An analysis is carried out on the unsteady Dean flow of an incompressible electrically conducting viscous fluid between two concentric, stationary permeable circular cylinders in the presence of magnetic field of low intensity. The flow phenomenon is important in view of its biological as well as industrial applications, particularly in polymer industries for designing flows in cylindrical shaped pipes/tubes. The novelty of the study is to analyze the effect of electromagnetic body force which comes into play due to interaction of magnetic field with conducting fluid in flow. The cross flow due to suction/injection, azimuthal pressure gradient, and the Lorentz force (electromagnetic body force) are considered in the momentum transport equation. The mathematical model and the corresponding governing equations are solved in two methods; one is analytical using special function and another one is semi analytical approach, i.e. Laplace transform in conjuction with Riemann–Sum approximation for inversion. The study reveals the effects of magnetic parameter, suction/injection parameter and radii ratio of two concentric cylinders forming annular region. The striking outcomes which fulfills the design requirements are as follows. The applied radial magnetic field resulting electromagnetic body force on the flow, accelerates the circumferential velocity which energizes the industrial setup (flow model) to enhance faster productivity. Moreover, the curves of skin friction at R = λ posses critical points serving as benchmark for engendering flow instability.