United Arab Emirates

The UAE has three long-stay routes that suit different people. The remote work visa covers people employed by or running a business outside the country. The Green Visa for freelancers fits self-employed professionals who want UAE clients. The Golden Visa is for investors and people with exceptional talent who want a long residence.

Short stays

Visa-free entry, visas on arrival and their length depend on nationality, and many passports need a visa in advance. ICP publishes the rule for each nationality.

Remote work visa

It needs income of at least $3,500 a month, lasts 1 year and can be renewed. It's a federal route issued in every emirate, not only Dubai, and it doesn't allow work for UAE employers or clients (GDRFA).

Green Visa for freelancers

A 5 years permit that needs a MOHRE self-employment permit, a degree and income of at least AED 360,000 a year over the previous two years, or proof of solvency (ICP).

Golden Visa

Investors need AED 2,000,000 in a fund, company or property. Real estate investors are listed at 5 years by ICP, while the Dubai Land Department issues 10 years for Dubai property. Other categories cover entrepreneurs, talent, students and humanitarian work.

Which fits

• Employee or founder with foreign income: the remote work visa.
• Freelancer with UAE clients: the Green Visa.
• Investor or senior professional planning years in the UAE: the Golden Visa.

Numbeo's crowd-sourced prices, updated September 2026, give these monthly budgets for one person: rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside or in the center, plus other living costs.

• Dubai: about AED 9,700 to AED 13,000 (about $2,650 to $3,540).
• Abu Dhabi: about AED 8,700 to AED 10,900 (about $2,370 to $2,960), per Numbeo's Abu Dhabi page.
• Sharjah: about AED 6,100 to AED 6,400 (about $1,650 to $1,750), per Numbeo's Sharjah page.
• Ras Al Khaimah: about AED 5,900 to AED 6,200 (about $1,600 to $1,700), per Numbeo's Ras Al Khaimah page.

The dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so the dollar figures move little. Numbeo's averages are a guide rather than a quote, and furnished short-term rentals in popular areas usually cost more.

What the totals leave out

• Visa costs: permit fees, the medical test and the Emirates ID.
• Health insurance, required for the remote work visa.
• Coworking, which comes on top of rent.

Dubai is the UAE's largest city and its main hub for flights, coworking and international residents. It suits nomads who want a big-city routine, and it has the highest budget in Numbeo's September 2026 prices.

Abu Dhabi, the capital, is quieter and a little cheaper than Dubai in Numbeo's data. It suits nomads who want city services at a slower pace.

Sharjah borders Dubai and costs far less in Numbeo's figures. It suits budget-minded nomads willing to commute to Dubai.

Ras Al Khaimah, in the north, mixes beaches and mountains with the lowest budget of the four. It suits nomads who put space and nature ahead of nightlife.

Speedtest's Global Index for August 2026 put its median fixed broadband download speed at about 419 Mbps and its median mobile speed at about 764 Mbps.

Those are national medians; speeds in a given apartment still depend on the building and the plan.

Coworking

Dubai has the widest choice of coworking spaces and business centers, from day passes to monthly memberships. Abu Dhabi has a smaller selection, and Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah fewer still. Prices vary by space and district.

No UAE visa sets tax status on its own. Under Cabinet Decision No. 85 of 2022, a person is a UAE tax resident after 183 days or more in the country within 12 consecutive months. Residence permit holders also qualify after 90 days if they have a permanent place of residence or a job or business in the UAE, and so does anyone whose usual residence and center of financial and personal interests is in the UAE.

The UAE charges corporate tax on individuals only when business turnover passes AED 1 million in a calendar year. Wages, personal investment income and real estate investment income are outside that tax whatever the amount (Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023).

What nomads should check

• Home country rules: moving to the UAE doesn't end tax residence elsewhere by itself, and many countries tax their residents on worldwide income.
• Tax residency certificates: these matter for treaty claims and are issued against the tests above.
• Freelancers: Green Visa holders whose turnover passes AED 1 million need to register for corporate tax.

Arrival

Entry rules depend on nationality, so check ICP's visa information before travel. Remote work visa applicants abroad get an entry visa that gives 60 days to finish the residence steps.

Emirates ID and medical test

Every residence permit needs a medical fitness test and an Emirates ID application (GDRFA). The Emirates ID is the card banks, landlords and phone companies ask for.

Money

The currency is the UAE dirham (AED), pegged to the US dollar. Cards and phone payments are widely accepted; opening a local bank account usually needs the Emirates ID.

Phone and internet

Prepaid SIM and eSIM plans are sold by the licensed carriers and need a passport or Emirates ID to register.

Health

Health insurance valid in the UAE is compulsory for the remote work visa, and private clinics and hospitals are widespread in the big cities.

Local rules

Rules on public behavior, dress and alcohol differ from many other countries. The official UAE government portal, u.ae, sets them out and is worth reading before arrival.