verified by : Andrey Ovchinnikov
17 Apr 2024
Since 2019, the UAE has opened its doors to freelancers. This includes tutors, sports coaches, musicians, artists, designers, and media professionals, who can now secure a permit and offer their services legally across the UAE. With the UAE freelance visa, they can also establish a permanent residence in the country.
The options for authorities providing a freelancer visa are vast. Many emirates offer freelance visas and we can guide you on choosing the right one for your individual business.
What is a freelance visa and license in the UAE?
A freelance visa is a UAE residency visa, offering the flexibility of living in the country without the need for a sponsoring company. It's a form of self-employment in the UAE, granting independence and freedom.
The visa comes alongside a freelance permit, effectively a work permit for a freelancer. The UAE provides these permits through various licensing authorities, mainly located in free zones. Almost every emirate has a free zone which can issue a freelance license and visa.
In the emirate of Dubai, for example, Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, and Dubai Knowledge Park are the free zones capable of issuing a freelance license and visa.
Your freelancer visa will resemble a standard UAE residency visa—a pink stamp in your passport—which is valid for two or three years.
A freelance license in Dubai and the UAE is a permit issued to freelancing individuals, enabling them to work legally throughout the country. Freelancers may not always require aresidence visa (if their visa is under a spouse or a company), but a freelance permit is a must. In essence, a freelance visa is optional, but a freelance permit is mandatory for those seeking to offer their services publicly and charge fees.
Who can be a freelancer in the UAE?
In short, anyone! If you aspire to work independently and start your own business, the opportunity awaits you in the UAE.
With a diverse list of approved professions, almost anyone can find a suitable option for freelance work in the UAE. Most cases don't require educational certificates or degrees, and previous freelance experience isn't mandatory.
Benefits of being a freelancer in the UAE
Freelancing in the UAE comes with an array of benefits:
- Self-management and effective time-management
- Ability to control workload
- Pursuing your passion
- Enjoying extended holidays
- Being your own boss
- Freedom to travel and live anywhere
- Securing a UAE residence visa
- Sponsoring your family
As one of the world's safest countries, the UAE is an ideal starting point for your freelance journey. Research shows that over 60% of UAE residents would consider freelancing if given the opportunity.
Legal Freelancing in Dubai: What Can You Do?
Upon securing an official freelance permit, freelancers can:
- Offer services to private individuals and businesses
- Raise invoices and receive payments
- Collaborate with government agencies
Becoming a Freelancer: The Requirements
For most freelancers, there are no strict professional background requirements. You simply need to gather certain documents and submit your application.
Generally, the required documents are:
- Passport copy
- Visa and Emirates ID copy (if you are a UAE resident)
- No objection letter from current sponsor (if you are a UAE resident)
- Recent photo
- CV
- Portfolio of works (if applicable)
Securing a freelance visa will grant you a residence visa, allowing you to live in the country. Additionally, you will need a work permit or freelance license to start legally freelancing in the UAE.
Where to get UAE freelance permit and visa
The UAE houses many business registration authorities, providing multiple options for a freelance visa in Dubai or other emirates.
Regardless of where your permit and visa are issued, you retain the same rights to work throughout the UAE. The distinction between various licensing authorities, like Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, and Dubai Knowledge Park, lies in the range of business activities they offer to freelancers and the associated costs.
Steps to Obtain a Freelance Visa and License in the UAE
The process of obtaining a freelance visa and license in the UAE involves several steps. Here's a general overview:
- Choose your Freelance Activity: Start by determining your professional field. There are various activities allowed for freelancers, and your choice will dictate the free zone or licensing authority to apply through.
- Select a Licensing Authority: Based on your chosen activity, select a suitable licensing authority or free zone, either in Dubai (Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park) or in other emirates. Each free zone has different costs and requirements for the freelance permit.
- Apply for a Freelance Permit: Submit your application for a freelance permit or freelance license, along with the necessary documents. The permit allows you to work legally as a freelancer in the UAE.
- Apply for a Freelance Visa: Once your freelance permit is approved, you can apply for a freelance visa. The visa allows you to live in the UAE and, in some cases, sponsor family members.
- Receive Approval and Collect Your Visa: Once approved, you will receive your visa, which is valid for two years.
Office Space for Freelancers in Dubai
While freelancers often work from home, some free zones offer shared office spaces. These co-working spaces offer a professional environment and networking opportunities.
Freelance visa in Dubai: procedure and options
To apply for a Freelance Visa in Dubai, you need to receive a freelance permit from the authorities. There are several options to get a Freelance Visa in Dubai.
DWC/Dubai South Free Zone
The Dubai South Free Zone is a cost-effective option for a freelance visa in Dubai. For more information, check out dubaisouth.ae.
GoFreelance under Dubai Development Authority
GoFreelance, facilitated by the Dubai Development Authority, offers a vast range of freelancing activities spanning four categories: design, education, media, and technology. These groups encompass a multitude of activities, making it an ideal platform to acquire your work permit in the UAE.
However, be wary of companies offering freelance permits under the guise of manpower supply licenses. These establishments merely issue visas and labour cards without an actual government-sanctioned permit for freelance activities.
Freelance visaAbu Dhabi: exploring the options
Abu Dhabi also caters to freelancers with two distinct options: the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development Freelance Permit and Twofour54.
Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development freelance permit
The Department of Economic Development offers 59 activities for freelancers. The freelance license and visa can be granted to any foreigner. The cost of the Abu Dhabi freelance license can be checked at adbc.gov.ae.
If you're already working under an employment visa in Abu Dhabi, you will need a No Objection Letter from your employer to acquire the freelance permit.
Twofour54
Twofour54, a creative hub for media, entertainment, and production sector companies in Abu Dhabi, provides another avenue for freelance permits. However, this requires partnering with a company based there, who will then issue a letter of intent for the desired projects. This letter is necessary for Twofour54's approval of your freelance permit.
Freelancing in Abu Dhabi through Twofour54 is possible only within this free zone and its partner companies.
UAE freelance visa options: other emirates
Several northern emirates offer options for obtaining a freelancer visa. Some free zones issue freelance licenses, while others present regular licenses as "freelance permits" due to their cost-effectiveness and special conditions.
Freelance visa Umm Al Quwain
The UAQ free trade zone offers an affordable and straightforward option for freelancers in the UAE. With affordable setup costs, freelance visa fees, and annual renewals, it offers great value for solo entrepreneurs. A wide range of business activities is available, with no need for external approvals or educational degrees to establish this freelance license in UAE.
Freelance visa Ajman
Ajman free zone provides one of the most cost-effective freelance visas in the UAE. One unique benefit is that one license can sponsor two resident visas. So, if you're seeking a UAE freelance visa, consider sharing the license costs with a friend for three years of coverage!
Freelance visa Sharjah
SHAMS free zone offers another affordable freelance visa in the UAE, with a package designed for media professionals. A single shareholder can apply for one resident visa under this package, which is often promoted as a freelance license due to its affordability and single shareholder condition.
Freelance visa Ras Al Khaimah
RAKEZ offers freelance visas based on your attested educational certificate. If you live or work in Ras Al Khaimah, this might be a suitable option.
Freelance visa Fujairah
Fujairah's Creative City free zone offers affordable freelance visa packages for the UAE. Although it doesn't provide freelancer visa options per se, some of its low-cost packages serve as good alternatives.
Don’t confuse their so-called package “Freelancer company” with a freelance license. That package is a normal commercial company solution, but its name can easily be taken for a freelance permit in Dubai or UAE.
