Remote work from Dubai

Who the programme is for

The remote work visa is for employees of an employer outside the UAE and for owners of a company abroad. You live in Dubai while your contract and clients stay abroad. If you want to be employed by a UAE company, you need a work visa instead.

Requirements

• Proof of remote work for an organisation outside the UAE.
• Income of in general at least USD 3,500 a month according to GDRFA. For company owners, the government portal u.ae describes different proof, such as owning the company for at least one year; some sources give USD 5,000. Figures may differ, so confirm them with GDRFA Dubai.
• Health insurance valid in the UAE.
• A passport valid for at least 6 months and a passport photo.

Validity, family and fees

• The visa is valid for 1 year from issue and can be renewed.
• Family members can join for the same period.
• GDRFA lists a fee of AED 200 plus 5% VAT; further fees apply if you are already in the country. Fees can change, so check them when you apply.
• As with any residence, a medical test and an Emirates ID are part of it.

Tax and insurance at home

Working remotely from Dubai does not automatically end your obligations at home. In the UK, the Statutory Residence Test decides; US citizens keep filing on their worldwide income; in Germany, residence and habitual abode decide. Your employer also has to agree, for example on social security and employment law. Clarify this with your employer and a tax adviser before you move.

How the app helps

Starter shows you the ten visa routes and a cost overview in your currency. Premium takes you through your route step by step in the roadmap, with documents, deadlines from your moving date, official bodies and reminders. Users from the UK, the USA and Germany get notes for their home country.

Step by step in the app

Start for free: your starting point, the fit test and the introduction and contents of every guide are free.

The details on this topic are in Premium (How do I relocate fully on my own?): €999 for 12 months of access, then €80/month and cancellable monthly. After the first term the contract renews automatically and can be cancelled monthly.

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Choose your package

Information and planning to do it yourself. Not legal, tax or migration advice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I live in Dubai and work remotely for a UK or US employer?

Yes, that is what the remote work visa is for. Requirements according to GDRFA: proof of remote work for an organisation outside the UAE, in general at least USD 3,500 income a month and health insurance valid in the UAE. Clarify tax and social security with your employer.

How long is the Dubai remote work visa valid?

1 year from issue, renewable. Family members can join for the same period.

How much do I need to earn for the Dubai remote work visa?

GDRFA gives at least USD 3,500 a month. For company owners, other sources describe different proof and partly USD 5,000. Confirm the figure with GDRFA Dubai before you apply.

Do I still pay tax at home as a remote worker in Dubai?

It depends on your home country. UK residence follows the Statutory Residence Test; US citizens file on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Clarify your case with a tax adviser.

Sources

Retrieved on 14 and 15 October 2026. Official bodies first; market data and benchmarks are labelled as such.

1. GDRFA Dubai: Visa Issuance (Virtual Work)
2. u.ae: Residence visa for working outside the UAE
3. u.ae: General provisions for the residence visa
4. GOV.UK: Tax on foreign income, residence
5. IRS: US citizens and resident aliens abroad

More guides

• UAE visa routes at a glanceWork visa, own company, Green Visa, Golden Visa, family, retirement, remote work and study: the 10 routes to residence in Dubai with main requirement and validity.Read more
• Moving to Dubai as a freelancer or founderFree zone or mainland, Green Visa for freelancers, Golden Visa for entrepreneurs, corporate tax and VAT: the routes for the self-employed and founders in Dubai.Read more
• What does it cost to live in Dubai?Rent, school, health insurance, car and everyday life: typical costs of a month in Dubai for singles, couples and families in euros with AED amounts and sources.Read more
• Moving to Dubai from the USAWhat Americans should know before moving to Dubai: citizenship-based taxation, FEIE, FBAR and FATCA, no US–UAE tax treaty, state domicile, Medicare, Social Security and documents.Read more
• All guidesRead more

This page provides general information and is not legal, tax or migration advice. Rules, amounts and fees can change; the office named is authoritative. Euro amounts use the guide rate €1 = AED 4.00.