People will walk through Creek Harbor as Dubai skyline on February 5, 2025 with Burj Khalifa, the world’s largest building (C).
Fadel Senna | AFP | Getty Images
The Middle East could emerge as a major beneficiary of President Donald Trump’s plan for higher H-1B visa fees.
The sustainable drive to make the Gulf region the next global AI hub attracts billions of dollars in investments from local sovereign wealth funds, global private equity and leading US technologies.
Investors have highlighted how the government is driving a national strategy focused on technologies such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s National AI Strategy, creating a business-friendly environment for tech companies with long-term golden visas for skilled professionals and reduced regulations for entrepreneurs.
“The Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, offer the world’s highest comp packages to win the top AI-Talent from Silicon Valley,” said Francesco Filia, CEO of Fasanara Capital.
According to Philia, tech professionals are drawn to the Middle East by combining first-class compensation, a tax-friendly environment and opportunities to tackle large, innovative projects.
“The Gulf also offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle with high quality infrastructure and access to everything Asia has to offer,” Fear told CNBC.
Details about the White House plan to require companies to pay $100,000 in their H1-B applications, but the move is expected to intensify the global war for technological talent.
“We feel that tech companies in the UAE are important benefits for labor market flexibility to hire top foreign talent,” Zachary Cefaratti, founder and chairman of the executive group of Dalma Capital, told CNBC.
“The impact of the increased foreign labor restrictions in other countries will only increase the relatively appeal of the UAE as a talented hub,” he added.
President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on September 19, 2025 at the White House’s oval office in Washington, DC.
Andrew Harnik | Getty Images
While the UK and Europe may struggle to attract key expertise due to their relatively lack of support and funding, the often hostile tone that supports public discussions about immigration could postpone future recruitment that comes to the region.
“In the UAE, talented people are welcomed by opening their arms,” Simon Hopkins, CEO of Milltrust International Group, told CNBC. “The US and the UK are stepping into their footing with inappropriate immigration policies, and the focus should be on eliminating illegal immigration.
Hopkins said mobility proves a key driving force in the global economy and will ultimately help shape its winners and losers.
It’s not just a stepping stone
“What sets the UAE apart is its ability to combine ambition with infrastructure to create an environment where innovation moves quickly and gains true traction,” Amina Taher, CMO at Wio Bank, Digital Financial Platform, told CNBC.
The UAE, struggling to maintain talent outside the oil and gas industry around 15 years ago, has since built a commercial and financial hub that it hopes to rival London and New York.
“Increasingly, top technology and fintech talent sees the region not only as a stepping stone, but as a place to build, grow and contribute meaningfully,” Taher said.
At the forefront of UAE’s strategy, visa options range from creators, freelancers and self-employed options to the coveted golden visa, a 10th year stamp that is not tied to employers.
In April, Saudi Arabia announced a national skills platform aimed at strengthening workforce training and development as part of a broader strategy to address the global change arising from AI and automation.
“The smart city project powered by Saudi Arabia’s futuristic neom city and UAE AI will provide unique and large-scale opportunities for high-tech professionals,” Filia said. “To tackling these cutting-edge data centers that are being built will train a new generation to support AI-driven urban development, fintech and logistics.”
Maintain top talent
Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia can benefit uncertainly surrounding Trump’s new labor policy, but not all talents gather in the Gulf.
Michael Stull, Managing Director of ManPowerGroup UK, said there is no important path to citizenship in many Gulf countries.
“You’re probably thinking you’re on the edge, not part of the country yet. So there’s a bit of anxiety that people feel there,” Stal told CNBC’s “Scoobox Europe” on Friday.
Israel’s war with Hamas has raised questions about the stability and safety of the region for many who are trying to direct Gulf countries like Qatar to crossfire and relocate them. The geography of the United Arab Emirates alone raised concerns when Iran and Israel exchanged fires directly this summer, reminding Gulf residents that the area must compete with the stability of its neighbors.
