Latest news with #VisaGuideDigitalNomadVisaIndex
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Digital nomads choose UAE: Country emerges as top destination for remote workers; what's driving its global rise?
Representative photo The United Arab Emirates has been ranked the second most attractive destination for digital nomads in 2025, according to the latest VisaGuide Digital Nomad Visa Index, as reported by The Economic Times. The UAE moved up from fourth place in 2023, now surpassing countries like Montenegro, the Bahamas, and Hungary, with only Spain ahead on the list. Strong performance across key areas The index evaluates countries based on criteria such as internet quality, tax environment, cost of living, healthcare, and safety, areas where the UAE continues to perform well. The rise reflects not just better amenities, but also a long-term national strategy focused on remote work, innovation, and infrastructure. Policy reforms fuel growth The UAE's improved ranking is attributed in part to its early adoption of remote work policies. In March 2021, the country introduced a remote work visa, allowing foreign professionals to live in the UAE while working for overseas employers. This initiative led to further programs, including Dubai's Remote Work Visa and Abu Dhabi's Virtual Working Programme. A growing global workforce The digital nomad lifestyle has grown rapidly since the pandemic, with around 40 million people now identifying as location-independent workers. The global remote work economy is valued at $800 billion, and projections suggest that by 2035, up to one billion people could join the digital nomad workforce. According to experts, including Arab Digital Nomads platform founder Mohammad Alard, the UAE could strengthen its leadership by expanding affordable housing, promoting cultural assets, and building ties with global nomad communities, reported ET. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time Out Abu Dhabi
14 hours ago
- Business
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
The UAE is one of the best places for digital nomads in the world and here's why
If you needed another reason to feel smug about living in the UAE, let us throw another one in. The country just ranked second in the world for digital nomads in 2025, edging out the likes of the Bahamas and Hungary and landing just behind Spain. Not bad for a place where winter means 25°C and your local café serves camel milk lattes (trust us, they're delish). Thanks to top-tier internet, excellent safety, sunshine all year round and a slew of forward-thinking visa policies, the UAE has become a remote work magnet. According to the VisaGuide Digital Nomad Visa Index, the country jumped from fourth in 2023 to second in 2025, proving it's not just chasing the trend – it's leading it. Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are now locked in as must-consider destinations for anyone living the laptop lifestyle. Abu Dhabi ranks as the world's #4 city for remote work, while Dubai is #1. So why is the UAE so attractive for digital nomads? Besides the obvious draws (luxury living, beach clubs, world-class coworking spaces), the UAE was one of the first to launch a remote work visa back in 2021. This visa lets you live in the UAE while working for companies abroad – meaning you get all the perks of city life, without the local job hunt. There's more: Ultra-fast internet (because buffering is a buzzkill) A diverse, multicultural expat community Top-notch healthcare Zero income tax Next-level safety and stability And then there's the lifestyle – from early morning runs along the Corniche to late-night shawarma runs in Reem and lazy Sundays on the beach in Saadiyat. Digital nomadism is no longer niche Fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the remote work movement has gone mainstream. Nearly 40 million people now identify as digital nomads – that's more than the population of Canada. By 2035, that number could balloon to 1 billion, thanks to 5G, smart tech and a global craving for flexible work-life balance. And entrepreneurs and remote professionals are already flocking here – and leaders say the country is just getting started. Whether you're a startup founder, freelance creative, or Zoom call warrior, the UAE is open and welcoming to digital nomads from around the globe. With smart policies, next-gen infrastructure and a world-class lifestyle, this country isn't just on the map – it is the map. Things to do this summer in Abu Dhabi The 27 best things to do indoors this summer in Abu Dhabi It's time for some air-conditioned bliss The best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi Big on flavour, low on cost 25 brilliant beach and pool day passes in Abu Dhabi Grab your SPF – a lush day by the water awaits
Gulf Insider
20 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
UAE Ranks Second Globally for Digital Nomads
The UAE has climbed to second place globally as a top destination for digital nomads in 2025, according to new rankings by Immigrant Invest and the VisaGuide Digital Nomad Visa Index. This marks a major leap from fourth place in 2023 and places the UAE just behind Spain, ahead of global competitors such as the Bahamas, Montenegro, and Hungary. The rankings were based on key indicators including internet quality, tax policy, cost of living, healthcare, safety, and long-term stability — all areas where the UAE continues to perform strongly. With remote work now powering $800bn in the global economy, governments worldwide are competing to attract this fast-growing segment of talent — and the UAE has emerged as a global leader. Mohammad Alard, digital nomad and founder of the Arab Digital Nomads platform and community, highlighted the UAE's regional leadership. He said: 'The UAE is not only participating in this race but leading it. I visited the UAE multiple times and lived in Sharjah, where I personally witnessed the advanced digital infrastructure, widespread high-speed internet, availability of co-working spaces, and a culturally diverse society.' Alard highlighted how cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are now competing with the world's top remote work hubs, citing Dubai's top global ranking and Abu Dhabi's fourth-place spot in RemoteWork360's latest report. Alard said: 'Dubai can be classified as a global digital business hub competing with cities like Bangkok, Barcelona or Cape Town.' The UAE has strategically positioned itself as a magnet for remote professionals by investing in infrastructure, policy, and lifestyle offerings. Its advantages include: A renewable one-year remote work visa, first introduced in March 2021 Dubai's Remote Work Visa and Abu Dhabi's Virtual Working Programme, tailored for global professionals High-speed 5G networks, widespread digital infrastructure, and modern co-working spaces Zero income tax, competitive