Dubai digital nomad visa: Complete guide

Love the idea of working as you travel the world? If all you need is an internet connection to do your job, you might want to become a digital nomad.

A popular destination for digital nomads is Dubai, with many drawn there by the luxury lifestyle, hot weather and super-fast internet speeds. The emirate also charges no personal income tax, which is another major benefit.

Before you can start working there however, you’re going to need a visa. Like many countries, Dubai has a special digital nomad visa.

In this guide, we’ll look at what this visa is and how to apply for it as a UK national. This includes the fees, what documents you’ll need and the steps to apply.

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Dubai digital nomad visa: requirements and eligibility

Dubai is one of many destinations which has a digital nomad visa.

Known as the virtual work visa, it’s part of the Dubai government’s ‘Work remotely from Dubai programme’.

It gives foreign citizens the legal right to live and work in the emirate for the purposes of carrying out remote work. It lasts for one year, with the option to reapply once your visa has expired.¹

You can sponsor dependents with this visa, which is ideal if you plan to move to Dubai with your family.

To meet the Dubai digital nomad visa requirements, you must be able to show proof of employment and that you can do your work remotely. Plus, you must have a minimum income of $3,500 USD (or the currency equivalent) per month.¹

You can only work for non-UAE clients and companies on this visa, with a minimum contract of at least 1 year.¹ It’s mainly aimed at people employed by a company, who want to continue working for that company remotely. However, freelancers can still apply if they have the required proof of employment documentation.

How much does it cost?

The Dubai digital nomad visa costs 200 AED in application fees. There may also be additional fees to pay, such as a 500 AED fee if you’re applying from inside Dubai, and a fee of 20 AED to have your visa delivered.²

Aside from the upfront application fees, there may be other costs to factor in. For example, the cost of getting private health insurance - which is a mandatory requirement for applicants.

What documents do you need?

You’ll need the following documents to apply for a digital nomad visa for Dubai:³

• A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining
• A recently taken passport-sized colour photograph of yourself (in colour, on a white background)
• Proof of employment - plus, proof that you can do your work remotely. If you own a business, you’ll need proof that your company has been operating for at least 1 year
• Proof of salary, showing the minimum monthly income of $3,500 USD - recent payslips, and bank statements for the last 6 months
• Proof of health insurance covering the UAE.

Unlike in some countries, you don’t need to show proof of address to apply for a digital nomad visa in Dubai. This means you can apply for the visa, and then find somewhere to rent or buy in Dubai when you’re ready.

How to apply for the digital nomad visa in Dubai

You can apply for the Dubai digital nomad visa through the Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) website. The good news is that there’s usually no need for an in-person visit to an embassy or consulate.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Get your documents together
2. Check your eligibility - in particular, that you’re able to meet the minimum income threshold of $3,500 USD a month
3. Go to the GSRFA website
4. Click the ‘Start service’ button
5. Create an account
6. Start your application, providing all the required details and uploading your supporting documents when prompted.
7. Pay the application fee
8. Submit your application and wait to hear back. It should take around 5-7 working days to get a decision.⁴

While you wait, you can get on with your other preparations, such as finding somewhere to live, booking your flights and opening a local bank account in Dubai.

How long can you stay in Dubai as a digital nomad?

The Dubai digital nomad visa lasts for 1 year. You can’t renew it, but you can reapply - if successful, you can stay for another year.¹

Taxes for digital nomads in Dubai

You’ll be happy to hear that there’s no specific Dubai digital nomad visa tax you need to know about, nor does Dubai levy income tax on individuals.⁵

It’s different if you’re running a business in Dubai, as the emirate does have some corporate taxes for businesses with a minimum annual revenue over a certain threshold. It’s best to speak to a tax specialist for advice and more information on this.

Save on your relocation costs with Wise

That’s everything you need to know about the digital nomad visa in Dubai. Make sure you check for any updates to the application process or the requirements ahead of applying.

Before moving to Dubai, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.

Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and 140+ countries in 40+ currencies for low, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rate. It's not a bank account but offers some similar features and your money is safeguarded.

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**Investments in funds are never guaranteed and your capital can be at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

FAQs

Can I work remotely in Dubai for a UK company?

Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements - including earning at least $3,500 USD (or the currency equivalent) a month - you can work remotely for a UK company in Dubai.

Does a Dubai digital nomad visa lead to citizenship?

No, the digital nomad visa doesn’t provide a route to citizenship or permanent residency in Dubai.

If you want to move there permanently, you’ll need to look into other routes such as the UAE golden visa.

Can I bring my family with me on the Dubai digital nomad visa?

Yes, with the Dubai digital nomad visa, you can sponsor family members to come with you to live in Dubai. You’ll need to provide extra documents (such as marriage and/or birth certificates to prove your relationships) and extra application fees may apply.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 29-Jul-2025