UAE — Work (Remote (virtual) work visa for employees of foreign companies)

Current status for Iranians (most important)

As of October 2026 this route is effectively closed to anyone applying from Iran on an Iranian passport. The UAE embassy in Tehran has been closed since 1 March 2026; travel agents report that new UAE entry permits for Iranians have been on hold since mid-March; from 1 April 2026 UAE airlines announced that Iranian nationals may not enter or transit, except a few groups such as Golden Visa holders and spouses/children of Emirati citizens; and many Iranians abroad reported their residence visas being cancelled. On 2 April the UAE foreign ministry rejected 'inaccurate' media claims about the residency status of the Iranian community, but said nothing about new visas. A travel site updated on 7 September 2026 says it can no longer verify a blanket entry ban, yet as of mid-October 2026 we found no official ICP, GDRFA or MoFA announcement that visas for Iranians have reopened.

On 19 August 2026 the UAE halted all trade, commercial exchange and financial transactions with Iran until further notice, and on 23 September 2026 the Central Bank barred Bank Melli Iran's UAE branches from any transactions to or from Iran, so paying tuition or moving money from Iran is practically impossible. On 24 September 2026 the UAE civil aviation authority (GCAA) suspended all flights by Iranian airlines until further notice; reports say Iran in turn closed its airspace to UAE carriers, and we found no news of direct flights resuming.

Don't spend money (applications, deposits, translations) until an official reopening is announced. The rest of this text describes the general UAE rules that apply once things reopen.

Main requirements

Per GDRFA Dubai: you must prove you work for an entity outside the UAE and that the work is remote; earn at least USD 3,500 a month or equivalent; hold valid health insurance; and have a passport valid for 6+ months. The residence lasts one year and can be extended for the same period. ICP's federal service lists the same USD 3,500 salary requirement and AED 300 in fees and says you don't need to be in the UAE to apply; per u.ae the threshold is the same in every emirate.

Documents

Colour photo on white background; passport; proof of remote employment (contract or foreign employer letter); proof of income (payslips and bank statements); health insurance.

Language

No formal language requirement.

Costs and proof of funds

GDRFA Dubai lists a AED 200 base fee plus 5% VAT, with up to AED 500 plus knowledge/innovation dirhams if applying from inside the UAE. Medical, Emirates ID, insurance and rent are extra. The main requirement is at least USD 3,500 monthly income.

Steps and timeline

Prepare income and contract documents; apply online via GDRFA or Amer centres (about 48 hours); enter; medical test and Emirates ID.

Notes for Iranian applicants

Besides the entry-permit freeze: dollar income received in Iran usually comes through informal channels and can't be shown on international bank statements; the UAE halt on financial transactions with Iran makes this worse. Male applicants subject to conscription need an exit permit.

After arrival (work during studies, post-study stay, permanent residence)

This visa doesn't allow working for a UAE employer; for local work you need a work visa or green visa. There is no regular permanent residence.