🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates CV format

Good news if you are applying from South Asia: the Gulf CV is much closer to the one you already have than a British or American one is.

Include what the West excludes

Photograph, nationality, date of birth, marital status and current visa status are all conventional and frequently expected. Passport details are sometimes requested, though there is no need to volunteer the number on the CV itself.

Visa status matters more than almost anything

State it plainly near the top: whether you hold a residence visa, are on a visit visa, need sponsorship, or hold a transferable visa. Employers filter on this before anything else, because sponsorship changes the cost and timeline of hiring you.

If you hold a UAE driving licence, say so — it is a genuine screening criterion for many roles.

Attested certificates

Degrees generally require attestation for employment visa processing — typically through the issuing authority, the foreign ministry and the UAE embassy. Stating that your certificates are already attested is a real advantage and worth a line.

Length and detail

Two to three pages is normal. Gulf recruiters expect more detail on responsibilities than a UK employer would tolerate, and the culture is less allergic to a longer document.

Language

English is the working language of most Gulf private-sector employers. Arabic is a strong differentiator — state your level honestly.

Applies broadly across the Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain follow similar conventions, with local variation in how much weight is put on nationality and on Arabic. Saudi Arabia has additional Saudisation quotas that affect hiring for some roles.