- Dubai allows remote workers from any country to apply for a one-year residency visa if they meet the programme’s income and documentation requirements
- Applicants must earn at least KSh452,000 per month from an employer or clients outside the UAE
- Successful applicants can live in Dubai for 12 months and may sponsor their spouse and children to join them
Dubai has published the eligibility requirements for its Virtual Work Visa, giving remote workers an opportunity to live in the city for one year while continuing to work for an employer or clients outside the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The programme is open to people of any nationality who meet the required income and documentation conditions.
One of the main requirements is a minimum monthly income of KSh452,000.
Who can apply for Dubai’s Virtual Work Visa?
Applicants must prove that they earn at least KSh452,000 per month.
The income can come from an employer or clients based outside the UAE.
This means the programme is designed for people who can work remotely rather than those planning to take up employment with a company based in Dubai.
Applicants must also provide the required documentation to demonstrate that they meet the programme’s eligibility conditions.
What does the Dubai visa offer?
Successful applicants can live in Dubai for 12 months under the Virtual Work Visa.
They can also travel in and out of the UAE during the visa period and access local utilities and services.
The programme provides an option for remote workers who want to experience living in Dubai while maintaining their existing employment or overseas business arrangements.
Can remote workers bring their families?
Yes. Successful applicants can also sponsor their spouse and children to join them in Dubai under a family sponsorship arrangement.
Dependants may also have access to schooling, making the programme potentially useful for remote-working families considering a temporary move to the UAE.
Dubai also has a five-year Green Residence permit
Dubai has also published eligibility information for its five-year Green Residence permit, which is separate from the Virtual Work Visa.
The Green Residence is linked to specific eligibility categories, including skilled professionals whose occupations fall under classifications approved by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Information on the Green Residence requirements is available through Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
For remote workers considering Dubai, the Virtual Work Visa provides a route to live in the city temporarily without needing a Dubai-based employer or local sponsor, provided they meet the published income and documentation requirements.
