Latest news with #VisaGuide
Arabian Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
UAE Emerges as Premier Hub for Digital Nomads
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi, Dubai – The United Arab Emirates has climbed to second place in the 2025 VisaGuide Digital Nomad Visa Index, surpassing established destinations such as the Bahamas, Hungary, and Montenegro, and trailing only Spain. This ascent reflects the UAE's strategic pivot from an oil-driven economy to a digital-first global destination, underpinned by technological infrastructure, favourable tax regimes, and quality of life enhancements. With a score of 4.48 out of 5, the UAE trails Spain's top score of 5.00 on the index. VisaGuide's assessment considered six key factors: cost of living, visa income thresholds, taxation policies, internet connectivity, healthcare provisions, and tourism appeal. Among these, the UAE excels particularly in internet speed—the highest among index participants—and its zero income tax environment. Industry experts highlight the UAE's Virtual Working Programme as central to its success. The visa requires applicants to demonstrate a monthly income of at least USD 5,000, but offers long-term stability with a one-year renewable visa and a pathway to tax residency after 183 days of occupancy. As a result, the nation is increasingly perceived as a strategic location for professionals seeking financial efficiency and high-speed connectivity. ADVERTISEMENT Beyond the index metrics, the UAE has invested heavily in public–private partnerships aimed at improving urban liveability. Smart city initiatives in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have brought upgrades to healthcare, public transport, cultural amenities, and green spaces—features that cater to both expatriates and nomads. Local business leaders report rising demand for flexible work hubs, with coworking operators expanding operations across the emirates to accommodate this new demographic. At the same time, the nation's positioning as a global events centre—hosting high-profile conventions, sporting events and art exhibitions—has enhanced its appeal. The UAE now markets itself as a lifestyle destination which balances professional infrastructure and cultural vibrancy. Global digital nomad trends further bolster the UAE's rise. Industry reports suggest there are now between 40 and 80 million digital nomads worldwide, with significant proportions working in full-time remote positions. The majority are aged between 25 and 44, well-educated, and drawn to locations offering work–life synergies, cost-efficiency and mobility—all areas where the UAE measures strongly. Nevertheless, some critique remains. The USD 5,000 income requirement places the UAE out of reach for lower-earning nomads, in contrast to more accessible programmes in Eastern Europe or Latin America. That said, proponents argue the premium threshold aligns with the UAE's higher cost of living and positions the country as a destination for highly skilled professionals capable of contributing to its Vision 2030 economic diversification goals. VisaGuide's shift in ranking—from fourth place in 2023 to second in 2025—signals a rapidly evolving policy landscape. Since launching the Virtual Working Programme in mid-2021, the government has continued refining visa issuance processes, digitising applications, and exploring expanded visa durations and multi-entry permits. Such developments are likely to reinforce the UAE's standing as a top-tier remote-work hub as demand continues to grow. Looking ahead, rising competition from Spain and Montenegro—which offer lower income thresholds and EU access—suggests the UAE must maintain its digital edge. Experts recommend continued investment in affordable living solutions, broadband enhancements, and nomad-focused community services. The introduction of satellite cities and regional hubs is also under consideration to spread digital infrastructure beyond the emirate centres. For aspiring nomads plotting their next move, the UAE's rapid climb sends a clear message: remote work is no longer tethered to temperate climates or journey-to-work simplicity. With its borderless toolkit—tax freedom, connectivity, modern urbanism—it has repositioned itself as a compelling alternative to traditional European destinations.
