If you want to live and enjoy Dubai while working remotely for a company outside the UAE, there is good news for you. The virtual work residency visa as well as Dubai’s virtual working scheme, allow foreigners employed outside the UAE to live legally in the Emirates.
These are essentially, nomad visas allowing foreigners to stay and work from within the country for a company located outside the host nation’s borders.
UAE Virtual Work Residence visa allows foreigners employed outside the UAE to live there legitimately with a virtual work visa. The one-year visa allows foreigners to enter the UAE under self-sponsorship and work in line with the terms and conditions issued with the visa.
To apply for a remote work visa, you must provide proof that you work remotely for an organisation outside the UAE and that you receive a monthly income of USD 3,500 (three thousand five hundred US dollars, or its equivalent in a different currency).
Dubai’s virtual working programme
Dubai permits to live in the emirate under the virtual working programme similar to the remote work visa. Under the virtual working programme, you may relocate to Dubai (from outside the UAE) and continue to work for the organisation you are already working for, remotely.
Dubai’s nomad visa is for people who live and work outside the UAE, entrepreneurs and start-up companies who meet the eligibility criteria. If your Dubai residency application is approved by the UAE’s authorities, you can bring your family along.
Duration of the virtual working programme is for 12 months as the programme is valid for one year, renewable upon re-application. To apply for the virtual working programme, you need to have a passport with a validity of minimum six months and a valid health insurance covering your residency in the UAE. The fees for the virtual working programme is USD 287 per person. In addition, you need to pay the premium for medical insurance valid in the UAE and the processing fees.
Dubai’s virtual working programme offers access to various services like telecommunications, utilities, medical, and schooling, with seamless digital infrastructure, global networking opportunities, and zero income tax.
If you work for a company, you need to:
Provide proof of employment with a contract valid for one year
Earn a minimum salary of USD 5,000 per month
Provide the salary slip for the last month and bank statements for the preceding three months.
If you are a company owner, you need to:
Provide proof of ownership of company for one year or more
Have an average monthly income of USD 5,000 per month
Provide bank statements of the company’s account for the preceding three months.