be necessary to pay a penalty, which must be specified in the contract (well, on the other hand, if the initiator is an employee, then he will also have to pay a penalty :)).
What is the job market for IT professionals?
It seems to me that finding a job here is easier than in Europe. Not because there are more, but rather the opposite. And due to several factors:
- Each company should have one Arab for four foreigners on its staff.
Which is more democratic than, for example, in Germany. - Now IT is becoming increasingly important and developing.
Opposite my office are Sony, Intel, Cisco, Microsoft, HP, and many smaller companies (like mine).
Almost every day new branches and companies open ... But, there is one thing ... If you want a good salary (a good one is more than $ 3k), and for the company to rent your apartment here, you need to be a very good specialist.
What does it mean to be a very good specialist?
This means that if you created a site for Baba Luba with a traffic of 100 people a year, nobody will take you. They won’t even consider it.
Several things play a big role here:
- Recommendations from previous employers.
If they are in Russian, translate, notarize. - Experience in well-known projects.
Even if you just painted an icon, but for Yandex, feel free to write about it. (Well, you don’t have to write like that, but something like: Designed for Yandex on a remote site). If you also receive a letter of thanks from them, then it will be perfect :) - International certificates of "quality".
Certificates from Zend, Microsoft, Cisco are very much appreciated here.
What do you like to live there so much?
You know, yes. Here I’m not afraid to walk the streets (even late at night), there is excellent service, people are friendly here (the brain actively suggests that cars are also cheaper, yeah). It is impossible not to mention that here the "sea" is within walking distance.
In general, if not for the cons (about them a little lower), then I would say that this is an ideal place for housing.
What are the disadvantages that you don't like?
Well, the first thing that comes to mind is the heat. It's afternoon plus 40-45. Last September, it reached +55. With high humidity, it is difficult to be outdoors for more than 2 minutes. Of course, every small building has air conditioning, but you also need to move somehow.
Then, of course, the Indians. No, not as programmers, but as the vast majority with whom you have to communicate. These are taxi drivers, and sellers, and security guards, and many others. Arabs rarely undertake such work. Basically, when they pay a lot for this (and that ... only applies to taxis, they don’t take up the rest of the work: below their dignity). Their English is terrible. Often you have to ask again. To clarify. They also may not understand you.
Well, and probably boredom. Because, by and large, there is nothing to do here. Except for a large number of shopping centers, where you can spend money.
UPD:
Asked to add.
There is censorship on the Internet (there is all kinds of porn, huh). In particular, they partially blocked access to Skype. For a similar reason, they tried to ban the use of Blackberry phones.
UPD2:
A lot of questions about the salary indicated by me at ~ $ 3.
I have indicated the minimum bar, which makes sense to talk about.
Professionals who meet the criteria described above get a lot more. In general, the average salary of an IT specialist in the region is ~ $ 5-7. And these are not tops.
It turns out I forgot to mention in the topic that the standard contract includes rental housing by the company that invited you.
Something like that.
Ask, I will answer.