IN DUBAI, CHANGING JOBS

Changing jobs can be stressful because your sponsor is your boss, and you must be funded to stay in Off Plan Properties Dubai.

If you are unexpectedly laid off, you will need to leave the emirate and your supported status will be revoked; be prepared to leave and look for a new career and a new sponsor from outside the emirate.

Don't stay in the emirate if you don't have the proper visa and sponsorship. If you are caught, you could face fines, deportation, and the possibility of never being able to return.

If you're dissatisfied at work and want to change employers, or if your contract has a set end date and you want to stay in Dubai and work until it expires, you'll need to find a new boss able to take over your sponsorship.

Believe it or not, it might be better for you to quit your job, leave the emirate, apply for a new job, and then return to Dubai with your new sponsor. However, you will have to wait six months before returning to the emirate.

Otherwise, be ready to put in a lot of effort to negotiate a change of sponsor.

You can move to a new employer in principle if your current employer grants you approval in the form of a NOC (no objection certificate).

Of course, if you're going to work for a rival, you're less likely to get a NOC.

You should, however, consider bargaining and find out that the solution to a NOC at the conclusion of your term is for your contractor to arrange for your return to your home country. A NOC would be less costly.

Finally, strive to maintain good ties with your boss by agreeing a good pay and benefits package from the start, taking as much time as possible to get things right, keeping in mind how difficult it is to move jobs and even renegotiate terms after you've settled in Dubai.

Finally, spend time online on forums and social media asking fellow expats about their experiences living in Dubai. You'll get the latest up-to-date tips and tricks, and you'll be able to start networking from afar.