For freelancers looking to live and work in Dubai, the process just got a whole lot easier. This is after the Emirate unveiled a new residency program targeting foreign remote-working professionals. Under the program, freelancers, digital nomads, and other remote workers -together with their families- will be granted visas that will allow them to relocate to Dubai for a year, after which they can choose to renew their visa for an extension of their stay.

For $287 per person plus medical insurance valid in the UAE, the applicants will enjoy the same benefits as permanent residents, such as access to local utility, banking, and telecommunication services. Those with children will have the option to enroll their children in local schools. The applicants will also enjoy Dubai’s zero income tax policy.

To qualify for the program, the applicant must meet the following conditions:

• Carry a passport valid for no less than 6 months
• Have health insurance that supports UAE coverage 
• Show proof of employment from their current employer with a contract length not less than one year, earning a minimum salary of $5,000 per month accompanied by 3 preceding months’ bank statements and the previous month’s payslip.
• Or, if the owner of a company, provide proof of ownership of the company for a year or longer, earning an average monthly income of not less than $5,000, accompanied by 3 preceding months’ bank statements.

Dubai is one of the world’s fastest-growing entrepreneurial and technological hubs, making it an attractive location for business-oriented individuals all-year-round. 

As a remote-work expat in the city, you’ll have access to some of the best co-working spaces, enjoy world-class tourist destinations, and connect with a robust community of driven professionals from throughout the globe. The city is also committed to offering a safe, healthy environment for its visitors as well as its locals. Therefore, considerable effort is being put in to meet all the safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

This residency program forms part of the UAE’s larger efforts to improve the contribution of the digital economy to the country’s national income. In August this year, the vice president of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced his government’s renewed commitment to speeding up digital transformation in the country. The plan to grow this sector will focus on the improvement of the freelance economy and the expansion of digital markets. Offering remote work visas to international professionals and freelancers will attract an agile, tech-savvy population from all over the world, who will bring in tow foreign investments that will spur the growth of local talent.

The application can be accessed easily through Visit Dubai‘s official website.

Ready to shift to a remote work model and enjoy a year-long work benefit like Dubai’s work visa? Sign up on Ureed.com to start finding short-term, contractual, and long-term freelance opportunities.