How UAE start-up Nomadic is aiming to simplify business travel with technology

Generation Start-up: Company uses real-time location tracking and automatic visa requirement updates to ensure compliance with immigration regulations

The team at Nomadic, which specialises in setting risk tolerance, automating the completion and filing of applications, and managing the validity of existing permissions. Photo: Nomadic

Nomadic was born out of the need to simplify short-term travel compliance and ease the challenges associated with organising international trips and securing the necessary travel documentation.

Tailored to support business travel, the platform was launched in the UAE by US-based Fragomen, a company specialising in immigration services worldwide.

The start-up establishes travel profiles, setting risk tolerance, automating the completion and filing of applications, and managing the validity of existing permissions.

“I have believed for many years that Fragomen needed a market solution that enables total management for short-term global travel programmes. Nomadic is that solution,” says co-founder Brendan Ryan.

Nomadic originated from the team’s extensive experience within Fragomen and Mr Ryan’s own understanding as a partner in the firm, supporting clients in substantive immigration matters such as work permits, permanent residency and more.

“That often involved support for short-term business travel – both advising on visa restrictions, obtaining visas for travellers and supporting when problems arise,” says Mr Ryan, who is also chief executive of Nomadic.

Brendan Ryan, co-founder and chief executive of Nomadic. Photo: Nomadic

Fragomen launched Nomadic in the UAE last year, amid the sharp recovery in travel after the Middle East’s strong economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. However, globally, Nomadic was launched as an offshoot of Fragomen in 2018.

While the UAE is the only market in the Middle East Nomadic is present in currently, it is also present in India, Singapore, the UK and the US.

“We are also shortly opening in Germany and a number of other jurisdictions. However, through our vast network, we are able to provide support to clients in more than 70 countries,” says Mr Ryan.

He did not, however, say which other markets Nomadic will expand to in the Middle East.

“Our vision for Nomadic's presence and impact in the Middle East over the next few years is to establish ourselves as the leading business travel solution provider in the region, in line with the significant economic and travel growth that the Middle East is currently experiencing,” he says.

The company set up operations at a time when the region is experiencing a surge in demand for technology-driven travel solutions.

Nomadic says its technology is designed to ensure compliance with immigration regulations through real-time location tracking and automatic visa requirement updates.

Lingering pandemic travel restrictions, border digitalisation and other regulatory changes have led business travel to become an area of compliance risk, the company says.

“Our tech-driven solutions ensure timely and precise compliance, which is crucial in the Middle East’s rigorous regulatory environment. We also set the standard by prioritising data security, addressing the region’s strong emphasis on privacy,” Mr Ryan says.

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With corporate companies as its clients, Nomadic customises solutions across business visas, passport services and document management.

The company was also key in streamlining UAE visa applications for people attending the Cop28 climate summit, which was held in Dubai in November.

Nomadic helped the process of completing online visa applications for attendees through Robotic Process Automation (RPA), which taps into stored data from a client’s traveller profile, completing applications in only four minutes – a task that manually would take about 35, he says.

“In a fully integrated process, our team can manage the entire end-to-end process to obtain the visa on behalf of the traveller,” says Mr Ryan.

The business travel industry has proven itself resilient after Covid as it moves into a new era of post-pandemic stabilisation.

Global business travel spending is forecast to hit a record $1.48 trillion by the end of this year and grow to nearly $1.8 trillion by 2027 amid stable economic conditions, according to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).

The rebound was led in 2023 by the US, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America, all achieving 100 per cent or more of 2019 spending numbers, the travel body said.

The accelerated pace of recovery is due to pent-up demand, the return of in-person meetings and widespread economic recessions failing to materialise, as per GBTA's outlook report last year.

It said the two biggest drivers of stabilisation in the past six months have been the return of physical meetings and corporate events, as well as the recovery of some international business travel capacity and volumes.

Tourism industry expansion in the Middle East, meanwhile, is estimated to grow at a compound annual rate of 5.1 per cent until 2034, data from Future Market Insights indicates. The sector in the region is forecast to reach $453.28 billion by 2034, it said, from an estimated $275.64 billion this year.

Dubai alone hosted 9.31 million overnight international visitors from January to June this year, up by nearly 9 per cent annually, on the back of the emirate’s push to strengthen and expand its tourism sector.

Oversight of business visits and cross-border moves is now a pressing need for companies and their travelling workforces, says Nomadic.

A wholly owned business within Fragomen, Nomadic is “adequately funded”, says Mr Ryan.

“Nomadic is an important initiative of Fragomen, and it will continue to fund enhancements to the technology and the general growth of the business.”

However, challenges to growth remain. These include “regulatory complexity, client education and adoption, scalability and competition”, Mr Ryan says.

“One of our main challenges is dealing with the different rules and regulations for immigration in various countries,” he says. "We’re investing in smart technology to keep track of these changes and make sure our clients are always compliant.

“The UAE is a prime destination for business travellers, yet the market can become saturated with businesses offering similar services.”

The company is also investing in scalable infrastructure and expanding its workforce, Mr Ryan adds.

A screengrab of the Nomadic portal. Photo: Nomadic

Q&A with Brendan Ryan, co-founder, Nomadic

Where do you want to be in five years?

Managing Nomadic, which will have grown to be the largest business travel compliance company.

If you could do it all differently, what would you change?

I would have started Nomadic five years earlier.

Who is your role model?

I have had the privilege of working with some brilliant people, but I have learnt the most from working closely for decades with the co-chair of Fragomen, Lance Kaplan.

What is your next big dream to make happen?

To continue to build Nomadic and then smoothly transitioning it to the next generation of leaders in the business.

Any plans for an initial public offering?

No current plans.

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Nomadic

Started: 2018

Founder: Brendan Ryan

Based: New Jersey, US

Sector: IT Services and Consulting

Current number of staff: 150 employees

Investment stage: Privately funded investors, founder funding and Fragomen