This content was paid for by an advertiser and produced by Create, the branded content studio of CNN International Commercial. The news and editorial staff of CNN had no role in its creation.

Dubai built a city for expats
to call home

Sun, sea, a business launchpad and unbeatable quality of life: why Dubai tops the relocation wishlist for people all over the world.

A study by Remitly in 2023 found that Dubai was the most searched for city by people looking to move abroad. It topped the list in a staggering 60 countries, while second place Miami was a favorite in only 12.

The appeal is obvious. Year-round sunshine, pristine beaches, infamous shopping malls, entertainment, and restaurants – and a low tax rate that leaves you with more disposable income to enjoy it all.

But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find an ambitious city that is doing everything it can to support its citizens in building meaningful lives – in and out of the office.

A city for ambition

Dubai has latterly emerged as a major global business hub, offering an ideal launchpad for its residents’ success.

The emirate is an especially strong supporter of innovation, reflected in its Dubai 10x program, that aims for the city to be “ahead of the world by ten years”, by directing public policy and investment towards research and technology-led “holistic growth”. This future focus is reflected in the wealth of startup incubators, accelerators and business hubs that pour resources towards innovative SMEs – which also benefit from the emirate’s advanced physical, digital, and regulatory infrastructure.

And the level of support is growing. The Dubai Economic Agenda 2033 (‘D33’) aims to double the emirate’s GDP within the decade, with 100 initiatives that range from nurturing 30 unicorns to expanding the city’s trade corridors and launching an emirate-wide regulatory sandbox.

This dynamic landscape attracts private investment from across the globe. Dubai is the number one destination for greenfield FDI, and home to the world’s fastest growing VC ecosystem.

The result is an extraordinary environment for entrepreneurs to build their business – and expansive opportunities for talented individuals seeking inspiring employment. Dubai has consistently ranked in the top 3 most desirable cities to move to for work in Boston Consulting Group’s flagship global mobility survey.

But it’s not all work in the emirate. The city is just as invested in its residents’ quality of life.

A City for living

The postcard version of Dubai is enough to make the city desirable. But its world-class amenities – the infrastructure that underpins the day-to-day – are arguably more important for building a life.

The UAE is ranked 1st globally for healthcare coverage and preventative screening programs. Dubai is the 4th safest city in the world. Its private schools are within the top 15 globally for mathematics, science, and reading.

And the emirate is continuing to invest, heavily. The Quality of Life Strategy 2033 seeks to further improve life in the emirate across ten pillars, including culture, the natural environment, employment, education, and mobility.

Initiatives range from organizing over 1,000 arts, community, entertainment and sports events, to extending night swimming beaches and “developing Dubai’s outlying areas,” with view to “transforming Dubai into a pedestrian, environment and family-friendly city.”

A key component of the strategy is making Dubai a “20-minute city”, where 80% of essential services will be accessible within a 20-minute journey from anywhere in the city, using sustainable modes of transport.

To achieve that goal, the city is extending cycle lanes, expanding bus routes, and building more railway tracks – alongside increasing the availability of self-driving electric vehicles.

Such easy mobility is vital for life in the city. But for foreigners, international connections are just as important.

A city for expats

Dubai could hardly be more welcoming to expats. The UAE is home to a vibrant international community: 88% of the population are foreigners, from more than 200 nationalities.

Facilitating this kaleidoscopic melting-pot, English is widely used as lingua franca, including for official purposes. And the city is hyper-connected to the rest of the world.

Dubai International Airport is the busiest international airport on the planet, and the second most connected – making it easy to visit home(or for home to visit you), wherever you’re from.

The emirate also boasts the world’s 10th busiest cargo port by volume, supplying goods from all four corners of the globe.

And the UAE has made it relatively easy to secure a residency visa. Digital nomads can stay for a year with a qualifying work contract. Self-employed and skilled workers can self-sponsor for a five-year green visa.

Entrepreneurs, investors, and skilled individuals can obtain increasingly popular ‘golden’ visas for up to ten-years – applications for which skyrocketed 52 % in the first half of 2023.

The world’s dream home

It’s common for Dubai’s expat residents to say they only meant to stay for a short time, but now it’s ten-years on and they’ve put down roots.

With the care and attention being lavished on the city’s quality of life, it’s easy to see why.

