The United Arab Emirates is on a path to becoming a leading hub for tech talent in the world, and soon with strong commitments it is set to become one of the top destinations for ‘digital nomads’. 

According to a recent report titled, “VisaGuide Digital Nomad Visa Index,” the UAE has stepped up from fourth position in 2023 to second position in 2025. This is due to UAE’s digital transformation strategy, a forward-looking Vision, and growing investments in people and digital infrastructure as future assets. 

The report ranked Spain first, followed by the UAE, Montenegro, the Bahamas, Hungary, and Canada. The rankings were based on internet quality, tax policies, cost of living, healthcare, and overall safety and stability.

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 also underlined the region’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,”

“Dubai can be classified as a global digital business hub competing with cities like Bangkok, Barcelona or Cape Town,” he added. 

He highlighted how initiatives like Virtual Working Programme, and Remote Work Visa are built to attract top global talent. In fact, Dubai now ranks as the world’s leading city for remote work, with Abu Dhabi close behind at fourth, according to RemoteWork360.

Dubai's Virtual Working Programme permits people to live in the emirate similar to the remote work visa. People under this Virtual Working Programme may also relocate to Dubai (from outside the UAE) and continue to work for the organisation they are already working for, remotely.

Whereas, the Dubai’s remote work or virtual work residence visa permits foreigners employed outside the UAE to live in the region legitimately with a virtual work visa. This is a one-year visa allowing foreigners to enter the region under self-sponsorship and work in line with the terms and conditions issued with the visa.

Back in March 2021, the UAE launched a renewable one-year visa for digital nomads, one of the first in the world to truly welcome this new wave of digital professionals.

This shift is part of a much bigger global trend. During COVID-19, the world quietly embraced new ways of working—flexible, remote, and from anywhere. Remote and flexible work soon became the norm.

As a result, digital nomadism has evolved into a full-blown lifestyle, with nearly 40 million people now part of this movement.

You may also like:

• Oman’s sustainable talent strategies, role of AI & more: HR leadership insights
• KSA HR ministry classifies expat work permits by skill levels, details here
• Amazon makes Leadership Principles a key metric of its revamped performance appraisal model
• Middle East C-Suite shake-up: Key executive appointments you should know

Experts predict that by 2035, up to one billion people (almost a third of the global workforce) could be living and working as digital nomads. With 5G, IoT, and the rising demand for flexibility, the UAE is in a strong position to lead this transformation.

To stay ahead, Alard suggested “strengthening ties between authorities and the nomad community, offering more affordable living options, and highlighting the UAE’s natural beauty and cultural richness to attract even more global talent.”