Latest news with #ImmigrantInvest
Gulf Insider
08-07-2025
- 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
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE emerges as global base for digital nomads
ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates has consolidated its status as a leading force and key player in the digital nomad economy, rising to second place globally as a top destination for digital nomads in 2025. This remarkable achievement, advancing from fourth place globally in 2023 according to the VisaGuide Digital Nomad Visa Index, reflects a forward-looking vision that goes beyond immediate economic gains, investing in people and digital infrastructure as future assets. The platform Immigrant Invest ranked the UAE second globally after Spain, ahead of countries such as Montenegro, the Bahamas and Hungary. The evaluation was based on strict criteria including internet quality, tax policies, cost of living, healthcare, and unmatched levels of safety and stability. With remote work transforming from a fringe concept to a global economic force valued at around US$800 billion annually, governments worldwide are now racing to attract this segment of talent. Mohammad Alard, digital nomad and founder of the Arab Digital Nomads platform and community, highlighted the UAE's regional leadership, saying, '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.' He noted the UAE's strong appeal to entrepreneurial digital nomads and tech startup founders seeking legal stability, security, and a high quality of life. 'UAE cities shine on the global map. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have solidified their positions as must-consider destinations,' he added. Alard further explained, 'Dubai can be classified as a global digital business hub competing with cities like Bangkok, Barcelona or Cape Town.' He cited tailored initiatives such as the Virtual Working Programme in Abu Dhabi and the Remote Work Visa in Dubai, which are designed to attract high-value professionals. Global rankings support this, with Dubai leading as the top city for remote work and Abu Dhabi ranked fourth, according to RemoteWork360. Recognising early the strategic value of attracting digital talent, the UAE launched a renewable one-year visa for digital nomads in March 2021, becoming one of the first countries to create an ideal environment for this workforce. These efforts align with an unprecedented global trend. What began as a quiet revolution powered by computing and the internet turned into a widespread movement during the COVID-19 pandemic, which compelled millions to embrace remote work. Today, digital nomadism is no longer a fringe lifestyle but a mainstream way of living, shared by nearly 40 million people globally. If this global movement were a country, it would rank 41st in population size. Looking ahead, projections suggest that by 2035, up to one billion people may live and work as digital nomads, comprising nearly one-third of the global workforce. This transformation, driven by 5G networks, the Internet of Things, and growing demand for flexible and hybrid work models, positions the UAE as an ideal candidate to become the leading global hub for remote work. To ensure long-term leadership, Alard advised enhancing engagement between official entities and the broader community of local and international digital nomads, supporting more affordable living options, and showcasing the UAE's natural and cultural appeal to attract a wider range of global talent.
Filipino Times
06-07-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
UAE ranks second globally as top destination for digital nomads in 2025
The United Arab Emirates has been ranked as the second-best country in the world for digital nomads in 2025, based on a global index released by the platform Immigrant Invest. The country climbed from fourth place in 2023, reflecting the country's continued investment in digital infrastructure, quality of life, and remote work initiatives. The ranking is based on key factors such as internet quality, tax policies, healthcare systems, cost of living, and safety, putting the UAE ahead of countries like Montenegro, the Bahamas, and Hungary, and just one spot behind Spain. Digital nomadism, once considered a niche lifestyle, is now a growing global workforce valued at around US$800 billion annually, WAM reported. Experts say the rise reflects the UAE's leadership in creating an environment where digital professionals can thrive. 'The UAE is not only participating in this race but leading it,' said Mohammad Alard, digital nomad and founder of the Arab Digital Nomads platform and community. He shared that during his visits and time living in Sharjah, he observed first-hand the country's advanced infrastructure and multicultural appeal. 'I personally witnessed the advanced digital infrastructure, widespread high-speed internet, availability of co-working spaces, and a culturally diverse society,' he said. He also explained that the country's environment appeals to remote workers looking for stability and quality living. 'UAE cities shine on the global map. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have solidified their positions as must-consider destinations,' he added. He also pointed to specific programs that support digital workers, including Dubai's Remote Work Visa and Abu Dhabi's Virtual Working Programme.
Gulf Business
05-07-2025
- 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:
Dubai Eye
05-07-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
UAE emerges as global base for digital nomads
The United Arab Emirates has consolidated its status as a leading force and key player in the digital nomad economy, rising to second place globally as a top destination for digital nomads in 2025. The platform Immigrant Invest ranked the UAE behind Spain, ahead of countries such as Montenegro, the Bahamas and Hungary. The evaluation was based on strict criteria including internet quality, tax policies, cost of living, healthcare, and unmatched levels of safety and stability. With remote work transforming from a fringe concept to a global economic force valued at around US$800 billion annually, governments worldwide are now racing to attract this segment of talent. Mohammad Alard, digital nomad and founder of the Arab Digital Nomads platform and community, highlighted the UAE's regional leadership, saying, '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.' He noted the UAE's strong appeal to entrepreneurial digital nomads and tech startup founders seeking legal stability, security, and a high quality of life. 'UAE cities shine on the global map. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have solidified their positions as must-consider destinations,' he added. Alard further explained, 'Dubai can be classified as a global digital business hub competing with cities like Bangkok, Barcelona or Cape Town.' He cited tailored initiatives such as the Virtual Working Programme in Abu Dhabi and the Remote Work Visa in Dubai, which are designed to attract high-value professionals. Global rankings support this, with Dubai leading as the top city for remote work and Abu Dhabi ranked fourth, according to RemoteWork360. Recognising early the strategic value of attracting digital talent, the UAE launched a renewable one-year visa for digital nomads in March 2021, becoming one of the first countries to create an ideal environment for this workforce. These efforts align with an unprecedented global trend. What began as a quiet revolution powered by computing and the internet turned into a widespread movement during the COVID-19 pandemic, which compelled millions to embrace remote work. Today, digital nomadism is no longer a fringe lifestyle but a mainstream way of living, shared by nearly 40 million people globally. If this global movement were a country, it would rank 41st in population size. Looking ahead, projections suggest that by 2035, up to one billion people may live and work as digital nomads, comprising nearly one-third of the global workforce. This transformation, driven by 5G networks, the Internet of Things, and growing demand for flexible and hybrid work models, positions the UAE as an ideal candidate to become the leading global hub for remote work. To ensure long-term leadership, Alard advised enhancing engagement between official entities and the broader community of local and international digital nomads, supporting more affordable living options, and showcasing the UAE's natural and cultural appeal to attract a wider range of global talent.
