Abu Dhabi digital nomad visa is designed to give the remote worker the flexibility and ease to work in the emirate without needing a national sponsor for a year. This visa is the second one to be introduced into the United Arab Emirates after neighbor Dubai introduced their remote worker visa.
The largest of the seven emirates that make up the federation of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is also the capital and wealthiest of the seven emirates. Blessed with 96% of the country’s abundant oil reserves, Abu Dhabi powers the UAE economy despite it being lesser known than it’s famous neighbor, Dubai.
Abu Dhabi has traditionally been a smaller city compared to Dubai which is a global business hub, but that is changing. The emirate is taking steps to diversify from oil revenue and has made itself an attractive destination for digital nomads by improving its tourism sector—it now hosts the second Formula One race in the Middle East.
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Is It Possible To Work Remotely in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Traditionally, the UAE and by extension Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been a magnet for migrant workers with many of them hailing from Asia, Africa and Europe—the majority originate from the Indian subcontinent, Bangladesh and the Philippines. In fact as of 2021, over 90% of the country’s population comprises immigrant labor—the country is clearly no stranger to foreign labor. 1
However, not until recently did the UAE open its doors to workers who are not seeking employment within its borders, but have their own sources of income from foreign sources. It has now become possible to work remotely in Abu Dhabi and Dubai which is good news for the free soul wondering on how to become a digital nomad.
Does the UAE Issue a Remote Work Visa?
The UAE does offer two visas for digital nomads. The emirate of Dubai was the first to launch a remote worker visa for freelancers in March 2021 known as Virtual Work Residence Visa. 2
Abu Dhabi launched its digital nomad visa in 2023, dubbed the Remote Worker Visa which entitles remote workers residence in the emirate for a year having met certain requirements such as income thresholds. 3 This visa allows its holder to renew it once the first year has elapsed.
The Abu Dhabi digital nomad visa gives the holder the right to reside in the emirate without needing a sponsor. Typically, sponsors are needed to obtain resident permits in the UAE. These include employers, citizens when employing domestic workers or even airlines that facilitate tourist visas when booking flights. This visa eliminates this intermediate.
Eligibility for the Abu Dhabi Digital Nomad Visa
The remote worker visa issued by the Government of Abu Dhabi has only two eligibility requirements:
- A freelancer or remote worker must work for a foreign company not based in the emirate and must have the ability to work remotely. Online entrepreneurs are also eligible for this visa as long they meet the income requirements.
- Applicants must generate a monthly income of at least US $3,500.
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Requirements for the UAE Remote Worker Visa
The requirements for the Abu Dhabi remote worker visa are the documents that prove the eligibility for the applicant for this type of visa and those that Abu Dhabi requires of the remote worker. They include proof of remote work, income requirement and passport.
Proof of Remote Work— The applicant will need to prove their work which can be a letter from an employer showing that applicant is employed or has a source of foreign income from an entity outside the UAE.
Income Requirement—Evidence showing a monthly income of US $3,500 which can be in the form of bank statements. A salary slip for the last month and the bank statement must show at least 3 months of pay activity.
Valid Passport—The applicant’s passport should have a validity of 6 months when applying for the remote worker visa.
Health Insurance—Medical insurance is not free for non-citizens of the UAE; digital nomads must carry health insurance for the duration of stay in the emirate.
Apply for the Abu Dhabi Remote Worker Visa
Applying for the Abu Dhabi digital nomad visa is easy and straightforward and is done online from anywhere in the world—there is no need to visit the embassy. Follow the steps below to apply for the visa.
Gather All the Documents—Collect all the documents outlined above to prepare to apply for the visa.
Apply Online— Visit the Abu Dhabi Resident’s Office to lodge the application and upload documents. Contact the Abu Dhabi Resident’s Office for any questions and inquiries. It is possible to apply for this visa while in the UAE through accredited agencies that process visa applications.
Email— The office will send you an email with instructions and how to pay for the visa as well.
Medical Appointment— All resident holders are required to undergo medical tests and the email should have instructions on how to do this. The test can also be performed while the applicant is already in the UAE.
