Will I be able to take a loan out from a bank with this programme?This will be at the local banks’ discretion based on their criteria and your eligibility. Will I be able to buy or rent a car under this programme?Renting a car is possible with an Emirates ID. Buying a car is possible but financing the purchase will be at the local banks’ discretion based on their criteria and your eligibility. Will I be able to apply to send my children to school in Dubai? Yes, you will be able to enrol in Dubai’s education facilities. Will I be able to hire a nanny or driver?Yes, but this can only be done via a third-party agency; you will not be able to sponsor one yourselfWill I be able to rent an office?It is possible to rent a property with an Emirates ID; however most private rentals are for a 1-year contract only. For short- and medium-term letting, you can check with Dubai’s many co-working space operators, accelerators and incubators.What working spaces are available in Dubai to use?Dubai has a wealth of co-working spaces offering flexible packages ranging from hour-long meeting rooms through to weekly, monthly or quarterly bookings. These can also be rented as a hot desk or private desk. Dubai’s hotels also have many business centres for use, and most cafés and shopping centres also offer free or paid Wi-Fi options.  Will I be able to sponsor other family members or friends who want to visit Dubai?Under the programme, you will be able to sponsor your spouse and children. Can I come to Dubai on a tourism visa and transfer to this programme once thereYes, you can come on a standard tourism visa, get acquainted with the city and apply to transfer to the one year programme once you’re ready. Please note that fees can change depending on whether you are applying from within Dubai or from overseas.What is the cost of the visa for remote workers in Dubai?It costs from US$611 in total, including application fees, processing costs, pre-application medical exam and Emirates ID. We accept health insurance with UAE coverage validity, or travel insurance with healthcare coverage, which can then be changed to UAE health insurance once your visa formalities have been completed. *Note: Payment of processing fee does not guarantee approval of the application.What is the application process for Dubai Virtual Work visas?You can find more information on the application process here.Unused FAQs1. What is Dubai Unified licence (DUL)? The Dubai Unified Licence (DUL) is a project that provides a unique identification number for all existing and newly opened businesses in Dubai with mainland and free zone licences. As per Law No. 6 of 2023, all businesses registered and licensed in Dubai will receive a DUL. This will be gradually rolled out in stages. At the moment, your DUL and QR code will serve as a unified business identity. However, these will soon be mandatory for government entities and service providers such as telecommunications, utilities and banks.2. What is the purpose of the Dubai Unified Licence?The DUL streamlines and improves the process of doing business by providing a single source of trusted, digital information for the general public, suppliers and service providers, allowing them to view licence details for mainland and free zone businesses. This means that anyone can use the DUL portal to search and retrieve data from any business in Dubai. Each business will also receive a QR code that can be scanned to retrieve the latest licence information. In a later stage, businesses can use their DUL to acquire services from government and private entities in a quicker and more streamlined manner. Access to verified DUL data in a single repository means business verification would take less time and effort in customer-business, business-business or business-government interactions. With a DUL, businesses will be able to maintain the latest contact details of licence members through a unified portal.3. What is the difference between a licence number and DUL? A licence number is specific to the Licensing Authority, whereas a DUL is a unique company identifier applicable across Dubai's mainland and free zones. A DUL will serve as a de facto identifier for licensed businesses in Dubai, allowing public and service providers to retrieve business information. 4. What are the benefits of a Dubai Unified Licence for my business?DUL simplifies and streamlines consent-driven data exchange and transactions between businesses and service providers, including government entities, by assigning unique identification numbers to mainland and free zone businesses. When interacting with government and private entities, businesses can expect improved customer experience and expedited business transactions considering that with a DUL: NOCs and permit issuances for economic activities by government regulators are unified and simplified. Opening of business branches between free zones and mainland is made easier. Transfer of businesses between free zones and mainland is eased by unified and verified data accessibility. Service providers are equipped with unified means to digitally access company information and provide value-added services (e.g. utility companies). Banks have access to company KYC data when opening bank accounts and financing companies. Future business owners will benefit from the availability of unified and verified information about their existing businesses in the emirate. 