Dubai’s new drive to attract remote workers from around the world could help it bounce back from the pandemic faster, experts have said.
A programme was revealed on Wednesday night to encourage people who work remotely long-term to move to the emirate.
The scheme would enable people to live in the emirate for one year and continue to work for their overseas employer, while being able to secure the documents required to rent housing, and sign up for phone, internet, utilities and schools.
The UAE's visa system has traditionally linked a person's residency in the country to their job, although a series of recent changes have made flexible, freelance and part-time work somewhat easier.
Before Covid-19 remote work was happening to some degree, it was just never captured by any form of work permit that allowed people to do that
Murtaza Khan, managing partner for the Middle East and Africa at Fragomen, an immigration consultancy, said move followed similar schemes in Estonia, one of Europe's fast-growing tech-hubs, and Barbados.
“Before Covid-19 remote work was happening to some degree, it was just never captured by any form of work permit that allowed people to do that," he said.
“But with Covid-19 and the prevalence of remote work it has actually come to the fore. This is Dubai stepping up and putting a formal scheme around it, which is excellent.”
The government made no mention of the need for a visa and there is no requirement to set up an office or buy a business licence.
All remote workers require is a salary of $5,000 per month and proof of their existing employment.
Anir Chatterji, immigration leader at PwC Middle East, said the programme would provide opportunities for a "new wave of expat employees and their families to enter Dubai".
“The remote worker can benefit from Dubai’s strong digital infrastructure, unparalleled travel hub, safe and high-quality lifestyle and zero income tax for individuals,” said Mr Chatterji.
Companies will save on the costs associated with running an office space, while receiving access to the region. Companies based abroad would normally be required to have an office, pay licence fees and secure residency visas or work permits for employees.
Dubai’s economy, which has been hit by impacts to the air industry, tourism and other sectors during the pandemic, would also receive a boost.
“It would help support the economy, because you would have people working in coffee shops and living in apartments,” said Claire Donnelly, who co-runs HR and business consultancy MHC.
“The world is starting to recognise that remote working is a way of life. It’s a great message to show the government is starting to think differently.”
She said remote workers would have to take into account how long they were outside their home country for, and the tax implications that could have.
The pandemic had a major effect on the workplace, as businesses around the world were forced to introduce, or increase, remote working by governments grappling with rising case numbers.
For some companies, which recognise the cost-saving benefits, remote working is now here to stay.
Many are now downsizing as they recognise they require less space, and less investment in offices.
Enquiries about flexible workspaces have soared, said Bernard Lee, chief executive of GlassQube Coworking, a workspace operator which has four locations in Abu Dhabi.
It offers co-working, as well as private single and shared office space.
“We are getting a lot of enquiries from larger enterprise-type clients who in the past have not shown any interest in flexible workspaces," he said.
“We have one deal we are just about to sign for an entire floor in one of our locations."
The company is yet to enter the Dubai market, which has close to 50 similar operators, he said. But it is interested, if it can find the right building in the right location.
The news has made the prospect even more attractive.
“Let’s see how it unfolds,” said Mr Lee.
THREE
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Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo
Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 28
Sector: Financial services
Investment: $9.5m
Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Six tips to secure your smart home
Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.
Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.
Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.
Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.
Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.
Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.
Company%C2%A0profile
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Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Mrs%20Chatterjee%20Vs%20Norway
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THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
more from Janine di Giovanni
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
Play-off fixtures
Two-legged ties to be played November 9-11 and November 12-14
- Northern Ireland v Switzerland
- Croatia v Greece
- Denmark v Ireland
- Sweden v Italy
UAE%20SQUAD
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Palestine and Israel - live updates
The five pillars of Islam
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5