Arrive in Abu Dhabi— This visa gets the applicant entry into the UAE and an email will be sent to the holder letting them know to visit the Resident’s Office to have their passport stamped.
Emirates ID— An Emirates ID is issued a few days after arrival into the UAE and proves residency; it is mandatory for all citizens and residents to have this ID. 4 The Emirates ID an important document as it allows the holder to open bank accounts, rent an apartment and access government services.
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Processing Time & Costs for the Abu Dhabi Freelance Work Visa
The remote worker visa has a fairly short processing time and it varies between applicants—typical range is 30-60 days. Cost for the visa is US $287 and there are additional costs to acquire the Emirates ID and payment for the health insurance.
Life in Abu Dhabi as a Digital Nomad
Abu Dhabi is among the newest destinations that offers a digital nomad visa, but the emirate and country are not strangers to having foreign workers. Taking advantage of this new type of workforce, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself to compete with its more commercial neighbor Dubai by attracting world class talent. Overall, the UAE and Abu Dhabi included is ranked as the fourth best place to live in the world. 5
The city is known for being more family friendly than fast paced Dubai famous for its gleaming towers. Abu Dhabi is still a vibrant city with trade and tourism taking a front seat in daily economic activity. The city is famous for opulence and luxury and has a fairly high standard of living, but also observes fairly strict moral standards due to Islam being the main religion. Abu Dhabi is among the safest cities in the world and in 2023, it was placed at 3rd in the world. 6
It is a melting pot for many cultures and tolerance for other cultures is a top priority for the city. Abu Dhabi has a world class and state of the art infrastructure and the remote worker won’t be denied any of the perks that come with living in a digital city. There is plenty to do; from activities on the corniche to hosting a Formula One race, Abu Dhabi is rapidly becoming a hotspot for digital nomads.
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Cost of Living of Living in Abu Dhabi
One of the biggest drawbacks of living in Abu Dhabi is the cost of living—Abu Dhabi is ranked as the third most expensive city in the Middle East behind Tel Aviv and Dubai—it ranks 43rd globally. 7 However, the city is still more affordable than many American cities. Average monthly costs for example for a single person is US $1,000; this is 42% less expensive than New York. A single person can expect to pay rent on average 57.4% lower than in New York City.
Tourist Attractions in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is awash with tourist attractions especially in recent years as the emirate and city attempt to diversify away from oil revenues. The Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi carries out regular studies to analyze the well-being of its residents and their happiness index— a primary quality of life indicator—to this effect, the work life balance index is up almost 20%.
It’s safe to say that Abu Dhabi strives to keep its workers and tourists happy. With that said, some of the famous tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi Corniche
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Yas Island which includes the Yas Marina Formula One Circuit and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
- Hudayriyat Island
- Saadiyat Cultural District famous for Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi and Manarat Al Saadiyat
- Zayed Sports City (ZSC)
- Golf Courses such as Yas Links Abu Dhabi, Yas Acres Golf and Country Club, Saadiyat Beach and Golf Club and the Abu Dhabi Golf Club
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Ideal Locations To Reside in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has residential areas that cater to different budgets and the city does not disappoint on the quality of architecture. Many housing options offer world class standards and recognizable classic layouts such as American kitchens.
Digital nomads don’t have to worry about location when it comes to amenities as most residential areas have shopping, schools and hospitals close by. Many are not located too far from entertainment spots. Here are the ten most popular communities to live in Abu Dhabi:
- Yas Island
- Saadiyat Island
- Khalifa City
- Al Mushrif
- Al Khalidiyah
- Al Reem Island
- Al Reef
- Al Raha Beach
- Mohammed Bin Zayed City
- Corniche Area
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Tax Structure for Remote Workers in Abu Dhabi
One of the benefits of working in Abu Dhabi is that the UAE does not levy any personal income tax. However, there is a Value Added Tax (VAT) charged at a rate of 5% which is applied to the majority of goods and services—this was recently introduced in 2018. The cost of living did increase slightly but the emirate is still competitive compared to many global cities.
There is also an excise tax that is imposed on goods deemed as healthy or damaging to the environment; these include carbonated drinks and cigarettes.
