Foreign job seekers should check with authorities about employers - Gulfnews

Due to the booming economy and rapid development many job-seekers look at the opportunities available in the UAE in various fields.

They read the job adverts in newspapers or magazines in their home countries or on websites of recruitment companies in the UAE who offer jobs in any of the emirates.

Do not fall for advertisements which promise you an easy life, huge salaries and high standard of living, because in most cases such adverts are just a mirage to lure you.

It is important that you first check the authenticity of such companies because some of them could take your money and offer you nothing.

Check with your friends about the job offer and if a work permit is issued check about it through the Residency Department or the labour office.

Read everything carefully before accepting a job offer. If you plan to come here on a visit visa and look for a job, make sure the visa is sent by a reliable person, a friend or a family member. Do not sell your house, land, shop or even your wife's jewellery to pay for the visa. Not everyone gets a job despite months of looking around.

The things to check before coming here after a job offer are the obvious ones: the cost of living here compared to the money offered. Accommodation is not cheap here if the company is not paying the rent.

Some people first come and stay alone for a couple of months before deciding to bring their families here.

The salary might look good on paper and if you work out the exchange rate, but bear in mind the high cost of living. A bachelor sharing an apartment can expect to pay Dh36,000 a year for a small bedroom. If you bring the family here, the minimum you can expect to pay for an apartment is Dh5,000 per month. School fees for two children will not be less that Dh3,000 per month. Grocery bill will set you back by Dh2,000 a month just on basics.

You will need to purchase a car as public transport still does not cover many areas in the emirates and in some emirates there is no public transport. The company will offer you life and health cover, so you need to look for health and life insurance for your family members.

Check whether you and your family are offered air tickets back to your country every year for vacations. If you are offered a job, check the type of visa. Some companies make you work on a visit visa, which is illegal.

This needs to be renewed frequently and you will have to exit the country and re-enter at your own cost.

Be aware that you can only work till you reach 60 years. Only in certain jobs will you be allowed to work here beyond that age, but a special visa is issued which is expensive. Ask who will pay for that visa.

It is very important to know who your employer is; whether it is a government or a private establishment. Also do not forget the weather here is hot and humid for about six months of the year.