Expats Make Up 88% of the UAE Workforce
The UAE is one of the world's most international job markets. Whether you're arriving from India, Pakistan, the UK, Philippines, or anywhere else — your CV needs to communicate clearly to local recruiters.
What UAE Recruiters Expect from Expat CVs
Include your visa status — Recruiters want to know if you're already on a UAE residence visa or if you require sponsorship. Both are fine, but state it clearly. Use: "UAE Residence Visa" or "Requires Employment Visa".
Nationality is standard — Unlike many Western countries where asking for nationality is restricted, UAE employers routinely request it. Include it in your personal details section.
UAE driving license — If you have one, always include it. Many operational, sales, and field roles require it.
Local phone number — If you're already in the UAE, use your UAE number. If applying from abroad, include both your current number and note your availability to relocate.
The Expat CV Template
Here is an example structure for an expat CV targeting UAE roles:
- Full Name — bold, prominent
- Professional Title — aligned to target role
- Contact — UAE phone, professional email, LinkedIn
- Nationality & Visa Status — clearly stated
- Professional Summary — 2-3 lines highlighting GCC-relevant experience
- Work Experience — reverse chronological, quantified achievements
- Education — include equivalency notes if from non-standard systems
- Skills — hard skills matched to job descriptions
- Languages — critical in the UAE's multilingual environment
Common Expat CV Mistakes
1. Not localizing your CV — A CV that works in London or Mumbai needs significant changes for Dubai. UAE recruiters have different expectations.
2. Omitting visa status — This creates uncertainty. Recruiters may skip your application rather than asking.
3. Using a non-UAE phone number — If you're already in the UAE, always list your local +971 number first.
4. Ignoring the photo question — While optional, many UAE employers expect a professional headshot. If in doubt, include one.
Why MakeMyCV Works for Expats
MakeMyCV includes all UAE-specific fields by default — visa status, nationality, driving license, languages. No need to figure out what to include. Just fill in your details and download.