How to read a Dubai job offer

An offer letter here is a puzzle. Two people can both ‘earn 12,000’ and live completely different months. Ask for the split in writing before you resign at home.

The split

• Basic: the number gratuity and some allowances are calculated from. A tiny basic plus huge ‘allowances’ can hurt you at exit.
• Housing: paid monthly, or a room in staff accommodation, or nothing. ‘Housing provided’ in hospitality is often a shared room. Ask for photos and location.
• Transport: a cash line, a bus, or a metro-shaped hole.
• Annual tickets: one or two, economy, home country. Confirm if unused tickets cash out.
• Medical: who is on the policy — you only, or spouse and children. DHA-level cover is not a luxury; clinics are expensive without it.

Commission and ‘OTE’

Real estate, luxury retail and some sales roles quote an on-target number that assumes a market that may not exist in your first summer. Ask for average take-home of the last three people in the seat, not the best performer on Instagram.

Visa

The employer sponsors most private-sector jobs. You should not pay a recruiter for the visa. Golden Visa and freelance permits are separate products. A visit visa plus a promise is not a work permit.

We rewrite listings and send you to the employer’s own careers URL. If the live advert disagrees with our card, the live advert wins.

The rent test

Open the Relocate calculator. Put the monthly package in. If leftover after a realistic studio is under AED 2,500, you are in share-a-room territory. That can be fine. It should not be a surprise in week two.