5. What should I expect with the launch of DUL?Following its launch in 2023, DUL is being rolled out in multiple stages. All licensed businesses will be issued a DUL and an associated QR code. You will know if you are among these businesses as you will receive an email and SMS with your DUL and a unique page link to access and download your QR code. DULs will be issued to all remaining companies in subsequent phases.6. How do I use my Dubai Unified Licence?Your DUL will be your primary business identity in Dubai, and the QR code should be displayed across your business premises, website and social media accounts. Public and service providers will scan your QR code to retrieve public information about your legitimate business. As such, the DUL and QR code will be the sole identity that you need to share with government authorities and service providers from the private sector to avail of the services of other businesses. You will be expected to replace the licence certificate that you usually display at your business premises with the QR code, which should also be displayed on your business premises and published on all their digital platforms, including social media pages and websites. Your customers and suppliers can scan the code to view information pertaining to your registered business and its status.7. When will I receive my Dubai Unified Licence? A DUL will be issued in phases to all licensed businesses in Dubai. You will be contacted and notified once a DUL and QR code are issued to your license. 8. How will I receive my Dubai Unified Licence? If you are an existing business, you will receive an email and SMS from DET regarding your DUL details. You may also be asked to complete DUL requirements at the time of license renewal or if you approach DET for any licence modifications.9. Why was I not provided a DUL for my licence?It is most likely that your existing licence didn't meet the DUL criteria. Please note that you need not take any immediate action; we will be in touch with you to explain the upcoming steps for your DUL and QR code issuance. Soon, all licence members must log in to the DUL portal using UAE Pass to update and verify their contact details before a DUL and QR code gets issued on their licenses.10. Why did I receive a DUL for one of my licences and not the rest?Most likely that some of your licences didn't meet the DUL criteria. Please refer to question 11 for more details.11. What does it mean if my licence is not verified? Your licence is usually not verified if the identity or contact details of at least one licence member are not verified, or if your licence is missing mandatory information.12. If I have multiple businesses, will I receive a DUL for each?Yes, you will receive a unique DUL for each of your business licences. A DUL is issued for every license issued in mainland and free zones. 13. How do I apply for a DUL for my new licence?Existing licence holders do not need to apply for a DUL and QR code. You will be contacted and notified through targeted DET campaigns once the DUL and QR codes are issued to your licenses. Soon, existing licence holders with non-verified licence member identities and contact details (mobile & email) will be required to log in to the DUL portal and verify licence member identities and contact details. Please note that there is no immediate action required now, and you will be contacted and notified through targeted DET campaigns once DET initiates this phase of the project. In subsequent phases, non-licence holders will be informed of the procedure for requesting a DUL via a procedure that DET will publish before qualifying businesses can apply for a licence. Ideally, non-licence holders will be required to log in to the DUL portal and provide basic information about their intended businesses. Thereafter, once a business is issued a licence and verified all licence member identities and contact details, it will be issued a QR code.14. I’m applying for a new business licence. Do I need to apply for a DUL as well?DUL will be issued automatically to a new business licence with verified information. 15. I am an existing licence holder. Do I have to pay anything for the DUL?Existing licence holders will not be required to pay any fees to receive their DUL and QR codes. 16. How is the number assigned? Can I choose my number? You cannot choose your own DUL number as it is automatically assigned by DET to each business.17. What should I do if I’d like to update the details under my DUL or I find they are incorrect?You will need to visit the licence authority portal or premises to request updates on licence details, including licence member identities and contact details. In the future, the licence members will be required to visit the DUL portal and log in with their UAE Pass to update their identity and contact details (mobile and email). Any changes to licence details will require a visit to the licensing authority’s portal or premises.18. What happens to my QR code if I cancel my business licence?Your QR code will remain valid, and upon scanning your QR code, the public and service providers will receive a notification that your licence has been cancelled.19. If I have a cancelled licence, will this also be issued a DUL and will I receive it?Yes, all licences, including cancelled licences, will be issued a DUL. However, you will only be notified if you have an active licence.20. What if I forget my DUL code? You should have received an email and SMS from DET with your DUL number and link to your QR code. Please revert back to that communication to retrieve your DUL number. In the future, you will be able to log in to the DUL portal using your UAE Pass to retrieve your DUL and QR code.21. Does DUL work in other emirates to ease transactions with government entities or service providers?DUL is only issued to Dubai businesses with licences from mainland and free zone authorities. Government entities and service providers in Dubai are mandated to use DULs and QR codes to provide services to Dubai-licensed companies, which can either scan the QR code or integrate with DUL-portal APIs to retrieve licensed company information. Government entities and service providers in other emirates may use the QR codes to