Nomadic is the flexible, transparent, and multi-faceted business travel solution, launched by Fragomen, the world’s leading provider of immigration services, in the United Arab Emirates, with the aim to mark further expansion of Fragomen’s presence in the Middle East. During the first half of 2022, the number of visitors in the UAE nearly tripled compared to the same period in 2021. This surge underscores the growing demand for short-term immigration solutions, including business visas and other cross-border travel and compliance needs. In an exclusive interview with Adgully, Brendan Ryan, Partner at Fragomen and CEO of Nomadic, sheds light on how Nomadic is simplifying travel in the Middle East and discusses its future goals.
Can you provide an overview of how Nomadic's business traveller solutions addresses the specific compliance challenges faced by companies and their travelling workforces in the Middle East region?
Nomadic is a user-friendly, secure software platform and mobile app that harnesses the power of innovative technology and the expertise of Fragomen, the world’s largest provider of immigration services. Nomadic was created to address the complexities of short-term immigration compliance in the Middle East. With the region, particularly the UAE, experiencing significant economic growth and an upsurge in business travel, there's an emergent need for efficient short-term immigration programmes. Nomadic makes travel seamless by creating travel profiles, establishing risk tolerance levels, and automating the completion and filing of applications. In 2022, Dubai alone recorded 14.36 million overnight visitors, with projections for 2023 to exceed both of these figures according to an official UAE government report. Our dedicated entity in the UAE oversees the broader Middle East, ensuring that the unique needs of this dynamic landscape are catered to comprehensively.
How does Nomadic leverage technology to ensure compliance and seamless travel for business travellers?
At Nomadic, we utilise innovative technology to streamline visa applications and create unique traveller profiles, eliminating the need for repetitive data entry and reducing the risk of human errors. Our incorporation robotic process automation (RPA) is central to digitising much of the visa application process, simplifying what can be a complex procedure. However, our commitment goes further. We also focus on ensuring compliance by closely tracking essential dates like visa expirations, entry/exit records, and evolving regulations. This comprehensive approach not only enhances the overall travel experience but also results in time savings, leading to cost efficiencies for businesses.
Given the unique dynamics of the Middle East region, what sets Nomadic apart in terms of its approach to short-term immigration compliance compared to other solutions? How receptive is the Middle East region in adopting innovative solutions like Nomadic?
Nomadic distinguishes itself in the Middle East through a combination of deep regional expertise, advanced technological capabilities, and a dynamic adaptability to changing regulations. We also leverage Fragomen’s worldwide footprint, which facilitates case processing in over 170 jurisdictions, to ensure that travellers are fully prepared for their journeys and provide an in-depth understanding of local customs and regulations. Moreover, our tech-driven solutions ensure timely and precise compliance, which is crucial in the Middle East's rigorous regulatory environment. We also set the standard by prioritising data security, addressing the region's strong emphasis on privacy.
The Middle East's economic resurgence, especially seen in the UAE's travel boom, underscores the need for efficient immigration solutions. The significant expansion of Nomadic in the region underscores the Middle East's enthusiastic adoption of technology-driven, customised solutions for contemporary business travellers.
What is your vision for Nomadic's presence and impact in the Middle East over the next two years? Are there any expansion plans or strategies tailored to this region?
Our vision for Nomadic's presence and impact in the Middle East over the next two years is to establish ourselves as the leading business travel solution provider in the region, in line with the significant economic and travel growth that the Middle East is currently experiencing. To achieve this, we have developed a well-structured strategy that focuses on the unique needs of the Middle East. This region is renowned for its diverse appeal, forward-thinking immigration policies, and world-class infrastructure, all of which we intend to leverage to our advantage. Recent developments like the UAE Cabinet Resolution 65 of 2022, which has redefined visa categories to accommodate a wider range of individuals, create immense potential for innovative services like Nomadic's compliance assessment and Fragomen's golden visa evaluation. By aligning our offerings with evolving policies and regulations, we aim to provide unparalleled value to businesses and travellers in the Middle East while establishing Nomadic as a trusted partner in this dynamic and growing market.
In which industries or sectors do you see Nomadic's technology benefiting the most in the Middle East? What specific compliance challenges do businesses in this region face that Nomadic aims to address?
Nomadic's solutions facilitate global expansion, making it easier for companies to enter new markets and seize growth opportunities. In the competitive landscape of the Middle East, where industries like tourism, professional sports, finance, technology, and infrastructure frequently engage in cross-border activities, our technology is a valuable asset for businesses aiming to navigate the complexities of international travel with ease and confidence.
Business travellers contend with a multitude of rules and regulations, often varying based on the nature of their activities. Some travellers may require visas, even for transit through airports or land crossings en route to their final destinations. Failure to understand these transit requirements can disrupt travel plans and have a negative impact on business operations.
Could you elaborate on how Nomadic's technology ensures the security and privacy of traveller data, especially in the context of the Middle East, where data protection is a growing concern?
Our commitment to data security assumes even greater importance when considering the nature of the information involved. The data necessary for immigration applications ranks among the most sensitive and personal in the realm of information technology. In recognition of this, and in conjunction with Fragomen Technologies, we have meticulously integrated rigorous security provisions into our platform, software, processes, and tools. For instance, some of our indispensable protection is achieved through the secure storage of individual traveller histories and the seamless integration of encrypted data via APIs, all the while ensuring transparency and upholding privacy as fundamental principles.
How does Nomadic stay updated with the evolving compliance regulations and requirements in the Middle East to ensure its technology remains effective and up-to-date for businesses operating in the region?
Nomadic adopts a proactive approach to remain informed about evolving compliance regulations and requirements in the region. We have dedicated knowledge teams based in the Middle East that closely monitor changes in regulations, stay updated on jurisdictional updates, and keep a vigilant eye on shifts in compliance criteria. These teams actively collect and verify information from authoritative sources, engage with relevant government entities, and remain knowledgeable about the latest developments.
Moreover, we actively leverage Fragomen's expansive global network and data integration capabilities that facilitate real-time data feeds and automated updates on immigration requirements. This technology enables our platform to promptly reflect any regulatory modifications or newly established compliance prerequisites. We also maintain ongoing engagement with local authorities and industry experts, further enhancing our capacity to anticipate and adapt to evolving regulations.
Can you provide examples of success stories or case studies where Nomadic's technology has significantly improved compliance and efficiency for businesses in the Middle East, highlighting the tangible benefits they've experienced?
Nomadic has always stood at the forefront of immigration and mobility solutions, making significant strides in enhancing the travel experience for some of the world's most prestigious organisations. One of our most notable regional success stories from 2023 encapsulates our dedication to service excellence and the transformative power of our technological suite. In this instance, Nomadic assisted a global technology company with visa application processing for 500+ attendees for a two-day summit, many of whom could not simply obtain visa-on-arrival or visa-free access to the UAE. At the heart of our approach was our robust technology. Our centralized platform managed cases with unmatched precision, our pre-configured travel advice eliminated generic communication inefficiencies, and our sophisticated assessment tools navigated the unique challenges of each profile. These tools weren't just instrumental for this summit; they've revolutionized the experience for industries requiring swift deployment of their skilled workforce.
