Immigration consultancy Fragomen has confirmed that, effective 28 January, the United Arab Emirates now requires six months of continuous bank statements—up from three—for its one-year Remote Working Visa. The change, reported by The Economic Times, also applies to renewals.
Indian freelancers, tech contractors and start-ups have been early adopters of the UAE programme because it allows residence without a local employer sponsor. The tougher documentation effectively raises the threshold to demonstrate a stable overseas income of at least US $3,500 per month and a longer employment history with the same client or company.
![UAE doubles bank-statement requirement for remote-work visas—impact on Indian digital nomads]()
For applicants unsure how to meet the stricter evidence standards, VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) provides real-time checklists, document-preparation assistance and courier submission for the UAE Remote Working Visa, helping freelancers and employers avoid last-minute rejections under the new six-month statement rule.
Visa advisors say applications already submitted will be processed under the old rule if complete, but those in draft will need updated financials. Employers sending staff to Dubai on "work-from-anywhere" arrangements should check whether payroll systems can generate consolidated statements or salary letters that match UAE templates.
The UAE’s move follows similar tightening by Portugal and Estonia last year, suggesting a broader shift from promotional leniency to sustainability in digital-nomad schemes. Indian remote workers weighing Dubai against Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur must now factor in higher evidentiary hurdles and start compiling bank records well in advance of planned moves.
Indian freelancers, tech contractors and start-ups have been early adopters of the UAE programme because it allows residence without a local employer sponsor. The tougher documentation effectively raises the threshold to demonstrate a stable overseas income of at least US $3,500 per month and a longer employment history with the same client or company.
For applicants unsure how to meet the stricter evidence standards, VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) provides real-time checklists, document-preparation assistance and courier submission for the UAE Remote Working Visa, helping freelancers and employers avoid last-minute rejections under the new six-month statement rule.
Visa advisors say applications already submitted will be processed under the old rule if complete, but those in draft will need updated financials. Employers sending staff to Dubai on "work-from-anywhere" arrangements should check whether payroll systems can generate consolidated statements or salary letters that match UAE templates.
The UAE’s move follows similar tightening by Portugal and Estonia last year, suggesting a broader shift from promotional leniency to sustainability in digital-nomad schemes. Indian remote workers weighing Dubai against Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur must now factor in higher evidentiary hurdles and start compiling bank records well in advance of planned moves.
