Country Guide
United Arab Emirates
Travel to United Arab Emirates safely and compliantly
Planning a workation in Dubai? Or a business trip to Abu Dhabi or Sharjah? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in the UAE, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Abu Dhabi
Telephone code
+971
Official language
Arabic
Currency
UAE Dirham (AED)
Time zone
UTC+4
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. UAE has entered into numerous social security treaties with various countries to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
UAE has signed bilateral tax treaties with numerous countries that specify the steps to take to avoid double taxation, available here. These treaties generally follow international standards and provide guidelines for various types of income, including employment income.
Despite the existence of many tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in the UAE, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.
To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:
If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.
If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to UAE are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards. See the recent information on minimum wage in UAE here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to the UAE, here's a quick overview:
- Visa on Arrival: Available for many nationalities (30-90 days)
- Remote Work Visa: One-year virtual working program available
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning business trips to the UAE:
- Business Visa: Required for specific business activities
- Visit Visa: Suitable for short-term business meetings
- Visa on Arrival: Available for many nationalities (30-90 days)
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in the UAE work from Sunday to Thursday, with a standard workweek of 48 hours, typically broken down into 8-hour workdays. The weekend is observed on Friday and Saturday.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
- January 1: New Year's Day
- Eid Al Fitr (dates vary, 4 days)
- Arafat Day (date varies; 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah in Islamic calendar)
- Eid Al Adha (dates vary, 4 days; 10th-13th of Dhu al-Hijjah in Islamic calendar)
- Islamic New Year (date varies; 10th-13th of Dhu al-Hijjah in Islamic calendar)
- Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (date varies; 12th of Rabi' al-awwal in Islamic calendar)
- Commemoration Day (December 1)
- UAE National Day (December 2-3)
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. UAE has implemented Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data Protection. Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as moderate. That means the legal framework provides adequate data protection but may lack comprehensive scope, enforcement, or detail. While key areas are covered, certain sectors or practices remain less regulated, learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Local emergency phone
999 (Police), 997 (Ambulance), 998 (Fire)
Vaccination
Guidelines
Drinking potable water
Generally safe
Travel health insurance
When traveling to the United Arab Emirates for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
The terrorist organization IS has been threatening attacks in countries allied with the US since 2014. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an active member of the anti-IS coalition.
Safety recommendations:
- Be especially attentive in busy places and on special occasions.
- Please note the worldwide safety advisory.
Domestic political situation
The domestic political situation is stable. Also because of the comprehensive and far-reaching police surveillance of public spaces, demonstrations, strikes or similar public protests are not to be expected. Nevertheless, avoid large gatherings of people and follow the instructions of local security forces.
Crime
While violent crime is rare, there have been instances of petty crimes, such as pickpocketing and car break-ins, particularly in crowded tourist spots and shopping malls.
To help ensure your safety, consider the following precautions:
- Exercise extra caution in crowded areas.
- Keep money, ID cards, driver’s licenses, and other important documents secure; consider saving electronic copies or photos to simplify obtaining replacements if needed.
- Carry only the cash you’ll need for the day and avoid bringing unnecessary valuables.
- Stay alert, especially in large crowds, and closely monitor your belongings.
- Avoid leaving valuables unattended in public places.
- Be cautious of unfamiliar emails, phone calls, prize notifications, offers, and requests for help from supposed acquaintances. Always verify the legitimacy of such interactions.
The UAE has a desert climate characterized by:
Summer (May to September):
- Extremely hot: 35°C to 50°C (95°F to 122°F)
- High humidity in coastal areas
- Very little rainfall
- Limited outdoor activities recommended
Winter (October to April):
- Mild to warm: 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)
- Pleasant conditions
- Occasional rain showers
- Ideal for outdoor activities
Airports
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Location: Dubai
- When to use: The busiest and most international gateway in the UAE, ideal for travelers heading to Dubai or connecting to other cities.
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
- Location: Abu Dhabi
- When to use: The main international airport for travelers heading to Abu Dhabi or surrounding areas
Train stations
The UAE has a limited rail network, with the majority of long-distance travel done by car or bus. The UAE is investing in expanding rail services, but for now, train travel is not as widely used as in some other countries.
Ride-hailing services
- Uber
- Careem
Note: These ride-hailing apps are widely available and used in most major cities.
Public transportation
- Metro: Available in Dubai, connecting major city areas.
- Buses and taxis: Used widely for intercity and local travel.