Lieutenant-General Mohammed Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), told local media on April 2 that “more people are moving to Dubai than leaving,” crediting streamlined border technology, multi-year residency pathways and quality-of-life improvements for the trend. While exact figures were not disclosed, Al Marri said inbound residency approvals in Q1 2026 outpaced cancellations “by a significant margin,” reversing the net-outflow recorded during the height of regional flight disruptions in February. The official highlighted the Green Visa, updated Remote Working Visa and a property-linked Golden Visa threshold fixed at AED 2 million as policy drivers attracting skilled professionals and entrepreneurs. For employers, the statement signals that talent availability in Dubai is recovering, easing some of the recruitment bottlenecks seen earlier in the year. However, rising demand is already feeding into the rental market; consultancies report double-digit rent increases in prime districts, a factor relocation budgets must accommodate. Al Marri’s remarks also underline the strategic link between immigration facilitation and Dubai’s broader economic positioning. Companies planning new projects or regional headquarters may find it easier to secure staff visas—but should move quickly before housing and schooling capacity tightens further.
Source: The Global Filipino Magazine
