Iranian Expatriates in UAE: A Thriving Diaspora

The economic ties between the UAE and Iran date back to the UAE’s inception in 1971. Dubai has been the main trade route between the countries. Several Iranian traders and entrepreneurs have made profitable investments in the UAE. The majority of Iranians moved to the UAE in the 1970s and 1980s as economic instability was witnessed in Iran at that time. UAE is home to 500,000 to 800,000 Iranian expatriates, the majority of whom live in Dubai.

The Iranian expats in UAE have established their identity in the UAE business world. They offer services in real estate, hospitality, and retail businesses. However, Dubai is an economic power at the national and international levels, and many Iranians have business operations in the emirate. Several import-export activities take place from Dubai by Iranian merchants. The trading of gold and textiles by Iranian enterprises has also uplifted the UAE’s economic growth. Besides businesses, Iranian expats have actively purchased luxurious properties in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and other emirates.

Iranian expats have influenced the multicultural fabric of the UAE by introducing their taste in food and art. You would find many Persian restaurants in the UAE offering saffron-infused dishes and kebabs. They also celebrate Iranian traditions and days, such as Nowruz, a Persian New Year. Moreover, Iranian culture is embraced in the educational system of the UAE, where expats send their children to Iranian schools. There are Iranian communities that organise cultural events around the year, keeping themselves connected with their roots.

A rising number of Iranians have migrated to the UAE. It demonstrates cultural diversity in the UAE. Most of them are living in Dubai and Sharjah. A small proportion of the Iranian population is living in Abu Dhabi and other emirates. They come from diverse backgrounds, such as experience in trade, finance, technology, education, and even medicine. However, the Iranian expats in the UAE also come for higher studies. The social interaction of Iranian expats is organized throughout the year. The community and cultural groups are the platforms for best networking with other Iranian expats in the UAE.

The Iranian expats have been very successful in UAE by doing good jobs and running profitable businesses. However, there are challenges that Iranians would face due to geopolitical conflicts between Iran and the West:

• Restrictions in Business

It is difficult for Iranians to do cross-border business as sanctions have been imposed on Iran, and banking restrictions have not been lifted yet. The UAE banks have restricted financial services to Iranian expats as they do not want to violate the terms of international sanctions. Consequently, international financial institutions would do background checks for Iranian customers, ensuring safety for the UAE citizens and the banking world.

• Visa and Residency Policies

The UAE’s visa and residency policies have been fluctuating, affecting many foreigners, especially Iranian expats. It is difficult for them to maintain long-lasting residency and commercial setups in the UAE.

• Career Barriers

Many companies are reluctant to hire Iranian expats in the UAE as they have difficulty getting visa approvals, even though they have the necessary qualifications and experience relevant to the jobs they apply to. Therefore, Iranians cannot find stable and reliable jobs in the UAE.

The UAE and Iran share a difficult relationship as both nations collaborate and have tensions going side by side. However, the political differences did not discourage the Iranians and Emiratis from doing economic activities together. The UAE has a realistic approach to balancing diplomatic ties with its business interests. Recently, the trade activities between both countries have improved as more diplomatic discussions are conducted to ensure a favorable economic environment for Iranian expats in the UAE.

The Iranian expats may have difficulty adjusting to the UAE’s multicultural environment. They can hire legal services for matters that affect their decisions. For example, if an Iranian expat wants to switch to a new job or they have a problem at the workplace with other colleagues, the employment lawyer can help them. The lawyers in the UAE have come up with alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that allows them to make settlements out of court. Iranian expats can benefit from such services because they are cost-effective and can provide quick resolution to legal problems. We are the top lawyers in United Arab Emirates. We are Dubai based top Emirati law firm. Our Emirati team of lawyers in Dubai also result-driven services.

Lawyers and legal consultants in UAE are available for all types of legal cases, such as employment issues, criminal cases, or family cases. Lawyers in Dubai, also provide advice for property investments and resolve administrative matters. Iranian expats in the UAE can look up these legal representatives online or ask law firms to help them with their cases. Moreover, they can take recommendations from the Iranian community groups. Ask The Law Al Shaiba Advocates, is the leading law firm in United Arab Emirates.

The Iranian expats in UAE are affected by the geopolitical tensions between both countries. However, diplomatic ties can be strengthened with flexible economic policies, encouraging Iranian expats to have profitable businesses in the UAE. As the largest economic hub, the UAE must understand that Iranian expats contribute a greater contribution to its economic growth. Therefore, the rights of Iranians should be protected at all times.

The UAE has a diverse population, so it is no surprise that people from all over the world want to settle in the UAE for better economic opportunities. However, this has led to competitive job markets across the UAE and high rentals in a few emirates. Though there are tensions between the countries, fair business laws and practices can ensure great economic ties. The political tensions may also resolve as countries work with each other on friendly terms.