Requirements and Process
Habibi Move to Dubai!
Are you looking for a way to become a digital nomad in Dubai? The last few months I have spent 50% of my time in working from Dubai, and I’ve got to say my life truly feels like a never ending vacation. With a five-star luxury lifestyle, fantastic weather, and an incredible cultural hub the UAE has become a popular destination for digital nomads, and the government is recognizing this by creating digital nomad visas. The visa allows you to live and work in Dubai without the need for a job offer or sponsorship from a local company. You’ll also have access to great transport links, a vibrant culture, and world-class shopping and restaurants.
Hmm.. Tell me more.
The digital nomad visa, also known as the “UAE Traveler” visa, is a special type of visa issued by the UAE Government to digital nomads. It allows you to visit and stay in the UAE for up to one year with multiple entries. This is a great option for digital nomads who want to stay in the UAE for longer periods of time and have the freedom to move in and out of the country. Under the visa, you may relocate to Dubai (from outside the UAE) and continue to work for the organization/company you are already working for, remotely.
During the one-year duration of the digital nomad visa for Dubai, successful applicants are provided with a resident ID and access to most public services and facilities like other residents in the city. There are several things you can do to take care of your needs, including renting a house, opening a bank account, enrolling your kids in local schools, or applying for a bank loan (if you can find a bank or financial institution that offers loans according to their conditions). Remote workers can travel in and out freely and leave the UAE during the one-year visa duration, but an absence for more than 6 consecutive months will result in an automatic nullification of your visa.
Top 5 Benefits of the Dubai remote work visa
Fast internet. In general, Dubai has excellent internet connectivity and digital infrastructure.
Networking. Get many chances to network with professionals from around the world.
No income tax. You won't have to pay any income tax in Dubai while living here.
Excellent schools. Send your kids to prestigious colleges and schools with various curriculum alternatives.
Safety. Dubai is one of the safest places in the world, with the lowest crime rate.
Who is the virtual working program for?
The virtual working program is for:
people who live and work outside the UAE,
entrepreneurs and
start-up companies who meet the eligibility criteria.
If your application to live in Dubai is approved by the UAE’s authorities, you can also bring your family along.
Dubai Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
Before you apply for the Dubai digital nomad visa, the first step is to prepare the requirements. Refer to the list below.
Passport – ensure it remains valid for at least six months from your application date.
Visa application form – visit the official website of Dubai's Work Remotely Program to download the visa application form.
Passport photo – submit a digital passport-sized photo with the dimension of 45mm x 35mm and with white background.
Accommodation reservation – you will need to submit a lease agreement for your Dubai accommodation. You can also submit a hotel booking if you wish to stay in a hotel during your entire stay in the city.
Health insurance – you must submit a health insurance certificate with UAE coverage.
Additional requirements for business owners – proof of company ownership for at least a year. Document showing a monthly income of at least $5,000. Bank statements for the past three months.
Additional requirements for employees – proof of employment with at least one year contract, pay slip for the previous month, a minimum salary of $3,500 per month, and bank statements.
Applying for the Dubai Digital Nomad Visa
Once you have all the requirements sorted, it's time to apply for the Dubai digital nomad visa. You can apply online through the website of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. Here are the steps.
Visit the website of the Government of Dubai – applying for the Dubai digital nomad visa is pretty straightforward as long as you have all your documents ready. You can go directly to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Register to create a username and password. If you are already in the UAE, you can apply for the visa through the AMER service.
Fill out the application form – fill out the form and provide personal details about yourself, including your email address, contact number, etc. Make sure you provide the correct information for your contact details since a representative from the program will contact you.
Submit all the documents – submit the required documents, such as the scanned copy of your passport, digital copy of your passport-sized photos, accommodation reservation, health insurance, proof of income, etc.
Pay the visa fee – next, pay the necessary fees. It will cost you around $611 to apply for the Dubai digital nomad visa. This includes the application fee, the cost of Emirates ID, and other processing charges. Provide your card information to pay the fees. When the payment is successful, you'll receive an email for confirmation.
Wait for the processing of your visa – once you have submitted your application, all you will do is wait while they process your visa. Once approved, you will receive an email or call.
Travel to Dubai – once you have your visa, you can travel to Dubai and enter the UAE using the digital nomad visa.
Undergo a medical check – you have a month to undergo a medical check-up when you reach Dubai. The result should be available in two weeks.
Visit the Biometrics Office – after receiving the medical results, you will receive a list of offices where you can do biometrics. Print the medical results and take them to the biometrics office.
Receive a stamp in your passport – after the biometrics, you will receive a passport stamp.
Receive the residency card – you will receive an SMS from the Dubai government to inform you about your residency card, also known as the Emirates ID. Once you have the Emirates ID, you can live in Dubai as a digital nomad for a year.
Did you say no taxes ?!
Yep, you read it correctly. Residents in the United Arab Emirates do not pay any income tax, which is one of the biggest benefits of living as a digital nomad in Dubai.
As a digital nomad in Dubai, you will not have to pay income tax, capital gain tax, withholding tax, and local taxes. However, you must pay taxes back home, although you're not required to prove it. Shhh.. you didn’t hear that from me.
Co-working spaces in Dubai
FAQs on the Dubai Digital Nomad Visa
How Much Will It Cost to Apply for the Dubai Digital Nomad Visa?
It will cost around $611 to apply for the Dubai digital nomad visa, which already includes the cost of the Emirates ID and processing charges.
How Long Will It Take to Process the Digital Nomad Visa in Dubai?
The processing time for Dubai digital nomad visa is between 30 and 60 days.
How Long Can You Live in Dubai Using the Digital Nomad Visa?
Once your Dubai digital nomad visa is approved, you can stay in the city for one year. You can renew the visa if you wish to extend your stay in Dubai. You can also leave the country to visit other areas but keep in mind an absence for more than 6 consecutive months will result in an automatic nullification of your visa.
Hows the cost of living?
You can rent a studio apartment in the city center for $2,042/month. Airbnbs cost around $3,432/month, so it is much better to find an apartment to rent.
Do I need a car?
Dubai has two convenient Metro lines (red and green), and they run through the busiest areas of the city. There are also many low-cost buses that run 24-hours
Will my phone still work in Dubai?
Remote workers often use prepaid SIM cards, Pocket WiFi, free WiFi, or expensive roaming services. But the cost-benefit ratio varies depending on the provider and the terms and conditions of these services. Check with you provider on packages and capabilities BEFORE leaving your country.
Still not convinced?
They had me at the no taxes but all in all the UAE is becoming an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads. Since the introduction of the digital nomad visa in 2021, the UAE is making it easy for digital nomads to stay and work in the country. It’s one of the most progressive cities in the world, known for its attractive business opportunities. As a result, there are plenty of ways to make money and build your career while living in Dubai.
The city is very modern and offers plenty of amenities that make life easier. If you looking for luxury living, it gets no better than Dubai. There are great public transportation systems, a wide range of shopping and dining options, and plenty of entertainment venues.
Moreover, Dubai is a great place to network and meet like-minded people. The city is full of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and digital nomads who are open to collaboration and exchanging ideas. This is a great way to expand your professional connections and build relationships with people who can help you reach your goals.
So if you’re looking for an exciting new destination to pursue your digital nomad dreams, the UAE is definitely worth considering!
Thank you. This is informative and helpful. I’ve travel to Dubai once. I had loads of questions… Your blog answered many of my questions. Thanks again! 🎯