At sunrise on a Monday morning, while many people in Dubai are still easing into their workday, a different group of residents is already dressed in business suits and heading to the airport. By 9am, they are in Riyadh or another Gulf capital, stepping into client meetings. Yet by Thursday evening or Friday morning, they are back in the UAE, ready to spend the weekend with family and friends.
For these commuters, the UAE is not just a place to live — it is home. As economic opportunities in neighboring Gulf countries expand, a growing number of professionals have chosen a unique lifestyle: working abroad during the week while keeping their personal and family life rooted in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. This phenomenon reflects the UAE’s role as a hub where comfort, stability, and lifestyle converge with career growth across the region.
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The Rise of the Cross-Border Commuter
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has seen a wave of new investments, mega-projects, and business expansions, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. With this growth, professionals based in the UAE are increasingly finding themselves commuting weekly to these destinations. The arrangement allows them to benefit from professional opportunities in booming markets while still enjoying the social, cultural, and lifestyle advantages of the Emirates.
Unlike traditional expat postings, this new commuting culture blends professional mobility with personal stability. For many, it is a balancing act between fast-paced work schedules and the desire to maintain roots in the UAE.
Rauf Elgamati: Building a Career on the Move
For 33-year-old Rauf Elgamati, a Dubai resident for over a decade, this lifestyle has become second nature. From Monday to Thursday, he leads digital transformation projects for Saudi clients in Riyadh. By the weekend, he divides his time between Abu Dhabi, where his family lives, and Dubai, where he built his career and social circle.
“Travel comes with the job,” said Rauf, a partner at consulting firm Four Principles. “Consulting is built on it. You grow faster, learn more, and build your network that way.”
Over the years, Rauf has worked with global firms such as PwC and regional tech startups like Swvl, gaining experience across diverse industries. He describes the constant travel as a challenge but also a growth opportunity.
“You have to commit. If you’re half in, you won’t make it. When someone has a second closet in Saudi, I know they’re serious,” he added with a smile.
While the logistics of flights, hotel stays, and scheduling can be demanding, Rauf insists the system becomes smoother once streamlined. Pre-booked hotels, direct billing, and planned itineraries have turned the weekly shuffle into a routine.
But his motivation for always returning to Dubai is clear: “My family is in Abu Dhabi. My friends are here. And I’ve built a life in the UAE. I’ve been here for 13 years, and when people ask where I live, I say Dubai — it just feels natural.”
David Fakhouri: Turning Flights into a Daily Commute
For 28-year-old consultant David Fakhouri, the cross-border lifestyle was a choice from day one. When he moved to the region in early 2024, he settled in Dubai Marina, despite knowing his job would take him to Riyadh every week.
His schedule begins with a 7:50am Monday flight to Riyadh and ends with a Thursday evening return. “It’s like a regular commute now, just with a plane instead of a car,” David explained.
The decision was both personal and professional. “Riyadh is where the business action is happening right now. But for my lifestyle, Dubai makes sense. My friends and family are here, and the city offers everything I need to relax after a long week.”
To manage the routine, David keeps a second wardrobe in Riyadh and travels only with his laptop. His flights and hotels are pre-arranged through company systems, removing administrative headaches.
Still, there are trade-offs. “You do miss out on things during the week,” he admitted. “But as soon as I land on Thursday, I dive back into my weekend rituals — playing padel, games night with friends, and exploring new restaurants. That keeps me grounded.”
Both Rauf and David emphasized the importance of maintaining health and fitness while constantly on the move. Frequent travelers often struggle with irregular meals and workouts, but they agree that building a structured routine makes it possible to stay consistent.
Family First: Arijit Nandi’s Commitment
While career growth motivates some, for others, weekly commuting is about family. Arijit Nandi, a professional in Riyadh’s financial sector, has been making the Friday flight back to Dubai for four years.
“At first, I came back once every two weeks. But now it’s every weekend,” he said. “My son is growing up, and I don’t want to miss it. I take him to tennis, we study together, and we spend our weekends as a family.”
Arijit’s wife works in Dubai, and their son attends school here. “At this stage in his life, it’s important for him to feel settled. His school, his friends, his environment — it’s all in Dubai. My wife’s career is also here. So for now, this is the best arrangement.”
Unlike consultants whose companies cover travel costs, Arijit pays for his own flights. “I book in advance, but sometimes last-minute meetings mean I cancel and lose money. Still, for me, it’s worth it. The time with my family is priceless.”
Why the UAE Remains Home
Despite the weekly flights, all three commuters emphasized the same point: the UAE offers a lifestyle that makes the hassle worthwhile. From world-class infrastructure and reliable connectivity to cultural diversity and a sense of belonging, the Emirates provide stability in a region where mobility is often the norm.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in particular, serve as lifestyle anchors. Professionals working in neighboring GCC capitals see the UAE as the place to unwind, reconnect with loved ones, and enjoy personal time. The country’s global connectivity, safety, and cosmopolitan environment make it the natural base for those whose work takes them elsewhere.
A Growing Trend Across the Region
As Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other GCC nations continue to invest in mega-projects and diversify their economies, the demand for skilled professionals will grow. For many, Dubai will remain the preferred base, even if their weekly jobs are elsewhere.
This trend not only reflects the interconnectedness of Gulf economies but also highlights the UAE’s unique position as both a career hub and lifestyle capital. In many ways, it is the best of both worlds: access to opportunities across the GCC without giving up the comfort, security, and vibrancy of life in the Emirates.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why do some UAE residents work in other Gulf countries but live in Dubai?
Many professionals choose Dubai or Abu Dhabi as their home because of the lifestyle, safety, global connectivity, and family-friendly environment. At the same time, they take advantage of booming career opportunities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other GCC countries.
Which Gulf countries are most common for UAE-based commuters?
Saudi Arabia is the top destination, particularly Riyadh, due to its rapid economic growth and large-scale projects. Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait also attract weekly commuters.
How do professionals manage the weekly commute between Dubai and other Gulf cities?
Most streamline their travel with pre-booked flights, hotel arrangements, and even second wardrobes in the city where they work. Frequent travelers often describe it as no different from a regular commute — only by plane instead of car.
What challenges do cross-border commuters face?
The main challenges include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing time with family, dealing with flight delays or last-minute schedule changes, and covering the cost of frequent travel if not sponsored by employers.
How do they stay connected with family and friends in Dubai?
Most return every weekend to spend time with loved ones. They prioritize family activities, social gatherings, and personal routines to balance their demanding work schedules.
Is this lifestyle sustainable long-term?
For some, yes — especially consultants and executives whose firms cover travel expenses. However, others view it as a temporary solution until their families can relocate or until their career stabilizes in one place.
Why is Dubai considered the ideal base for these professionals?
Dubai offers world-class infrastructure, excellent schools, healthcare, safety, and a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Its location and connectivity make it the perfect hub for professionals working across the Gulf.
Conclusion
The growing number of UAE residents who work abroad but return every weekend highlights the Emirates’ unique role as both a professional hub and lifestyle capital of the Gulf. For many, the balance between career opportunities in places like Riyadh and the comfort of life in Dubai or Abu Dhabi offers the best of both worlds.While weekly commuting requires discipline, planning, and sacrifice, it also reflects the priorities of modern professionals who value family, friendships, and a stable home environment as much as career growth.
