United Arab EmiratesKhaleej Times
Know the Gulf. Live Better.
Your Complete Guide to Living in the Gulf
Explore life, relocation, employment, housing, healthcare, business opportunities and everyday living across the GCC.
Gulf news
Latest updates
- United Arab EmiratesKhaleej Times
UAE condemns attack on Qatari LNG tanker in Arabian Gulf
- KuwaitTimes Kuwait
Police Arrest Driver for Reckless Driving and Stunts, Impound Vehicle
- United Arab EmiratesThe National
Abu Dhabi Golf Championship: Rory McIlroy returns and all you need to know
- United Arab EmiratesKhaleej Times
Four Americans, Canadian among 69 killed in Spain high-speed train collision
- United Arab EmiratesThe National
The next phase of UAE-China energy co-operation will be built on shared expertise
- OmanTimes of Oman
Maruti Suzuki records highest-ever monthly sales of 2.76 lakh units in October amid festive demand
Employment journeys
How people actually got hired in each country
Six real-world routes from offer letter to first payday, with every permit, step, cost and mistake to avoid.
United Arab Emirates · Dubai
Priya Nair, Senior Software Engineer
Priya moved from a product company in Bengaluru to a Dubai fintech. Her employer sponsored the work permit and residence visa; she handled degree attestation, housing and banking herself.
- per month
- AED 28K
- Timeline
- 10–14 weeks
Saudi Arabia · Riyadh
Ahmed Hassan, Civil Engineering Project Manager
Ahmed joined a contractor delivering a Riyadh metro extension. Engineering roles in Saudi Arabia require professional accreditation, which added a step most other professions do not have.
- per month
- SAR 22K
- Timeline
- 12–16 weeks
Qatar · Doha
Maria Santos, Registered Nurse (ICU)
Maria was recruited by a Doha hospital through a licensed agency. Healthcare is the longest route on this site because licensing has to finish before the visa can start.
- per month
- QAR 11K
- Timeline
- 16–24 weeks
Bahrain · Manama
James Whitfield, Compliance Manager
James relocated with his family to join a retail bank in Manama. Bahrain was the fastest process of the six countries, largely because LMRA handles permits on one platform.
- per month
- BHD 2.4K
- Timeline
- 6–9 weeks
Kuwait · Salmiya
Lina Haddad, Secondary English Teacher
Lina joined a bilingual private school in Salmiya. Teaching contracts in Kuwait often include housing and a yearly flight, which made a modest salary go much further.
- per month
- KWD 850
- Timeline
- 10–14 weeks
Oman · Sohar
Tomasz Kowalski, Port Logistics Manager
Tomasz took a role running yard operations at a port and free zone in Sohar. Omanisation quotas meant his employer had to justify the hire, which shaped the timeline.
- per month
- OMR 2.1K
- Timeline
- 8–12 weeks
United Arab Emirates · Dubai
Maria Santos, Registered Nurse
Maria moved from a Manila hospital to a private hospital in Dubai. Her licence from the Dubai Health Authority was the longest step; the hospital handled the visa.
- per month
- AED 12K
- Timeline
- 12–20 weeks
United Arab Emirates · Abu Dhabi
Emma Clarke, Primary School Teacher
Emma joined a British-curriculum school in Abu Dhabi. The package included housing and flights; teacher licensing with ADEK ran alongside the visa.
- per month
- AED 15K
- Timeline
- 10–16 weeks
United Arab Emirates · Dubai
Marco Rossi, Sous Chef
Marco joined a hotel restaurant in Dubai Marina. Accommodation and meals were part of the package, so his costs on arrival were low.
- per month
- AED 9K
- Timeline
- 6–10 weeks
United Arab Emirates · Dubai
Rahul Mehta, Senior Accountant
Rahul joined an audit firm in Dubai. With a recognised CA qualification he moved straight into a senior role; corporate tax since 2023 created strong demand.
- per month
- AED 16K
- Timeline
- 8–12 weeks
United Arab Emirates · Abu Dhabi
Dr. Omar Khalil, Specialist Physician
Omar moved to a hospital in Abu Dhabi as an internal medicine specialist. The Department of Health licence required verification of every training post.
- per month
- AED 45K
- Timeline
- 16–24 weeks
United Arab Emirates · Dubai
Sofia Petrova, Real Estate Broker
Sofia joined a Dubai brokerage on low basic pay plus commission. She needed a RERA card before she could legally show properties.
- per month
- AED 6K
- Timeline
- 6–8 weeks
United Arab Emirates · Sharjah
Imran Ali, Delivery and Light Vehicle Driver
Imran works for a logistics company in Sharjah. He needed a UAE driving licence; his company paid for driving school.
- per month
- AED 3.5K
- Timeline
- 6–10 weeks
Saudi Arabia · Riyadh
Dr. Aisha Rahman, Consultant Paediatrician
Aisha joined a government hospital in Riyadh. Classification with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties set her grade and salary.
- per month
- SAR 55K
- Timeline
- 16–24 weeks
Saudi Arabia · Riyadh
Lukas Weber, Data Engineer
Lukas joined a Riyadh tech company working on Vision 2030 projects. No professional licence was needed, so the visa moved quickly.
- per month
- SAR 30K
- Timeline
- 8–12 weeks
Saudi Arabia · Jeddah
Grace Wanjiru, Staff Nurse
Grace joined a private hospital in Jeddah through a government-licensed recruiter. Housing and transport were provided.
- per month
- SAR 9K
- Timeline
- 12–18 weeks
Saudi Arabia · Dhahran
James Miller, Petroleum Engineer
James joined an oil-services contractor in the Eastern Province. Engineering accreditation with the Saudi Council of Engineers was required.
