How to Kickstart your Programming Career in the UAE

How to Kickstart your Programming Career in the UAE

March 29, 2023

How to Kickstart your Programming Career in the UAE

The UAE is experiencing a surge in demand for programmers, driven by the country's focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and fintech. As a result, there is an increasing need for skilled programmers who can develop software and applications in these domains.

The UAE government is also investing heavily in the development of smart cities, which requires programmers to build and maintain the necessary digital infrastructure. Additionally, with the growing number of startups and established tech companies setting up operations in the country, the demand for programmers is only expected to increase further in the coming years.

According to reports, there are currently about 63,000 coders in the UAE. However, this number is not sufficient to cater to the growing demand for programmers in the country. The government's initiatives to increase the number of qualified coders are expected to address this shortage and create more job opportunities in the field.

This demand creates countless opportunities for skilled programmers to build their coding career in the UAE. In this blog post, we will explore some of the opportunities available to programmers and coders in the UAE.

In this article, we will discuss:

Coding initiatives in UAE to boost digital economy

Coders HQ is an initiative in the UAE that seeks to address the increasing demand for software professionals in the country. With the rise of technology-driven industries and the increasing adoption of digital solutions, the demand for software developers, coders, and programmers has increased significantly in recent years.
To meet this demand, Coders HQ was established to provide a platform for coders to showcase their skills and connect with potential employers. The initiative also aims to help coders improve their skills and expand their career prospects in the programming industry.

Moreover, Coders HQ seeks to ensure that the skills of coders in the UAE are aligned with the needs of global companies such as Emirates Airlines, LinkedIn, and Majid Al Futtaim. By testing and evaluating the top coders, Coders HQ helps to ensure that they meet the market's requirements for computer programming skills.

Overall, the initiative plays a crucial role in bridging the skills gap in the UAE's software industry and supporting the growth of the private sector.

The UAE government has signed deals with Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, IBM, HPE, LinkedIn, Nvidia, and Facebook with plans to train 100,000 coders, establish 1,000 tech companies that will go global, and increase start-up investments from Dh1.5 billion to Dh4 billion. The government shall also offer incentives and benefits to support new programming companies.

What programming skills are most in demand in the UAE?

The LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2023 report reveals that the UAE has countless openings for software developers, with three out of the top 10 positions being for such a role. The most popular developer roles in the UAE are Front-end Developers, Back-end Developers arnd Blockchain Developers.

Front-end Developer Skills
In the UAE, front-end developers skilled in React.js, React Native, and Redux.js are highly sought after by companies and startups seeking robust and interactive web and mobile applications. React.js and React Native are popular frameworks for building user interfaces for web and mobile applications, while Redux.js is a state management library used with React to manage complex applications.The growing technology sector and need for digital transformation have contributed to the increasing demand for front-end developers. With experience in these technologies, developers can build user-friendly and responsive applications and earn relatively high salaries compared to other countries.

Back-end Developer Skills
In the UAE, the demand for back-end developers is increasing due to the growth of the technology sector and the need for digital transformation. Companies are seeking developers with experience in PHP, PostgreSQL, and Laravel, popular technologies for managing data and building web applications, respectively. PostgreSQL is a popular open-source relational database management system used for storing and managing data in web applications, while Laravel is a PHP-based web application framework used for building robust and scalable web applications.

Blockchain Developer Skills
Blockchain developers with Solidity, Ethereum, and blockchain skills are in high demand in the UAE, where the government is implementing blockchain technology in various sectors and the country has established itself as a global hub for blockchain and cryptocurrency companies, with Dubai being the first city to launch its own cryptocurrency called EmCash. This has enhanced career prospects in the region.

Oracle, C++, and Apache Hadoop
Employers in the UAE are also looking for candidates who can proficiently program, write, or manage Oracle, C++, and Apache Hadoop technologies.Oracle is a popular database management system used in a wide range of industries, and proficiency in its use is highly valued by employers. Javascript is a scripting language used for creating interactive web pages and is widely used in web development, making it a valuable skill for front-end developers.C++ is a high-performance programming language used in a variety of applications, including operating systems, video games, and database management systems. Its use is common in industries such as finance and healthcare, making it a sought-after skill for developers in those fields.Apache Hadoop is an open-source framework used for storing and processing large sets of data across clusters of computers. Its popularity has grown with the rise of big data, and many companies use it for data analysis and storage. As a result, employers seek candidates with experience in Apache Hadoop to manage and analyze large data sets efficiently.


What type of license do programmers in the UAE need?

Programmers in the UAE are required to obtain a service license in order to legally provide their services. The service license is a legal requirement for all individuals and companies that wish to provide programming or coding services within the UAE. Without a service license, individuals or companies can face penalties or fines for operating illegally.

To obtain a service license in the UAE, individuals or companies must follow a specific process that involves several steps. These steps include:

  • Choose the right legal form: Individuals or companies must choose the right legal form for their business. This can include a sole proprietorship, a limited liability company (LLC), or a partnership.
  • Register the business name: Individuals or companies must register the business name with the DED. The business name must comply with the UAE's naming conventions and must not be similar to an existing business name.
  • Obtain initial approval: Individuals or companies must obtain initial approval from the DED. This involves submitting the necessary documents and paying the required fees.
  • Final approval: After obtaining initial approval, individuals or companies must submit additional documents and pay the final fees to obtain the service license.

 In addition to obtaining a service license, programmers and coders in the UAE must also ensure that they comply with all relevant laws and regulations. This includes obtaining any necessary permits or certifications, paying taxes, and complying with labor laws.

Wrapping Up

The UAE government has also been promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, which has led to the emergence of many tech startups in the country. These startups are focused on developing innovative software solutions, which has helped fuel the growth of the software development industry in the UAE.

Many organizations in the country are looking to digitize their operations, and this requires the development of custom software solutions. This includes software for managing operations, financial transactions, customer engagement, and more.

Overall, the software development industry in the UAE is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, as more organizations in the country look to adopt digital solutions to streamline their operations and enhance their competitiveness.

Coders or programmers can leverage the UAE’s favorable tax laws, with no personal income tax, to earn high salaries and enjoy high standards of living by investing in service licenses from the UAQ Free Trade Zone, one of the UAE’s fastest growing business hubs,which is home to more than 9000 businesses.

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