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Moving to United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates country facts, largest cities, hub labels and reports.

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Across 197 passports, 89 passports enter visa-free, 7 passports need an eVisa and 101 passports need a visa for United Arab Emirates. Check your passport below.

Visa-free
89
eVisa
7
Visa required
101

197 accepted passport rules · rules effective as of 2026-07-13

Visa and entry rules

Short stay and entry197 source-backed passport answersHighly SkilledThe the United Arab Emirates highly skilled route is for a qualified professional with eligible employment or activity; the applicant must meet qualification and job conditions.Self EmployedGreen Residency is a self-sponsored five-year renewable residence permit. Freelancers and self-employed applicants need a MoHRE freelancing or self-employment permit, a bachelor's.Entrepreneur StartupEntrepreneurs may qualify for the UAE Golden Visa when they have an innovative or technical project supported by project-value evidence and a letter from an incubator or relevant e.StudyA student enrolled in a UAE university or college may obtain a study residence visa sponsored by the institution or a parent.FamilyA UAE resident employee, investor or business owner with valid residence may sponsor a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and people of determination, subject to income and.CitizenshipThe UAE route is nomination-based, not a general naturalisation application. Eligible categories include investors, doctors, specialists, inventors, scientists, intellectuals and c.WorkOfficial route overview and current conditions.

Sources checked through 5 Sept 2026.

Work and income

What is the unemployment rate in United Arab Emirates?

The national unemployment rate was about 2.2 % in 2025.

This is the World Bank / ILO modelled estimate series used as the canonical national answer. Other published definitions exist and are shown in the table below.

  • National unemployment rate: 2.17 % · Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate), 202514
MetricValuePeriodSource
National unemployment rate2.17 %31 Dec 2025Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate), 202514Official · national figure

Public employment service in United Arab Emirates

Official job-search, registration, counselling and training routes. Private recruitment agencies are not included.

MOHRE employment services — Public employment service

Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation

Job Search
Search jobs

A national service does not prove that an office exists in every city. City pages show an office only after an exact address is linked to that city. Sources checked through 10 Aug 2026.

Taxes in United Arab Emirates

National rates and comparable published scenarios. Personal tax depends on income, household and residence circumstances.

Top income-tax rate0 %
Corporate tax rate9 %
Verified from the linked official or intergovernmental records. Open the primary source. Sources checked through 3 Aug 2026.

Benefits newcomers may qualify for in United Arab Emirates

Public schemes where an official source defines an eligible migration or residence status. Amounts and conditions are kept in their native terms.

ProgrammePublished amountSource and application

Unemployment Insurance Scheme — Unemployment support

Percentage-based / Monthly

Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) / Unemployment Insurance scheme provider

Open official application
Eligibility and amount details

Monthly compensation is 60% of the subscription salary; category 1 maximum is AED 10,000 per month and each claim lasts no more than 3 months.

The Unemployment Insurance Scheme covers Emiratis and residents working in the federal and private sectors who become unemployed, subject to the source-defined insurance conditions.

Admitted official schemes currently cover 1 of the 5 common support families for this country; the rest are not yet collected.

ImmigrationDB shows published rules; it does not decide personal eligibility. Confirm your status, contribution record and household circumstances with the responsible authority before applying. Sources checked through 11 Aug 2026.

Can migrants receive medical care in United Arab Emirates?

Yes — migrants can receive medical care in United Arab Emirates when the official insurance or residence conditions are met.

Verified 2026-08-03. Open the official coverage rules.

Language courses and integration in United Arab Emirates

Government programmes, public integration services and exact provider records. The section expands only from fields present in the source; missing prices, refunds or contacts are not replaced with estimates.

5verified programmes
6cities with exact local records
7verified location records
5listed providers

Arabic for Speakers of Other Languages Program — State Language Course

Zayed House for Islamic Culture

For people learning Arabic as a non-native language, UAE residents.

ArabicIn Person
Open official information

Arabic for Non-Arabic Speakers — State Language Course

University of Sharjah Language Institute

For expatriates in the UAE, foreign students, diplomats, University of Sharjah community.

ArabicIn Person
Open official information

Arabic Language Programs for Non-Native Speakers — State Language Course

United Arab Emirates University Arabic Language Programs Unit

For non-native Arabic speakers, teachers of Arabic to non-native speakers.

