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Updated January 2024

The scope and opportunities in the field of freelancing have grown multifold recently as businesses are recognizing the benefits of a more accessible, flexible, qualified source of talent. Dubai, one of the leading investment hubs in the world, is a great place to kickstart your freelancing career.

Can you become a legal freelancer in Dubai? What are the procedures? How much will it cost? Wego explains everything below.

Flexible Work Permit: New UAE Freelance Visa for All Skills

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Freelance visa Dubai

A freelance visa is a flexible freelance work permit introduced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) to enable people of any skill level to apply for freelance work in the country. After obtaining the permit, the freelancer will have the flexibility to work from any location within the country or anywhere else in the world.

With a view to creating more job opportunities in the country, the UAE has announced that not only UAE nationals but UAE citizens, residents and non-residents too can apply for freelance licenses in the UAE. Freelancers can also apply for the 5-year Green visa.

For residents: freelancer permit

If you’re residing in Dubai on your spouse’s or parent’s visa, you’ll only need a freelancer permit to start working. Full-time working professionals in the UAE can also become freelancers by obtaining a permit.

However, you’ll receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your sponsor and/or employer.

For non-residents: freelancer visa

If you’re not otherwise resident in the UAE, you’ll have to apply for a freelancer visa, which is a residency permit that allows the individual to live and work in the emirate as a freelancer.

You’ll also have to apply for a residence visa.

The Dubai Talent Pass

The Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (Dafza), Dubai Culture and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) have additionally launched the Dubai Talent Pass, a three-year visa or freelance license, to attract and retain global talent. The scheme is aimed at the art, media, technology, marketing, culture, education, marketing and consultancy industries in Dubai and is part of the Emirate’s goal to boost its freelance workforce.

To know more about the costs and benefits of the Dubai Talent Pass, please consult our dedicated article below.

Dubai Talent Pass: What You Need to Know About the 3 Year Dubai Freelance Visa

Green residence for freelancing and self-employment

With the freelancing industry and the concept of flexible work models having considerable growth worldwide, the new Green residence for freelancing and self-employment provides a 5 years residency for freelancers and self-employed individuals without requiring a sponsor or employer in the UAE.

The only requirements include:

obtaining a freelance/ self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
a minimum educational qualification with a bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma.
an annual income from self-employment for the previous two years of AED360,000 (USD 9,800.99), or
the applicant should be able to prove their financial solvency throughout their stay in the country.

Freelance visa Dubai benefits

Freelance visa holders are entitled to several benefits, such as

flexibility to work for multiple companies
offer services at lower prices, increasing affordability
legally stay and work in the Emirates, and even bring their families and or dependents with them (please note that you cannot sponsor employees with your freelance visa).
work as an independent contractor
get access to the free zone’s business centre
sponsor family members

How to get a freelancer visa in Dubai?

Getting the freelance permit

You’ll have to get your freelancer permit issued from a free zone in Dubai, which will help you get your residency visa as well.

The TECOM Group, in conjunction with the Dubai Development Authority, has launched the GoFreelance initiative, where eligible individuals can share their talent with the world, get exclusive opportunities to get new jobs, bid on projects and grow their network.

Applicants will need the following documents:

resume/CV
recent photograph
passport and visa copy (valid for at least 8 months)
bank reference letter
NOC from your UAE sponsor
proof of academic qualifications certified either by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the UAE Consulate in your country of origin (for those applying in the education sector)
portfolio or sample of your work (for those applying in the media sector)

Fill up their application form and attach your passport and visa (if you have one) copies here, and wait for 5-7 days to get their approval by email. You then have to visit the business centre in Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Media City or Dubai Internet City to show your original passport, sign the documents, and complete the payment for your freelance permit.

Usually, the processing time is 10-15 business days. Once your permit is approved, you’ll receive it via email.

Getting the establishment card

After you receive your permit, you’ll get access to TECOM’s business service platform called AXS, from where you can avail of a number of government or corporate services. Here, you’ll need to apply for the Establishment Card, which comes at an additional cost.

To apply for the card, you’ll require your freelancer permit and a UAE mobile number.

Getting the employment visa

Once you have your establishment card, you can apply for a residence visa in Dubai. For this, you’ll need your original passport, a passport photo, valid medical insurance and visa (if applicable), along with the card.

Getting a residence visa

After your freelance visa application is submitted, you’ll receive an entry permit within a week, which will be valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. On arrival in Dubai, you’ll have to look into subsequent procedures like medical examinations.

