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29 March 2024

5 part-time jobs to consider in UAE... legally

Published
By Shuchita Kapur

Several people in the UAE,who not only like their independence but also want to make some extra money, would not mind taking up part-time roles (legally) to supplement their family income.

The first question that might come to a lot of people’s minds is: Is freelancing legal in the UAE? It is indeed, under certain circumstances. One, there are temporary work permits for those who may be engaged in a job for no longer than six months.

Then, the Ministry of Labour allows part-time work permits for those already employed full-time (you must obtain a no objection certificate from both your full-time and part-time employers for this). Thirdly, expats are now able to act as official work sponsors for their dependents and, finally, a juvenile work permit is also available for young adults aged between 15-18 years.

For details on the legality of freelancing in the UAE and visa requirements, read: Make more money, but is freelancing legal in UAE?

Back to the available freelancing options in the UAE. Your bills may already be covered but many residents say a bit of extra cash means more vacations, shoes and gadgets. Whatever the case may be, many people in the country are now looking at part-time jobs and some of these are listed below.

#1 Jobs in creative, design and production

Part-time jobs in these industries are the most popular professions. There are several vacancies posted for designers, web designers, logo identity professionals etc. on different job websites.

According to Alexandra Tohme, Community Manager at Nabbesh.com, these skills are perhaps the most popular when it comes to freelance jobs in the country.

A job listed under this skill set on the website offers a pay of up to Dh3,500 plus for a week’s work. This is what is being offered by a start-up so you may get more if it is an established company listed as the employer.

#2 Translators

The UAE is a multicultural country where more than 200 nationalities come together to make its workforce. In such a scenario, translators are always in demand. Some of them could be on the payrolls of a company but many of them work on a per hour basis. The pay varies tremendously.

#3 Freelance writers


A good freelance writer can work on anything from books, to magazines, to websites. The pay can be per hour work done from home or per assignment for which you may have to do some foot work as well. The pay can vary widely with some companies paying half to one dirham per word.

The pay can differ if you work on an assignment and as the quantum of work increases.

#4 Social media experts

As social media gains prominence, so do the professionals in this category and many times they are needed on a part time basis.

For such roles, you should have social media experience and be well versed with blogging, community development, social bookmarking, commenting, etc.

You could also be a social media expert to give training on social media fundamentals. For such a one-day job you can easily get between Dh1,500 to Dh2,000.

 #5 Tutors/Instructors


The country is full of enthusiastic parents looking for extra classes/tuitions for their children. It could be any subject – swimming, music, math – just about anything that you are good at. And these classes, which may last 30, 40 or 60 minutes, do not come cheap.

Instructors can easily charge anything from Dh80 or so and it can easily go up to Dh200 plus for private classes.