How to Get a Job in the Middle East: A 2025 Jobseeker’s Guide

Most Middle Eastern countries don’t impose income tax, meaning you take home more of what you earn.

Pay scales in sectors like oil & gas, engineering, and healthcare are higher than in many Asian countries.

Multinational companies and government-backed mega projects open doors for professional development.

Large Indian expat communities make it easier to adapt to life abroad.

Working in Riyadh, Dubai, or Doha adds strong international experience to your CV.

• Vision 2030 projects like NEOM are creating massive demand for engineers, construction specialists, IT professionals, and healthcare staff.
• Riyadh and Jeddah are hubs for oil & gas, finance, and real estate.

• Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to attract talent in IT, banking, aviation, hospitality, and retail.
• The UAE is also a leading hub for startups and global corporate offices.

• With the FIFA World Cup legacy, Qatar is investing in new infrastructure and healthcare projects.
• Oil & gas and civil engineering roles remain highly sought after.

• Demand for nurses, doctors, technicians, and skilled trades.
• Many Indian professionals find stable, long-term opportunities in healthcare and education sectors.

Civil engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, project managers.

Offshore crew, rig operators, supervisors, safety officers.

Doctors, nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists.

Software developers, cybersecurity experts, cloud specialists.

Hotel managers, chefs, customer service executives, sales staff.

Welders, electricians, plumbers, heavy equipment operators.

Identify which country and sector best fits your skills. For example, Saudi Arabia is booming for engineers, while UAE has growing opportunities in IT and finance.

Middle Eastern employers prefer CVs that are clear, concise, and ATS (Applicant Tracking System) optimized. Include:

• Professional summary
• Key skills
• Work experience with achievements
• Certifications (like OSHA, PMP, or nursing licenses)

This is one of the most important steps. Always apply via licensed international recruitment agencies that have government approvals and a strong presence in the Gulf.

Agencies like DeltaReco specialize in connecting Indian professionals with top employers in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar.

Unfortunately, many scams exist in overseas job placements. To protect yourself:

• Never pay large sums of money upfront
• Verify the job offer through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India.
• Confirm visa details with the respective embassy.

All Gulf countries require medical fitness tests, police clearance, and in some cases, skill verification.

Once your job offer is confirmed, your employer or agency will process your employment visa. Saudi Arabia and UAE have slightly different visa processes, but both require employer sponsorship.

Employers apply for a work visa through the Ministry of Human Resources & Social Development. The candidate must pass a GAMCA medical test.

Employment visas are processed by the employer and converted into a residency permit once you arrive.

Similar to Saudi, employer sponsorship is required. Medical clearance and fingerprints are part of the process.