UAE jobs and salaries: Top 10 side hustles to make extra income this summer

Travel restrictions around the world could deter many UAE residents from jetting off for their holidays this summer.

But a potential upside of staying put during the pandemic is the prospect of additional income.

Many summer employment opportunities are opening up across the UAE, as companies offer temporary roles to residents with extra time on their hands.

Karuna Agarwal, director of Future Tense Human Resources in Dubai, said more employers were looking to hire workers for short-term assignments.

“Flexi working has received a major boost since the pandemic, and has been redefined to include an increasing propensity for remote working,” she said.

“Importantly, the employers have pushed this, and continue to seek experts for short-term assignments for both structural and seasonal scope.”

UAE salary guide 2021:

The pandemic fuelled the rise of the global gig economy, as people affected by redundancies and pay cuts sought new ways to make ends meet.

Those already working would need to secure approval from their employer.

“The summer months have a few inherent catalysts for flexi working, such as higher willingness to stay home, away from hot outdoor conditions, school holidays giving parents more time and lack of confidence in travelling back home or taking vacations,” said Ms Agarwal.

She highlighted 10 jobs to earn extra income this summer.

Digital marketing

Many companies hire digital marketers to promote their products or services online. A digital marketer uses the company’s online channels to sell the company’s brand.

Temporary contracts during the summer time could mean the part-time employee is either working to improve the firm’s social media channels, search engine optimisation or create campaign ideas.

Part-time gigs in digital marketing could generate a monthly income of between Dh3,000 and Dh6,000.

Content creator

Content creators have to think of creative ways to sell a client’s brand using the firm’s social media channels. Unsplash

There are many opportunities for content creators. While the position is often full-time, there are also freelance content creators who work for companies to help promote their brands.

Freelancing requires an annually renewed permit that starts from Dh7,500 in Dubai. Freelance visas and permits issued through Tecom are some of the popular options.

The emirate also launched the cultural visa, which includes content creators. However, only 1,000 will be issued.

Content creators have to think of creative ways to sell a client’s brand using the firm’s social media channels, including YouTube videos, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

Salman Kaka at his promotions job at a mall, where he has been hired under a six-month contract. Pawan Singh / The National

Promotion jobs are popular among university students and those on a dependent visa, as firms hiring for these roles offer temporary work permits. Depending on the hours and company, a promoter can earn between Dh3,000 to Dh15,000 per month. Pawan Singh / The National

Tenants or home-owners can rent their villas or apartments. Pictured is Sonia Ngninkeu, who rents her one bedroom apartment in the Damac Park Towers on popular home-renting app Airbnb. Pawan Singh / The National

The option is available to Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah residents. A license from the economic and a permit from the tourism authority is required. Ms Ngninkeu said the money spent gets covered "very fast". Pawan Singh / The National

The Dubai Flea Market allows residents to sell old and unique items around their house without having to purchase a trade license. It costs Dh305 to book table. Courtesy: Dubai Flea Market

Freelancing also offers residents to earn a side income. A freelancing permit is required, with prices in Dubai starting Dh7,500. Professionals in the media, marketing, social media, graphic designing, copywriters, legal experts, IT or a range other fields can get short-term gigs. Alamy

Some of the most popular ways of freelancing online are on fiverr, where you can work as a translator, writer or for a a range of other required services. Many freelancing jobs get listed on social media, as well. Reuters

Residents in the UAE can also part-time jobs with a second employer, which is allowed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. A permit is required. Young people aged 15 to 18 can also take on part-time jobs, with contracts that must not exceed one year. Written approval from parents is required. Getty

Income on a temporary contract as a content creator depends on the scale of the project.

E-commerce management

With online shopping surging in popularity across the world, demand for e-commerce managers is growing.

The role involves maintaining a company's online assets, advertising and keeping up with the latest technology to sell products.

Income on a temporary contract could range from Dh6,000 to Dh9,000, but it could go higher depending on the scale of the project.

Executive assistant

As full-time employees take time off during the summer, executive assistants are hired under temporary contracts.

Duties vary with each company, but the overall role of an executive assistant is clerical work, such as scheduling, organisation and training staff.

Part-time gigs could pay between Dh2,500 to Dh4,000 during the summer.

Market researcher

Duties for this job includes researching the market a company is involved in, and gathering information on consumers and competitors.

A market researcher helps the company stay on top of all the latest trends in the market to help increase sales and promote the brand.

An employee on flexible hours could earn between Dh3,000 to Dh6,000.

Telesales

While social media has become the biggest sales platform for many companies, telesales is still a profitable business for some.

A person in telesales calls potential customers and tries to sell a company’s products or services.

It is an easy way to earn a side income during the summer, with an income between Dh1,000 to Dh3,000.

Education consultant

This position is for those who have experience in the education sector.

A qualified education consultant can help pupils with picking the right universities, applications, preparing their portfolios and career guidance.

You need to be licensed to work as an education consultant, but some schools or education consultancy firms hire freelancers or employees under temporary contracts.

As a part-time employee, you could earn between Dh5,000 and Dh6,000.

Virtual interior designer

Demand for virtual interior designers has increased during the pandemic. Previously, designers would make in-person visits.

If you have an eye for home or office designing, this part-time role could pay up to Dh12,000, depending on the client.

Online events executive

This role has become popular with the rise of online events and meetings.

As more organisations hold virtual events, an online events executive would be responsible for the organisation, team building and sales training.

Income under a temporary contract could range from Dh3,000 to Dh8,000.

Freelance writer

There are many freelance writing opportunities available online on websites such as Fiverr and UpWork.

Depending on the job and client, freelance writers could earn up to $500 on just one assignment.

However, you have to build up a portfolio first to score high-paying assignments.

There are also companies across the UAE that hire freelancers.

10 popular freelance jobs in the UAE - in pictures

If you go...

Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.

Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.

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How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

MATCH INFO

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Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.

- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law

How to get there

Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.

WHEN TO GO:

September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.

WHERE TO STAY:

Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.

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