How to become a resident of the UAE on a nomad visa – Remote Work Visa

With the development of the digital economy and remote work, many countries have begun to offer special programs to attract digital nomads – people who work remotely from anywhere in the world. One of these countries is the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As part of its efforts to attract talent and specialists from around the world, the UAE has developed a nomad visa for remote workers. This visa allows you to work and live in the UAE for one year with the possibility of extension. 

What is a nomad visa in the UAE?

The Nomad Visa, also known as the Remote Work Visa, allows foreigners who work remotely for foreign companies to live and work in the UAE for one year, without changing their employer or entering into contracts with local companies. It creates a unique opportunity for those who want to enjoy the high quality of life, security and amenities that cities such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi offer, while remaining employed abroad.

Advantages of a nomad visa in the UAE

1. Accommodation in one of the most modern cities in the world – Dubai or other UAE cities.
2. Visa-free access to more than 170 countries around the world with a UAE resident visa.
3. There is no need for local employment – you can continue to work for your foreign company.
4. High level of security and infrastructure.
5. No income tax on personal income.
6. Access to medical services and other government services.

Criteria and requirements for Nomad visa applicants

To obtain a nomad visa to the UAE, you must meet several basic criteria. The UAE imposes strict but doable requirements on applicants to ensure that they can support themselves financially and have legal grounds to stay in the country for a long period. Here is a detailed description of the requirements for potential nomad visa recipients in the UAE.

Employment with a foreign company or owning your own business

The main condition is that the applicant must be employed by a company registered outside the UAE, or own a business that operates abroad. This requirement confirms that you will not apply for a job in local companies or seek employment in the UAE labor market. 

Employed persons:

1. If you are employed, you need to provide proof of this employment, such as an employment contract with a company registered outside the UAE.
2. It is important that your contract is valid and covers the entire period of your stay in the UAE, or that you have proof of long-term cooperation with your employer.

Business owners or freelancers:

1. If you own your own business or work as a freelancer, you need to prove that your business is legally registered in another country and that you receive a stable income from its activities.
2. The business owner can submit the company’s statutory documents, registration data and income statements.

Minimum monthly income

In order to ensure the financial independence of the applicant during his stay in the UAE, a minimum income requirement has been introduced:

1. The minimum monthly income for obtaining a nomad visa in the UAE is 5,000 US dollars or the equivalent in another currency.
2. You must document this income, for example, with bank statements or certificates from your employer for the last 3-6 months.
3. The income statement should show regular receipts to the account, which guarantees your financial stability.

A valid employment contract or proof of business ownership

To confirm your status as a remote employee or entrepreneur, you will need to provide the following documents:

1. For employees: a valid employment contract with your foreign company, which confirms your current employment and the duration of the contract.
2. For entrepreneurs: documents confirming ownership of a business registered outside the UAE, such as company registration documents, business licenses and company income statements.

These documents must be current at the time of application and cover the validity period of the visa (usually one year).

Medical insurance valid in the UAE

One of the mandatory requirements is the availability of medical insurance that will cover all possible medical expenses in the UAE. This is important to ensure your health and safety while living in the country.

The insurance policy must cover all medical services, from outpatient treatment to inpatient care.

The insurance must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the UAE. If you do not have international insurance, you can purchase a policy immediately before applying for a visa or after receiving it.

A foreign passport

To apply for a nomad visa to the UAE, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of application:

1. The minimum required validity of a passport is 6 months, but it is recommended that its validity period covers the entire period of stay in the UAE.
2. In some cases, additional documents confirming identity or citizenship may be required if the passport does not meet all the requirements.

Certificate of non-criminal record

Depending on the region and the legislation of the country from which you are applying, a certificate of non-criminal record may be required. This indicates that you have not been convicted of crimes and have a clean reputation:

1. A certificate of non-criminal record may be requested from citizens of certain countries or in cases where UAE law requires additional verification.
2. The certificate must be translated into English or Arabic, if it is issued in another language, and possibly certified by a consulate or embassy.

Bank statements and financial documents

Confirmation of financial viability is another important requirement. As already mentioned, you must provide bank statements that confirm a regular income of at least $5,000 per month:

1. Bank statements should reflect regular receipts to your account over the past 3-6 months.
2. These documents help convince the UAE migration services that you will be able to cover all your living expenses in the country.

Application documents

To apply for a nomad visa in the UAE, you will need the following documents:

1. Completed application form (available on the website or at the consulate).
2. A copy of the passport (pages with personal data).
3. A color passport photo.
4. A work contract or proof of business ownership if you are an entrepreneur.
5. Income statement for the last 3-6 months (bank statements).
6. Medical insurance valid in the UAE.
7. A certificate of non-criminal record (in some cases it may be required).

Step-by-step instructions for obtaining a nomad visa in the UAE

Obtaining a nomad visa in the UAE (Remote Work Visa) is a process involving the collection and submission of documents, compliance with requirements and compliance with procedures provided for by UAE law. Obtaining a nomad visa is a relatively simple process if you meet the requirements and follow the procedures.

Step 1. Assess compliance with the main criteria

Before starting the application process, make sure that you meet the basic requirements. If you meet these requirements, proceed to the next step.

Step 2. Applying Online

For convenience and acceleration of the application process, the application is submitted online through the UAE government portals. Here is a step-by-step instruction:

1. Go to the official website. For example, to apply for a nomad visa for Dubai, you can use the Government of Dubai GDRFA portal.
2. Register. Create an account if you don’t have one, or log in using your credentials.
3. Fill out the form. In the questionnaire, specify all the necessary information, including personal data, contact details, information about the employer or business, as well as income information.
4. Upload the documents. At the submission stage, you must upload all of the above documents (passport, photo, contract or business documents, bank statements and medical insurance).
5. Pay the visa fee. The amount varies, but usually amounts to about $611 (includes visa fee and administrative expenses). Payment is made online using a bank card.

After you have submitted your application and paid the fees, the review process begins. This usually takes from 15 to 30 business days, depending on the complexity and workload of the migration services. At this stage, there may be additional requests for documents if something needs clarification.

Step 3. Obtaining a visa

If your application is approved, you will receive an email notification that your Nomad visa application has been approved. The notification will also contain instructions on obtaining a visa and further steps.

The visa is usually sent to you electronically. It must be printed and presented upon entry into the UAE.

After obtaining a nomad visa, you can enter the UAE. Upon entry, the following documents must be presented:

1. A foreign passport.
2. A printed electronic version of the visa.
3. The medical insurance that was specified in the application.

Additional actions after entering the UAE

1. Registration of a resident (Emirates ID). After arriving in the UAE, you need to apply for an Emirates ID, which is an identity card that gives access to many government services, including medical care.
2. Opening a bank account. With a nomad visa, you can open a bank account in the UAE. This will make it easier to manage your finances during your stay.
3. Rental housing. With a nomad visa, you can rent a house for a long time. To do this, you will need your passport and Emirates ID.

Visa extension

A nomad visa to the UAE is issued for one year, but it can be extended for the next year if all the initial conditions are met. To extend the visa, you must re-apply and re-provide proof of employment, income, medical insurance and relevant documents.

Important points

1. A nomad visa allows you to stay in the UAE for a year with the possibility of extension.
2. It does not give the right to employment in local companies or businesses.
3. If the applicant’s income or employment changes during the validity period of the visa, this may affect its extension.

A nomad visa to the UAE is a great opportunity for those who want to combine work and travel while living in one of the most dynamically developing countries in the world. The UAE offers not only a high standard of living, but also many opportunities for personal and professional growth. The process of obtaining a visa is quite simple and transparent, and the requirements comply with international standards for remote workers.