Intercultural mobility has become a way of life for modern-day work environments. Based on the work role transition theory and performance theory, the study aims to investigate the impact of workplace acculturation on expatriate (expat) job performance and the mediating effects of self-efficacy and intercultural consciousness. The data was collected from a sample of 202 expatriates living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to validate the hypothesis empirically. The findings supported and expanded the general knowledge that the dimensions of workplace acculturation (economic adaptation, socio-cultural adaptation and psychological adaption) positively affect expat job performance in the context of UAE's knowledge-intensive service sector. Furthermore, the expat performance partially mediated the self-efficacy and inter-cultural consciousness. The study extended the expatriate literature based on work role transition theory. In addition, the study contributed to ongoing literature by examining the role of self-efficacy and inter-cultural consciousness in the service sector of UAE.