TOPICS
Dynamic Teambuilders COO, Ray Maxwell, at Dubai Hotel
Overview
The city of Dubai is the second largest emirate in the
United Arab Emirates. Its year-round sunshine,
coupled with an unprecedented level of investment and a luxurious lifestyle, has
not only turned it into
a popular tourist destination, but also an essential place to do business. Dubai
offers an unparalleled
quality of life in a virtually crime-free, tolerant society; world-class hotels
and entertainment facilities;
enviable sports and leisure; and excellent value shopping - all of which combine
to make living and
working in Dubai a pleasure.
Detail:
- Jobs, Adjustment, Novelty, Safety
- Money
- Tax saving
JOBS
Opportunities for advancement, experience, international
Colleagues are mostly all very bright, ambitious, younger people, of
interesting international culture; people from all over the world.
Executive Assistant at major UAE Insurance company.
Dubai is on the list of the four easiest places for
Canadians working abroad to adjust into:
Bermuda, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Talented people can find work in Dubai/UAE. They are much
needed there, and they are hired
from everywhere in the world. Canadians are valued because they have good
business culture,
gentler nature, and mix well with people of diverse backgrounds.
SAFETY
Dubai is safe and almost free of crime.
But roads are crowded, drivers hurry, accidents happen.
NOVELTY
You must enjoy novelty to enjoy Dubai -
People/food/culture/dress. Is this you?
People with a character that enjoys adaptation to new circumstance will have a
lot of
pleasure in the novelty, while enjoying the freedoms (particularly in Dubai),
and all the differences.
Because employers have selected from amongst the best
quality people that they could find for the job,
and those who not satisfactory are sent back to their country of origin, this
results in a population of people,
with whom to work and play, that are of exceptionally good quality. This can be
a nice opportunity to learn to enjoy
and appreciate living and working with people of diverse backgrounds, and to add
"international experience"
to your resume.
SALARIES, SAVINGS
Salaries are about the same as in Canada, when you sort out
cost-of-living, add in perks such as accommodation
allowance paid, etc. But because you do not pay any tax, so you can save about
50%!
No income tax, no GST, no PST, no fuel tax, etc. The way to legally arrange zero
tax on your income - easily
arranged by Canadians - is by getting temporary non-resident status - more
detail below.
Buildings going up square miles all at once - beautiful hi-rises, and beach-front properties.
PROPERTY, HOUSING, CARS, LOCAL CURRENCY, CALCULATING PAY
You can own property - yes you now can! And prices are
rising,
so if you know when to buy, and when to sell, you can make good profit.
Cost of purchase of Condo "flat" 2 bedroom is about
C$500,000 to C$1,000,000, rising at the rate of 15% per year.
Housing is in short supply now, although three hundred
residential towers are being built (2008), and the
government is supporting this residential development.
Cars are cheap and gas is 1/3 the price. Housing is
expensive.
If you can live in small or shared space, and within a reasonable budget -
especially singles,
or two-person working couple, you can save a lot of money fast!
You will be paid in the local currency:
1dhs [durham] = about 30 cents in Canadian (2008).
Salaries are expressed monthly.
The accommodation allowance may be added into the stated salary:
Example: "Salary dhs35,000 accommodation included"
In Canadian money, this is about C$10,000 per month =
C$120,000 per year.
Any savings you can make in rent can be put into your bank account.
Make certain that you go online and research:
Rent and Accommodation in Dubai:
HEALTH CARE
Your employer should commit to cover Health Care costs.
The quality of Health Care is good,
The clinics and hospitals are new and clean.
Medical Insurance Coverage for children is excellent..
KIDS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Dubai is a great place to raise kids:
Wonderful area for shopping
Interesting and lively social circles, and you will be readily welcomed.
Great arts and culture: Symphony, Exhibitions, and Music, dancing, even tango!
New buildings under construction, also Elevated Commuter
Railway Train Track under construction
ROADS, LOCAL TRAVEL
Roads are crowded:
In the residential areas where housing is cheaper, it could
take, in rush hour,
up to 2 hours to drive to work.
Public transit is only now being constructed.
Now there are only cars, or car pools.
