Expat news in the United Arab Emirates
Accommodation
Renting a home in Dubai as an expat is becoming more and more challenging. Faced with skyrocketing rents, more and more expatriates are considering real estate purchases to continue living in the city. What are the benefits of this investment? How can one become a homeowner in Dubai? Here are some insights and practical advice.
Everyday life
Is Dubai truly the new haven for foreign ultra-rich and bold investors? Beyond the city's superficial image, expats reveal a different reality—a far more ordinary daily life than the extravagance seen online. Let's uncover the other side of Dubai.
Tax
On September 9, 2022, the UAE, long regarded as a tax-free haven, announced the first batch of significant changes to its tax regulations. The changes affect both individuals and companies and, potentially, the business landscape of the country. The new rules also have direct implications for expats — with some finding themselves in a new tax residency status. So, what do the new regulations actually say?
Expat news
Work
The United Arab Emirates is still facing significant labor shortages despite its multiple strategies to fill in the gaps. In Dubai, the impacted public sector is opening its doors to international talent. But the Emirate doesn't want to limit itself to simply recruiting foreign workers. Behind this vast recruitment campaign is a broader project to attract more investors and foreign talent.
Everyday life
The United Arab Emirates looks like they are quickly achieving its goals! In the early months of the Covid pandemic, the country soon became an ideal destination for expatriates. But today, the communication campaign is coupled with long-term and ambitious changes to attract more foreigners. There are the new visas, the extension of the categories of eligible applicants for the Golden Visa, along with the relaxation of some rules regarding the consumption of alcohol, etc. The new measures confirm the trend.
Everyday life
The number one city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai stands out in terms of immigration. Its economic prosperity has left everyone speechless. After a sudden demographic drop in the early days of the pandemic, Dubai started welcoming new immigrants in the fall of 2020. So how has this city become a favorite expat destination within the past two years?
Features
Formalities
Does moving overseas allow you to escape taxation in your home country forever? That's what many expatriates thought when they moved to low-tax or no-tax countries. The United Arab Emirates is a favorite expat hotspot thanks to its Golden Visa program, specifically tailored to attract a range of profiles, from the wealthiest to the most talented. However, according to experts, there are some risks they might not have considered. When it comes to property taxes, moving overseas is not enough to break the link. So, what are the limitations of Golden Visas?
Visas
While the European Commission is fighting to put an end to the Golden Visa within the European Union, other states are keen on pursuing the Golden passport adventure. As a means of attracting foreign investors while boosting the economy, the Golden Visa continues to appeal to a range of expatriates, not just the wealthiest. So how do you qualify for a Golden Visa if you're not an investor?
Everyday life
Moving to the Middle East has become a prominent trend, with the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus leading the way. A wide array of individuals, including foreign investors, executives, young graduates, and students, are now exploring opportunities in cities like Dubai or Nicosia, making it an increasingly diverse community. Some other countries in the region, like Saudi Arabia, are also making modest reforms to attract more foreign professionals.
Visas
While most Middle East countries are facing an expat exodus, the UAE is looking to attract more of them. Dubai has just announced its new strategy to attract and retain expat retirees: a retiree visa that will be renewable every five years. Here's what you need to know if you've always dreamed of retiring to one of the world's most developed and prosperous cities.
Visas
As from June 1st, holders of valid resident visas who are stranded abroad due to current travel restrictions will be allowed to return to the United Arab Emirates. This news comes as a relief for many of them who have been waiting to reunite with their families.
Work
Until now, only women could benefit from a work permit sponsored by a family member. Husbands could sponsor their wives for a work permit but not the other way round. But, things are changing. As of this month, women will also be able to sponsor their husbands, fathers and adult children for a work permit. This will allow more women to find and accept jobs in the UAE and will increase the pool of workers within the UAE.
Expat interviews
Formalities
Ruth from London landed in Dubai in February 2015 following her husband to his new post. They will be staying for another year before moving back to the United Kingdom. A freelance writer, Ruth shares with Expat.com her everyday life in the United Arab Emirates.
Everyday life
To follow her husband, Christine decided to leave the dynamic city of New York, and head to Abu Dhabi, UAE. It's been two years since she has been living in the Middle-East, and she definitely doesn't regret her choice. She shares with Expat.com her expatriation experience in this eminent emirate.
Leisure
Since 2008, Jo has been living in Abu Dhabi, UAE's capital city. The Filipino expat opens up to Expat.com, and discusses everyday life in the UAE for a non-Muslim expatriate, and all the things that make this country a good place to live in.
Global edition articles
Visas
The Golden Visa has not had its final say. Despite the visa controversy, several countries keep relying on it to attract foreign capital. Let's discover which countries are relaunching or reforming the program and what has changed.
Everyday life
Who are “people of color”? What is “Asia”? What are these never-ending gazes? This article aims to explore terms that are controversial and raise questions about our relationships with others and with ourselves as expats.
Everyday life
Moving to a new country almost always comes with a set of shocks. You may run into them right away or several months and even years into your stay. Out of all the shocks of an expat journey, culture shock is the most known and talked about. There are lots of resources online that will tell you how to manage culture shock, typically labeling it as something negative and unpleasant. But what if the culture shock you are experiencing is actually making you raise your own standards? It turns out that for some expats, culture shock can be a push.
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Articles to help you in your expat project in the United Arab Emirates
Internet in the United Arab Emirates
According to the Global Media Insight report, in 2023, 10.07 million out of the UAE's population of 10.17 million ...
Accommodation in Abu Dhabi
Accommodation is your next step after securing a visa to fully settle into your new life as an expat in Abu Dhabi ...
How to develop your social circle in Abu Dhabi
Expats in Abu Dhabi can establish a social network through various ways, such as joining expat groups online and ...
Accommodation in Ras Al-Khaimah
Located in the North of the United Arab Emirates, Ras Al Khaimah is an emirate that has its own unique charm ...
The work culture in Dubai
Dubai has become a second home for many nationalities from around the globe, which makes the work environment even ...
Do's and Dont's in UAE
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