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? We explain everything below.
Please note: From 12 December 2022, the UAE government will remove the stamping of residence visa in passports and replace it with the Emirates ID. Passports will no longer need to be collected for stamping and once the residency is approved, applicants will be able to download a copy of their e-Residence and use the Emirates ID for travel.
Freelance Visa Dubai latest news
A new freelance permit will be 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.
The permit is expected to be obtainable by the end of the third quarter of this year.
Freelance Visa Dubai 2023
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 resident in Dubai on your spouse’s or parent’s visa, then 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 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.
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 condition for your wife and children includes:
- 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)
- If you are applying from outside the UAE, then the cost of residence visa (valid for 3 years) cost will be:
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
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 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.
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