Hello all,
Please share your thoughts. I am currently in the U.A.E. I am looking for remote consultant roles in U.S companies. Is it a possibility for me to work for a U.S company remotely while residing in the U.A.E? Will this also require that I need to apply for visa and how will the tax process be?
Regards
Hi there,
Yes, I have done this.
However, you have to have working rights. It also depends on what timezone/country you're in.
For example, I have working rights in the US and in Australia so I can take on US projects while in Australia. That said, the projects I would take on don't require real time communications with the client.
If you are not a US Citizen and you're hoping to do true consulting work, you don't really stand a chance of getting work all the way over there.
Remote Work
Like some of the other posts have mentioned, most consulting firms (especially MBB) would not accept this arrangement of working from the UAE. The first question most recruiters would ask would be 'Why do you want to work in the US if you will not relocate?' Companies will also be interested in your ability to work in the US (i.e. citizenship, green card), and your ties to the US, if any.
I would urge you to consider the time zone carefully. 9am in the US East Coast is 6pm in the UAE. The time difference only gets more extreme if you move westward. Are you prepared to work at night to be available during client working hours?
If based in the UAE, a more viable option may be to seek remote consulting work for companies in the GCC, like KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, etc.
Visa
This will depend on the type of visa you are currently on in the UAE. You will require a visa that allows you to work in the UAE, like a freelance visa, and not just a tourist visa. There are many options for freelance visas offered to UAE residents through free zones and certain emirates. These visas will typically cost around ~5,000 AED.
Tax
If you are working for a US company, you will be subject to tax. There is a Foreign Income Tax Exclusion for Americans working abroad that allows them to exclude the first ~$100,000 of foreign earned income. I suggest talking to a tax professional if you have any US taxable income.
Hope this helps, and you are able to find a remote opportunity that works for you!
(edited)
Hi,
Interesting question and nice to see a fellow UAE resident here.
1. Getting an offer: This is unlikely at MBB or similar but might be possible at smaller firms.
2. Visa: Depending on the type of contract you can get a freelance visa in the UAE
3. Taxes: If you are a USA resident you need to pay taxes regardless of where you live. If you don't have a USA passport then it depends on the type of contract and visa that you have. If you freelance then it shouldn't be an issue. If you are employed at a consulting firm but live in the UAE then you probably need to pay taxes.
Good luck!
Hey there,
Maybe with a small boutique consulting firm but not with MBB or similar.
This whole WFH thing involving other countries has been a major challenge for consultancies with the people already on payroll (regarding law, tax, time zone, etc.).
Trying to land a job remotely from UAE in US is going to be near impossible in my estimation, especially since there is now a trend reversal with consulting teams being back on the ground i.e. client site.
However, you can always try! Best of luck!
Hi there,
Highly unlikely with strategy firms since consultants usually spent 4 days a week at the client site to work collaboratively on problems with client stakeholders.
I would rather look at options that you have in your region.
Kind regards,
Florian
Hey, this is very unlikely to happen as there will be work permit/visa & tax complications. Consulting firms sometimes send people on secondment/expat contracts to another location for a temporary period (e.g 1 or 2 years), but what you are looking for is a completely different thing.
Best look for employment locally and try for internal transfer or network well to apply directly to US. Not easy but can be done with proper planning, effort & focus.
Hi there,
1) Is it a possibility for me to work for a U.S company remotely while residing in the U.A.E?
You can work for a company local branch. It is very unlikely you can work for any US company directly as a foreign employee, although you may be able to work for them as a freelancer.
2) Will this also require that I need to apply for visa and how will the tax process be?
If you work for a local branch / as freelancer, you should not need any visa. For tax implications you should check with a local financial advisor.
Best,
Francesco
Dear candidate,
if you have working rights then yes it is possible, however most firms who offer this do not have a strong brand value. But it is possible.
Best regards
You may be able to get freelance roles. Not full time remote roles as you don't have a work permit.
