RABI HAMAMSAH (ABU DHABI)
As of December 2023, the United Arab Emirates ranks 4th in the VisaGuide World Digital Nomad Index, a ranking of the best countries for digital nomads, with a score of 3.65.
The UAE, like many countries, has joined the wagon of digital nomad visas through Dubai’s digital nomad visa ''Work Remotely from Dubai''. Through this programme, Dubai has been welcoming remote workers and digital nomads since March 2021.
Digital nomads are people who travel freely while working remotely using technology and the internet. Such people generally have minimal material possessions and work remotely in temporary housing, hotels, cafes, public libraries, co-working spaces, or recreational vehicles, using Wi-Fi, smartphones or mobile hotspots to access the Internet.
Working as a digital nomad in Dubai under the Work Remotely from Dubai programme has many benefits, such as tax-free, high healthcare system, access to facilities, and fast internet connection, according to VisaGuide World Digital Nomad Index.
Obtaining a digital nomad visa in Dubai requires online filled visa application form, valid passport, digital passport photo, accommodation reservation, medical insurance, documents for business owners (Proof of ownership of the company for one year or more, minimum of $5.000 monthly income, and Bank statements for the last three months), and documents for employees (Proof of employment with one year contract, last month’s payslip, minimum of $5.000 salary per month, bank statements for the last three months).
The cost of the Dubai digital nomad visa is $611. This amount includes the application fee of $287 and other processing charges, medical insurance premium, and Emirates ID.
There is no guarantee that the visa will be approved just because the digital nomad paid the processing fee. It is possible to incur additional charges depending on the country of citizenship, the nature of the services requested, and other factors.
The processing time for a digital nomad visa in Dubai is from thirty days up to sixty days, and the virtual working programme is valid for one year. Holders of this type of visa have access to the same standard services that residents have as the programme grants access to all the standard services that residents benefit from, including telecoms, utilities, and schooling while allowing to connect to a global hub and a skilled workforce, composed of 200+ nationalities.
According to VisaGuide World Digital Nomad Index, digital nomads in Dubai, are not obliged to pay income tax, capital gain tax, withholding tax, and local taxes. However, they are expected to pay taxes back home, but they do not need to prove it.
Most digital nomads describe themselves as programmers, content creators, designers, or developers. Some digital nomads are perpetual travellers, while others only maintain the lifestyle for a short period of time. While some nomads travel through multiple countries, others remain in one area, and some may choose to travel while living in a vehicle, in a practice often known as van-dwelling.
In 2020, a research study found that 10.9 million American workers described themselves as digital nomads, an increase of 49% from 2019.