LABOR LAWS
Labor laws favor the employer:
- The employer arranges your visa
- Without it, you can't stay in the country
- If you want to change jobs, it will require two things:
1. That your initial employer allows you to keep your visa to stay in Dubai,
2. That your employer issues you a statement of his permission that you you are allowed to seek further employment within Dubai.
Most employers, especially Multi-National Companies, do not
exercise this option,
and do not constrain you. You should find this out in advance about your
potential employer.
EDUCATION FOR YOUR CHILDREN
Cost is (2008) about $350 per month per child - best paid for by your company
University and college education cost: We didn't find this out.
Higher education subjects:
HOW TO ARRANGE NO TAX
Canadians can pay zero income tax on money earned outside
of Canada if registered with the Canadian government
as "non-resident status", which is reversible at any time. But while you are
in non-resident status, you cannot own property in Canada.
If you currently own any, you would have to sell it. You also temporarily let go
of Canadian medical benefits. But don't worry;
your employer may provide this for you, and when you return to Canada, you can
re-acquire all your Canadian Resident
benefits again. Please don't take this financial information as final,
complete or accurate. It is hearsay. Do your own research.
Palace Hotel in Old Town - actually a new area - posh but not out-of-reach for a dinner-on-the town. Tango, too.
See more photos at the bottom of this page!
SUMMARY: GOOD NEWS - BAD NEWS
Safety:
Bad
news - people drive fast, and take chances; auto accidents happen.
Good
news - there is almost zero crime. You are safe from theft or violence.
Culture
and people:
Bad
news - you will have to work with people of all customs, cultures and cliques.
If you don't like to negotiate or take orders from any particular class,
color, creed, faith, or dress costume, you had better stay at home!
Good news - you are able to work with people of all customs, cultures and cliques. If you thrive on getting to learn about, by interaction with, people of diverse cultures and groups, you are in luck. The best (and rarely, the worst) of smart, ambitious, adventuresome career people from across the world meet and mix here.
School
for your kids
Bad
news - not paid for by Dubai for non-nationals.
Good
news - paid for by your employer
Housing:
Bad news - very expensive - about 2x that of Toronto for downtown Dubai.
Good
news - rent is often paid for, or subsidized, by your employer.
People without kids can share space and save on rent.
Vacation
back home:
Bad
news - long flight
Good
news - long vacations, a month is common, paid for by employer.
You can fly to Europe, Asia, and Mediterranean - its all close by!
Local
travel:
Bad
news - roads are congested, busses are few, some people drive short distances
to work and it can take two hours.
Good news - Cars are cheap. Gas, too - no tax!
[Prices
on everything else are about the same but without any tax.]
Employee
rights:
Bad
news - you cannot be a citizen. The company hiring you arranges your residency
visa. They can cancel it. Some companies hold your passport. A company can
withhold your right to seek work from another UAE company, in that way
preventing you from switching employers
Good
news - Most companies, especially international ones, don't exercise these
rights, and they let you keep your passport. You can find that out in advance.
Economic
Change
Bad
news - property value, and rents have been rising by about 18% per year.
Good
news - you can buy property "free-hold" property [yes, you can!] and its
value has been rising. Bank loans and mortgage are at a much lower rate, so as
long as this trend continues, you can make money on the difference.
Food
Enthusiasts
Bad
news - some products have hydrogenated fats.
Good news - Milk, meat, and some cheeses are locally produced; most other foods are imported. There is a wonderful variety of fresh and prepared food, and wonderful restaurants with great cooking of every style!
Dynamic
Teambuilders does not guarantee information found here; sources have been
hiring managers and employees, not official or government sources.
============ More formal Non-Resident Status Information may be found below ===========
Dynamic
Teambuilders staff researched for you about this topic.
If you decide you want to work offshore, and acquire non-resident status, you
can read details here.
We don't guarantee its accuracy, although the second document, as is evident,
came from Canadian government sources.
Document 1: [source unknown]
Unlike US citizens who are forever doomed to file annual taxes, Canadian citizens can elect to become non-residents and forever bid Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (formerly Revenue Canada) farewell.
