The impact of Covid-19 has fast-forwarded remote-working policies for many companies and countries. Today, a strong wifi connection has made it possible to work for your employer from anywhere in the world. The prevalence of remote work has led the emirate of Dubai to formalise a scheme to make it easier for remote workers and digital nomads to live there for 12 months and work for an overseas employer.
If you are considering making the move to another country to do just that, you might want to know about the new one-year remote working programme now available in Dubai.
Previously the UAE visa system strictly linked your ability to live in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to your job being located there too. At the time of publication the government has not specified the need for a visa for this new one-year virtual remote-working programme and there is no requirement to set up an office or get a license for your business in advance.
This is a virtual working programme to encourage people who work remotely long-term to move to Dubai.
If your application is successful, your programme is valid for one year. It costs US$287 to apply plus medical insurance with valid UAE coverage and processing fee per person.
Once successful, an applicant can then process to move to Dubai and set up their new life there including telecoms, utilities, and schooling options.
Applicants to the one-year virtual working programme in Dubai need:
A passport valid for a minimum of six more months.
Health insurance that covers you working and living in the UAE.
Evidence of your current employment showing your will be employed for a minimum of one year.
Evidence that you will be earning the minimum salary per month required (US$5,000).
Provide your payslip from the previous month.
Provide bank statements from the previous three months leading to your application date.
For businesses the benefits of the virtual one-year remote working programme in Dubai are clear. The typical overheads of running an office to service the region can be avoided plus costs like paying licence fees and securing visas or work permits for their employees.
For businesses or company owners to apply for this one-year remote working scheme, you need to provide:
Proof of ownership of the company for one year or more.
Evidence that you have an average monthly income of US$5,000 per month .
Bank statements from the previous three months before your application date.
Note: Payment of processing fee does not guarantee approval of application
Not only is the tax-free income in Dubai a major attraction for expats and remote workers to move there but Dubai has focused on strengthening all their efforts to combat Covid-19.
The emirate of Dubai was given the Safe Travels stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) this summer as recognition of their efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Department of Economic Development (DED) and Dubai Municipality also launched the “Dubai-assured” stamp. This reassures visitors to venues and tourism spots showing the tamp that the safety and hygiene measures prescribed by the authorities have been complied there. To be awarded the stamp, these venues undergo a stringent verification process. The stamp is reissued every two weeks after a new government inspection.
This new programme offers remote workers, freelancers and digital nomads a great opportunity to experience all that life in Dubai and the UAE has to offer.
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Sources:
https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/types-of-visa
https://www.visitdubai.com/en/sc7/travel-planning/travel-tools/work-remotely-in-dubai
The gov.uk website for British citizens in the UAE
The website for the Australian Embassy in the UAE
The website for the Irish embassy in the UAE website
The website for the German embassy Abu Dhabi website