Security Guard Jobs in Dubai for Freshers: The Ultimate 2025 Guide

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Dubai’s security industry is one of the most strictly regulated and high-volume employment sectors in the UAE.2 For “freshers” (candidates with no prior experience in the Gulf), it remains one of the most accessible pathways to working in Dubai.3 However, unlike general labor jobs, you cannot simply walk in and start working. You must navigate the SIRA (Security Industry Regulatory Agency) licensing process.4

If you are searching for security guard jobs in Dubai for freshers, this guide is your roadmap. We will strip away the confusion, explain the costs of the SIRA license, reveal the top companies hiring right now, and show you how to apply—whether you are currently in your home country or on a visit visa.5

1. The Golden Rule: Understanding the SIRA License

Before you apply for a single job, you must understand that it is illegal to work as a security guard in Dubai without a SIRA license.6

In the past, guards worked under “PSBD” (which applies to Abu Dhabi) or general company visas. In Dubai, SIRA is the governing body.7

  • For Freshers: You can get a SIRA license without prior experience.8
  • The “Trainee” Loophole: If you are hired by a company, they will apply for a Temporary Security License (Trainee Permit) for you. This costs approx. AED 120 and allows you to work/train legally for 90 days while you complete your full certification.9

SIRA Physical Fitness Standards (2025 Update)

SIRA has tightened the physical requirements. You will not pass the course if you cannot meet these standards during the “SOPAT” (Security Officer Physical Agility Test):

  1. Beep Test (Shuttle Run): You must run back and forth between two points 20m apart.10
    • Male Target: Level 7 (approx. 7-8 minutes of continuous running).
    • Female Target: Level 3.1.
  2. Vertical/Broad Jump:
    • Male: 1.8 meters.
    • Female: 1.6 meters.
  3. Sled Push/Pull: Pushing a weighted sled (approx. 30kg) over a 10m distance in under 4 seconds.
  4. Sprint: 35-meter sprint in under 6 seconds.11

2. Requirements to Apply for Security Jobs

To be considered for security guard jobs in Dubai for freshers, you must meet these non-negotiable criteria:

  • Age Limit: Between 21 and 55 years old.12 (Candidates under 21 are rarely accepted for SIRA licensing).
  • Education: Minimum High School Diploma (10th/12th Grade).13 Your certificate must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country and the UAE Embassy.
  • Height: Minimum 5’6” (167 cm) for males is the industry preference, though SIRA accepts slightly shorter if fit.
  • Clean Record: A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from your home country is mandatory.14
  • Language: Basic English proficiency (reading and speaking) is required to pass the SIRA computer-based exam.15

3. Salary & Benefits: What Can You Earn?

Salaries for security guards in Dubai are standardized but vary based on the contract type (12-hour vs. 8-hour shifts).

RoleMonthly Salary (AED)Benefits
Standard SIRA Guard (12 hrs)AED 2,260 – 2,800Accommodation + Transport + Uniform
Event Security (Freelance)AED 15 – 25 / HourNo Accommodation (usually for own-visa holders)
CCTV Operator (SIRA)AED 3,000 – 4,500Requires separate CCTV course certification
Security SupervisorAED 3,500 – 5,500Requires experience

Reality Check: Most contracts are for 26 days a week, 12 hours a day. The “Basic Salary” is often low (e.g., AED 1,200), with the rest made up of “OT” (Overtime) and “Allowances.”16 Never accept a total package below AED 1,900.

4. How to Apply: Two Proven Pathways

There are two ways to secure a job: applying from your home country or hunting while in Dubai on a visit visa.

Pathway A: Applying from Home (Pakistan, India, Nepal, etc.)

This is the safest route for freshers.

  1. Find an OEP: In Pakistan and India, major security companies like Transguard do not hire directly; they use Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs).
  2. Check the Bureau Website:
    • Pakistan: Visit beoe.gov.pk and search “Security Guard Dubai.” It will show you which agency has a valid “Demand Letter” for 100+ guards.
    • India: Visit the eMigrate portal to find registered agents.
  3. Interview & Selection: The agency conducts the interview. If selected, the Dubai company issues the visa before you fly.
  4. Cost: You pay the agency fee (approx. PKR 200,000 – 350,000 or INR 80,000 – 1.5 Lakh). This covers your ticket, visa, and agency commission.

Pathway B: Applying on a Visit Visa (Inside UAE)

This is riskier but allows you to choose your employer.

  1. Arrive in Dubai: Enter on a 60-day Job Seeker or Tourist Visa.
  2. Walk-in Interviews: Companies like Transguard, World Security, and Arkan often hold “Open Days” for walk-in interviews.17 Check their LinkedIn and Facebook pages daily.
  3. Visa Conversion (2025 Rules):
    • If hired, the company will convert your Visit Visa to an Employment Visa.
    • New 2025 Rule: You do not need to exit the country to change your status, but there is a “Status Change Fee” (approx. AED 1,500 – 2,000) that the company usually pays.
  4. SIRA Training: The company will send you to a training academy (like First Security Group or Aman) for 5 days.

5. Cost of SIRA Licensing (If Paying Yourself)

Ideally, your company pays for this. However, if you are on a visit visa and want to get the license before finding a job (to increase your chances), you can pay for it yourself.

  • Security Guard Training Course: AED 1,00018
  • Physical Fitness Test: AED 10019
  • SIRA Application Fee: AED 12020
  • Medical Test: AED 300
  • Total Estimated Cost: ~AED 1,600 – 1,800

Note: Having a SIRA license in hand makes you a “hot cake” for employers because they save money on your training.

6. Top Security Companies in Dubai Hiring Freshers

Focus your applications on these major players who have large government and private contracts:

  1. Transguard Group: The largest employer. They handle security for Emirates Group, Dubai Airport, and major events. They recruit heavily from Asian countries.
  2. G4S UAE: A global giant. Known for stricter recruitment but better training standards.
  3. World Security: A DP World company. Excellent for jobs at Jebel Ali Port and Free Zones.
  4. Arkan Security: A subsidiary of Ejadah. Known for hiring freshers for community security (residential areas).
  5. Spark Security: Often hires for malls and hospitals.

7. Scams to Avoid in 2025

  • The “Uniform Fee” Scam: A real company provides your uniform for free. If someone asks for AED 200 for a uniform before hiring you, it is a scam.
  • The “Direct WhatsApp” Offer: Transguard or G4S will never hire you via a simple WhatsApp text. They have formal recruitment centers.
  • Visa Ban Nations: As of 2025, check if your nationality is under a temporary visa suspension (e.g., specific restrictions have applied to citizens from parts of Africa or South Asia intermittently).21 Always check the latest ICP updates.

Conclusion

Getting a security guard job in Dubai for freshers is hard work, but it is a stable career path. The key is physical fitness—start running and practicing your vertical jump today.22 If you can pass the SIRA fitness test and speak basic English, you are employable.

Your Action Plan:

  1. Get Fit: Can you run level 7 on the Beep Test?
  2. Attest Documents: Don’t leave your home country without attested school certificates.
  3. Choose Your Route: If you have limited funds, use an OEP in your home country. If you have savings, a visit visa gives you more choice but higher risk.

Good luck, and stay safe!

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