Program Overview
The United Arab Emirates has officially opened applications for its Remote Working Visa program, initially unveiled in March 2021. This visa enables international professionals to live in the UAE while maintaining employment with their foreign-based companies for periods of up to one year, with renewal options available.
Key Eligibility Requirements
Employment Duration: Applicants must demonstrate continuous employment with their current overseas employer. As of January 27, 2026, candidates are required to submit six months of bank statements showing regular salary deposits—an increase from the previously required three-month period. This effectively establishes a minimum six-month employment tenure with the overseas employer.
Financial Threshold: Candidates must meet government-specified minimum income requirements.
No Local Sponsor Needed: Unlike traditional UAE work visas, this program eliminates the need for local sponsorship or an Emirati employment contract.
Additional Documentation: Applicants must obtain UAE-valid health insurance and secure written confirmation from their employer approving remote work from the Emirates.
Application Details
The visa application can be completed either within the UAE or from abroad, using online portals or authorized typing centers in Abu Dhabi. The government processing fee runs approximately USD 81, excluding medical examination and Emirates ID costs. Standard processing takes five to seven business days.
Family Sponsorship
Visa holders have the ability to sponsor residence permits for immediate family members, including spouses, children, and parents.
Strategic Context
This initiative positions the UAE alongside other nations that launched remote work programs during and after the pandemic, including Estonia, Barbados, Bermuda, and Georgia. These programs aim to attract skilled professionals and stimulate local economies during challenging economic periods.
Dubai operates a parallel Virtual Working Program established in October 2020, which remains active with slightly different qualification criteria.
Compliance Considerations
Employers and remote workers should exercise caution when navigating these relatively new programs. Without established regulatory frameworks addressing cross-border employment complexities, both parties risk inadvertent noncompliance with immigration and labor laws. Violations can result in financial penalties, and repeated infractions may jeopardize an employer’s ability to hire foreign talent in the UAE.
Future Outlook
As remote work becomes increasingly normalized and countries pursue economic recovery strategies, more jurisdictions will likely introduce similar visa schemes. However, until comprehensive legal frameworks address outstanding questions around taxation, social security, and employment law, organizations should carefully evaluate remote work visas against more established work authorization options with guidance from experienced immigration counsel.