Exchange in Dubai: Is it possible to work?
Dubai has become one of the most popular destinations for international students seeking a transformative experience abroad. With its futuristic architecture, rich culture, and thriving economy, the city offers much more than just study — it also presents excellent job opportunities. But after all, is it really possible to work during your exchange in Dubai? Let's find out!
Work permit for international students
The good news for those who wish to do exchange in Dubai The fact is that the laws of the United Arab Emirates allow international students to work part time. Recent changes in laws have made this process even more accessible, creating a favorable scenario for those seeking a complete study and work experience.
To work legally in Dubai as a student, you will need:
- Get a Non-Objection Certificate (NOC) from your university
- Be enrolled in a recognized educational institution
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid student visa
Students enrolled at one of the 23 academic institutions in Dubai's creative clusters are allowed to work legally under specific conditions. An interesting detail from the program Study and Work in the United Arab Emirates Is it that some programs offer work permit with no workload limit, which represents a significant advantage compared to other exchange destinations.
Minimum wage and salary expectations in Dubai
Unlike Brazil, Dubai does not have an officially established minimum wage. Wages are determined by the market, varying according to the industry, qualification, and professional experience. This characteristic creates a unique dynamic that can be very advantageous for international students.
For students working part time, the average salary ranges by sector are:
- Retail: AED 2,000-3,000 monthly (approximately R$ 2,800-4,200)
- Hospitality: AED 1,800-3,500 monthly (R$ 2,500-4,900)
- Tutoring and teaching: AED 3,000-5,000 monthly (R$ 4,200-7,000)
- Customer service: AED 2,500-4,000 monthly (R$ 3,500-5,600)
- Events and exhibitions: AED 2,000-3,500 monthly (R$ 2,800-4,900)
One of the biggest attractions of working in Dubai is the Absence of income tax, which means that every amount earned goes directly into your pocket. For Brazilian students, this represents a considerable advantage, allowing them to maximize their earnings during the exchange period.
Many positions also offer additional benefits such as food at the workplace, transportation, and in some cases, even accommodation, which can significantly lower your cost of living.
How to find a job in Dubai as a student
Finding work in Dubai has become more accessible with the growth of online platforms and networking. Here are the best strategies for getting a job during your exchange:
Job search platforms:
- Bayt.com: One of the largest employment platforms in the Middle East, with over 4,680 opportunities in Dubai
- Indeed: Approximately 900 part-time vacancies available on a regular basis
- LinkedIn: Ideal for professional networking and vacancies in multinationals
- Dubizzle: Popular for local vacancies and flexible opportunities
- Jooble: A whopping 24,214 part-time vacancies were listed recently
O networking is particularly important in Dubai culture. Participating in events, career fairs, and expat communities can open doors that online applications can't. Personal relationships are highly valued in Arab culture and often represent a decisive differential when hiring.
Students with language skills have a significant advantage. In addition to fluent English, which is practically mandatory, knowledge of Portuguese is valued especially in areas such as tourism, hospitality, and international customer service, due to the growing number of Brazilian tourists and investors in the region.
Cost of living in major areas of Dubai
Understanding the cost of living is essential to properly plan your budget during the exchange. Dubai offers options for different budgets, despite its reputation as a luxurious city.
O average cost of living for international students it ranges from AED 4,500 to AED 9,000 per month (approximately R$ 6,300 to R$ 12,600), depending on the lifestyle and type of accommodation chosen.
Costs vary significantly between different areas of the city:
- Downtown Dubai: Premium region with single room rental around 10,000 AED, plus food expenses (626 AED), transportation (300 AED), and utilities (300 AED), totaling approximately 11,226 AED monthly.
- Dubai Marina: Sophisticated coastal area with average rent of 8,167 AED for a single room, plus similar additional expenses, totaling around 9,393 AED per month.
- Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC): More affordable option with good infrastructure, where the rent is around 6,667 AED, resulting in a monthly cost of approximately 7,893 AED including basic expenses.
- Al Barsha: Popular neighborhood among students, with average rent of 6,211 AED and total monthly cost of approximately 7,437 AED with all expenses included.
- International City: The most economical option, with rent of just 3,750 AED and a total monthly cost of around 4,976 AED, including all basic expenses.
Neighborhoods like Al Barsha and JVC are popular with students because they offer a good balance between cost and location. For those looking for cheaper options, International City offers the most affordable prices, while maintaining good public transport connections.
Comparison: working in Dubai vs. receiving minimum wage in Brazil
To understand the real financial impact of working during your exchange in Dubai, let's compare it with the reality of the Brazilian minimum wage:
Scenario in Brazil:
- Minimum wage: R$ 1,518 per month
- Discounts (INSS, etc.): approximately 8% = R$ 121
- Net salary: R$ 1,397
- Average rental cost in a large Brazilian city: R$ 800 (more than 50% of salary)
- Rest for other expenses: R$ 597
Scenery in Dubai (considering part-time position in hospitality):
- Average salary: AED 2,500 per month (R$ 3,500)
- Income tax: 0% (without discounts)
- Net salary: R$ 3,500 (approximately 2.5 times the Brazilian minimum wage)
- Cost of shared accommodation: AED 1,500 (R$ 2,100) - 60% of salary
- Rest for other expenses: R$ 1,400
The purchasing power of students in Dubai can be up to 134% higher that the worker receiving minimum wage in Brazil, even considering the higher cost of living. In addition, international experience and the development of new skills add incalculable value to the curriculum, which can positively impact your career in the future.
Another differential is the world-class infrastructure that Dubai offers, with efficient public transport, exceptional security and access to modern facilities, providing a much higher quality of life in several aspects.
Top 5 promising areas for student work
Dubai offers a diverse job market, with some areas standing out for their opportunities for international students:
- Hospitality and tourism: With more than 16 million tourists annually, this sector maintains constant demand for multilingual professionals in hotels, resorts, and tourist attractions. Wages for part-time receptionists are between 3,000-4,000 AED per month (R$ 4,200-5,600).
- Technology and startups: The technological ecosystem is growing fast, driven by initiatives such as “Dubai Smart City”. There is high demand for developers, digital marketers, and multilingual technical support.
- Teaching and tutoring: There is a high demand for language tutors, especially for Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Tutors can earn between 80-150 AED per hour (R$ 112-210).
- Marketing and events: Dubai is a global hub for large events, creating demand for marketers, event organizers, and multilingual content creators.
- Financial Services: How international financial hub, Dubai offers opportunities even for students with knowledge in the field, especially those with skills in data analysis and financial technologies.
Requirements for a student visa that allows work
To take advantage of opportunities to Work during your exchange, it is essential to understand the requirements for obtaining the appropriate visa:
- Be enrolled in an educational institution recognized by the United Arab Emirates
- Present a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity
- Perform mandatory medical tests (including blood tests and X-rays)
- Get approval from the Ministry of Human Resources to work
- Have valid health insurance for the entire stay
A significant advantage is that many study programs in Dubai they do not require financial proof, making the visa process simpler and more affordable compared to other popular international destinations.
The process begins with the entry permit (valid for 60 days), which is later converted into a student residence visa. During the process, it is necessary to perform local medical examinations and collect biometric data. It is important not to leave the country until all stages are completed.
Be Easy
A Be Easy offers full support for Brazilians who wish to study and work in Dubai. Our specialized programs include visa guidance, course recommendations aligned with the local market, and assistance in preparing for professional opportunities. Get in touch today to turn your dream of an international experience in Dubai into reality - we're ready to design a personalized plan that perfectly meets your academic and professional goals.
