Working in the Middle East - Questions

Genghis

I am thinking of taking a couple of years out in the Middle East; at this stage I am just trying to find information. What is it like to work there? What is it like to live there? I know a lot of the opportunities there are 'tax-free'; is this uniersally true, or just in some countries. Which countries are most western friendly? Will there be a language barrier? What is the deal with going with a partner to whom I am not married? Will I need to live in a reservation, and what are the pros / cons of this?

I would value any personal experience, or links to other sites / boards where such information is available.

onedmc

I've worked in most countries in the middle east but I've never spent more than about 2 months in any. Language is not an issue in all the gulf states, business is very much in arabic and english. Not so much in Iran though and I wouldn't advise anyway.

The main countries that european go to are the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi and some others) and Bahrain. If your in 'IT' Kuwait (hard to get beer and rashers) and Saudi (Live on home brew, no rashers) are probable open to you and if your in construction, oil or chemicals then all of them are an option. With all you will need to be sponsored.

Dubai is the easiest to move to, not too different, you can drink, though there is only one bar (Irish bar) that isn't part of a hotel. Also you can work in just about anything. airlines, property, banking and the usual.

Bahrain is smaller and quieter and an older x-pat crowd (except gulf air staff).

One word of warning though as a non local your are a second class citizen so make sure you either work for a western company (all compaies are sorta owned by locals) or have a very senior job.

Dubai has a good young x-pat lifestyle but not easy to get a job. If in IT you should consider one of the Irish compaies that stilly have offices out there.

Most of the Gulf states are Tax free on income tax, though ther may be some charges that are high. (e.g. westerns pay 10 as much as locals for piped water).

The only other place in the middle east that merits a mention is Lebanon. But you wont get in so just go ther on holidays. Beirut is one of my 3 favoirite place to party.


Hope this helps

onedmc

It's illegal to live with someone that you are not married to in Dubai and probably similar in most other states.

However, it is ok to sleep with as many russian prostitutes as you like. And if your local then taking bribes is ok as well.

So basically be careful you could be deported if the boss takes a dislike to you and worse still you may be .... who knows?

WhiteWashMan

dubai (UAE) and oman are nice. not much to do in dubai except spend money.
they are about the 2 most non fundamental states in the ME, and as such, you can go to bars etc.
both states are tax free. only worked there for a few weeks, so im not really up on it, but im sure there are some good ex pat sites. dubai is full of ex pats, but be prepared for about 50 degree heat in the summer. its hot!

vector

Just buy a white landcruiser with air conditioning and darkeded windows, and a satellite phone and live in a floridia style mansion/apartment.

el Bastardo

Spent over a year in Dubai and have to agree with most of what oneDMC said. Huge Asian expat community there, so I didn't meet many locals there (but when I did, it was at the bar!). The only negative thing that I would have to say is that afterhours activities are a bit limited but, with the excellent weather (sometimes a bit too excellent!), it's a great place to do water sports and aero sports (aswell as all the usual touristy beachy stuff!). Definitely a "non fundamental" place.

Genghis

Thanks all, it looks like Dubai or Bahrain may be the place to go. Any advice on specing out opportunities in advance? I presume you wouldn't advise simply flying out there and hoping to find work? I would be looking to work in something like Banking.