Advisory & Regulatory
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Across the developed world, companies are grappling with an acute shortage of skilled talent. From the UK to European shores, the gap in finding the right professionals is slowly blunting businesses’ true potential. The latest talent trends report from ManpowerGroup survey shows that globally, 74% of employers face hiring difficulties, while in the UK alone, the figure rises to an 18-year high of 80%. This by no means is a problem limited to UK businesses.
At the same time, businesses are starting to look beyond traditional markets for solutions. This is where hiring talent in the UAE becomes a feasible option with expats making up 88% of the workforce. For professionals, the UAE talent visa otherwise known as the golden visa has become a game changer opening doors for global expertise.
In this blog, we’ll take you through an industry-wise look at the UAE’s talent landscape to help answer a key question, “If we set up in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE, will we find the skilled people we need?” The answer, as you’ll see in this blog, is a confident yes.
The UAE attracts international professionals with three key advantages that foster sustainable talent pools for companies. Its tax-free personal income policy enables professionals to keep more of their earnings, making jobs in the UAE appealing even when gross salaries are similar.
A multicultural business scene reduces cultural barriers often found in international hiring, and government initiatives like the Golden Visa and the UAE talent visa offer long-term residency, motivating top talent to move.
According to the talent trend reports Global Labour Resilience Index 2024, the UAE demonstrated the highest labour resilience among Arab nations and ranked 17th in the IMD World Talent Report 2024. These standings highlight the country’s strategic efforts to develop an environment where international companies can access essential expertise for success.
What will you find after setting up a subsidiary?
International businesses establishing IT operations in the UAE can access a comprehensive range of technical professionals who combine global experience with regional market knowledge. The technology sector demonstrates a 20% increase in job vacancies, reflecting sustained demand and healthy talent circulation.
Available software development professionals:
Cybersecurity experts available for hire:
The average spend per employee in UAE’s top IT companies reaches $510.80 in 2024, indicating that businesses invest substantially in acquiring and retaining technical talent. This investment level reflects the quality of professionals available and the competitive market for their services.
Why is IT talent in the UAE so appealing?
Many professionals have experience working in established markets such as the UK, the US, and Europe before relocating. The talent pool in the UAE generally possesses strong propensity toward the English language. They also have familiarity with international compliance standards and best practices. Additionally, they understand both Western business culture and regional demands clearly. Established professional networks support effective knowledge transfer.
Healthcare represents one of the robust talent sectors in the UAE, with a federal health workforce of 155,618 professionals, including 31,844 doctors and 65,510 nurses. Dubai alone maintains approximately 56,000 licensed healthcare professionals, representing concentrated expertise that international healthcare companies can access when seeking healthcare talent.
Clinicians and experts available for recruitment:
Healthcare professionals available:
What are the quality indicators for healthcare professionals?
Many healthcare professionals coming from countries with an established medical system, such as the UK, India, the Philippines, and Europe, are required to pass local licensing exams to ensure they meet competency standards. They must also participate in continuous medical education to stay updated and make the UAE a key hub for healthcare talents of international calibre. They have experience working with international patient populations and a variety of medical conditions and are familiar with both insurance-based and cash-pay healthcare models.
Licensing process for your healthcare subsidiary
When setting up healthcare operations, you’ll follow a dual-track process involving business licensing and professional practice approval. Healthcare professionals need document attestation, credential verification, and often pass professional examinations. The process typically takes 8-12 weeks from initial application to practice approval but ensures that professionals meet international healthcare standards.
Ready to make your healthcare vision a reality? Check out our blog on how to set up a healthcare business in Dubai.
The UAE financial services sector employs 39,046 bank professionals as of 2024, representing the highest employment level since 2015, as per talent trend report. The banking sector leads the Middle East region with total assets worth over $813 billion, creating substantial opportunities for businesses seeking financial services talent.
Investment banking specialists you can access:
Islamic finance expertise available:
Wealth management and private banking:
Digital banking and fintech professionals:
Why is financial services talent accessible in the UAE?
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) attract global professionals with competitive, tax-free compensation packages. They offer experience in both traditional banking and innovative fintech sectors. Opportunities for professional growth are available through international financial institutions. Additionally, there is access to a diverse client base across various regions and wealth levels.
The construction and real estate industry in the UAE is supported by the continued infrastructure investment by the government as well as the readiness to host the Expo 2030. Vision 2071 programs generate long-term demand of professionals with a knowledge in traditional methods of construction management and emerging building technologies.
Project management specialists available in the UAE:
Engineering professionals you can recruit:
Real estate investment and management:
Property technology and innovation:
What can a real estate subsidiary access?
Real Estate subsidiary can access professionals with experience in projects spanning residential communities to commercial complexes. They also have experience in working with different financing frameworks, including the principles of Islamic finance. They are well aware of sustainable construction techniques and environmental compliance. Additionally, they are also able to organize several stakeholder projects.
The UAE is an international logistical hub, giving supply chain professionals access to various specialisations. It has one of the most developed port infrastructures in the world and the transport sector features an aviation industry that serves 240 destinations worldwide, supporting logistical operations that involve intricate coordination.
Supply chain management professionals:
E-commerce and last-mile delivery:
Aviation and maritime logistics:
| UAE Logistics Advantages | Supporting Infrastructure |
|---|---|
| Global Aviation Reach | 240+ destinations |
| Port Capabilities | Top 10 globally ranked |
| Free Zone Options | 45+ specialised zones |
| Strategic Location | Europe-Asia-Africa hub |
| Customs Efficiency | 24/7 processing available |
Technology-enhanced logistics professionals:
Value for your logistics subsidiary:
When establishing your subsidiary in the UAE, accessing international talent requires understanding the visa framework and employment procedures. The system is designed to facilitate global business operations while ensuring proper documentation and compliance. The visa options available in the UAE are:
Employment process steps:
Free Zone setup benefits:
Mainland license advantages:
| Setup Option Comparison | Free Zone | Mainland |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Ownership | 100% | 100% (recent change) |
| Visa Processing Speed | 2-4 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
| Market Access | Limited to free zone and export | Full UAE market |
| Professional Licensing | Varies by free zone | Standard requirements |
| Setup Costs | AED 15,000 – 50,000 | AED 20,000 – 60,000 |
When international businesses inquire if they can find qualified talent by establishing subsidiaries in the UAE, the evidence clearly shows a yes across multiple industries.
The UAE represents more than a cost-effective alternative to traditional markets it provides access to talent UAE pools that may be unavailable or prohibitively expensive in your home country. For businesses facing persistent talent shortages that constrain growth opportunities, establishing UAE operations offers a strategic pathway to accessing the expertise necessary for sustained competitive advantage.
Whether your focus is technology, innovation, healthcare delivery, financial services, construction, or logistical coordination, the UAE’s talent ecosystem provides the foundation for operational success. The question for international businesses becomes not whether quality talent is available, but whether your organisation can afford to overlook this strategic opportunity while competitors gain access to global talent pools essential for future growth.
