People in the UAE whose incomes are affected by Covid-19 or are simply looking to make a little extra money on the side have a variety of ways to do so.
Nearly all business or labour activities require a licence or permit in the Emirates, but there are some affordable options with decent returns and others that do not need a licence at all.
As the world's markets recover from the effects of Covid-19, recruiters said the gig economy was here to stay, offering jobseekers temporary solutions to earn an income.
The pandemic affected nearly all sectors and industries worldwide, causing many redundancies and pay cuts.
Here are seven legal ways UAE residents can earn a side income. These can be taken on by people job hunting or those with full-time jobs, provided they have approval from their employer.
1. Promotion jobs
Promotion jobs are offered by companies looking to promote their products in places such as shopping malls, supermarkets and at events.
They are popular with university students and those on a dependent visa, because companies hiring for these roles offer temporary work permits.
Depending on the hours and company, a promoter can earn between Dh3,000 and Dh15,000 a month.
The role varies from handing out flyers, educating customers on the product or distributing samples. If it is an event, responsibilities could include ushering, waitressing or emceeing.
It could be a day job, week-long role or short-term contract.
Salman Kaka, 23, has been in the promotions industry since he was 18.
“It’s a very good way to make extra income and cover your daily expenses,” said Mr Kaka, who is studying for a master's degree in business administration.
He is on a six-month contract with Velocity Events Management, where he earns Dh4,000 a month, plus commission. They have provided him with a temporary work permit.
Mr Kaka said these opportunities help with networking and could lead to permanent positions.
Opportunities in the promotions industry are advertised widely on social media, especially Facebook group pages and on messaging apps such as WhatsApp.
2. Take part in flea markets
Dubai Flea Market allows residents to sell old and unique items from their house.
It takes place in different areas of the emirate a few times each month and is open to the public.
Those interested in selling can book a table for Dh305, and are likely to make a fast return on the money spent because these events get crowded quickly with people looking for great deals.
A booking can be made online on the official Dubai Flea Market website.
A trade licence or permit is not required.
Mohammed Al Hamwi, owner of the flea market, said people were allowed to sell only personal items rather than anything commercial.
“The flea market as been running in the UAE for 12 years and is very popular among people looking to sell their unused and old items,” he said.
3. Rent out your villa or apartment
If you live in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, you can register with Dubai Tourism or RAK Tourism to legally rent out your home on Airbnb, a home-renting mobile app.
It is open to tenants and homeowners. A trade licence from the economic department is required and prices vary between the two emirates.
In Dubai, the annual cost is about Dh35,000. Price for the permit, renewed annually, from Dubai Tourism depends on how many bedrooms your apartment or villa has.
Tenants are required to get approval from their landlords.
The cost may seem pricey, but one Dubai resident who has turned this side gig into a full-time business said “the money gets covered in no time”.
Sonia Ngninkeu, 30, rents out her one-bedroom apartment in Dubai Financial Centre for Dh250 a night. She is renting the place for Dh70,000 annually until 2024.
“I used to be a real estate agent and was selling villas. The owners of these houses were asking me to help them rent their new homes and I realised this was a great way for an income,” she said.
“I live in a villa and I rent out two bedrooms there as well.”
She said she earns Dh8,000 a month by renting out the apartment, earning her a profit of Dh26,000.
She also has a business where she rents out other people’s holiday homes, and earns a 5 per cent commission on each property.
With Dubai’s winter tourism drive, this option is a solid choice for an extra source of income.
4. Freelance
Professionals in the media, marketing, social media, graphic design, copywriters, legal experts, IT or a range of other fields can get short-term gigs as a freelancer.
Freelancing requires an annually renewed permit that starts from Dh7,500 in Dubai. Freelance visas and permits with Tecom are some of the popular options.
Nevin Lewis, chief executive of Black and Grey, a human resources company, is advising freelancers to properly calculate pay rates and speak to reputable agencies so they are protected.
"Professionals must be adaptive to see the significant upside opportunity with the rise of gig economy and part-time work," Mr Nevin said.
“We must all contribute to the future of work, whether we like it or not.”
Freelancers can choose how many and which assignments they want to take on, or they can be hired on a short-term contract.
5. Earn a small income online
Some of the most popular ways to earn online is through freelancing on Fiverr. The website allows people to take on individual jobs as a translator, writer and all sorts of other required services. A freelancing permit may be required in some cases.
If you play competitive games, you can live stream them on online platforms such as Twitch and sign up for affiliate marketing programmes, which help gamers to earn small amounts of income.
Teachers, medical professionals or legal experts can also use e-learning platforms to connect with people in other parts of the world for paid services.
It is always recommended to use trusted online payment platforms for safe transactions.
6. Part-time jobs
Those already employed can accept part-time jobs, after getting approval from their company.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation allows employees to take part-time jobs, and a permit can be obtained online from their official website.
The second employer has to cover the cost of the part-time permit. More information on working for two different employers is available online.
7. Jobs for young people
Young people aged from 15 to 18 can take on part-time jobs, with contracts that do not exceed one year.
Written approval from parents must be given and the hiring company cannot have any outstanding offences on its licence.
Part-time opportunities were made available to young people to help them gain experience in their desired fields, as well as earn a small income to help with their daily expenses.
The ministry has outlined the documents required to apply for a permit.
Europe's top EV producers
- Norway (63% of cars registered in 2021)
- Iceland (33%)
- Netherlands (20%)
- Sweden (19%)
- Austria (14%)
- Germany (14%)
- Denmark (13%)
- Switzerland (13%)
- United Kingdom (12%)
- Luxembourg (10%)
Source: VCOe
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Ferdous, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-3 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,400m
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6pm: UAE Arabian Derby Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 2,200m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Championship Group 1 (PA) Dh1,000,000 2,200m
Winner: Somoud, Patrick Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Group 3 (TB) Dh380,000 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Conditions (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Bairaq, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
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The biog
Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.
Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.
Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.
Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
Favourite food: Dim sum
Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
SERIES INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Table
The top three sides advance to the 2022 World Cup Qualifier.
The bottom four sides are relegated to the 2022 World Cup playoff
1 United States 8 6 2 0 0 12 0.412
2 Scotland 8 4 3 0 1 9 0.139
3 Namibia 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.008
4 Oman 6 4 2 0 0 8 -0.139
5 UAE 7 3 3 0 1 7 -0.004
6 Nepal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 PNG 8 0 8 0 0 0 -0.458
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Brief scoreline:
Crystal Palace 2
Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'
Huddersfield Town 0
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Indoor Cricket World Cup
Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
