UAE ranked in top 10 best countries for expats
The United Arab Emirates has been ranked the 10th best country in the world for expats to live and work in 2024, according to a new study by global network InterNations. What expatriates value most is the high quality of life and job opportunities.
Interestingly, the InterNations Expat Insider 2024 global ranking was topped by Panama, with Mexico and Indonesia also in the top three countries, and Spain and Colombia in the top five. Along with the UAE, Thailand, Brazil, Vietnam and the Philippines also made the top 10.
The worst destinations for expats include Kuwait, Turkey, Finland, Germany, Canada and Norway. A total of 12,543 people in 174 countries were surveyed – on quality of life, ease of employment, personal finances and needs and more.
It emerged that expats in the UAE rated ‘quality of life’ (third highest in the world), ‘opportunities to work abroad’ (6th) and ‘fulfilment of basic needs’ (1st in the world) the highest.
The UAE authorities have implemented a number of economic, legal and social reforms aimed at attracting highly skilled foreigners and foreign investment. In 2019, investors, entrepreneurs and skilled professionals, outstanding students and graduates, and property investors began issuing 10-year resident visas.
‘Green’ visa provides skilled workers with a five-year residency permit without the need for a sponsor or employer. In 2021, the UAE introduced the annual digital nomad visa, which allows people to live remotely in the Emirates, as well as a visa for retirees over the age of 55.
According to InterNations, expatriates find it easy to live in the UAE without Arabic language skills, as well as easy to access government services, which are usually provided online.
The UAE ranked third in the world for quality of life and led in the sub-categories of environmental policy, car infrastructure and political stability. Foreign workers also rated their personal safety and the availability and quality of healthcare very favourably (12th in the world).
Source: The National