cost of living, and access to world-class healthcare and safety A welcoming environment for tech founders and entrepreneurs, with clear legal frameworks Strong global visibility, with Dubai ranked No. 1 and Abu Dhabi ranked No. 4 for remote work cities These efforts are aligned with the UAE's broader strategy to build a future-ready, diversified economy and attract high-value talent from around the world. There are currently 40 million digital nomads worldwide, a number projected to soar to 1bn by 2035 — equivalent to nearly one-third of the global workforce. This trend, accelerated by the Covid-10 pandemic and powered by 5G, IoT, and hybrid work, has transformed digital nomadism from a fringe lifestyle into a mainstream global movement. As the digital nomad economy continues to grow, the early-mover advantage in the United Arab Emirates, progressive visa policies, and high quality of life are making it one of the most attractive places on earth for remote work. Spain UAE Montenegro Bahamas Hungary Canada Romania Portugal Brazil Curaçao Also read: Good News: Bangladeshis Can Now Apply For UAE Golden Visa Remotely
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
UAE rises to second position globally for Digital Nomads in 2025
You Might Also Like: Indians can now get UAE's Golden Visa without trade license, property purchase The United Arab Emirates has secured the second spot globally as a preferred destination for digital nomads in 2025, according to the latest VisaGuide Digital Nomad Visa Index. The UAE has moved up from fourth place in 2023, reflecting strong national efforts to attract remote workers through policy innovation and digital took the top position, with the UAE ahead of countries like Montenegro, the Bahamas, and rise in rankings highlights the UAE's focus on long-term planning rather than short-term tourism revenue. Evaluators looked at several factors such as internet quality, tax environment, cost of living, healthcare, and overall nomadism, once seen as a niche, has grown significantly since the pandemic. Around 40 million people now identify as digital nomads globally. If counted as a nation, they would form the 41st largest population in the world.'The UAE is not only participating in this race but leading it, ' commenting on the UAE's position, Mohammad Alard, founder of the Arab Digital Nomads platform, said to Gulf News. He noted the appeal of high-speed internet, co-working spaces, and a multicultural society.'Dubai and Abu Dhabi are now must-consider destinations on the global digital nomad map. Dubai, in particular, competes with Bangkok, Barcelona, and Cape Town as a business and lifestyle hub,' he also highlighted that digital entrepreneurs and startup founders are increasingly choosing the UAE for its safety, legal structure, and focus on UAE introduced a remote work visa in March 2021, becoming one of the first countries to offer a renewable one-year residency for remote workers employed by overseas companies. This initiative laid the foundation for further programs like Abu Dhabi's Virtual Working Programme and Dubai's Remote Work to RemoteWork360, Dubai is now ranked as the number one city globally for remote work, with Abu Dhabi in fourth remote work now forming an $800 billion global economy, governments around the world are competing to attract this mobile workforce. The UAE has positioned itself as a frontrunner by providing both stability and modern work ahead, experts estimate that by 2035, as many as one billion people, nearly a third of the global workforce,could adopt digital nomad lifestyles. This shift is being powered by 5G networks, IoT, and demand for flexible work suggested that the UAE could strengthen its position by collaborating more closely with the global digital nomad community, expanding affordable housing, and promoting its natural and cultural offerings to a broader group of remote its early investments in digital policy and infrastructure already showing results, the UAE is now seen as a strong contender to become the global capital of remote work in the coming years.
Time Out Dubai
a day ago
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
UAE is one of the best places for digital nomads in the world
If you need another reason to feel smug about living in the UAE, let us throw one more in. The country just ranked second in the world for digital nomads in 2025, edging out the likes of the Bahamas and Hungary and landing just behind Spain. Not bad for a place where winter means 25°C and your local café serves camel milk lattes (trust us, they're delish). Thanks to top-tier internet, excellent safety, sunshine all year round and a slew of forward-thinking visa policies, the UAE has become a remote work magnet. According to the VisaGuide Digital Nomad Visa Index, the country jumped from fourth in 2023 to second in 2025, proving it's not just chasing the trend – it's leading it. Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are now locked in as must-consider destinations for anyone living the laptop lifestyle. Abu Dhabi ranks as the world's #4 city for remote work, while Dubai is #1. So why is the UAE so attractive for digital nomads? Besides the obvious draws (luxury living, beach clubs, world-class coworking spaces), the UAE was one of the first to launch a remote work visa back in 2021. This visa lets you live in the UAE while working for companies abroad – meaning you get all the perks of city life, without the local job hunt. There's more: Ultra-fast internet (because buffering is a buzzkill) A diverse, multicultural expat community Top-notch healthcare Zero income tax Next-level safety and stability And then there's the lifestyle – from early morning runs along the Corniche to late-night shawarma runs in Reem and lazy Sundays on the beach in Saadiyat. Digital nomadism is no longer niche Fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the remote work movement has gone mainstream. Nearly 40 million people now identify as digital nomads – that's more than the population of Canada. By 2035, that number could balloon to 1 billion, thanks to 5G, smart tech and a global craving for flexible work-life balance. And entrepreneurs and remote professionals are already flocking here – and leaders say the country is just getting started. Whether you're a startup founder, freelance creative, or Zoom call warrior, the UAE is open and welcoming to digital nomads from around the globe. With smart policies, next-gen infrastructure and a world-class lifestyle, this country isn't just on the map – it is the map. You might also like: UAE public holidays: Every long weekend to look forward to in 2025 The dates to know 22 pictures that show how much Dubai has changed from the 1950s to today Take a look at these unrecognisable photos of the city 112 best things to do in Dubai in 2025 Everything to tick off your Dubai bucket list
