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Dubai Virtual Working Program

UAE · Middle East

Source: Mobility Asset DatabaseLifecycle: UnknownShort Term ResidencyDigital Nomad Visas

Program facts from the CitizensOS Mobility Asset Database. Unknown facts are shown as Unknown, never as zero.

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Publication state
Mobility Asset Database
Lifecycle status
Unknown
Facts checked through
Sep 21, 2026
Source snapshots
Database edition

Identity and current status

The route identity and current status.

Present
Year establishedPublished
2021
Governing lawPublished
UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022
Responsible authorityPublished
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai

What the program provides

What the program gives the holder.

Present
What the program providesPublished
Work remotely from the futuristic oasis of Dubai with zero income tax and year-round sunshine

Best suited for

Who the program tends to suit. Research only, never a personal recommendation.

Absent

No governed customer claim is present for this section.

Eligibility

Personal qualifications an applicant must establish.

Present
Minimum agePublished
18 years
Clean criminal record requiredPublished
Yes
Local health insurance requiredPublished
Yes
Nationality restrictionsPublished
No
Basic eligibilityPublished
Proof of monthly remote income of $3,500 or more
Employment statusPublished
Full-time employee
Type of remote employmentPublished
Applicants must demonstrate that they have a job that can be performed remotely
Generational limitPublished
Not applicable

Household inclusion

How spouses and children are treated.

Present
Family sponsorshipPublished
Yes
Spouse includedPublished
Yes
Children includedPublished
Yes
Child age limitPublished
25 years

Documents

Evidence categories and filing documents.

Absent

No governed customer claim is present for this section.

Process and timeline

How you apply and how long it takes.

Present
Processing timePublished
0.7–1 weeks
Can apply without travelingPublished
Yes
How you applyPublished
Online (GDRFA)
Required in-person stepPublished
Medical fitness test and Emirates ID in the UAE
What the processing time measuresPublished
5-7 days (Nomad Watch)
Official application routePublished
https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f52024e3-b812-11ed-5210-4cd98f768936

Costs and investment

Fees, income and savings thresholds, and investment amounts.

Present
Minimum investmentPublished
None required
Minimum passive investment (July 2026)Published
None required
Minimum active investment (July 2026)Published
None required
Processing feePublished
$287
Application feePublished
$287
Total cost to applyPublished
$574
Monthly income requiredPublished
$3,500/month
Monthly pension income requiredPublished
None required
Monthly rental income requiredPublished
None required
Savings requiredPublished
None required
Proof of sufficient fundsPublished
Yes
Local bank deposit requiredPublished
No
Minimum local bank depositPublished
None required
Fees paidPublished
Before approval

Presence and maintenance

Stay, renewal, and how long the status lasts.

Present
Stay required to keep statusPublished
2 days/year
Minimum days per year in country (July 2026 figure)Published
183 days/year
Physical presence requiredPublished
Yes
In-country visit requiredPublished
Yes
Move-in windowPublished
0 months
Length of residencyPublished
12 months
Residency is lifetimePublished
No
RenewablePublished
Yes
Maximum durationUnknown
Unknown
Maximum duration is lifetimePublished
Yes
Stay rule (Sept 2026)Published
Visa is void after 6+ months outside the UAE (so return at least every 6 months)
Tax residency rulePublished
Individuals present 183 days or more in a 12-month period are tax residents; UAE/GCC nationals or residents with a permanent home or business in the UAE qualify at 90 days
Personal income taxPublished
No personal income tax

Rights and onward pathways

Work, healthcare and other rights, and the path to permanent residence and citizenship.

Present
Time to permanent residencyUnknown
Unknown
Time to citizenshipUnknown
Unknown
Work for a local employerPublished
No
Start a businessPublished
No
Remote or freelance workPublished
Yes
Local healthcare accessPublished
Yes
University accessPublished
Yes
Can buy landPublished
Yes
Local bankingPublished
Yes
Permanent residence timeline basisPublished
Not applicable
Citizenship timeline basisPublished
Not applicable

Risks, limitations, and uncertainty

Notes on changes, conflicts, and limits.

Present
Plan B note (Sept 2026)Published
Income bar raised to US$5,000/month by a Jan 2026 circular (official page still shows US$3,500); 1 year, renewable

Sources, freshness, and conflict disclosure

Where the CitizensOS Mobility Asset Database took these facts from.

Present
Official program websitePublished
https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/residence-visa-for-working-outside-the-uae/dubai-virtual-working-programme
Plan B sources (Sept 2026)Published
https://blog.wego.com/uae-remote-work-visa/ | https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/node/13964 | https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/residence-visa-for-working-outside-the-uae | https://wiki.private.law/en/uae-remote-work-visa

Every fact on this page comes from the CitizensOS Mobility Asset Database (Sep 21, 2026 edition). A blank is shown as Unknown.

This anonymous dossier is read-only research. It does not establish personal fit, eligibility, legal or tax advice, filing, approval, residence, citizenship, or a held Right.