Non-residency will be of particular interest to that segment of the Canadian population who wish to shelter future wealth accruing by legally avoiding capital gains taxes. By taking residency in just about any country other than the US, capital gains and interest generated outside of Canada cease to attract any tax whatsoever. Each country has varying tax schedules on interest accrued in the country of residency, and these taxes are well below the prohibitive and confiscatory rates levied in Canada.
Apart from the tax advantages, taking up residency in other countries allows Canadians to live in a climate of their own choosing and experience a better quality of life for comparatively the same amount of Canadian living expenses. In many cases the cost of living is far less depending on their choice of country and spending habits.
The procedure whereby non-residency is established is fairly simple when one knows what Canada Customs and Revenue Agency considers relevant in granting the status of non -residency. First, it is important to file the NR-7 form, which can be downloaded, from their site. It is very important to do a formal disposition of all Canadian assets, or a deemed disposition if that is more practical, and pay all the taxes thereon at the nominal rate. The person applying for non-resident Canadian status must also no longer own residential property in Canada, own no medical insurance in Canada, have no telephone service in his or her name in Canada, nor leave behind a wife or child minor. A divorce decree will satisfy the bureaucrats.
Rental or commercial real estate can be held provided that they are leased to parties who are at arm's length. Taxes on Canadian based rental income will have to be paid on a quarterly basis. Canadian stocks can be also held, but will attract no capital gains taxes upon sale. Dividends, however, will continue to attract a withholding tax at varying percentages depending on the country of residency.
It is crucial to demonstrate to Canada Customs and Revenue Agency that one has a residence in another country. This can be achieved by presenting them with a lease agreement or title of ownership, a telephone number, a bank account, medical insurance, and a residency permit from the issuing country.
Canadians who elect to become non-residents can easily obtain residency in other countries by satisfying some fairly simple requirements.
Becoming a non-resident will only suit a finite element of the Canadian population, those desirous of sheltering wealth and fearless to live in a different culture.
Additionally it is always advisable and necessary to get in touch with Consulate General of destination country.
FOR MORE PICTURES, SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE
Document 2: [Source - Canada Customs and Revenue Agency]
You're a non-resident for tax purposes if you:
Note
You're a deemed resident for tax purposes for the entire tax year if you:
If this is your situation, please see the section called
deemed residents for the rules that apply to you.Effective after February 24, 1998, if you're a factual or deemed resident of Canada for tax purposes and a resident of another country according to a
tax treaty Canada has signed with the other country, you may be considered a deemed non-resident of Canada. You become a deemed non-resident of Canada when your ties with the other country are such that, under the tax treaty, you're considered a resident there.Note
The ordinary rules on ceasing to be a resident of Canada apply to deemed non-residents. For more information on the implication of ceasing to be a resident of Canada, see
Guide T4056, Emigrants and Income Tax.You may be a deemed non-resident for tax purposes if you're otherwise a deemed resident of Canada who, under a
tax treaty, is considered a resident of another country.As a deemed non-resident, the same rules apply to you as a non-resident of Canada
Residential ties include:
Other ties that may be relevant include:
For more information, please see
IT-221, Determination of an Individual's Residence Status.Selling or disposing of certain Canadian property
For the procedures you must follow if you sell or dispose, or plan to sell or dispose of taxable Canadian property (such as real estate, business property, or unlisted shares of a Canadian corporation) please see the section called
Selling or disposing of certain Canadian property. Electing to fileThere are two situations in which you can elect to file a Canadian income tax return for income that has had
Part XIII tax deducted:If you do elect to file, you may be able to claim a refund for part or all of the Part XIII tax deducted.
More information is available:
FUN and PHOTOS IN DUBAI
Poolside relaxing after day of work in Dubai April 2008
Dynamic Teambuilders Office-in-Hotel, Dubai March 2008
Tango: Lady and gentlemen at Palace Hotel, Old Town, Dubai
Chief Operating Officer, major insurance company, Al Khazna, in Abu Dhabi
Driving into Sharja, Dubai's "twin-city", and the bedroom community for many people that work in Dubai
Woman in local traditional clothing portrayed in business magazine, "Gulf Business"
Ray Maxwell, COO Dynamic Teambuilders, and Adel Shatara,
Senior Insurance and Insurance Financial Recruiter,
preparing to introduce
candidates to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE Insurance Companies
