Is Dubai the right place for you?

Are you a highly skilled doctor or other healthcare professional looking to expand your horizons? Dubai is a vibrant, multicultural city. Opportunities exist for healthcare professionals with the right training, skills, and experience to contribute to Dubai’s dynamic and growing healthcare sector. That’s why Dubai is the right place for you.

Read on to find out what makes Dubai an exciting place to live and develop your career, and decide if you are ready for the challenges of working in Dubai’s competitive healthcare sector.

What are the advantages of living and working in Dubai?

Increase your savings with a tax-free salary!

Salaries are negotiable based on your grade, qualifications, and experience. Salaries are often considerably higher than a professional’s country of origin. However, the biggest bonus is that there is no income tax in the UAE, so your gross pay is your take-home pay!

But there are other additional benefits:

30 days paid annual leave

One-month salary bonus for each year worked, paid at the end of employment

Mandatory employer-provided private medical insurance (which may also cover your dependents, depending on your contract)

Medical indemnity and visa processing costs are covered by your employer

Inbound and outbound flights at the beginning and end of your employment

Private hospitals often offer extra performance-based or revenue-sharing incentives on top of your basic salary

Government hospitals do not offer performance-based incentives; however, they usually provide allowances for accommodation, children’s education, and annual flights to visit your home country

All of this means that you are able to save more every month for you and your family’s future.

Enjoy a vibrant international culture

Dubai is a place where the east meets the west. Expatriate residents from around 200 different countries account for approximately 85% of the population. People are generally friendly, used to mixing with others from different cultures, and welcoming to new arrivals.

The incredible diversity also means that you get to experience a variety of food, culture, art, and entertainment from both the local Arabic culture and from around the world.

Unlike many other cities in the Middle East, English is widely spoken and understood by most of the people who work and live in Dubai. While it can be helpful to learn Arabic, expats who speak English will not encounter a language barrier.

Take advantage of Dubai’s location as a travel and tourism hub

Dubai is a strategically located travel hub, easily accessible from different parts of the Middle East, Asia, and Europe; moreover, it has good transit links to the rest of the world.

Additionally, the city’s many world-class entertainment and recreational facilities attract tourists. Consequently, the city’s economy has seen a gradual shift from oil dependency towards tourism, hospitality, and business

The coming 6 months will be a great time to visit Dubai, as it is hosting the World Expo from October 1st, 2021, to March 31st, 2022. Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme, Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,’ sets the stage for a thrilling spectacle that brings the world together to create a better tomorrow.

Live in one of the safest cities in the world

The crime rate is very low in Dubai. Both men and women can freely walk the streets, day or night, without the fear of being attacked or mugged. The United Arab Emirates has been ranked as the fourth-safest country in the world, according to global database Numbeo’s safety index ratings 2024.

Be part of a growing and innovative medical sector

The well-regulated healthcare sector in Dubai is one of the most rapidly expanding in the region. It boasts internationally accredited facilities and areas of medical excellence in a range of specialties. This remarkable growth has been led by the government’s vision, aiming to provide access to high-quality medical services on par with international standards for all citizens and residents.

There is continuing significant public and private investment into new facilities, high-tech medical applications, digital services, medical education, and research.

Dubai is also fast becoming a popular medical tourism destination for patients seeking high-quality, accessible medical care. The Medical Tourism Index 2020–21 ranked Dubai in 6th place and the top destination in the Middle East or Arab world.

Enjoy security with the Golden Visa

In recognition of their dedication and contributions to the healthcare sector, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, all doctors licensed by the UAE health regulatory bodies can now apply for the ‘‘Golden Visa’. The 10-year, easily renewable visa allows foreigners and their immediate family to work, live, and study without needing an Emirati sponsor. This scheme, currently in operation until September 2022, is an added incentive for doctors to remain in the Emirates long-term by providing peace of mind and a sense of permanence.

Discover a convenient and family-friendly lifestyle

Expats in Dubai soon become used to a convenient lifestyle with great infrastructure and affordable help with housework or childcare. There is a wide range of accommodation available, with rents varying according to the area and location. Year-round sunshine is also a bonus and although it does get very hot in the summer months, there is air-conditioning almost everywhere. If you are relocating with a young family, there are many excellent international schools including a wide choice of British-curriculum schools.

In 2020, CEOWORLD magazine ranked Dubai as the best city for expats to live and work in the Middle East and the fifth-best city globally.

What are the challenges of working in Dubai’s healthcare sector?

The Dubai healthcare market is dynamic and competitive
Employers are seeking doctors with particular skills and experience, with certain specialties highly sought after
Before applying for jobs, it is highly advisable to obtain your Dubai Health Authority (DHA) registration to prove your eligibility to practice in Dubai.
DHA registration typically takes 3-6 months, but for candidates with qualifications from countries whose training programs are not recognized by the DHA and thus require additional examinations, it may take up to 9–12 months.
Since there are no set salary scales in Dubai, employers negotiate all salaries on an individual basis, considering your skillset, experience, and qualifications.
It can take time for doctors to adapt to the culture and new systems
In a competitive market, doctors need to be proactive in networking and marketing in order to build their referral network and increase their patient base.