Once your residence visa gets stamped, you’re all set to start living and freelancing in Dubai.

How to sponsor your family on a freelance visa?

Employers and employees can sponsor their families in the UAE as long as they have a valid residency permit.

Requirements

To sponsor your family, you must:

have your valid residency permit
minimum wage requirement: AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 + accommodation
the application must be submitted within 60 days of the issuing of your UAE Residence Visa

Other conditions for your wife and children include:

wife: you must submit an authenticated marriage certificate to prove that you have an existing marital relationship.
two wives: Muslim residents can sponsor their two wives, but in some strict cases. In this case, you must meet the terms and conditions established by the GDRFA.
daughters: You can sponsor your daughters as long as they’re unmarried
sons: you can sponsor your sons if they’re 18 or under. If they’re 18-21 years old, you can sponsor them as long as you prove they’re studying. However, they must enter the UAE at least once every six months.
stepchildren: in the case of stepchildren, you can sponsor them as long as you provide a NOC from the biological parent.

Application process

To sponsor your family while on a freelance visa:

apply for the entry permit for your family
the family enters the UAE with the entry permit
submit the application online or through a registered typing office
submit the necessary documents
pass the medical fitness examination (for dependents over 18 years old)

Activities included in freelance visa Dubai

You can freelance in Dubai in only certain sectors. As of now, the following activities are permissible for freelancers in Dubai.

Employed in the media

In media, you can choose to do upto 3 activities. The freelance permit will be issued by Dubai Media City.

Actor
Aerial Shoot Photographer
Animator
Artist
Audio/Sound Engineer
Brand Consultant
Cameraman
Choreographer
Commentators: Radio, Events, Sports, Television
Composer
Content Provider
Copywriter
Creative Director
Critics: Music, Film, Theatre
Director: Music, Film, Television, Theatre
Editor: Audio, Video
Editor: Publishing
Events Planner
Furniture Designer
Graphic Designer
Illustrator
Journalist
Lighting Specialist
Market Analyst
Marketing Specialist
Media Planner
Music Director
Musician
New Media Specialist
Photographer
Photojournalist
PR Specialist
Presenter: TV, Radio
Print Media Specialist
Producer
Scriptwriters
Set and Exhibit Designer
Social Media Specialist
Social Media Influencer
Special Effects Producer
Translator
Wardrobe Stylist
Web Developer
Web Designer
Writer

Employed in education

You can only opt for one position. The freelance permit will be issued by Dubai Knowledge Park.

Education Advisor
eLearning Advisor
Executive Coaching
Researcher
Trainer

Employed in tech

You can only opt for one position. The freelance permit will be issued by Dubai Internet City.

Web, Mobile, Software Development and Architecture Freelancer
IT and Telecommunication Networking Freelancer
Data Science and Analytics Freelancer
Customer Service Freelancer

Employed in design

You can only opt for one position. The freelance permit will be issued by Dubai Design District.

Apparel Designer
Concept Designer
Costume Designer
Fashion Artist
Fashion Designer
Fashion Stylist
Image Consultant
Hair Stylist
Interior Designer
Jewelry Designer
Make-up Artist
Object Designer
Personal Shopper
Textile Designer
Visual Merchandiser
Wedding Planner

Freelance visa cost 2023

There are four distinct costs involved in obtaining and renewing your freelance visas.

Freelance permit: The freelance permit costs AED 7,500 to be issued and renewed. It needs to be renewed annually.
Establishment card: The establishment card costs AED 2,000 to be issued and renewed. It needs to be renewed annually.
Employment visa: The 3-year-valid visa costs AED 2,750, while the 5-year-valid visa costs AED 5000. They need to be renewed every 3 and 5 years, respectively.
Residence visa:
- If you are applying from outside the UAE, then the cost of residence visa (valid for 3 years) cost will be:
  - AED 3,330 (Normal)
  - AED 3,900 (Express)
- If you are applying from within the UAE, then the cost of residence visa (valid for 3 years) cost will be:
  - AED 4,960 (Normal)
  - AED 6,340 (Express)

Thus, the total annual expense of your freelance visa would be at least AED 11,525.

The visa cost excludes health insurance but is inclusive of visa stamping, medical tests and the Emirate ID.

Green visa for freelancers

The only requirements include the following:

obtaining a freelance/ self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
a minimum educational qualification with a bachelor’s degree or specialized diploma.
an annual income from self-employment for the previous two years of AED 360,000 (USD 9,800.99), or
the applicant should be able to prove their financial solvency throughout their stay in the country.