Software Engineer Switches to HR in Dubai
Kalpana Chauhan moved from India to Dubai in 2024 and now earns more than AED 5,000 monthly as an HR Manager.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Careers
Kalpana Chauhan, from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, left her software engineering job in India in 2024 and relocated to Dubai, where she now works as an HR Manager. Her experience was shared in an Instagram video by Jagdish Chawla and reported by Moneycontrol.
Why it matters
Chauhan's move reflects a career shift driven by a desire for financial independence and better opportunities matching her education and qualifications. Her account offers a concrete example of how professionals relocate to pursue higher earnings abroad.
The figures come from Chauhan's own account shared in an Instagram interview, comparing Rs 32,000 monthly as a software engineer in India with more than AED 5,000 (about Rs 1.28 lakh) monthly in Dubai. The report does not independently verify these earnings or detail her full compensation package.
The players
Kalpana Chauhan
A former software engineer from Shimla who became an HR Manager in Dubai after relocating in 2024 to pursue better career opportunities.
Jagdish Chawla
The Instagram creator who interviewed Chauhan and shared her account of her career change and experience moving to the UAE.
The details
Chauhan works as an HR Manager at a company that helps people obtain tourist visas, and the company provides her accommodation. Chawla interacted with her about her career, earnings and experience of moving to the UAE.
Timeline
2024: Chauhan relocates to Dubai and switches from software engineering to HR.
November 5, 2026: Moneycontrol publishes an article on her career move.
Big Picture
Chauhan's relocation follows a longstanding pattern of Indian professionals moving to the Gulf for higher-paying white-collar work. Her switch from software engineering to HR shows how workers in that migration stream can also change careers after arrival.
For professionals weighing a move abroad, the case shows that roles in HR and visa services can offer accommodation and salaries well above Indian pay scales. Readers should still verify compensation, living costs and visa requirements before relocating.
The takeaway
Comparing total compensation, including housing and living costs, can reveal whether an overseas role offers meaningful financial gains. Checking employer details and visa rules before accepting a job abroad helps protect against unexpected costs.
Further reading
Explore more on Careers for other professionals weighing a move abroad for work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MoneyControl.
