The rise of terminology such as digital and executive nomads, solopreneurs, consultants, and freelancers showcases a new breed of workers seeking places with physical and digital connectivity, safety, healthcare and education facilities, and more substantial networking opportunities. 

According to the Savills Executive Nomad Index, Dubai is the most sought-after destination for executive nomads. On the other hand, Abu Dhabi moved from fourth to second place in 2024, meaning the UAE has taken the top two spots on the Index.  

INSIGHTS FROM THE GROUND

Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s holding the top spots come as no surprise: their strategic location, position as cultural melting pots for people and companies worldwide, and flexible freelance visas and license options have inspired professionals to move away from traditional corporate setups. 

Nehha A. Bhhatiaa, Founder of Magnetique Marketing, is one such person. “I started building my personal brand last year, attending events, getting active on social media, and meeting with people, providing them with perspectives and value,” she recalls. “Soon enough, I started receiving a lot of freelance offers. The legal framework for becoming independent was easy to navigate. I wish people were more aware that there are so many options should you be self-employed.” 

Harriet Shephard, a freelance journalist specializing in travel and lifestyle, also followed the independent route. “It allows me to add variety to my work and do a mix of copywriting and journalism,” she says. “Abu Dhabi is an amazing place to be a freelancer. Setting up with a license is quick and straightforward, and people are also very open to working with freelancers. Being largely tax-free is also an advantage, and those who like to work and travel simultaneously are well connected to the rest of the world.”

Doaa Jabir, CEO of eBoutik, an e-directory, confirms how the government has made it easy to source a license and set up a company in the UAE, even remotely.

“I got my license within half an hour while sitting at home. It cannot get simpler than this. Another critical point is the ease of opening a business bank account with this license.” 

The UAE provides various visa and business options for individuals seeking a flexible and independent professional lifestyle, including the Investor Visa, the Entrepreneur Visa, and the Golden Visa, which offers long-term residency to attract talented professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs. Additionally, the Freelancer Visa allows independent professionals to legally operate and offer services to multiple clients.

Reflecting on her experience, Shephard shares that she facilitated her freelance license, visa, and health insurance, which are requirements for operating in Abu Dhabi, through twofour54. “The process is relatively straightforward. However, there are extra costs you wouldn’t have to consider in a full-time job,” she says.” 

Bhhatiaa, who has recently invested in her business license, notes that those considering it should have proper visas or licenses and an NOC from their company to continue the business while working full-time. 

EXPLORING DEMANDS AND CHALLENGES

In addition to the easy and flexible license and visa processes, the rise in freelancers, consultants, and solopreneurs can also be attributed to the growing demand for their services.

For Jabir, the personalization brought by an individual compared to a company employee has made clients opt for consultants and freelancers. Shephard says that, in her experience, publications now prefer to outsource help rather than hire a full-time team member. 

Bhhatiaa believes that the increase in demand can be traced back to the pandemic, which changed expectations among businesses and employees, with many prioritizing remote work opportunities. “It makes sense for many companies to use freelancers as they don’t need to pay for visas, insurance, and a full-time employee,” she says, adding that it also gives companies the flexibility to choose specialists. 

“In marketing, for example, most people have specializations, such as performance or social media marketing. Picking specialists over one generalist who can do everything could be a win-win for companies and individuals.” 

Also touching on the challenges, Shephard discusses the difficulty in navigating how much to charge and finding clients willing to pay a reasonable rate. “Unlike with a full-time job, there is no progression in terms of pay, and it can be tricky to start a conversation with clients about raising your rates due to the rising cost of living and other factors,” she says. 

FUTURE OF FREELANCING

Unsurprisingly, this environment has also given birth to an ecosystem of businesses that support this new breed of workers with their needs.

Jabir notes that because remote work has increased, more clients, including freelancers, are turning to the digital world to seek services or products. To facilitate this, they aimed to be a digital arm for these businesses and support consultants missing digital presence, compared to bigger companies, because of limited to no marketing budgets. 

The rise of co-working spaces also underlines the freelancer trend.

“They are a great tool for being physically present for your company without investing a lot of money or commitment,” says Jabir. “This also helps to interact with others in the same space, network, and bounce off ideas over time.” In addition to these spaces, Shephard points to the abundance of industry events, which offer a chance to network and connect with other professionals in the same sphere. These are welcome opportunities for those working from home, which can sometimes be isolating. 

With flexible visa options and tax advantages, mushrooming cafes, and co-working spaces creating vibrant remote work communities, Bhhatiaa affirms that the UAE is becoming a global center for business and innovation. “Millions of people are moving to Dubai, and there’s a good reason,” she says. “Entrepreneurship is at an all-time high, and Dubai is the land of a million opportunities.”

Shephard echoes this with her experience in Abu Dhabi. “The UAE is one of the best countries in the world for digital nomads, and the government is very supportive of those who want to freelance or start their own business. Rise in remote workers will boost the economy.”