Amenities for Remote Workers in Abu Dhabi (Internet Connectivity, Coworking Spaces, Banking, Healthcare)
Abu Dhabi has a state of the art and world class infrastructure to support and diversify its economy away from oil revenue drawn from its massive oil deposits. The county has a well-developed transportation system of highways and is well connected to the internet through the state-owned Etisalat.
The largest and wealthiest of the emirates has an advanced health care system that rivals that in the western world. Remote workers and freelancers will have no problem adjusting to living in Abu Dhabi as the emirate has an ecosystem that is well suited to a digital worker.
Internet Connectivity in Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates has a very well-developed telecommunications network and a high internet penetration with 99% of the country’s population online. UAE has developed the most sophisticated, stable and technically advanced network in this part of the world consisting of a fiber optic network and a digital network. Furthermore, according to Etisalat, Abu Dhabi has the fastest fiber optic network in the world.
Average broadband speeds clock in at an astronomical download rate of 270.24 Mbps for broadband and 205.69 for mobile data. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, shopping malls and coffee shops. This is particularly helpful since the high quality internet comes with a price in Abu Dhabi—it is costly.
Coworking Spaces in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has a developed coworking space ecosystem with many companies having offerings in key and strategic locations in the city. In spite of the internet being widely available in Abu Dhabi, the digital nomad may have difficulty having an ideal set up should they choose a café or mall to work from.
These tend to be crowded (although this can be cured with a Spacetop laptop), may have inaccessible plug sockets, uncomfortable seating and the risk of being kicked out after spending too much time. Fortunately, there are coworking spaces dotted around the city and some of them are listed below.
Banking in Abu Dhabi
Banking in the UAE and Abu Dhabi is highly regarded worldwide and many international banks have set up shop in the city. While many of the famous banks are positioned in Dubai, Abu Dhabi is headquarters of the biggest bank in the country, the First Abu Dhabi Bank and international players such as Deutsche bank, Citi Bank, Bank of New York and Bank of China.
Islamic banking plays a major role in the monetary system—this type of banking follows set guidelines and principles derived from Islamic law (Sharia law). 8 The most significant concept of this type of banking is the banning of interest known as riba in monetary transactions.
The main currency in the UAE is the Dirham (AED) and is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 3.67 AED. Residents can easily open bank accounts with an Emirates ID card and most banks provide the usual perks found in advanced countries such as online, mobile banking or remote opening of bank accounts. Here is a list of banks in the UAE.
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Healthcare in Abu Dhabi
The UAE maintains a national health service which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Prevention—however Abu Dhabi has its own health authority known as the Department of Health which is tasked with setting healthcare policies in the emirate. 9 10
Emiratis enjoy free healthcare benefits, but residents are required by law to carry health insurance which is generally provided by sponsors. In the case of remote workers, they will need to obtain their own health insurance as they are self-sponsoring.
The UAE has well-funded and comprehensive healthcare alongside an exponentially growing private sector that delivers high quality care to citizens and residents including pre and post-natal care. Infectious diseases such as malaria and polio are non-existent and life expectancy in the UAE is 79 years in 2021. 11 12
Abu Dhabi has more than 65 hospitals, almost 800 clinics and over 1500 medical centers—needless to say, the digital nomad need not worry about getting sick and not receiving adequate care whilst living in the city.
Pros of Working as a Freelancer in Abu Dhabi
There are many benefits of a digital nomad life in Abu Dhabi, including access to one of the safest cities in the world and the most progressively digital location in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi digital nomad visa holders can expect the following advantages.
- No income tax imposed on salary; this applies to all workers in the UAE regardless if they work remotely.
- Abu Dhabi is among the safest cities in the world with an almost zero crime rate.
- Plenty of tourist activities such as luxurious world class shopping, Formula One Racing, renowned art exhibitions and clean white beaches.
- Access to high quality education and healthcare.
- Networking with global professionals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
- Ideal time zone to facilitate easier global coverage.
- Unrivaled digital, transportation and communication infrastructure in the region.
- Perfect location to raise a family in a tolerant Muslim society with ideal values.
