The United Arab Emirates is forging a partnership with startup Deel to speed up the visa process for foreign workers, offering a new tool in the country’s push to attract international talent and become a regional technology hub.
San Francisco-based startup Deel has partnered with the UAE government to speed up the visa process for foreign workers as the country aims to attract international talent.
The global payroll and onboarding company offers hiring and payment services for companies that are aiming to recruit international employees or contractors. Payroll and onboarding company Deel will be able to offer its customers, which include the likes of Coinbase Global Inc. and Shopify Inc., faster access to visas through a strategic partnership with the UAE’s Office for AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
“I expect this to be a big growth generator for Deel and hopefully a big magnet for talent to the UAE,” Chief Executive Officer Alex Bouaziz said. Customers will be able to access two kinds of visas ten years of self-sponsored residence or a more flexible one for shorter durations.
Founded in 2019, San Francisco-based Deel was last valued at $5.5 billion in October and has received backing from investors including Coatue and Altimeter Capital. Deel entered a public offer last week to acquire Australian payroll company PayGroup, and Bouaziz said the company is working on other acquisitions. This is the first time the firm has partnered with a government, but the pact could serve as a model for future agreements, Deel said. Deel customers will have faster access to UAE’s Golden and Green visas that allow 10-year self-sponsored residence visas or more flexible visas for a shorter period.
