Dubai and UAE remote work visa
The UAE's remote work visa lets you live in Dubai, or elsewhere in the Emirates, for a year while working for a company outside the UAE. You need USD 3,500 a month, there's no personal income tax, and Dubai says it decides in 48 hours.
At a glance
- The visa
- Dubai virtual work residence
- What you need
- $3,500 a month; in pounds, about £2,630 a month
- What counts as proof
- A salary certificate in Dubai. Abu Dhabi asks for six months of bank statements. A USD 5,000 figure on the federal portal belongs to an older programme.
- Who can apply
- Employees of a company abroad: yes. Freelancers: unclear (no official page says whether freelancers can apply). Owners of a company abroad: unclear (gDRFA's page does not mention owners. The older federal programme required you to have owned the company for at least a year).
- How long
- One year, renewable
- Without a visa
- British and American visitors: 90 days in any 180
The catch. The permit assumes your work comes from outside the UAE. Landlords usually want a year's rent in advance, often in one to four cheques.
See where you stand against United Arab Emirates and every other country. Check your income
How to apply
- In Dubai, apply online with GDRFA, Dubai's residency office, using UAE Pass, or at an Amer centre. You can apply from outside the UAE.
- For Abu Dhabi and the other emirates, apply through ICP, the federal identity authority.
- Once you enter the UAE on the entry visa you have 60 days to finish the residence steps: a medical fitness test and your Emirates ID.
Fees and timing
- Dubai permit
- AED 200, plus AED 10 and AED 10 in government charges, AED 500 if you apply from inside the UAE, and AED 20 for delivery.
- Dubai entry visa
- AED 200 plus 5% VAT.
- On top
- The medical test, Emirates ID and health insurance.
- How long it takes
- 48 hours in Dubai, for the entry visa and the residence permit.
The documents
The main items. Your consulate's own checklist is the one that counts, so check it before you start.
- A colour photo on a white background
- Passport valid at least six months
- Health insurance valid in the UAE
- The medical fitness result
- Proof you work for a company outside the UAE
- A salary certificate showing USD 3,500 a month (Dubai). Abu Dhabi asks for six months of bank statements
Health insurance
Required: health insurance valid in the UAE for your residence.
Nomad policies differ on cover limits, excess and whether they're accepted for a visa. Compare nomad health insurance
Family, renewing and tax
- Family
- You can sponsor family members for the same period. We couldn't find an extra income figure for them.
- Renewing
- In Dubai, renew on the same conditions, documents and fees, online or at an Amer centre, in about 48 hours. After it expires or is cancelled you have 60 days to leave or change status. There's no general route from it to permanent residence or citizenship.
- What it leads to
- No general route to permanent residence or citizenship
- Tax
- No personal income tax. 183 days makes you tax resident
Worth knowing
- The federal u.ae portal also lists an older "virtual working programme" at USD 5,000 a month. The current remote work visa is USD 3,500.