RECENTLY POSTED
image
Dubai is taking the lead on AI
The emirate’s Universal Blueprint for AI aims to infuse the technology into every area of society
image
How Dubai became a haven for family wealth
Once a hotbed for in-region wealth, the emirate has become the destination of choice for the internationally affluent
image
The sport lover’s guide to Dubai
How to get your fitness fix in the emirate
image
Why these three founders chose Dubai for their ambitions
Dubai has rapidly become one of the most desirable destinations for ambitious expat professionals and their families
image
Dubai built a city for expats to call home
Sun, sea, a business launchpad and unbeatable quality of life: why Dubai tops the relocation wishlist for people all over the world.
image
Behind Dubai’s Ambitious Plan to Set a New Standard for Urban Living
Dubai has developed a bold strategy to revolutionize its infrastructure and community wellbeing
image
The world’s FinTech founders are looking to Dubai
Supportive regulators, robust infrastructure, and abundant capital have made Dubai the leading FinTech hub in MEASA
image
How the right logistics fueled this eyewear retailer’s fast expansion
In six short years, Eyewa has gone from two to 1,800 employees. They couldn’t have done it without Dubai’s world-class connectivity.
image
Why India’s Shipsy chose Dubai to expand its next-gen logistics business
As a dual logistics and technology hub, the emirate made the ideal global springboard
image
From Off-Road to Rescue: The Jeep Enthusiasts Using Four Wheels for Good
From raising awareness for charitable causes to coastal clean-ups, meet the off-roaders driving change in Dubai’s community
image
Why tech investors are turning to Dubai
Insiders say the emirate’s tech ecosystem has reached a new level of maturity, catching the attention of global investors
image
How Dubai’s Apparel Group conquered the world
From nine pairs of shoes to 2,200 stores in 14 countries, Apparel Group’s expansion testifies to Dubai’s global springboard status.
image
The making of an international FinTech magnet
FinTech is booming in Dubai and global investors are taking notice. Two co-founders of successful startups share their stories.
image
The unicorn incubator that is a “dream come true” for investors
The Dubai initiative that’s growing unicorns – and exhilarating venture capitalists
image
How Dubai Fueled the Rise of a Crypto Powerhouse
“Whether you're someone who wants to work in a company or set up your own, there are a lot of exciting developments and momentum in Dubai at a time when other jurisdictions are cracking down,” Ola Doudin, Co-Founder and CEO of BitOasis
image
Dubai is the ideal launchpad for manufacturing’s digitized future
A raft of far-reaching initiatives is fueling a high-tech, sustainable industry
image
Manufacturing is getting smarter and more sustainable in Dubai
Already home to hundreds of advanced factories, Dubai is doubling down on next-gen manufacturing
image
The making of a futurist laboratory
The CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation explains how it is predicting, preparing for, and creating the future
image
Where Innovation Meets Investment
Why Dubai is the destination for investors and entrepreneurs seeking a uniquely innovation-friendly business environment
image
How digitalization is supercharging Dubai’s economy – in every sector
In its drive for diversified, sustainable growth, Dubai has become a thriving hub for digital innovation across a swathe of economic sectors
image
How Dubai is developing the next generation of coders
The emirate has become a tech talent nexus – for established developers and budding coders alike
image
How Dubai became the North Star of international tech
The annual Expand North Star convention gathers luminaries from across the world – affirming Dubai’s ascension as a global tech powerhouse
image
The agricultural revolution securing future food supplies
Food security is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity. The solutions are emerging in Dubai
image
The Innovations At The Heart of Dubai’s Retail Growth
Sky-high standards, an expanding market, and a supportive government have catalyzed a wave of experimentation in the emirate – and a boom in retail
image
The Future Of Farming Is Technological
New innovations are promising to feed the world in an increasingly challenging environment
image
Creating The Ideal Environment for Digital Success
Digital businesses need flexible legislation and cutting-edge infrastructure to grow sustainably. They’ll find it in Dubai
image
Public meets private to shape the future of logistics
Business and government must collaborate to respond to the challenges confronting the sector
image
How should cutting-edge tech be regulated?
Regulation has the power to stimulate or limit new technology. Dubai’s sandboxes are striking the right balance between risk and innovation to drive transformation
image
The history-making fintech unicorn that puts people first
Hiring a team of top international talent requires a large and diverse talent pool. For one Israeli tech startup, Dubai was the answer
image
Liberalized trade is the crux of resilient supply chains
Global disruption is localizing supply chains. But frictionless borders remain crucial to the flow of goods and services
image
What's attracting global tech talent to Dubai
Dubai has emerged as a new heartland for the digital workforce. But what makes this destination so compelling for the next generation of tech talent?
image
How to build a tech business from scratch
Rupert Tait arrived in Dubai with “nothing but a suitcase.” He had a million-dollar business within three years
image
How Dubai is becoming a new capital of global finance
New frontiers are shaking up the old financial order, making way for a fresh generation of investment havens
image
What the ‘Careem effect’ means for global tech
The Dubai unicorn’s success signaled the arrival of a major new tech capital
image
Where tech talent goes to thrive
In the global race for digital skills, how does a city become a tech talent magnet?
image
How to stabilize global supply chains
Years of disruption have put global supply chains under strain. What can logistics carriers do to stabilize networks and get trade flowing again?
image
Why the crypto community is embracing Dubai
The leading lights of virtual assets are clustering in this global finance hub. What does that mean for the digital economy?
Dubai DET Logo

Find out more about what makes Dubai a city of ambition

Find out more