Want to do an internship in Dubai? Doing an internship in Dubai is a unique opportunity for many Dutch students to gain international experience in one of the most modern and multicultural cities in the world. Moreover, an internship in Dubai is an especially unique experience due to the very unique nature of the city.
The United Arab Emirates, and Dubai in particular, attract thousands of young professionals annually due to the vibrant business environment, high standard of living, and enormous diversity of cultures. Around 90% of the people living in Dubai are expats. This results in an incredible mix of different cultures.
Whether you’re looking for a regular internship or a graduation internship, on this page we’ll help you with everything you need to know about doing an internship in Dubai: from finding an internship position to arranging your visa and understanding the culture in Dubai.
What makes Dubai unique as an internship destination?
Why would you want to do an internship in Dubai? Dubai is not just a city full of impressive skyscrapers and luxury shopping malls; it’s primarily an international hub where more than 90% of the residents are expats. In recent years, Dubai has worked incredibly hard to build its reputation as the business hub of the Middle East, and it has succeeded quite well.
This means you’ll find yourself in a work environment where you collaborate with people from all over the world. This makes an internship in Dubai not only educational on a professional level but also on a personal and cultural level, as you get to know people from all over the world (which is useful for future internships).
Additionally, Dubai is a safe city with relatively little crime. The economy is strongly focused on innovation, technology, and tourism, making it an attractive place for young people with a lot of ambition. Dubai is also known for its professionalism, high standards in business, and excellent infrastructure.
In short: a very fun and interesting place to do an internship.
Which sectors offer internships in Dubai?
Are you going to do an internship in Dubai? Then it’s important to consider which sector you want to do this in. There are plenty of internship opportunities in various sectors in Dubai. Popular fields for internships in Dubai where Dutch students often end up are:
- Tourism Hospitality: Hotels, event organizations, and tourist companies are constantly looking for international talent, especially in a city where there is a lot of tourism throughout the year.
- Marketing Media: Think about creating content, social media, branding, and online campaigns – many companies in Dubai are active in online communication and marketing.
- Real Estate Construction: Dubai is known for its futuristic skyline and ambitious construction projects. There’s a lot to learn for students in real estate, architecture, and construction engineering.
- Finance Consultancy: Dubai is the financial heart of the Middle East and therefore offers plenty of opportunities at banks, consultancy firms, and international companies.
- Technology Start-ups: From e-commerce to artificial intelligence – the tech sector in Dubai is growing rapidly, and many young companies are looking for interns with fresh ideas.
Types of internships in Dubai: regular internship and graduation internship
Just like internships in the Netherlands, in Dubai you often have two types of internships you can do. In Dubai, you can do both a regular internship and a graduation internship, depending on your education and learning goals.
Regular Internship in Dubai
A regular internship is usually meant to gain practical experience. You shadow colleagues, perform supportive tasks, and learn about the daily operations within a company. This form is common in the second or third year of HBO (university of applied sciences) programs or MBO (vocational education) programs, but also certainly in some university programs.
With an internship, you are essentially working full-time for a short period, allowing you to experience everything about a company in Dubai. Because you often work full-time as an intern, it’s relatively easy to get an internship, as you’re basically an inexpensive workforce for a company.
In Dubai, however, the competition is much higher than in Europe. Many people come up with the idea of doing an internship in Dubai, and you’re competing against talents from all over the world.
Graduation Internship in Dubai
A graduation internship is often more difficult to obtain. You get your own research question or project and must achieve results independently. Graduation internships usually last longer (for example, 5 to 6 months) and require a higher level of independence.
Many companies in Dubai are willing to guide students in this, especially if you clearly indicate your goals and if they have a clear issue they want to solve. However, this type of internship is more difficult to get in Dubai, and conducting research at a foreign company can make your research much more complex. For example, it might be that the company has all documents in Arabic, which makes your internship more challenging.
It’s important to check in advance if your educational institution recognizes the company and if the tasks sufficiently align with your learning objectives.
Additionally, companies are often less interested in graduation students because they have to invest a lot of time in a student and don’t know if they’ll get anything useful in return. Therefore, it can be smart to propose that, despite doing a graduation internship (where you often aren’t allowed/supposed to work), you still work within the organization. This will certainly be an extremely busy period for you, but you’ll benefit optimally from the opportunities the company offers you.
How to Find an Internship in Dubai?