Gulf Business
4 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
UAE stakes claim as global capital for digital nomads
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Once known primarily for its oil wealth and gleaming skyscrapers, the UAE is now carving out a new global identity as a magnet for digital nomads, according to a report published by the state news agency WAM. Rising to second place globally in the 2025 VisaGuide Digital Nomad Visa Index , the UAE has become one of the world's most attractive destinations for remote workers, trailing only Spain and leapfrogging previous contenders such as the Bahamas, Hungary, and Montenegro. This quiet but steady ascent reflects a broader strategy by the UAE to diversify its economy and position itself at the crossroads of global talent, technology, and mobility. Rather than merely responding to the rise of remote work, the Gulf nation has anticipated it, building infrastructure, rolling out targeted visa programmes, and marketing its lifestyle offerings to a global audience of mobile professionals. UAE rates highly with digital nomads for various reasons According to Immigrant Invest , the UAE earned high marks across a wide range of indicators including internet quality, tax benefits, healthcare, cost of living, and, crucially, unmatched levels of safety and stability. Remote work, once a niche privilege, has now ballooned into a global economic force valued at around $800bn a year. Nearly 40 million people globally identify as digital nomads, a number projected to swell to one billion by 2035. If it were a country, the global digital nomad community would rank 41st in population, according to the report. Recognising the shift early, the UAE launched its one-year renewable Remote Work Visa in 2021, making it one of the first countries to tailor immigration policy to remote professionals. The move was swiftly followed by Abu Dhabi's Virtual Working Programme , reinforcing the country's intent to turn digital nomadism from a pandemic-era trend into a permanent pillar of its knowledge economy. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are now ranked first and fourth respectively among the world's top cities for remote work by RemoteWork360 . While infrastructure and visa policies provide the backbone, lifestyle remains a key selling point. From the beaches of Ras Al Khaimah to the art districts of Sharjah, the UAE is promoting itself as more than just an office in the sun but a place to live, explore and thrive. Read:
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Where can UK passport holders travel to without a visa? See all 153 destinations
Where is your dream holiday destination you want to explore? It could be one of the countries that require a visa to enter – sometimes visas are needed in order to check and control the flow of visitors in and out of the country or prevent issues like criminal activities from happening. As of February 2025, the UK passport ranked 38th in the world, according to VisaGuide Passport Index. See the full VisaGuide Passport Index here. This means that UK citizens can currently travel 'visa-free' to 153 countries across the globe. But to enter the remaining countries, UK passport holders must apply for a visa before visiting. As of April 2025, VisaGuide has outlined the countries UK passport holders can travel to 'visa-free': Europe Albania Andorra Austria Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czechia Denmark Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Kosovo Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Norway Poland Portugal Romania San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Ukraine Vatican City Remember to check your passport's expiry date before booking travel. The amount of time you need remaining on your passport depends on the country you're visiting. Find out more at: #PassportFirst ☀️ — His Majesty's Passport Office (@HM_Passport) April 28, 2025 Asia Armenia Brunei Georgia Hong Kong Israel Japan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Macau Malaysia Mongolia Oman Palestine Philippines Qatar Singapore South Korea Taiwan Thailand Türkiye United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam North America Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Bahamas Barbados Belize Bermuda British Virgin Islands Canada Caribbean Netherlands Cayman Islands Costa Rica Curaçao Dominica Dominican Republic El Salvador Greenland Grenada Guatemala Haiti Jamaica Mexico Montserrat Nicaragua Panama Puerto Rico Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands United States United States Virgin Islands South America Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Ecuador Falkland Islands French Guiana Guyana Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Oceana American Samoa Australia Cook Islands Fiji French Polynesia Guam Kiribati Marshall Islands Micronesia New Caledonia New Zealand Niue Northern Mariana Islands Vanuatu Africa Angola Botswana Cabo Verde Eswatini Gambia Kenya Lesotho Malawi Mauritius Mayotte Morocco Mozambique Namibia Réunion Rwanda São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal Seychelles South Africa Tunisia Zambia Recommended reading: What ID do I need for a UK passport? Full list of supporting documents required See the current wait time for renewing your UK passport in 2025 Examples of unacceptable damage on a passport and when to replace yours VisaGuide adds: "You need a valid visa to enter 19 countries with a UK passport. "It's essential to apply for the appropriate visa through the relevant consulate or embassy before traveling." You can see the full list on the VisaGuide website.
Shafaq News
15-03-2025
- Shafaq News
Iraq launches e-visa system for 37 nations
Shafaq News/ Iraq has removed the visa-on-arrival requirement for citizens from the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other countries, replacing it with an electronic visa (e-visa), according to Visa Guide, a website specializing in global visa news. The new changes, which came into effect on March 1, 2025, are expected to reduce waiting times at immigration checkpoints, as the advance e-visa will significantly streamline the entry process. The report highlighted that since the beginning of March, citizens from European Union countries no longer need a visa upon arrival in Iraq. The new measures also apply to citizens from non-EU countries including Australia, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, South Korea, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. According to the report, citizens of these countries must apply for an electronic visa before entering Iraq. The e-visa, which is valid for 60 days from the date of arrival, is issued for entry through Iraq's land, air, or sea borders. The e-visa system allows travelers from these countries to avoid visiting an Iraqi embassy or consulate for the visa application process. The report also recommended that travelers obtain health insurance before traveling to Iraq.