- per month
- SAR 48K
- Timeline
- 10–16 weeks
Saudi Arabia · Jeddah
Sarah Thompson, International School Teacher
Sarah teaches at an international school in Jeddah. The school provided furnished housing and annual flights.
- per month
- SAR 16K
- Timeline
- 10–14 weeks
Qatar · Doha
Vikram Rao, Civil Engineer
Vikram joined an infrastructure consultancy in Doha. Engineers must be registered with the Ministry of Municipality before signing drawings.
- per month
- QAR 18K
- Timeline
- 10–14 weeks
Qatar · Doha
Ana Ferreira, Front Office Manager
Ana manages front office at a Doha hotel. Housing, transport and meals were part of the package.
- per month
- QAR 14K
- Timeline
- 6–10 weeks
Qatar · Doha
Ahmed Saleh, Cybersecurity Specialist
Ahmed joined a government-linked technology company in Doha. Security clearance added a short background check.
- per month
- QAR 20K
- Timeline
- 8–12 weeks
Qatar · Al Wakrah
Hannah Brooks, Secondary Science Teacher
Hannah teaches in a private school south of Doha. The school offered housing and a tuition discount.
- per month
- QAR 13K
- Timeline
- 10–14 weeks
Bahrain · Manama
Daniel Kim, Software Developer
Daniel joined a fintech in Bahrain Bay. Bahrain’s fast LMRA process made it the quickest move in the Gulf.
- per month
- BHD 1.6K
- Timeline
- 5–8 weeks
Bahrain · Manama
Joy Fernandes, Registered Nurse
Joy joined a private hospital in Manama. The NHRA licence was required before starting.
- per month
- BHD 750
- Timeline
- 10–14 weeks
Kuwait · Kuwait City
Rose Mathew, Staff Nurse
Rose joined a Ministry of Health hospital. Kuwait recruits nurses mainly through government programmes, which are slower but well paid.
- per month
- KWD 600
- Timeline
- 14–20 weeks
Kuwait · Kuwait City
Bilal Chaudhry, Financial Accountant
Bilal joined a trading group in Kuwait City. His degree had to match the job title exactly for the visa.
- per month
- KWD 900
- Timeline
- 10–14 weeks
Oman · Muscat
Laura Bennett, English Teacher
Laura teaches at a private school in Muscat. Oman offered a slower pace and lower costs than other Gulf cities.
- per month
- OMR 1.1K
- Timeline
- 8–12 weeks
Oman · Muscat
Reena Thomas, Registered Nurse
Reena joined a private hospital in Muscat. Licensing with the Oman Medical Specialty Board was the main step.
- per month
- OMR 600
- Timeline
- 10–14 weeks
Oman · Muscat
Tom Andersen, Reservoir Engineer
Tom joined an oil producer in Muscat. Family visas were simple because his salary was above the threshold.
- per month
- OMR 3.2K
- Timeline
- 8–12 weeks
Explore the GCC
Six countries, one practical guide
Residency, housing, schools, healthcare and day-to-day life, organised country by country.
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi · 8 cities
A federation of seven emirates with one of the world's largest expatriate populations, zero personal income tax and highly developed infrastructure.
- Currency
- AED
- Timezone
- GST (UTC+4)
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh · 8 cities
The largest economy in the Gulf, undergoing rapid transformation under Vision 2030 with major giga-projects and expanding expat opportunities.
- Currency
- SAR
- Timezone
- AST (UTC+3)
Qatar
Doha · 4 cities
A compact, high-income peninsula state with world-class infrastructure built for the 2022 World Cup and a large professional expat community.
- Currency
- QAR
- Timezone
- AST (UTC+3)
Bahrain
Manama · 4 cities
An island kingdom known for its open business environment, relatively affordable lifestyle and strong financial services sector.
- Currency
- BHD
- Timezone
- AST (UTC+3)
Kuwait
Kuwait City · 4 cities
A wealthy oil economy with a strong currency, large expat workforce and a more traditional social environment.
- Currency
- KWD
- Timezone
- AST (UTC+3)
Oman
Muscat · 5 cities
A scenic, lower-density country known for its natural landscapes, heritage and calmer pace of life.
- Currency
- OMR
- Timezone
- GST (UTC+4)
Relocation guides
Plan your move with confidence
Finding EmploymentUnited Arab Emirates
Working in the UAE: contracts, salaries and end-of-service gratuity
How UAE labour contracts work, what a typical package includes, and how gratuity is calculated when you leave.
8 min readUpdated 24 Oct 2026
Finding EmploymentSaudi Arabia
Working in Saudi Arabia: Qiwa, Iqama and Saudization explained
The platforms, permits and quota rules every expat employee in the Kingdom should understand before signing.
9 min readUpdated 24 Oct 2026
Visas & ResidencyDubai
Moving to Dubai: Complete Relocation Guide
Everything you need to plan a move to Dubai, from entry permits and Emirates ID to housing, schools and setting up utilities.
9 min readUpdated 24 Oct 2026
Housing & AccommodationDoha
Living in Doha: Everything New Expats Should Know
A practical overview of residence permits, housing, schools, healthcare and daily life for new arrivals in Doha.
7 min readUpdated 24 Oct 2026
Visas & ResidencyRiyadh
How to Obtain Residency in Saudi Arabia
Understand the Iqama, the Premium Residency programme and the newer talent and investor visa options.
8 min readUpdated 24 Oct 2026
Cost of living
What a month really costs
CityEst. monthly cost, single person1-bed rentTotal
Estimates in USD for one person: 1-bed rent, utilities, groceries, transport and health insurance.
The Gulf Brief
Weekly practical updates about living, working and relocating to the Gulf.