ArabicIn Person
Open official information

Huroof Arabic Language Courses — Municipal language course

Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD) / Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Islamic Culture

For Arabic language learners in Dubai.

ArabicIn Person
Open official information

Ras Al Khaimah Municipality Arabic Course for Non-Arabic Speakers — Municipal language course

Ras Al Khaimah Municipality

For non-Arabic speakers in Ras Al Khaimah.

ArabicIn Person
Open official information
Country programmes describe the national or named local framework. Availability in a city is shown only when a source names that place exactly. Sources checked through 2026-08-10.

Living and moving context for United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates recorded GDP per capita of US$50,274 in 2024 and life expectancy of 83.1 years. There were 2.992 doctors per 1,000 people in 2023. A practical estimate placed average gross salary at €3,164 per month in April 2023.

#1 by populationAjman490,000 residents#2 by populationRas Al Khaimah345,000 residents#3 by populationAbu DhabiPopulation not stated · Capital hub

United Arab Emirates cities by population

The largest published cities appear first. Population is taken from the reusable official city layer; hub labels come from the existing city taxonomy.

Open city finder
CityPopulationNet rent, €/m²/monthMedian gross salary, €/month
Ajman490,000Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Ras Al Khaimah345,000Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Abu DhabiCapital hub—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Al Ain—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Al Bidya—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Al Dhaid—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Al Hamriyah—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Al Jazirah Al Hamra—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Al Madam—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Al Rams—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Dibba Al-Fujairah—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Dibba Al-Hisn—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Digdaga—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Dubai—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Fujairah—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Hatta—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Kalba—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Khor Fakkan—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Madinat Zayed—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo
Masafi—Population—Net rent, €/m²/mo—Median gross salary, €/mo

Reports with this country

Accepted report pages with a row for this country.

All reports
Cities with the highest foreign-population share Cities with the largest foreign populations Cities with the hottest summers Cities with the lowest published annual rainfall Cities with the mildest winters Cities with the most published annual sunshine
Population10,986,400 people31 Dec 2024Official source · World Bank
National unemployment rate2.17 %31 Dec 2025Official source · Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate), 2025
Public healthcare access for foreign residentsConditional3 Aug 2026Official source · The Official Platform of the UAE Government
Area98,648 km²31 Dec 2023Official source · World Bank
Population by year9,445,785 people (2019)1 Jul 2019Official source · Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL)
Salary by professionTechnicians and associate professionals — 1,995 EUR/month (2009)31 Dec 2009Official source · ILOSTAT — Average monthly earnings of employees by sex, occupation and currency (annual)
37 country facts · 24 cities · Last checked 2026-09-11

United Arab Emirates facts

Current source-backed observations, grouped the way the city pages are, with geographic scope and observation periods.

Population and profile

How many people live in United Arab Emirates?

The published population was 10,986,400 people in 2024. Source: World Bank17

National, resident population scope. Foreign-resident and migration-background figures are separate metrics in the table below.

MetricValuePeriodSource
Population10,986,400 people31 Dec 2024World Bank17Official · national figure

Legal, tax and other context

MetricValuePeriodSource
Public healthcare access for foreign residentsConditional3 Aug 2026The Official Platform of the UAE Government11Official · national figure
Area98,648 km²31 Dec 2023World Bank18Official · national figure
Population by year9,445,785 people (2019)1 Jul 2019Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL)9Official · country annual series
Salary by professionTechnicians and associate professionals — 1,995 EUR/month (2009)31 Dec 2009ILOSTAT — Average monthly earnings of employees by sex, occupation and currency (annual)5Official · country occupation
Doctors per 1,000 residents2.99 per 1,00031 Dec 2023World Bank indicator SH.MED.PHYS.ZS20Official · national figure
Employed women1,129,819 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
Employed men5,549,358 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
People employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing94,176 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
People employed in mining and quarrying58,511 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
People employed in manufacturing699,995 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
People employed in construction1,483,682 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
People employed in wholesale and retail trade; motor vehicle and motorcycle repair779,061 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
People employed in accommodation and food services384,846 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
People employed in finance and insurance168,239 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
People employed in public administration, defence and compulsory social security277,106 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
People employed in education193,450 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
People employed in healthcare and social work152,266 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
People in employment6,679,177 people2019bayanat.ae1Official · national figure
English proficiency index487 index points31 Dec 2025EF EPI2Official · national figure
Global city class (GaWC)Alpha+ class31 Dec 2024Globalization and World Cities (GaWC), Loughborough University3Official · national figure
GDP per capita50,274 USD/person31 Dec 2024World Bank indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD19Official · national figure
Hospital Beds Per 10001.87 per 1,00031 Dec 2022Hospital beds (per 1,000 people)4Official · national figure
Labour force participation rate78.59 %31 Dec 2025World Bank Open Data22Official · national figure
Labour Supply Count7,602,907 people31 Dec 2025World Bank Open Data23Official · national figure

Common questions

Answered from the published values on this page, each with its source and date.

