Why are so many British relocating to UAE?

It’s an increasingly common phenomenon to hear of British workers emigrating to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). But what exactly is attracting such a high proportion of British citizens to the other side of the world with their families, possessions, and ambitions?

It’s far from a simple move from one English locale to another; it’s a complex operation involving the transportation of large amounts of possessions (in many cases), as well as the necessity to establish new social ties and professional relationships.

In this article we’ll take a look at the primary catalysts for this Middle Eastern migration and, in doing so, achieve a better understanding of the attractiveness of the UAE to British professionals.

The centre of the migration boom in the UAE are its three major cities; Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in particular, are now global centres for trade and commerce, leading straight into the first major attraction for British workers who are relocating to the UAE.

Excellent job prospects and pay

One of the more obvious attractions of British expatriates to the UAE is the exceptionally lucrative job market. The economy in the UAE is doing well, especially when compared to the somewhat faltering nature of the economy in the West at the moment.

The fact that Dubai alone is currently host to a full 25 per cent of the world’s total construction cranes gives an idea of how much is being invested in development at the moment. Such economic prosperity has led to a surge in vacancies in a wide variety of industries, foremost of which, as the previous fact would allude to, is construction.

Peerless lifestyle

Of course, one thing that goes hand in hand with a strong economy is lifestyle; while the UAE’s prosperity does mean that the cost of living is higher than many other destinations, the fact skilled workers are generally getting paid a large amount tends to positively offset the difference.

When you add in the fact that the UAE doesn’t have income tax you can quickly see that it’s relatively easy to live a luxurious lifestyle; it’s considered the norm by many to have a maid, and residents are surrounded by some of the most comprehensive retail and leisure facilities in the world; including the world’s largest shopping mall, located in Dubai.

Exceptionally large and diverse expatriate community

As well as superb job prospects, and an excellent lifestyle, your time in the UAE will be spent in and amongst one of the most diverse and proportionally large expatriate communities in the world.

The UAE has one of the highest net migration rates in the world and, as of the end of 2012, expatriates made up 88.5 per cent of the UAE’s total population.

This figure is set to rise. In essence, those who emigrate aren’t left floundering in an unfamiliar culture; they become one of many, many outsiders who are all learning the ropes of life in the UAE together. Dubai, one of the central hubs for foreign businesses and citizens in the UAE, is a great example of this.

Note: The author wrote this article on behalf of Randstad Mena, recruitment specialists for the Middle East and North Africa.

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