# UAE Virtual Work Residence Permit (Dubai)

- **Type:** visa
- **Status:** evergreen
- **City:** Dubai
- **Equity:** n/a
- **Cost:** GDRFA fees
- **Duration:** 1 year, renewable
- **Apply:** https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f52024e3-b812-11ed-5210-4cd98f768936
- **Page:** https://www.dxbstart.com/programs/uae-virtual-work

Dubai’s virtual working / remote-work residence is a one-year, self-sponsored permit for people employed by a company outside the UAE, with a published income floor around USD 3,500 a month. Apply on the GDRFA service. Evergreen as a product. You are not incorporating. You are not joining Hub71. You are renting the right to live in Dubai while your employer stays abroad. If you want to sell from a UAE company, get a licence instead.

## Desk take

A lifestyle visa with a salary test. Useful for remote employees. Useless as a founder plan. Do not confuse it with the Green or Golden paths.

## Eligibility

For remote workers and founders whose employer or business is entirely outside the UAE.
- You work remotely for an organisation outside the UAE (proof of remote work required)
- Monthly income of at least USD 3,500 (salary certificate or equivalent in foreign currency)
- Valid health insurance covering the UAE, plus a medical fitness test after entry
- Passport valid 6+ months; no UAE sponsor or local clients allowed
- 1-year permit, renewable; 60-day grace period after expiry; apply via GDRFA Dubai smart services (UAE Pass), ~48-hour processing; fee AED 200 + surcharges

## Questions

### Can I start a UAE company on this visa?

Residency and licensing are separate. This permit assumes your job is abroad.

### Is it Dubai-only?

The service we indexed is the Dubai GDRFA product.


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Source: DXBStart — the working index of the UAE startup ecosystem. Canonical page: https://www.dxbstart.com/programs/uae-virtual-work
More machine-readable resources: https://www.dxbstart.com/llms.txt
Startups can request a listing at https://www.dxbstart.com/submit — free, editorially reviewed.