FoliumHow to write a CV for jobs in Dubai and the Gulf
Recruiters in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the rest of the Gulf usually expect more personal detail than in Europe or North America: a professional photo, your nationality and your visa status, in a clear one- or two-page CV in English. Folium's 30 templates all take a photo, custom sections hold the Gulf-specific details, and one click creates an English or Arabic copy.
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What a Gulf CV usually includes
Expectations vary by employer, but most Gulf recruiters look for:
- Personal details up front: name, phone, email, current city and country, nationality — and often visa status and notice period.
- A professional photo, which is common and often expected.
- Experience in reverse-chronological order, with achievements and any Gulf (GCC) experience made easy to spot.
- Languages and a driving licence where relevant, in a CV of one or two pages written in English.
Later in the process, many employers ask for attested degree certificates and other documents to process the work visa, so it's worth preparing them early. Large employers and recruitment agencies also screen CVs with applicant tracking systems (ATS), so the job ad's keywords still matter.
How Folium helps with a CV for the Gulf
| What Gulf recruiters expect | In Folium |
|---|---|
| A professional photo | All 30 templates take a photo, cropped in the browser |
| Nationality and visa status | Add them in a custom section of your CV |
| Date of birth (often listed) | Optional field in your personal details |
| English, with Arabic as a plus | “Translate CV” creates an English or Arabic copy (free account) |
| A format that ATS software can read | Real-text PDFs, plus an ATS checker (free account) |
| PDF or Word | Both free, no watermark |
See also which countries expect a CV photo and ATS-friendly resume templates.
Build your CV for the Gulf
Photo-ready templates · custom sections · English or Arabic · free
Start building — freeFrequently asked questions
Should I put a photo on a CV for Dubai?
Usually yes. A professional photo is common on Gulf CVs and many recruiters expect it. Use a recent, well-lit head-and-shoulders photo with a plain background.
Do I need to mention my visa status?
It's widely recommended: Gulf recruiters often filter by whether a candidate is already in the country and on which visa, or needs a new employment visa. In Folium, add it to a custom section together with your nationality and notice period.
Should my CV for the Gulf be in English or Arabic?
English for most private-sector jobs; Arabic is an advantage and required for some public-sector roles. With “Translate CV” you keep one version and create the other as a separate copy.
How long should a Gulf CV be?
One or two pages for most candidates, with two common for experienced professionals. Keep the most recent and relevant roles first and cut what doesn't support the application.
What documents will I need besides my CV?
Employers commonly ask for a passport copy, attested degree certificates and experience letters when they process the work visa. Requirements differ by country and role, so check with the employer.