Dubai job offer checklist

1. Basic salary and total salary

What it is. An offer often shows one monthly total. The law splits it in two. The basic wage is the wage in the contract without allowances or benefits in kind. The wage is the basic wage plus cash allowances and benefits.

Why it matters. Gratuity is paid on basic salary only. On two offers of 20,000 AED a month, a basic of 12,000 AED earns a gratuity of 42,000 AED after five years, and a basic of 8,000 AED earns 28,000 AED. Try your own numbers in the gratuity calculator.

What the law says. Gratuity is calculated on the last basic wage. Housing, transport, utilities and furniture allowances are left out.

Sources: UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relationships, English text published by the Dubai Development Authority, Articles 1 and 51; u.ae, End of service benefits for workers in the private sector. Checked October 2026.

2. Housing allowance or housing provided

What it is. Some employers pay a monthly housing allowance. Others give you a flat or pay the rent for you.

Why it matters. Compare the allowance with real rents in the areas you would live in. See Dubai areas and rents. If housing is provided, ask who pays the electricity and water bill, any chiller bill, and the Dubai Municipality housing fee of 5% of the yearly rent, which is added to the electricity and water bill.

Source: u.ae, Leasing a property in the UAE, Registering lease agreements. Checked October 2026.

3. Transport allowance or car

What it is. A transport allowance is cash. A company car or driver is a benefit in kind.

Why it matters. If you drive, budget for Salik road tolls of 6 AED per crossing at peak times and 4 AED off peak, plus yearly registration of 350 AED for a light vehicle and 20 AED in fees, plus insurance. The hidden costs guide has the details.

Sources: Salik Company disclosure to the Dubai Financial Market, 17 January 2025; RTA, Renew and Amend Vehicle Data Ownership. Checked October 2026.

4. School fees allowance

What it is. For families, ask whether school fees are paid in full or up to a cap, per child or in total, for how many children, and whether the employer pays the school directly.

Why it matters. Fees vary by school and grade, so compare the allowance with real fees on Dubai schools and fees.

5. Annual flight and leave

What it is. Some contracts include a yearly ticket home. Ask who it covers, in what class, and whether it is a ticket or a cash amount.

Why it matters. Return flights for a whole family every year add up, so check whether the benefit covers everyone. A ticket home is a contract benefit, so get it in writing.

What the law says. After one year of service you are entitled to 30 days of fully paid annual leave. If your service is over six months but under one year, you get 2 days for each month.

Source: u.ae, Types of leaves, Annual leave. Checked October 2026.

6. Medical insurance

What it is. Ask what plan the employer provides, and whether it covers your spouse and children.

Why it matters. If the plan covers only you, the premiums for your family are yours to pay every year.

What the law says. In Dubai, employers are required to provide health insurance for their employees. Sponsors are required to insure their resident dependents. The Labour Law also makes the employer bear the cost of the medical care of the worker in line with the laws in force.

Sources: u.ae, Getting health insurance, Health insurance for resident expatriates; UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relationships, English text published by the Dubai Development Authority, Article 13. Checked October 2026.

7. Probation

What it is. A trial period at the start of the job.

Why it matters. During probation the job can end at short notice, so keep enough savings to cover a move.

What the law says. Probation cannot be longer than six months, and an employer can put you on probation only once. The employer must give 14 days of written notice to end your job during probation. If you leave during probation to join another employer in the UAE, you must give one month of written notice, and the new employer pays your old employer the recruitment costs unless agreed otherwise. If you leave to go home, you must give 14 days of written notice. Probation counts as service.

Sources: UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relationships, English text published by the Dubai Development Authority, Article 9; u.ae, Employment contracts: duration and models in the private sector. Checked October 2026.

8. Notice period

What it is. How much notice you and the employer must give to end the contract.

Why it matters. A longer notice period protects your income if the employer ends the contract, and ties you longer if you want to leave.

What the law says. The notice period must be at least 30 days and at most 90 days, and it must be the same for both sides unless it favours the worker. You get your full wage during the notice period. The side that does not give notice pays the other the wage for the notice period. If the employer ends the contract, you may take one unpaid day a week during the notice period to look for a new job.

Sources: UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relationships, English text published by the Dubai Development Authority, Article 43; u.ae, Terminating employment contracts. Checked October 2026.

9. End of service gratuity

What it is. A lump sum at the end of your job, or monthly contributions to a savings scheme.

Why it matters. On a basic salary of 10,000 AED, five years of service earns 35,000 AED. Ask whether the employer pays gratuity under the Labour Law, under the voluntary Savings Scheme, or under a free zone scheme such as the one in DIFC. Work out yours with the gratuity calculator.

What the law says. After one year of service: 21 days of basic salary for each of the first five years and 30 days for each year after, capped at two years of wage.

Sources: UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relationships, English text published by the Dubai Development Authority, Article 51; u.ae, End of service benefits for workers in the private sector. Checked October 2026.

10. Visa, work permit and Emirates ID

What it is. Your work permit, residence visa and Emirates ID, and the visas for your family.

Why it matters. The employer pays for your own permit and residence. Your family is a different matter: you sponsor them yourself, which needs a salary of at least 4,000 AED a month, or 3,000 AED plus accommodation. Family members aged 18 or over must pass a medical fitness test. Ask whether the employer pays for family visas, tests and Emirates IDs.

What the law says. The employer may not charge you recruitment or employment fees, directly or indirectly. The costs of recruitment, travel and your residency permit are borne by the employer.

Sources: UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relationships, English text published by the Dubai Development Authority, Article 6(4); u.ae, Labour rights; u.ae, Residence visa for family members. Checked October 2026.

11. Contract type and where it is registered

What it is. Whether the job is on the mainland, in a free zone, in DIFC or in ADGM, and the work pattern: full time, part time, temporary, flexible, remote or job sharing.

Why it matters. The place decides which employment rules apply, including how gratuity is paid. See where the gratuity rules differ.

What the law says. Contracts are for a fixed term and can be renewed. A renewal is added to your service when gratuity is worked out. A non-compete clause can last at most two years after the contract ends. Your contract must be consistent with the job offer you signed in your own country, so keep a copy of the offer.

Sources: u.ae, Employment contracts: duration and models in the private sector; UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relationships, English text published by the Dubai Development Authority, Article 10; u.ae, Labour rights. Checked October 2026.