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Alternative Countries in Asia That Offer Visas for Digital Nomads
Other than the UAE, several Asian countries offer a digital nomad visa—this is ideal for remote workers who want to expand their journey into the continent or want an alternative to the UAE. These include Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Taiwan— Taiwan has a visa known as the Gold Card that is not designed for remote workers, but which digital nomads could use. It is an open-ended work permit meant to attract skilled workers such as doctors and lawyers. It does have a high monthly income requirement at US $5,700.
Malaysia—The Malaysian offering is known as the DE Rantau nomad pass and is valid for 12 months with an option to extend for another year. Its application fee is US $215 and an additional US $110 for dependents; it has a monthly salary requirement of US $2,000.
Indonesia—Indonesia offers remote workers a chance to work in the country using the B211A visitor visa. While the country is still working on an official visa for digital nomads, freelancers and entrepreneurs can work legally using this tourist visa.
Thailand—Thailand has a long term resident visa (LTR) which is valid for 10 years and is targeted at work from home professionals, high net worth individuals and highly skilled professionals.
Dubai— Abu Dhabi’s more well-known neighbor has a digital nomad visa for remote workers and entrepreneurs. It is valid for one year and costs US $287 and has a high monthly requirement set at US $5,000.
Courtesy : Photo by Robin Noguier on Unsplash
The Abu Dhabi digital nomad visa gives remote workers a chance to enjoy this beautiful emirate while enjoying living in one of the safest and progressive cities in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Processing Time for the UAE Remote Work Visa?
The Abu Dhabi digital nomad visa is processed in 30-60 days.
Can the Remote Work Visa in Abu Dhabi Be Extended?
Yes, holders of the visa may choose to extend it.
What Income Amount Is Sufficient To Live in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
A monthly salary of AED 10,000 to 15,000 (USD 2,700 to 4,000) should allow someone to live comfortably while still being able to save somewhat. However, a salary of AED 15,000 to 20,000 (USD 4,000 to 5,400) is deemed attractive to enjoy living in the UAE.
Is There a Tax for Digital Nomads in Abu Dhabi
No, digital nomads are not taxed on their income in Abu Dhabi.
What Countries Offer Digital Nomad Visas?
All continents on the globe have countries that offer digital nomad visas. These include Estonia, Spain, Taiwan, Mexico, St. Lucia, Hungary and Bermuda.
What Country Has Highest Approval Rates for a Digital Nomad Visa?
As of 2023, reports show Croatia has issued a total of 680 digital nomad visas out of 1,393 giving the country an approval rate of 48.8%.
What Is the Abu Dhabi Mission Visa?
The Abu Dhabi Mission Visa is a 90-day visa issued to expats to work for a brief time which is typical of those on a contract.
References
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[2] Dubai, G. o. (2023). Residence visa for working outside the UAE. Retrieved 2023, from https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/residence-visa-for-working-outside-the-uae
[3] Office, A. D. (2023). Remote Work Visa. Retrieved 2023, from https://www.adro.gov.ae/Remote-Work-Visa/Remote-Work-Visa
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[5] Expat, H. (2021). 2021 league table. Retrieved 2023, from https://www.expat.hsbc.com/expat-explorer/league-table/
[6] Numbeo. (2023). Current Safety Index by City. Retrieved 2023, from https://www.numbeo.com/crime/rankings_current.jsp?displayColumn=1
[7] Mercer. (2023). Cost of Living City Ranking 2023 . Retrieved 2023, from https://www.mercer.com/insights/total-rewards/talent-mobility-insights/cost-of-living
[8] El-Gamal, M. (2000, June). A Basic Guide to Contemporary Islamic Banking and Finance. Retrieved 2023, from https://www.ruf.rice.edu/~elgamal/files/primer.pdf
[9] Prevention, U. A.-M. (2023). Retrieved 2023, from https://mohap.gov.ae/en
[10] Health, D. o. (2023). Retrieved 2023, from https://www.doh.gov.ae/en/
[11] D.C, E. o.-W. (2023). HEALTHCARE. Retrieved 2023, from https://www.uae-embassy.org/discover-uae/society/healthcare
[12] Bank, T. W. (2021). Life expectancy at birth, total (years) – United Arab Emirates. Retrieved 2023, from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?locations=AE
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