The General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs-Dubai (GDRFA) quietly refreshed its ‘Visa Issuance (Virtual Work)’ service page on 24 July 2026, clarifying key parameters for remote employees who wish to live in Dubai while working for overseas employers. The page now states that applicants receive an initial 60-day entry permit to complete residence-visa formalities upon arrival, replacing the previous 30-day window. It reconfirms the AED 200 base visa fee (plus AED 20 in Knowledge and Innovation Dirhams and AED 500 if applying in-country) and maintains the minimum salary threshold of USD 3,500 per month. Applicants must present proof of foreign employment, a six-month bank statement and UAE-compliant health insurance. Why it matters: The tweaks reduce pressure on inbound remote workers to finalise biometrics, Emirates ID registration and tenancy contracts within a month—pain points frequently cited by relocation advisers. They also align Dubai’s process more closely with the federal Remote Work Visa recently highlighted by the ICP, giving international talent a clearer, more consistent pathway into the UAE. Employers can leverage the scheme to base project teams in Dubai without establishing a local entity, but should note that salary must continue to be paid from abroad; on-shore work for UAE companies remains prohibited. Companies deploying staff under this route should update assignment letters to reflect the extended grace period and budget for roughly AED 1,050 in total immigration charges after medicals, ID card and visa stamping. Global-mobility practitioners should also brief assignees on the family-sponsorship allowance (co-terminous with the one-year residence) and remind them that local healthcare coverage is mandatory even if the employing entity is outside the UAE.
Source: GDRFA Dubai
