Cabinet approves remote work, five-year tourist visas

The Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates recently approved plans for remote visas and a five-year tourist visa.

Key Points:

• Remote work visa. The remote work visa will be a one-year visa that will allow foreign nationals to live and work in the UAE, even if their company is based elsewhere. Applicants will not need to be sponsored by a UAE-based employer. Dubai launched a similar program in October; it will now be rolled out across the UAE. Additional information, including an implementation date, is expected soon.
• Five-year tourist visa. The five-year tourist visas will be valid for multiple entries and for stays of up to 90 days, extendable for an additional 90 days. The visas will be available to all nationalities, at the discretion of UAE authorities. Authorities first introduced five-year visas last year, but they were suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysis & Comments: The remote work visas will present an opportunity for employers and employees, particularly with the growth in the non-traditional workforce. Remote work programs carry a number of compliance risks, however, and applicants are encouraged to consult with Deloitte to assess whether the remote work visa is a good option for them.

The five-year tourist visas, meanwhile, will make travel to the UAE easier for frequent visitors. Travelers are reminded, however, that work activities are not permitted on tourist visas.

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