Dubai has emerged as the leading destination for early-career financial professionals entering international advisory roles, attracting 32% of new recruits surveyed across multiple markets. The finding comes from a global poll conducted among newly qualified and early-career professionals targeting roles in cross-border wealth management and financial advisory services. The results suggest a continued preference for jurisdictions offering immediate international client exposure, with Dubai maintaining its position at the top of that list.
Nigel Green is the chief executive of deVere Group, one of the largest independent advisory organisations operating globally. The firm manages $14 billion in assets under advisement across more than 80,000 clients. Green has commented publicly on the findings, noting that talent decisions appear to be driven primarily by earnings potential, career opportunity, and access to international markets rather than regional security concerns.
“Dubai is attracting talent even with conflict on its doorstep,” Green said in a statement. “New recruits are focused on earnings, opportunity and international exposure, and that’s driving decisions.”
International client exposure from the outset
The poll included respondents considering roles across a range of jurisdictions, including Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Mauritius, Hong Kong, Australia and Malaysia. Dubai accounted for nearly one-third of stated preferences, a figure that stood significantly ahead of other markets included in the survey.
Among those polled, 63% said they wanted direct international client exposure from the beginning of their careers. The emphasis was on working across multiple jurisdictions rather than building domestic experience first. Dubai’s geographic position continues to support that demand. The emirate functions as a connecting point between Europe, Asia and Africa, with time zone overlap allowing simultaneous engagement with markets in multiple regions.
A further 57% identified access to expatriate and internationally mobile clients as a key factor behind their relocation plans. For professionals early in their careers, the ability to engage with clients holding assets and interests across borders was seen as essential for accelerating practical experience and portfolio development.
Green addressed this point directly. “Starting in an international environment gives professionals a faster track,” he said. “Dubai offers access to global clients from day one, which is a major advantage early in a career.”
Geopolitical risk not a primary deterrent
The strength of demand for Dubai-based roles stands in contrast to the regional security environment. The UAE has been directly affected by the ongoing conflict involving Iran and US-led coalition operations in neighbouring areas. The country has experienced repeated missile and drone attacks over the past 12 months, with elevated threat levels continuing to shape the regional backdrop.
Despite this, the poll indicates that geopolitical risk is not a primary factor in relocation decisions among new recruits. Only 9% of respondents said the conflict would prevent them from relocating to Dubai. The majority placed greater weight on long-term career opportunities, earnings potential, and professional development factors.
This suggests a degree of risk tolerance among early-career professionals targeting international advisory roles, or perhaps a calculation that career benefits outweigh perceived security concerns. It may also reflect confidence in the UAE’s infrastructure and security measures, which have remained largely effective throughout the period of heightened regional tension.
Tax structure remains a central driver
Taxation continues to be a significant factor in relocation decisions. According to the poll, 66% of recruits identified higher net income as a key motivation for targeting Dubai. The emirate maintains a zero-income-tax structure for individuals, a policy that differentiates it sharply from established financial centres in Europe where marginal tax rates can exceed 40% for higher earners.
For professionals at the beginning of their careers, the ability to retain earnings in full represents a material advantage. Over a five- or ten-year period, the difference in take-home income can be substantial, particularly for those entering high-earning advisory roles where commissions and performance-linked compensation form a significant portion of total earnings.
This factor appears to carry particular weight among younger professionals who may be managing student debt, building initial capital, or planning long-term financial commitments. The poll suggests that net income considerations are influencing career geography in ways that were less pronounced in previous generations of financial professionals.
Career progression and hiring demand
Beyond taxation, career progression expectations are shaping relocation choices. According to the findings, 59% of respondents expect faster advancement in Dubai compared to their home markets. This expectation is supported by sustained hiring demand among international advisory firms and wealth management operations serving globally mobile clients.
Dubai’s financial services sector has expanded consistently over the past decade, with particular growth in cross-border advisory services, family office operations, and expatriate wealth management. The expansion has created demand for talent at multiple levels, including graduate and early-career positions.
Green commented on this dynamic. “Financial professionals are making deliberate decisions about where to begin,” he said. “Dubai offers higher net earnings, strong demand for talent, and access to international markets. Those factors are seemingly outweighing geopolitical concerns.”
The poll also highlights rising visibility of Dubai as a financial centre among new entrants to the profession. Among respondents, 48% reported increased awareness of career opportunities in the UAE over the past 12 months. This suggests that recruitment activity and sector expansion are translating into greater visibility at graduate and early-career level.
Dubai’s strengthening position as an entry point into international finance
The sustained inflow of early-career talent appears to be reinforcing Dubai’s role as a central hub for international financial services. The emirate has invested heavily in financial infrastructure over the past two decades, establishing the Dubai International Financial Centre as a regulated jurisdiction with legal frameworks aligned to international standards.
This infrastructure, combined with tax advantages, geographic positioning, and access to capital flows across multiple regions, has created an environment that supports the growth of international advisory firms. The ability to attract talent at the entry level strengthens that position further, as firms require a pipeline of professionals capable of working across borders and engaging with internationally mobile clients.
Green’s concluding comments addressed this longer-term trajectory. “With nearly one in three new recruits targeting Dubai, the emirate is strengthening its position as a central entry point into international financial services,” he said. “The sustained inflow of early-career talent is reinforcing its role in connecting global clients and capital, even as regional tensions remain elevated.”
The findings reflect a clear shift in how early-career financial professionals are approaching career geography. Rather than building experience in domestic markets before seeking international roles, a significant proportion are prioritising international exposure from the outset. Dubai’s ability to capture nearly one-third of that demand suggests the emirate is well-positioned to maintain its role as a leading destination for cross-border financial advisory talent in the years ahead.
