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Your UK tax
The UAE charges 0% personal income tax, but moving does not end your UK tax on its own. Whether you stop being UK tax-resident is decided by the Statutory Residence Test, based on your days in the UK and your ties.
You need to genuinely leave, count your days carefully, and usually file a P85 with HMRC. Get this wrong and you could still owe UK tax.
Your UK employer
Your employer has to be happy for you to work from the UAE. Their main considerations are UK payroll, social security and their own remote-work policy.
For a single remote employee, a UK company with no UAE presence usually does not create a UAE tax issue. It is still worth a quick review, especially if your role involves signing contracts or bringing in revenue.
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Dubai remote work visa cost in 2026
This is one of the cheapest routes to UAE residency, because there is no company or licence behind it. Government fees start from around AED 1,535, including your Emirates ID. On top of that you need UAE health insurance, and our service fee is shown separately.
- Government fees from about AED 1,535
- Emirates ID included in that
- No trade licence to pay for
- UAE health insurance on top
- Our service fee shown separately
- Budget for living costs and proof of funds
Wondering what living in Dubai actually costs? Our living and working guide covers rent, schooling and day-to-day spending.
Is the remote work visa right for you?
It suits some remote workers perfectly and is the wrong tool for others. The key question is where your income comes from.
The remote work visa fits if you
Have a steady job with a non-UAE employer who is happy for you to work abroad
Earn USD 3,500 a month or more from outside the UAE
Want to live in Dubai without setting up a company
Are testing the UAE before a bigger commitment
Do not need to bill UAE-based clients
Look at another route if you
Want to invoice UAE-based clients, which this visa does not allow
Are building a UAE business, where a company and investor visa fit
Do not have a foreign employer or foreign income source
Want longer residency than one year at a time
Would rather put the saving into the business itself
Need to bill UAE clients or set up a business here? Our freelance visa and free zone pages cover those routes, and we will point you to the right one.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The questions UK founders ask us most about holding structures. Rules change, so treat these as a guide and confirm your own case before you commit.
What is the Dubai remote work visa?
It is a one-year, renewable UAE residence visa, officially the Virtual Working Programme, that lets you live in the UAE while earning your income from an employer or clients outside the country. You get an Emirates ID and can open a bank account, rent and sponsor family.
Can I keep my UK job on this visa?
Yes, that is the whole idea. You continue working for your UK employer remotely from Dubai. You do not need a UAE job or company, as long as your income comes from outside the UAE.
How much do I need to earn?
At least USD 3,500 a month, about AED 12,860, from outside the UAE. You prove it with six consecutive months of bank statements, a rule that changed from three months in early 2026.
Do I still pay UK tax if I move to Dubai on this visa?
Not automatically, but possibly. The UAE has no personal income tax, but whether you stop paying UK tax is decided by the Statutory Residence Test, based on your days and ties. You need to plan the exit, and our accounting team helps you do that.
Does my employer need to agree?
Yes. Your employer has to be comfortable with you working from the UAE, mainly for UK payroll and their own policy reasons. For a single remote employee, a UK company with no UAE presence usually does not face a UAE tax issue, though it is worth a quick review.
How much does the remote work visa cost?
Government fees start from around AED 1,535, including your Emirates ID, which makes it one of the cheapest UAE residency routes. Health insurance and our service fee are on top, and there is no trade licence to pay for.
Do I need a UAE company to get it?
No. This is what makes the remote work visa different. You need no UAE company, trade licence, local employer or investment, only a foreign income source and the income threshold.
Can I invoice UAE clients on a remote work visa?
No. The remote work visa is strictly for income from outside the UAE. If you want to bill UAE-based clients, you need a freelance permit or a company instead, which we can set up.
How long does the application take?
Online pre-approval usually takes five to seven business days, and the full process through to your Emirates ID takes about two to four weeks, depending on how quickly documents come together.
Can I sponsor my family?
Yes. As a remote work visa holder you can sponsor your spouse and children, subject to the usual income and housing requirements. We arrange the family visas alongside yours.
Is it the same as a freelance visa?
No. A freelance visa lets you work for UAE clients through a local permit. The remote work visa is for keeping a foreign job or foreign clients, with no UAE licence. We help you pick the right one for your income.
Can UK employees apply from the UK?
Yes. We handle the application remotely for UK-based remote workers, and plan the UK tax side with you, so you only travel for the medical and Emirates ID stage.
Start your Dubai remote work visa today
Book a free consultation. We will handle the visa and plan your UK tax exit, so the move is clean from day one.
