Through all the international recruitment we do at identifi Global, one region continues to present the most opportunities for tech professionals: the Middle East.
With abundant job vacancies and high salaries, the region has become incredibly cosmopolitan, drawing in millions of foreign workers. The UAE, for example, is home to over 200 nationalities and Emiratis only constitute roughly 10% of the total population. English is widely spoken.
What’s life in the Middle East really like for IT professionals, and how should they prepare for the move there?
We’ve successfully placed several candidates in the region, and spoke to them to get their on-the-ground perspective.
Making the move
Tax arrangements are a key factor in making the decision to work overseas, and will play an important role in determining whether you take a permanent or contract position there.
Contracting – and flying back to the UK regularly – is a viable and popular option, and means you’ll still be a tax resident in the UK. It’s especially popular with those not ready to make a permanent move. Many expats keep their families at home so as not to disrupt their lives.
Meanwhile, a permanent contract will sidestep the tax residency question. Income tax isn’t paid in Gulf Coast countries, so moving there permanently means no income taxes at all. Combined with the already high salaries for IT contractors – topping out at $190k or more for senior networking roles – this tax break can mean a windfall for in-demand professionals.
What you’ll save in taxes you’ll gain in complexity, however, when it comes to resettling your family in a new country. Legally, there are few obstacles to moving families to the region. In the UAE, for example, this is dependent on a health check and a minimum monthly salary of £793. If you’ve found your role through a recruiter then they should help you with the administrative burden.
Daily life
Living in the Gulf throws up differences you’ll notice straight away. As in most Islamic countries, the weekend falls on a Friday and Saturday. Sunday is a normal working and school day.
Schooling is an important – and expensive – consideration for expat parents. “You have no choice but private school if you want instruction in English,” explains one of our candidates. The situation is similar to private schooling in the UK: costs vary and some schools are better than others. Many employers will contribute to school fees, and there are an excellent assortment of international schools throughout the region.
“Some employers will provide housing, or help towards rental costs.”
High living costs are a common theme across the Middle East. Housing is expensive. “In Bahrain, accommodation will require a minimum one-year lease. This often includes the whole lease paid up-front” says one contractor we placed. “Rents are high, too: Usually in the region of £2000 per month”. Some employers will provide housing, or help towards rental costs. Be sure to read the fine print in your contract to avoid expensive surprises.
You will need to exchange your driver’s license. There’s a brief grace period where you can use your British license, but it’s worth applying immediately for your new one. Bureaucracy in many Middle Eastern countries can be inefficient.
Operating a car is very cheap compared to the UK. Petrol costs around 40p per litre and no road taxes are collected. “Supermarket prices are similar to the UK, but the aisles will be stocked with more exotic fresh foods,” according to one expat. “British and Western products are easy to find, but you’ll pay a premium for them – often twice the price.”
Culture shock and how to handle it
Middle Eastern countries aren’t secular. Islam is the state religion throughout the region, and while there’s plenty of diversity, the tolerance of non-Islamic worship and cultural values varies by country. Don’t let this discourage you, however. Even in Saudi Arabia, which practices an austere form of Sunni Islam, the expatriate community is respected and tolerated. Western behaviours are simply confined to the compounds where foreigners live.
Other countries – like the UAE and Bahrain – are more liberal than Saudi. They’re still far from secular by Western standards, but more allowances are made for non-Muslims. You’ll be able to find haram (or forbidden) products like alcohol and pork, and “private beaches allow you to escape from the conservative dress code of public beaches”. Allowances are baked into daily life to make things easier for you, and after a while, new cultural practices will become second nature to you.
Go East
If you’re wondering if you could manage the move to the Middle East, the answer is simple: you could. There’s a reason so many foreigners call the region home.
Relocation will involve difficulties and difference, but these are not impossible to overcome and, depending on your outlook, are part of the experience.
Going East involves a leap into new cultural norms, ways of working and living, but don’t be surprised if you end up loving your new life there. With an average 40 days of annual leave, high salaries, and tight knit expat communities, it could be just the change you’re looking for.
To find out how we could make your Middle Eastern ambitions a reality, contact identifi today.
