According to InterNations’ new report, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the best cities for expatriates. This is based on their high quality life.
in the survey in ranked Dubai third, and Abu Dhabi 16th.
Valencia, Spain was the top-ranked city for foreign workers. Madrid, Lisbon, and Mexico City were in fourth place. InterNations’ annual Expat City Ranking 2022 report published Tuesday.
In sixth place was Bangkok, followed by Basel (seventh), Melbourne (eighth), and Singapore (10th).
InterNations surveyed 11970 people in 50 locations, asking them questions based upon five categories: Quality Of Life, Ease for Settling in, Working Abroad and Personal Finance. There is also an Expat Essentials Index that covers digital life and administrative topics.
InterNations’ more than 4.5million members says, “Dubai and Abu Dhabi claim top two spots in Expat Essentials Index and both also rank among the top 10 Quality of Life.”
Cigna’s survey found that the UAE was number one in the Middle East and Africa for expatriates wanting to relocate.
Four percent of foreigners worldwide are interested in moving to the UAE due to its progressive policy changes, recent immigration reforms and economy rebound after Covid-19. The 360deg Global Well-Being Survey revealed.
UAE, the Arab World’s second-largest economic country, has undergone a series of legal, social, and economic reforms in recent times to improve its business environment and attract foreign direct investments.
2019 saw amendments to the golden Visa initiative that simplified eligibility and expanded the beneficiary categories.
The 10-year visa can be granted to entrepreneurs, investors, skilled professionals, and scientists who earn more that Dh30,000 ($8,167), outstanding talents, scientists and professionals as well as property investors, humanitarian pioneers, front-line heroes, and property investors.
A green Visa allows skilled workers to reside in the country for five years without the need for sponsorship or employment. Minimum educational requirements are a bachelor’s or equivalent degree and a salary of not less than Dh15,000.
The UAE has also introduced a 1-year digital nomad visa for expatriates in March 2021. This allows them to live and work in the Emirates, while still working in their home countries. Dubai also offers an expatriate visa that allows them to retire after they turn 55.
The UAE has also emerged as a hotspot for cross-border remote hiring. Companies from Canada, the US, Israel and the UK tap into a “pool high-quality jobseekers looking for full-time remote roles,” Deel’s State Report 2022 stated.
The Deel report indicates that the UAE’s first half of 2018 saw a doubled in remote hiring, even though it doesn’t give any exact numbers.
Dubai came sixth in InterNations’ Working Abroad Category. It covers such things as career prospects and salary security. The report also states that expats are generally more satisfied with their jobs, and their compensation.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi perform “fairly well”, but the Personal Finance Index remains their weakest point.
Dubai came in first place in the Expat Essentials Index. 66 percent of UAE respondents stated that it is easy to get in touch with the authorities. This compares with only 40 percent globally.
InterNations explains that 88% of expatriates feel satisfied with online access to administrative and government services, compared to 61% worldwide.
One Indian expatriate living and working in Dubai said that “the basic things can all be taken care of. You do not need to struggle for them.”
Around 68% of Dubai’s expatriates feel happy with their personal life. 81% feel at home.
InterNations reports that Dubai ranks fifth for the Travel & Transit as well as the Leisure Options Subcategories.
“Nearly all expats [95 percent] are satisfied about the infrastructure for cars.” Dubai ranks fifth in terms of culture and nightlife and third for its culinary variety and dining options.
InterNations reports that expats love their work life and Dubai is sixth on the Working Abroad Index.
It says that it ranks fifth in Work Culture & Satisfaction, with 71% reporting they are satisfied with their jobs, and 78 percent reporting that the local business culture encourages creative thinking.
InterNations reported that Abu Dhabi was second to Dubai in the Expat Essentials Index.
Survey respondents from Abu Dhabi found it easy to open an account in the local bank. 53% of those surveyed said dealing with local bureaucracy was a pleasant experience, compared to 40% worldwide.
75 percent of foreign workers feel that moving to Abu Dhabi has increased their chances of success.
Seventy two percent of respondents also said that the local population was friendly towards foreigners, as opposed to 65 percent worldwide.
“The Emiratis in Abu Dhabi are friendly, helpful, and welcoming,” a British expat who lives in Abu Dhabi comments on the survey.
Abu Dhabi was also ranked number one globally in terms of both availability and quality medical care in Health & Well-Being.
According to the survey, Valencia and Mexico City were great places for personal finance and have a good quality life. Lisbon however has a “amazing climate and mediocre job options”.
Madrid is a great place to relax and has a friendly culture. According to InterNations, Thai expatriates feel at home in Bangkok while Basel foreign workers feel “satisfied” with their jobs, finances and quality life.
However, Johannesburg (50th), Frankfurt (49) and Paris (48th were the most undesirable places to live and work in 2022.
InterNations states that Johannesburg expats are disappointed with their quality of life and working life. Frankfurt and Paris score poorly in Ease and Settling In indices.
“Additionally all three cities are home to expats who struggle financially.”
- Valencia, Spain
- Dubai, UAE
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Madrid, Spain
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Basel, Switzerland
- Melbourne, Australia
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Singapore