8 Reasons Why Expats Live and Work in Dubai

Dubai, like the GCC area, is now a hot spot for expatriates. Being a a state member of the UAE, a recent report by the Dubai Statistics Centre reveals a 5% increase in population over 2012 to 2.1 million.

Interestingly enough, most of them are expatriates. Given that Dubai and Abu Dhabi have ranked first and second in the best places to live in the Mena region, this is hardly a surprise. It is not surprising either that the most populated areas in the city are actually those where workers live and work.

Other estimations indicate that over a million people travelled to Dubai daily in 2012, which represents 2% more than in 2011. This number includes commuters and other people who also live in the region.  

Dubai certainly seems to be a busy area. Let’s have a look at some of the reasons why professionals live and work in Dubai.

1. Trade is thriving and employment is on the increase.

Dubai is currently an international market which is viewed in the same light as London or New York. According to Dubai's government, their international trade has been growing by an average of 11% since 1988.

Employment is also on the increase in the whole UAE. The Vice President of Sales at Bayt.com said that the GCC area’s broad mass appeal seems in the increase only. A January Job Survey showed that 67% of employers in the MENA region planned to hire during 2013.

Another interesting fact is that they don’t mix business and politics, as their trade with Iran shows.

2. Stable economy in a safe area.

The recent Consumer Confidence Index published in March showed that professionals expected their personal finances to improve during the next 6 months. It is also worth noting that salaries are tax-free and higher in some industries than in the same industries in other areas in the world.

Safety might be a concern for expats. But, Dubai is a low-crime area. Also, the fact that most of the population are professionals makes this area safer than many others.

3. Strategic location.

It is a bridge between the Far East and Europe on the East-West, and the CIS and Africa on the North-South.  Dubai boasts good infrastructure, including a solid airline carrier. This certainly helps international business, with numerous companies headquartered in the area. 

4. High-quality facilities and services.

Expats living or working in Dubai are enjoying high-quality services in most aspects of life, eg, automations of bills, etc. As IExpats.com mentions, Dubai and UAE offer a high standard of living.

Medical facilities are also good. However, expats would only enjoy this service free of charge in case of life-threatening cases or emergencies. That’s the reason why expats need international medical cover if they wish to live or work in that area. Talking to a specialist health insurance broker can only be beneficial for them.

5. Entertainment.

Business conferences aside, events and outdoor activities are easy to find. Dubai is a buzzing city, and expats feel that there is always something going on. Anything from sporting activities (there are many sports clubs available), exhibitions and music concerts can easily be found. Acts as varied as The Killers or David Guetta have played there.

6. Breath taking buildings and scenery.

Source: Palordinia

7. Multicultural society.

Expatriates can do business with and live alongside people of different areas of the world. This tiny area is a global village where expatriates learn to appreciate and live in a multicultural environment.

8. Weather.

If expats are looking for a warm, sunny place to live and work, this seems to be the one. It is warm for about eight months a year. 

Any others that you might have? Thank you for reading.

How to choose the right expat health insurance plan

When choosing your plan, it's important to know what to look for. Not all plans offer you the same amount of cover or cover the same conditions, and the amounts insurers will pay towards your treatment can vary widely.

Eight points to consider when choosing an international private health insurance plan.

1. Some medical costs can be high. So what’s the maximum amount you can claim on the plan as a whole? Or for a particular type of treatment?
2. Does the plan offer ‘paid in full’ or does it only cover a proportion of the cost for certain treatments?
3. Does the plan offer a wide range of cover for many healthcare issues? You never know what treatment you may need in the future
4. Can you choose (and pay for) only the cover you need, to help you manage costs while getting the best cover for you and your family?
5. Does the insurer have extensive experience in international medical insurance?
6. Does it have a good reputation, and is it properly regulated?
7. Does the plan offer you flexible payment terms?
8. Does it allow you to set a deductible (the amount that you pay towards any claim) that’s reasonable?

 When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.

April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.