Gulf region could scoop up top global talent after US H-1B restrictions

Vijay Valecha, September 21, 2025, The National

The UAE and other Gulf countries are in a “great position” to take advantage of new US recruitment restrictions by attracting the best up-and-coming talent from across the globe, experts have told The National.

The US has announced new visa barriers for foreign workers at a time when demand for advanced tech talent is skyrocketing around the globe.

Some analysts believe the new restrictions to the US H-1B visa programme, announced by the Trump administration on Friday, could drive more top Asian workers and American start-ups to towards the Gulf, which has a fast-growing and welcoming ecosystem as well as competitive salaries and more straightforward immigration rules.

What happened?

US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Friday to impose a $100,000 application fee for H-1B worker visas, dealing a big blow to the technology sector that relies heavily on skilled workers from India and China.

The decision caused chaos, with some people immediately altering travels plans over the weekend after tech companies advised staff not to leave the country or return to the US before the Sunday morning deadline.

One flight from San Francisco was apparently delayed after Indian passengers decided to disembark before take-off, according to a social media post on X. The cost of a direct flight to the US from India also surged as H-1B holders who were on holiday decided to return before the new rule came into effect.

The White House later clarified that the new rules are only applicable to new visa applications. Current visa holders and those who intending to renew their H-1B visas are also exempted from the new rules, according White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

UAE's new visas and AI focus

The UAE has introduced a number of visas over the past few years to attract the best talent from across the world.

These include the 10-year golden visa as well as remote working and freelancer visas. Last year, the country also launched a blue visa, which will grant a 10-year residency to people who have made “exceptional contributions” towards protecting the nation's environment.

The new announcement by the US “creates a unique opportunity for the broader Gulf countries, and the UAE in particular, to attract global talent to the region,” said Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer of Century Financial.

“The Mena region has expanded residency pathways by offering broad-ranging long-term visa categories for skilled professionals from various industries,” including the UAE’s 10-year golden visa, Saudi Arabia’s premium residency, and specialised residency permits offered by Qatar.

“Moreover, there are limited political, bureaucratic and geopolitical hurdles, making the Gulf region a very lucrative destination for those seeking stability alongside employment,” he said.

Local governments are investing heavily in artificial intelligence, fintech and digital transformation, and are adopting international standards of regulation to integrate with the global ecosystem, Mr Valecha added.

“This backdrop is conducive for a symbiotic relationship – wherein the Gulf countries get access to global talent to see these mega projects through completion, and skilled professionals from all over the world get stable employment tied to these projects,” he explained.