UAE Remote Work visa guide

The basics

Dubai's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) describes a residence visa without employment for a foreigner who takes part in remote employment (virtual work). The details below come from the GDRFA service page and may differ in other emirates.

Validity

One year from the date of issuance, extendable, according to the GDRFA page.

Stay per entry

Sixty days from the date of entry, until the requirements for granting residence are completed, according to the GDRFA page.

Where you apply

GDRFA Dubai smart services (website or smart application), or an Amer Service Center.

Fee

AED 200 plus 5% VAT. Additional fees if the sponsored person is inside the country: Knowledge Dirham AED 10, Innovation Dirham AED 10 and an in-country fee of AED 500. The page notes the total may vary with circumstances.

Who it's for

The GDRFA page describes foreigners who work remotely for an entity outside the UAE. It states the holder can sponsor family for the same period.

• Applicants must provide evidence that they work for an entity outside the UAE and that the work is done remotely.
• Applicants must show monthly income of no less than US$3,500, or the equivalent in foreign currencies.

How to apply

The GDRFA page lists two channels. Digital channels are available 24/7, and Amer Service Centers during their normal operating hours. The page gives an expected completion time of 48 hours.

• Digital: log in to the smart services system through UAE Pass or a username.
• Search for the service you are applying for.
• Fill in the application data.
• Pay the service fee.
• Amer Service Center: visit the nearest Customer Happiness Center, take a ticket, submit the application with all documents, and pay the fee.

Documents

The GDRFA page lists these documents.

• A recent coloured personal photo with a white background.
• A passport copy valid for at least 6 months.
• Evidence that you work for an entity outside the UAE and that the work is done remotely.
• Proof of monthly income of at least US$3,500, or the equivalent in foreign currencies.
• A valid health insurance document.

Stay and extensions

The GDRFA page states that the residence period is one year from the date of issuance and is extendable. Sources reviewed do not state renewal documents, fees or timing.

Things to confirm

• Which authority handles your application, since the page reviewed covers Dubai. Procedures in other emirates are not stated.
• Renewal documents, fees and timing.
• Whether additional documents, such as bank statements, are asked for in practice. The GDRFA page does not list them.
• Whether your nationality affects entry or application rules. Sources reviewed do not state it.
• Current entry and visa issuance announcements, with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).

Sources

Every claim above comes from these pages. Higher tiers carry more authority. How we tier sources.