What is the unemployment rate in United Arab Emirates?

The national unemployment rate was about 2.2 % in 2025. Source: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate), 2025.

How many people live in United Arab Emirates?

The published population was 10,986,400 people in 2024. Source: World Bank.

Cite this page

Open a format to select or copy this ImmigrationDB compilation citation. The native disclosure and text fallback work without JavaScript.

APA citation
ImmigrationDB. (2026, September 12). Moving to United Arab Emirates: salary, jobs [ImmigrationDB compilation; snapshot approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; version approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0]. ImmigrationDB. https://immigrationdb.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/ Retrieved 2026-09-12. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
BibTeX citation
@misc{immigrationdb_immigrationdb_moving-to-united-arab-emirates-salary-jobs_754e89be2f75,
  author = {ImmigrationDB},
  title = {Moving to United Arab Emirates: salary, jobs},
  publisher = {ImmigrationDB},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-09-12},
  version = {approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0},
  snapshot = {approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0},
  url = {https://immigrationdb.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/},
  note = {Retrieved 2026-09-12. ImmigrationDB compilation. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/},
}
Markdown citation
[Moving to United Arab Emirates: salary, jobs](https://immigrationdb.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/) — ImmigrationDB; ImmigrationDB; snapshot approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; version approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; retrieved 2026-09-12; built 2026-09-12.

This citation identifies the ImmigrationDB compilation/page. Underlying source publishers and datasets retain their own terms; inspect the Sources section and cite those records separately. View the underlying source records.

Sources

Every number above comes from one of these records. Open the original source for its geographic scope and publication date.

  1. bayanat.ae bayanat.ae · checked 2026-08-12
  2. EF EPI ef.com · checked 2026-08-03
  3. Globalization and World Cities (GaWC), Loughborough University gawc.lboro.ac.uk · checked 2026-08-03
  4. Hospital beds (per 1,000 people) data.worldbank.org · checked 2026-08-13
  5. ILOSTAT — Average monthly earnings of employees by sex, occupation and currency (annual) ILOSTAT · rplumber.ilo.org · checked 2026-07-30
  6. OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration sdmx.oecd.org · checked 2026-08-03
  7. Our World in Data (UNODC-backed grapher export) ourworldindata.org · checked 2026-08-03
  8. Physicians (per 1,000 people) data.worldbank.org · checked 2026-08-13
  9. Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL) api.worldbank.org · checked 2026-07-29
  10. tax.gov.ae tax.gov.ae · checked 2026-08-03
Show 15 more sources
  1. The Official Platform of the UAE Government u.ae · checked 2026-08-02
  2. The Official Platform of the UAE Government u.ae · checked 2026-08-02
  3. UAE Government Portal (u.ae) u.ae · checked 2026-08-03
  4. Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate), 2025 api.worldbank.org · checked 2026-09-11
  5. WHO GHO RS_196/RS_198 ghoapi.azureedge.net · checked 2026-09-05
  6. WHO GHO RS_196/RS_198 ghoapi.azureedge.net · checked 2026-09-05
  7. World Bank api.worldbank.org · checked 2026-08-02
  8. World Bank api.worldbank.org · checked 2026-08-02
  9. World Bank indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD api.worldbank.org · checked 2026-07-14
  10. World Bank indicator SH.MED.PHYS.ZS api.worldbank.org · checked 2026-07-14
  11. World Bank indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN api.worldbank.org · checked 2026-07-14
  12. World Bank Open Data api.worldbank.org · checked 2026-08-07
  13. World Bank Open Data api.worldbank.org · checked 2026-08-07
  14. World Bank SP.POP.TOTL api.worldbank.org · checked 2026-09-05
  15. List of Asian countries by average wage en.wikipedia.org · checked 2026-07-26