Dubai has held the fascination of Indians for decades. As one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, it offers innumerable marvels: the gigantic skyscrapers, man-made islands, humongous shopping centres that offer pure delight to people of all ages and genders, delectable cuisines from around the world, exotic experiences, and unparalleled luxury.

With the global economic landscape undergoing massive changes over the last couple of years, not only are the working Indian professionals growing more opulent, but the rate of investment has also picked up, with many savvy bigwigs, technocrats, and entrepreneurs looking for lucrative avenues.

In this regard, Dubai is fast becoming a strategic hub between Asia and Europe and home to a young community called Digital Nomads that includes entrepreneurs, self-starters, skilled and independent workers who love to travel. The city’s world-class infrastructure allows remote employees to stay connected and productive even as they travel and explore the region.

Dubai has also been recognised as one of the world’s smartest cities, and its government is committed to providing a digitally friendly environment. When asked “Why Dubai?”, Girish Kumar Reddy, a globetrotting businessman and a luxury connoisseur, responds that no place is as welcoming as Dubai. It is vibrant and regards every tourist as one of their own. Its multiculturalism makes it a top foodie destination with a multitude of choices ranging from street food and casual dining to Michelin starred restaurants. And he calls their residential offerings slices of heaven itself! Their AI powered temperature control systems, mother-of-pearl floorings, and suede leather upholstery is guaranteed to make you swoon.

The city has a thriving cultural legacy and a wealth of recreational activities. Given its tax-free environment, it is a desirable location for remote workers, looking to stretch their budgets further. If Girish has to buy the latest, on-trend branded merchandise, it has to be in Dubai. For long vacations with family, Dubai is his first choice of destination primarily because it is one of the safest places in the world. The city is also renowned for its opulent malls, beautiful beaches, and top-notch culinary establishments.

Dubai creek is a sea water mine that runs through the heart of the city. A cruise down the creek in a traditional Abra offers magnificent views of the skyscrapers all around along with the stream-lined canyons. This is how Shikha Sharma; a graphic designer spent her working hours last Monday. “I needed some insights on ancient culture thriving amidst modernity for my job that day”, says Shikha. The ideal way to gain it was by experiencing it first-hand!

Shikha’s workplace views include some of the world’s most astounding architectural marvels, including the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, and one of the world’s most recognised hotels, the Burj Al Arab. Having chosen life experiences and being her own boss over a traditional corporate career a couple of years ago, Shikha is now a classic digital nomad, residing and working in Dubai.The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unveiled a one-year residency permit for remote workers and Dubai has been in the forefront of attracting new talent to the region. This one-year Digital card provides tax-free access to privileges such as resident IDs, financial services, housing rentals, and child-care facilities. Furthermore, Dubai is a cosmopolitan city that values variety and is home to a sizable expat population. This means that remote workers, regardless of their ethnicity or backgrounds, are guaranteed to find a welcoming community.

This has laid the magic welcome carpet for skilled workforce from across the globe to relocate to Dubai with the city’s economy benefiting from the addition of foreign capital. The luxurious coworking spaces and cafes offer great working experiences that are on par with any other global city. As a content creator and a social media influencer, Shikha gets to collaborate and work with people from over two hundred nationalities and connect with like-minded individuals. “The quality of life in Dubai is superb. It is one of the safest cities in the world and I enjoy a very comfortable lifestyle here” she quips.

Dubai has been ranked the second among seventy-five cities as the fastest growing remote working destination. The city is a centre for business and trade, with a large number of multinational corporations, and vibrant start-ups making it easy for remote workers to network and build professional relationships. Aditya Pisupati, an avid traveller, an art gallerist and CEO of Ving Hybrid, a Video Conferencing Solutions provider, works out of Dubai every now and then and says it has been one of the best strategic decisions for his business. It has excellent connectivity even to the remotest part of the city, extremely service available convenient transportation at all hours and strategically located restaurants and cafes to ensure that comfort is never compromised.

The number of Indian visitors to Dubai rose to over 1.6M during the year 2022 . Many Indian destination management organisations create vacation packages, reservations, and excursions for people who want to explore Dubai. A large consumer base, which includes tourists as well as an expanding number of expats living in the city and much lower start-up taxes, make it a profitable proposition for Indian travel companies to establish operations in Dubai.

Suffice to say, with its world-class infrastructure, gorgeous landscapes, and limitless choices for leisure and recreation, Dubai is an ideal location for anyone wishing to work and play in a dynamic and thriving metropolis.

Dubai is home away from home, welcoming Indian talent that is looking for a collaborative working environment with people from other nationalities to its shores.