The vast majority of UAE professionals plan to continue living and working in the country over the next 6-12 months, with 91% saying they intend to stay, according to new research from LinkedIn.
The figure includes 66% who say they definitely intend to remain in the UAE, pointing to strong intentions among professionals to continue building their careers in the country.
The research also reveals an interesting gap: while UAE professionals see networking as increasingly important to their careers, many remain passive online rather than actively building professional relationships.
UAE professionals are planning to build their careers locally
For professionals considering their next career move, the research suggests that the UAE remains a place where many intend to establish longer-term career plans.
LinkedIn found that 96% of UAE professionals consider their professional network important for navigating a workplace increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid changes in how people work.
Yet being connected does not necessarily mean actively networking.
Around 74% say they always or often browse work or career-related content online without actively participating.
That means many professionals are consuming career information and following workplace conversations without necessarily commenting, messaging or developing relationships with people in their professional community.
Why are UAE professionals staying quiet online?
The research suggests that uncertainty and confidence are among the reasons professionals hesitate to become more active.
42% of those surveyed say they are not sure how to get started, while 41% say they do not know how to turn professional connections into meaningful relationships.
There are also concerns about how others might respond. Four in 10, or 40%, worry they could be bothering people or wasting their time, while 33% are concerned about being judged.
More than half of respondents, 58%, say they have not received enough guidance on building professional relationships or growing a professional network.
At the same time, the research suggests those concerns may be greater than necessary. 86% of UAE professionals say they would be likely to respond to or support someone seeking career help, even if they did not know that person personally.
Skills still matter most for career opportunities
Networking is not replacing qualifications or experience.
Among those surveyed, 39% say having the right skills and experience gives them the strongest chance of accessing new opportunities.
However, professional connections and visibility also feature prominently. 25% point to having a strong professional network, while 23% identify online visibility as a key factor.
The research also provides examples of how professional communities can translate into practical career benefits. 42% say online professional communities helped them increase their knowledge, while 41% say they made a connection that supported their career.
What can UAE professionals do differently?
LinkedIn’s advice is to start small rather than treating networking as a formal job-search exercise.
Professionals can begin by engaging with people who share their industry, university, interests or areas they want to learn more about. Following someone before sending a connection request can also provide a way to understand their work and interests first.
The platform also recommends participating through comments, questions, reactions and sharing relevant perspectives rather than immediately asking someone for a job or favour.
Najat Abdelhadi, LinkedIn MENA Career Expert, said: “The UAE continues to be a place where people come to build ambitious, long-term careers. But in a fast-moving labor market, skills alone are not always enough. Visibility and relationships also matter, especially for people who are new to the country, early in their careers, or looking to move into a new sector.”
She added: “Building a network does not need to start with a big request or a perfectly written message. Small interactions add up: LinkedIn members are almost three times more likely to receive a connection request and almost five times more likely to receive a message if they’ve interacted with a post from one of their connections. It can start with leaving a thoughtful comment, asking a question, or sharing a perspective from your own experience. Over time, those small moments help people become more visible and build relationships before they need them.”
How the UAE professional survey was conducted
The research was conducted by Censuswide between July 20 and August 10, 2026, among 625 UAE respondents aged 18-80 who work full-time or part-time.
The research was commissioned by LinkedIn and looks at how UAE professionals view career networks, online participation and opportunities in a workplace increasingly influenced by AI and rapid change.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