retrieve basic information on licensed companies, if they are integrated with DUL-portal APIs.22. I am a PRO, can I verify my email address and phone number on behalf of the licence members?No, only licence members should verify their own mobile number and email address through the DUL online portal. All licence members will be notified on their current registered mobile number and email address as and when the online functionality to receive OTP to verify contact details on the DUL becomes available.23. Can anyone hack my DUL QR Code?The QR provided for a DUL only includes a webpage link to display publicly available licence information linked to that QR code; QR codes do not grant access to sensitive information. Businesses are encouraged to publish their DUL QR codes on their websites, social media accounts, business cards, and letterheads, as well as display them at their business premises for customers to scan and get the latest publicly available information about the business licence.24. Can I request to hide my DUL number?No, DULs are unique identifiers for business licences used to request services from government departments, service providers, banks and other businesses. It is also used by customers seeking to learn more about a business.25. I have a main business and branches in Dubai. How many DUL will be issued to me?Each standalone mainland or free zone company in Dubai will eventually be issued an individual DUL. Please note that businesses with main and branch licences will be issued separate DULs for the main and each branch of the business.Can business events currently be hosted in Dubai?Dubai has been open for international business events since 1 October 2020, with robust measures in place to ensure the safety of organisers and delegates. Delegates from around the world can attend business events in Dubai. Dubai Business Events, the city’s official convention bureau, works with planners and organisers to make sure they understand the guidelines to host business events safely and smoothly. Download detailed requirements for re-opening events in Dubai and our guide on the current measures in place at venues, business events, and across the city.What are the current special procedures and rules in place when arriving at DXB?Precautionary measures implemented throughout the airport include hand sanitiser stations around the airport, protective plexiglass at check-in and immigration counters, thermal and temperature screening, social distancing markers and increased levels of cleaning and sanitisation. Before travel, visitors must check with their airline for specific details relevant to their country of departure. All visitors arriving into Dubai from any point of origin (including GCC countries) must hold a negative PCR test certificate, for which the test must be taken no more than 72 hours prior to the time of departure. Visitors arriving from selected countries may be subject to additional testing on arrival. The negative COVID-19 PCR test result must be presented in a printed certificate format by the visitor on arrival to DXB. The certificate must be in English or Arabic only. Handwritten certificates will not be accepted. Upon arrival at DXB, visitors must download and register on the COVID-19 DXB Smart App (Apple or Andoid). Find out more details about travel to and from Dubai on our Covid-19 travel advisory page.What are the current procedures in place when departing Dubai?Only valid ticket holders will be allowed into the airport building. Travellers must not go to the airport more than four hours before their scheduled flight time. A protective mask must be worn by all travellers. Passengers displaying symptoms are advised to not come to the airport. Passengers departing Dubai Airports will need to do a PCR test only if it is mandated by the country they are travelling to. A rapid PCR or Rapid Antigen test will be available at the airport to travellers departing from Dubai if their destination country requires it. Passengers are advised to check the travel protocols of their carrier and arrival destination. Find out more details about travel to and from Dubai on our Covid-19 travel advisory page.What are the health safety precautions related to Covid-19 followed at events in Dubai?Repeated sanitisation of all venues takes place before, during, and after all events. All staff must wear face masks and gloves (if in contact with people). All attendees must wear face masks. All attendees and staff must maintain 2 metres distance, as indicated on all floors especially in high traffic areas. Venues can accommodate up to one person per 4 square metres of available space. Hand sanitiser provision is mandatory throughout all venues.  How is food safety being ensured?Minimum 2 metres physical distancing in buffet queues, and staff must serve; there is no self-service. All other food and beverage must be individually pre-packed and served by staff. Special public areas must be designated for delegates to consume food and beverages.What rules are in place when staying and moving around Dubai?Dubai is open and as a destination, the city adopts the highest international health and safety standards enabling the city to ensure the wellbeing of all our visitors remains the highest priority. Everyone must observe physical distancing guidelines and abide by the instructions and preventive measures outlined by concerned authorities for example wearing masks and washing hands regularly. Family entertainment, attractions, observation decks, public transport, parks, beaches, pools as well as shopping malls and restaurants & cafes are open and operating whilst adhering to strict safety measures as announced by the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management.How do hotels maintain safety standards?Hotels are open and continue to operate rigorous sterilisation and disinfection procedures as per Dubai Municipality requirements, extensive and strict contact rules for staff; and, compulsory wearing of masks for staff who are in direct contact with customers.Are taxis operating in Dubai?Yes. Taxi drivers wear face masks and gloves, with frequent sanitation of vehicles. A maximum of two passengers can be seated at the back and no passenger in front.Is it safe to travel to Dubai? Dubai is one of the world’s safest destinations. The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) along with other relevant authorities continue to prioritise and assure the safety and the well-being of all visitors and residents of Dubai. Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism continues to work diligently in cooperation with UAE’s public health authorities, including the Dubai Health Authority, to ensure rigorously high standards of public hygiene and safety – in line with international best practices – are adhered to so the well-being of all residents and visitors remain uncompromised at all times. What are the international travel requirements when travelling to Dubai? All tourists and residents arriving into Dubai from any point of origin (including GCC countries) must hold a negative PCR test certificate, for which the test must be taken no more than 72 hours prior to the time of departure.  As announced on 19 June 2021 and effective from 23 June 2021, travellers from certain countries must hold a negative PCR test, taken no more than 48 hours prior to the time of departure. Please see the following links for a list of countries which this is now applicable for:  • Dubai Airports  • Emirates Negative COVID-19 certificates must be printed in English or Arabic; PCR certificates in other languages are acceptable if they can be validated at the originating station (the date and time of the test must be detailed). The printed certificate must have a valid QR code. No hand written, SMS or digital certificates will be accepted. UAE nationals are exempt from the above, but will be required to take a PCR test on arrival at Dubai airport, unless the country of origin requires a pre-travel test. Tourists may test at any lab accredited by their health authority in their country. If you are travelling with Emirates, please click here for a list of accredited labs. For select destinations, residents and tourists may be required to take two COVID-19 PCR tests: one before departure, and a second test upon arrival in Dubai. Please click here for a list of destinations where this is applicable. Ensure you have medical travel insurance with international coverage that covers COVID-19 before travelling. Customers purchasing an Emirates airline or FlyDubai ticket from 1 December 2020 benefit from additional multi-risk travel insurance provided by AIG Travel, including cover for COVID-19 and overseas medical expenses. Please see the following links for more information and a supporting FAQ: Emirates airline | FlyDubai Tourists are required to register all their details in the COVID-19 DXB app iOS - Android Fulfil entry visa requirements to visit the UAE. Do I need travel insurance when coming to Dubai?You may need medical travel insurance when travelling to Dubai. It is best to check with your airline or when applying for a visa to the UAE about your specific travel insurance requirements.What are the procedures to follow ahead of travelling to Dubai? Please check your country’s travel advisory for latest guidance on outbound trips, as well as the requirements of the airline. Ensure that you have met all entry and visa requirements to visit the UAE. Do I need a COVID-19 test when travelling to Dubai? Effective 8 November 2022, passengers travelling to Dubai from all countries do not need to provide proof of vaccination or negative PCR test results.  Passengers travelling onward from Dubai or transiting through the airport must check requirements for their destination.    Are transit travellers required to follow the same procedures related to conducting Covid-19 PCR tests? For transit passengers, the rules and conditions for entry at the final destination will apply. Passengers must check their country’s travel advisory for latest guidance on outbound trips, as well as the requirements of the airline. What are the procedures when departing from Dubai? Passengers departing Dubai Airports will need to do a PCR test only if it is mandated by the country they are travelling to. A rapid PCR or Rapid Antigen test will be available at the airport to travellers departing from Dubai if the destination they are travelling to requires it. Passengers are advised to check the travel protocols of their carrier and the destination they are travelling to. Note: Airlines have the right to deny travellers if they display any symptoms of COVID-19. Do I have to wear a mask during my holiday in Dubai? Masks are compulsory, as is keeping a one-metre physical distance. You must wear a mask unless exercising, eating or drinking, in a car with your family, or driving alone. Do tourists have to pay for the treatment and quarantine stay in a hotel if they show symptoms and/or require a second test and the test is positive? The traveller will bear the cost of treatment and quarantine were required. For more information, please visit this Dubai Health Authority page. If the COVID-19 test result is positive, the traveller is required to adhere to the isolation guidelines. Do I need a visa and if yes, how do I apply?For all the visa related information please reach out to The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and check your country’s travel advisory for latest guidance on outbound trips.Are the Emirates airline flight routes fully restored?Please click here for information on which destinations Emirates is flying to and from.