chrislfc

Research for operation move to Dubai has begun!
Hello everyone,

I have begun researching the opportunity to move to Dubai in the next 18-24 months. I have not got the first idea where I should start my research and was hoping that someone could help me or point me in the right direction.

I currently work in Financial Services and would be looking to continue this career path in Dubai, I know of a few recruitment agencies/companies that could potentially help me out but anyone with any tips who has made a similar move would be most welcome. Ideally at this first stage I would be looking at a salaried role.

Also given the fact I have no idea of the property market in Dubai I would be looking to flatshare with some British Expats ideally, anyone know a good place to start looking? Or recommend suitable areas to live?

Finally, what would people recommend be a good amount of money to fund the start of my Dubai adventure.

Sorry for the million and one questions at once, I would like to thank you for your time at looking at my advert and in advance for any information you can provide me.

Hope to hear from you soon,
Chris

Itinerant_Expat

are you specifically looking at Dubai or generally at the UAE/GCC region?

Patsy Stoned

you obviously haven't researched much sweetie..use the search button at the top of the page. Your questions have been asked time and time again.

Plenty of research material here to be getting on with ....
http://britishexpats.com/forum/searc...archid=4518450

chrislfc

Specifically Dubai

chrislfc

I am specifically looking at living and working in Dubai.

chrislfc

I have just tried your link but nothing has come up, says that it cant find related articles etc...

Meow

Well it's far too early to worry about accommodation.

What do you do in 'Financial Services'?

chrislfc

I suppose when I say accommodation it is for research so I can find out about rent and how much I would need for deposits/rent up front etc. start saving

I work as a Paraplanner/Analyst for an IFA specialising in Individual and Corporate advice.

Meow

You're not an IFA though? Qualifications? There are hardly any paraplanner roles here. Most IFA roles are self-employed.

Why do you want to move to Dubai? I know it's tough in the UK right now, but it's not easy here, particularly if you are just starting out. Oh and be VERY careful. Some so called advisory companies are just salespeople, not advisers.

chrislfc

No not at present, looking at that in the long term. By the time I plan on coming to Dubai I will be fully FPC qulaified. Do they have anything similar to Paraplanner roles or any salaried Trainee positions?

My girlfriend has just got a job with Emirates and if things go well and she decides to stay we have talked about me following her out there.

I have been advised to stay away from ****** as they are sales focussed and not advice driven

Meow

Honestly - not really. I'm happy to give you straight answers. You can track me down via my signature below.

chrislfc

Meow, thank you I appreciate the advice. I would sooner someone be honest then make things sounds all rosey when they are not.

Sounds a bit like I could have hit a speed bump already in possibly not being able to find a salaried role. Comes with the industry I guess. I was hoping that some of the major banks who have Financial Advice arms might be worthwhile approaching, long shot I know.

Meow

It's not like the UK. Only a handful of the banks have in-house 'advisers' and they are not focused on Western expats and are rarely decently qualified. The main ones have even reduced their staff levels in the last few years.

There are a couple of decent IFA companies, and although they may pay an advance and help you get some clients, you are largely on your own. To work as a decent IFA here you need to be fully qualified, experienced in the expat market (or learn about it fast), a self-starter and have the funds to tide you over for quite some time as it takes a while to build you a decent income stream.

We only take on qualified, experienced people but even then only half of them make it. The turn over at the sales companies (many of then do not give actual advice) is very high indeed.

This may sound harsh, or even as if I am protecting myself, but it's the truth. I've been here some time now and have seen too many people leave as the UAE is not the easy place they thought it would be.

Meow

With good timing, this has just arrived in my inbox

http://www.international-adviser.com...aled-in-survey

Read the term 'adviser' for most of them with a pinch of salt.

chrislfc

Sounds very familiar to the UK banks.

Thank you for attached the report I have had a scan over it and there are a few companies in there that I have heard of.

Back to the drawing board as they say. From the sounds of your experience what is your impression of A-cuma?