• The majority of workers favour a 'hybrid' model that allows them to either work from home or in the office. Getty
    The majority of workers favour a 'hybrid' model that allows them to either work from home or in the office. Getty
  • Many employers said the main challenge is ensuring staff can show they are productive long-term
    Many employers said the main challenge is ensuring staff can show they are productive long-term
  • Workers in all sectors, from government to private, are finding their bosses are more open to full or part-time working from home
    Workers in all sectors, from government to private, are finding their bosses are more open to full or part-time working from home
  • Working from home has its challenges, with the need for a proper work space and a routine - include healthy eating. Getty Images
    Working from home has its challenges, with the need for a proper work space and a routine - include healthy eating. Getty Images
  • Workplace experts say some people struggle to remain productive while working from home. Getty
    Workplace experts say some people struggle to remain productive while working from home. Getty
  • And for some it leads to feelings of isolation. Bloomberg
    And for some it leads to feelings of isolation. Bloomberg
  • Back to back Zoom meetings may be useful at checking up on employees , but can be time consuming and unproductive. Reuters
    Back to back Zoom meetings may be useful at checking up on employees , but can be time consuming and unproductive. Reuters

Dubai's new remote working scheme to attract a 'new influx of expats'


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

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.

Bernard Lee has seen a rise in interest in shared working spaces. Delores Johnson / The National
Bernard Lee has seen a rise in interest in shared working spaces. Delores Johnson / The National

“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.

THE SPECS

Touareg Highline

Engine: 3.0-litre, V6

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Power: 340hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh239,312

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Disposing of non-recycleable masks
    Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home Do not put them in a recycling bin Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
  • No need to bag the mask
WandaVision

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany

Directed by: Matt Shakman

Rating: Four stars

TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%208
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041mm%2C%20352%20x%20430%3B%2045mm%2C%20396%20x%20484%3B%20Retina%20LTPO%20OLED%2C%20up%20to%201000%20nits%2C%20always-on%3B%20Ion-X%20glass%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20S8%2C%20W3%20wireless%2C%20U1%20ultra-wideband%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2032GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20watchOS%209%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHealth%20metrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203rd-gen%20heart%20rate%20sensor%2C%20temperature%20sensing%2C%20ECG%2C%20blood%20oxygen%2C%20workouts%2C%20fall%2Fcrash%20detection%3B%20emergency%20SOS%2C%20international%20emergency%20calling%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GPS%2FGPS%20%2B%20cellular%3B%20Wi-Fi%2C%20LTE%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Apple%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP6X%2C%20water%20resistant%20up%20to%2050m%2C%20dust%20resistant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20308mAh%20Li-ion%2C%20up%20to%2018h%2C%20wireless%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20eSIM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinishes%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Aluminium%20%E2%80%93%20midnight%2C%20Product%20Red%2C%20silver%2C%20starlight%3B%20stainless%20steel%20%E2%80%93%20gold%2C%20graphite%2C%20silver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Watch%20Series%208%2C%20magnetic-to-USB-C%20charging%20cable%2C%20band%2Floop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Starts%20at%20Dh1%2C599%20(41mm)%20%2F%20Dh1%2C999%20(45mm)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel

The biog

Favourite colour: Brown

Favourite Movie: Resident Evil

Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices

Favourite food: Pizza

Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Scores

Day 2

New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227

New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining

How it works

Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.

Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.

As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.

A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.

Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.