If you want to do an internship, you need to find a placement. Fortunately, almost everything is done online nowadays, so you can easily get in touch with companies in Dubai online. There are several ways to find an internship in Dubai. If you’re looking for an internship in Dubai, you essentially have 4 options:
- Internship Agencies
- Online Platforms
- Personal Network
- Expat Groups and Communities
Internship Agencies
Dutch internship agencies like Interns-Abroad or Stage-Global help students find a suitable internship placement. They offer guidance with visa applications, housing, and introduction to the city. This often costs money, but you get certainty and support in return. It’s also possible that these companies receive a fee from the employer, so you don’t have to pay anything.
Online Platforms
Additionally, just like you would when working in Dubai, you can look on online platforms. Many platforms active in Europe are also active in Dubai. Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor have a large offer of internships in Dubai. Search specifically for your field and use English search terms like “internship marketing Dubai” or “engineering internship UAE”.
Personal Network
If you want to find a top internship in Dubai, your own network can be incredibly valuable. One of the best ways to find an internship is through your own connections. Think of alumni, family, or contacts through your education. Do you already have a specific company in mind? Then send an open application or seek contact with employees via LinkedIn. After all, fortune favors the bold.
Expat Groups and Communities
Facebook groups like “Dutch in Dubai” or “DUTCHIES IN DUBAI” often offer interesting leads. By joining these groups and posting a request, you quickly come into contact with other Dutch people who have often emigrated to Dubai.
Visa and Residence Permit
For an internship in Dubai, you need a valid visa. There are different possibilities, depending on the duration and nature of your internship:
Internship Visa Through a Sponsor Company
It is quite common for your employer in Dubai to arrange your visa for you when you’re doing an internship in Dubai. In most cases, the internship company arranges a visa for you. They act as a sponsor and take care of the application. This is the most common and easiest route. Always make sure to ask your employer about this to be certain.
Student Visa Through Internship Agency or Educational Institution
If you go through a recognized internship agency, they can often arrange the visa as well. Note: this must be applied for well in advance, as the process can take several weeks.
Tourist Visa (Not Recommended)
A tourist visa is not intended for internships. You risk being sent back during an inspection. Only use this as a temporary solution, for example, for an internship of less than a month, and always do this in consultation with your internship company. Dubai is not a country where you want to take these kinds of risks and violate the rules.
Additionally, your passport must be valid for at least six months upon arrival, and you may be asked for a health declaration or proof of insurance. Be careful with your passport to ensure you have enough space for stamps. When you go to Dubai, you will get many stamps. So make sure you have at least about 6 pages free to put stamps on.
Tips for Your Application Process in Dubai
Applying for an internship in Dubai is naturally a bit different from applying for an internship in the Netherlands. Here are some valuable tips to increase your chances of securing an internship position:
- English CV and motivation letter: Make sure both documents are error-free and tailored to the position. Emphasize your international mindset, flexibility, and eagerness to learn. In general, Dubai wants to attract exceptional people, so people who are very good at something. So don’t be too modest.
- Use LinkedIn smartly: In Dubai, a lot of recruitment is done via LinkedIn. Make sure your profile is up-to-date, including a profile picture, description, skills, and recommendations from teachers or previous employers. Make your LinkedIn completely professional and see it as a kind of second CV.
- Apply well in advance: If you want an internship in Dubai, it’s also wise to start applying in time. Begin at least 3 to 5 months before your planned departure date. Most visa applications take several weeks. Additionally, you can also arrange other matters, such as housing.
- Preparation for the interview: Job interviews often take place via Zoom or Teams. Familiarize yourself with the company, be formal, and show respect for cultural differences (such as no jokes about religion or politics). Emiratis also really appreciate it if you speak a little Arabic, so you could learn a few phrases to gain an advantage when looking for your internship in Dubai.
- Follow-up: Send a polite follow-up email after your application or interview. This is seen as professional and serious in the Emirates.
Internship Compensation and Other Costs
A frequently asked question: do you get paid as an intern in Dubai? The answer is: sometimes.
- Internship compensation: Many internships in Dubai are unpaid or offer a small compensation (between €900 and €1,500 per month). This depends on the sector, the company, and the duration of your internship.
- Housing costs: Expect monthly rent between €650 and €1,000, depending on the neighborhood and whether you rent a room or studio. Student rooms or shared apartments are cheaper and often well arranged through internship agencies.
- Fixed costs: Consider costs for food, transport, phone, and leisure. In total, you can expect about €1000 to €1200 per month for living expenses (then you’re living luxuriously). Living in the center of Dubai is more expensive than in the suburbs.
- Insurance and visa costs: You need travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the UAE. Furthermore, visa costs can add up to €600, depending on the duration and the provider.
If you want to read more about the prices in Dubai, be sure to also read the article is Dubai expensive.
In short, an internship in Dubai can be an investment, but it also provides you with a tremendous amount of international experience – and it looks excellent on your CV.
