Canadian Expats in UAE
Moving to a new country offers a fresh start with innovative ideas and challenges, too. The UAE is a multi-cultural country with a diverse population, offering opportunities to expats with zero income tax. It has attracted entrepreneurs and job seekers from across the world. Other than Americans and Pakistanis, Canadians have also flocked to the UAE, enhancing the multi-dimensional business environment. Emirate of Dubai and Emirate of Abu Dhabi are the two emirates populated with Canadian expats. The dynamic corporate environment and opportunities, the Canadians have also found family-friendly communities for social interaction in United Arab Emirates. There ae 40000-50000, Canadians living in United Arab Emirates.
Life of a Canadian in the UAE
If you are planning to move to UAE from Canada, it should be a stress-free and smooth transition. There will be many Canadian expats who can guide you about life in UAE. Many of those Canadians have actually liked living in the UAE. Most of these expats have moved to Dubai for its vibrant environment and exciting opportunities. Canadian expats are also attracted to the income structure, where they do not have to pay half of their salary in taxes. Dubai has a zero income-tax policy, ensuring you keep all of what you have earned. With this policy, Canadian expats save some money for the future, invest a little for better money-making opportunities and enjoy the luxurious lifestyle of the UAE.
Environment in the UAE
The scenario of moving from Canada to the UAE is not only about the business environment but also about the scenic beauty. Maple trees turn into palm trees, and beaches are serene in the UAE. Moreover, the weather is opposite in both countries. Canada is a cooler country, even in the summer. However, the UAE has really hot summers, reaching temperatures above 40 degrees. Nevertheless, work life is relaxing in Canada, whereas the UAE has a fast-paced business environment.
Contributions to UAE’s Economy
The Canadians have contributed positively to the UAE’s economy. They are much more qualified than the other people, which the UAE government is always looking forward to. However, Canadians have strong work ethics and are exposed to working with international clients. They contribute to various sectors in the UAE:
- Healthcare Sectors
The UAE’s healthcare sector has improved with the addition of Canadian doctors and nurses. Those doctors facilitate a large number of individuals with their professional expertise in medicine, ensuring a better health ratio in the UAE.
- Education Sectors
The UAE has international schools for expat children. So, if you are moving from any part of the world to the UAE, you can admit your child to an international school for better career opportunities in the future. However, Canadian educators offer their teaching services in different UAE international schools.
- Technology and Innovation Sectors
The UAE is a global hub, and expats make the biggest contributions to it. However, Canadians have made their name in the UAE technology sector by using interactive and innovative technology in their daily lives. Not only are they using artificial intelligence (AI) in business ideas, but they are also helpful to renewable energy projects, enhancing sustainable growth in the UAE.
- Entrepreneurship
In the world of entrepreneurs, Canadians are not left behind. They have worked on different business ideas in their home country. However, they are escalating their entrepreneurial journey in the UAE by working on AI and other hi-tech projects.
Housing and Employment Opportunities
The UAE offers various accommodation types for expats. However, there are designated areas where they can rent apartments. Those apartments are luxurious and spacious with gated communities. Canadian expats choose housing options near their children’s schools, workplaces, and basic facilities such as hospitals. With their education and work experience, negotiating their employment packages is easy in the UAE.
What Canadians Love Here?
Other than the zero-income tax policy, Canadians enjoy leisure activities in the UAE. These activities include beach outings, desert safaris, and hiking trips to different mountains. Though summers are really hot for outdoor activities, they can always visit beaches and hike up to the mountains in winters with cooler temperatures. Canadians appreciate the high living standards and political stability in the UAE. This situation also provides protection to Canadian families and other expats settled in the UAE.
Canadian Communities in UAE
Expats have communities where they can find people from their own country and culture. Canadians also have communities in the UAE that are their support systems throughout their lives. One of them is the Canadian Business Council (CBC). It offers networking opportunities and celebrates cultural events in the UAE, such as Canada Day. These kinds of communities foster positive relationships between two countries. In this case, Canadian communities strengthen ties between Canada and the UAE.
Challenges
Living in the UAE is convenient, yet it offers exposure to cultural diversity. Climate is one of those challenges. The Canadians are not used to the scorching heat of the desert, which is usually the summertime in the UAE. They have to limit their outdoor activities. Consequently, Canadians find cultural differences and adapting to the UAE environment could be challenging often. The UAE is always open to new cultures. Therefore, it puts a little pressure on Canadian expats, and they have to respect the UAE norms for social and professional acceptance. Residency visas are another challenge that expats face in the UAE. They do not have a residency status in the UAE, which makes them unsure about their career growth in the UAE.
Family Life in UAE
Canadians can enjoy the luxurious lifestyle of the UAE if they enroll children in international schools and work for a multinational company. It gives them an opportunity to meet other people from around the world and learn about accepting new cultures in the future. The UAE government works on family life; therefore, it has several recreational activities to do throughout the year. Those cultural events and entertainment centers also promote diversity and inclusion in the UAE. To manage a good life in the UAE, Canadians are also given the opportunity to hire house help services for cleaning, cooking and washing chores.
Canadians Connected to Canada in the UAE
The UAE has introduced technological changes in its business environment. However, Canadians remain connected to their home country by using social media platforms. There are different interactive applications that Canadians can use to stay connected with their families and friends back in Canada while working in the UAE. In this way, they will hardly ever get homesick.
Canadians Exploring the UAE
The Canadians have explored the UAE for personal and professional reasons. They love to do recreational activities in the desert and initiate business ideas in the start-up ecosystem. Also, Canadians can explore other continents, such as Asia and Europe, because the UAE is situated in the Middle East, making travelling to these destinations easy.
Lawyers for Canadians
Despite the challenges in the UAE, Canadians can hire a lawyer for their employment contracts or even if they want immigration to the UAE. Meanwhile, Canadians are in the UAE, so they can get legal services at any time. The lawyers and legal consultants in the UAE have experience working with non-Muslims and international clients.