You have most likely been shortlisted by a university in Dubai for your further studies. So, you want to know as much as possible about the life of students in this city.
For instance, can students work part-time in Dubai? That’s an important question to ask before engaging in any job during your stay in the city.
After all, you wouldn’t want to do anything that jeopardizes your opportunity to complete your studies. Similarly, you wouldn’t mind the extra money that comes with working part-time.
So, what’s the best way forward? Here’s a guide on this crucial matter.
Can International Students Do Part-time Jobs in Dubai?
If you are an international student in Dubai, I come bearing some good news. The city allows you to work while studying.
Therefore, you don’t have to worry about catering for your living expenses and maintaining a good lifestyle throughout your studying period. However, you can only work part-time and hence shouldn’t take any full-time job.
That comes as a surprise to many people because a while back, overseas students studying in Dubai weren’t allowed to work. Besides working part-time, you can also enroll in an internship program.
How to Work While Studying in Dubai
Let’s discuss the requirements you need to meet to work and study in Dubai simultaneously.
Acquire a Student Visa
Before you can even consider working while studying, you need to qualify to be a student in this great city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Select the institution you want to study in and the course you plan to pursue.
Under such circumstances, it won’t be hard to get a student visa. However, it would be best if you also had all the visa and educational documents before attending that life-changing interview.
If you prepare well, you will get a student visa easily. Getting this visa is one of the easiest ways of entering Dubai and the UAE at large.
Meet the Minimum Study Duration
Don’t bother applying for a work permit as soon as you arrive in Dubai for further studies. On the contrary, wait until a year has elapsed since enrolling in that university.
Until that duration is over, you aren’t eligible for the work permit. Equally important, you should also be pursuing a full-time degree.
Acquire a Work Permit
It is good to note that it is the university you enroll in that will approve your work permit. So, once the one-year period is over, proceed to the relevant authority and get the approval letter.
Upon acquiring it, proceed to the labor department of UAE. Expect a work permit, which gives you the liberty to work part-time as you study.
Respect All the Rules and Regulations of Working While Studying in Dubai
For instance, you can’t exceed 15 working hours per week when in session. However, the limit exceeds up to 40 hours if it is during the summer holidays or a vacation.
Besides, ensure that you aren’t working more than one job simultaneously. Failure to adhere to these guidelines will cut short your studies.
You will have to go back home since the government will provoke your student visa. Since it won’t be worth it eventually, respect such rules for an opportunity to clear your studies.
Age Limit
Whether you are working while studying or in any other arrangement, no one below 18 years is allowed to work in Dubai. You also need to undergo a medical test and pass with flying colors.
Academic Constraints
If you don’t have a GPA of at least 2.2, you aren’t illegible for working on-campus. However, you are free to work off-campus if you get a part-time job out there.
Consequences of Working Part-time Without a Work Permit
Thanks to the unique approach of the UAE in dealing with people working without work permits, such instances are rare. Its 2007 Federal Decree-Law No.2 is undoubtedly persuasive.
After all, instead of targeting the employee, its focus is on the employer. Consequently, employers won’t employ non-compliant people and will do due diligence to ensure that it doesn’t happen.
Failure to adhere to the law will attract a fine of up to AED 50,000. It is bound to go even higher than that if the employer repeats the offense.
Common Part-time Jobs for Students in Dubai
Once you meet the requirements, there are various jobs to consider.
On-Campus Part-time Jobs for Students in Dubai
Your options include the following;
- Baristas thus quench people’s thirst with juicy drinks while expanding your network
- Campus ambassador responsible for promoting the institution and encouraging people to join it
- Library assistant, which allows you to study and have extensive access to educational materials
- Receptionists for first-hand experience in administration as you handle calls and visitors
- Teaching assistants thus assist students, supervising or organizing classes and understanding the job of a lecturer or professor first-hand
Off-Campus Part-time Jobs for Students in Dubai
Alternatively, one can choose to work off-campus, and your options include the following;
- Baby sitter
- Cab driver
- Pet sitter
- Retail Cashier
- Waiter or waitress
How Much Can a Student Working Part-time in Dubai Earn?
It would be a lie to quote a figure since it differs from one employer to another. Other determining factors are the type of job and the hours you work.
On average, most students pocket up to AED 2500 monthly. Here’s a summary of some of the jobs are their corresponding average hourly rates;
- Barista makes about $11.59 per hour
- Campus ambassador makes about $10.94 per hour
- Library assistant makes about $13.24 per hour
- Receptionists make about $13.31 per hour
- A teaching assistant makes about $11.85 per hour
- Baby sitter makes about $70 per hour
- Cab driver makes about $60 per hour
- Pet sitter makes about $60 per hour
- The retail cashier makes about $40 per hour
- A waiter or waitress makes about $40 per hour
Importance of Working While Studying in Dubai
One of the reasons why Dubai strikes many people as a great destination for further studies is the pocket-friendly tuition fee. Whereas that’s good news, it also has a bad side.
Dubai happens to be one of the most luxurious cities in the world. Consequently, its cost of living is quite high.
Equally important, the opportunities of living on-campus are scarce. Therefore, students need to find jobs to cater to their living expenses for obvious reasons.
