Some Dubai expats face uncertain future in post-COVID-19 economy

Expats residing in Dubai are facing the difficult decision of whether to stay or leave the United Arab Emirates as businesses cut back in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
A picture taken on January 12, 2020 shows dark clouds over the skyline of Dubai with Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building. (Photo by KARIM SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)
A picture taken on January 12, 2020 shows dark clouds over the skyline of Dubai with Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building. - KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images
KimKelaita.jpg
Kim Kelaita

Dubai is like no other city in the world — 92% of the population are expatriates living in the emirate as foreigners on temporary work visas.

But the coronavirus pandemic coupled with a flailing oil market has had a ripple effect on the country with many of the expatriate population leaving to return home. Many redundancies were made public in the past few weeks; Emirates, the government-owned airline, laid off hundreds of employees.

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