Dubai is now internationally recognised as the place where businesses and entrepreneurs want to be. Besides being a business giant, Dubai is also an excellent place for freelancers. People in Dubai can obtain a freelance visa to work legally while using Dubai’s public services and connecting with other professionals. Do you want to work as a freelancer in Dubai but don’t know where to start?
In this guide, we’ll discuss the freelance permit in Dubai, its types, requirements, and application process. Whether you love consulting, organising events, teaching, filmmaking, or media and entertainment, our guide will help you find your way to live and work in Dubai as a thriving freelancer.
What is a Freelance Visa Dubai?
A Dubai freelance visa is a type of visa that permits you to work independently in the UAE. You can obtain a freelance permit if you’re involved in freelance activities.
Here are some points that you should know about the freelance visa in Dubai:
- The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation creates and provides this visa.
- It allows you to stay for two years, but you must renew it yearly.
- You can do job projects from any place within the UAE.
- You need to apply for an Establishment Card.
Types of Freelance Visa Dubai
The following are the types of freelance visas in Dubai:
1. General Freelance Work Permit
Foreign nationals can easily find ways to earn money from different Dubai businesses using this flexible work visa. You can buy this visa option for AED 7,500* to AED 20,000*, depending on what packages and services you pick, so that freelancers can enter Dubai easily.
2. Dubai Talent Pass
The Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority, working with Dubai Culture and GDRFA, created a visa for experts working in different fields, including marketing and education. Starting freelancing in Dubai means spending between AED 9,000* and AED 15,000* upfront, but it will let you join Dubai’s growing pool of working professionals right where you live.
3. Investor/Freelance Visa
This visa lets freelancers combine business and work freedom by investing in a free zone in Dubai. Based on your business deal, the freelance visa costs around AED 10,000*.
4. Media Freelancer Visa
People who work in creative roles like painting, writing, music, and movies can use this visa to freelance legally in zones like Dubai Media City or Dubai Internet City. Applicants will need to pay between AED 7,500* and AED 15,000*.
5. Freelance Permit for Women
The visa allows female freelancers to join and advance gender diversity in the UAE’s freelance business world. This visa type lets female freelancers in Dubai set up businesses across different industries, starting at a visa fee of AED 7,500*.
6. Remote Work Visa
People holding this visa can take their work to the UAE while staying employed by international companies elsewhere. Digital nomads enjoy Dubai’s lifestyle and work with foreign organisations under one visa. The price to get this visa starts at AED 7,000* and goes up to AED 12,000*.
7. Profession-Specific Freelance Visas
This type of visa is tailored to the unique needs of various industries:
- Banking and Finance:You’ll need to go through Abu Dhabi’s Department of Economic Development to get your visa if you work in banking and finance.
- Education and IT: The Dubai Development Authority and the government have made special visa groupings for teachers and workers in technology fields.
- Media:You must apply for a media work visa at Dubai Media City.
8. Freelancers Green Visa
Freelancers can get a 5-year visa if they show a work permit from MOHRE, have a bachelor’s degree or more, and have proven they made AED 360,000* yearly in the last two years or proved their ability to pay for living expenses. Because it lasts five years, the cost of a freelance visa is between AED 15,000* and AED 25,000*.
Documents Required to Get a Freelance Permit in Dubai
A freelance visa lets people live in Dubai and lets you bring along family members you sponsor. But you can only get this visa if you meet Dubai’s detailed requirements.
Eligibility Criteria for Freelancers in Dubai
The following are the points that you must fulfil to apply for the freelance visa and permit:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a valid passport
- You must show that you have finished either a degree or a diploma
- You must have worked as an independent professional within your field for two years before applying
- Your yearly income must be no less than AED 360,000*
- Clear a medical fitness test
- Provide no criminal record
Documentations for Dubai Freelance Visa
Keep these documents ready to apply for a Dubai freelance permit and visa:
- Your application form
- Passport copy
- Educational certificates
- Updated CV
- Passport photos
- Give copies of their old UAE visas if they already live there
- UAE locals must submit a copy of their Emirates ID
- Proof of income
- Working portfolio of designers
How to Apply for a Freelance Visa in Dubai, UAE?
Here’s a step-by-step process to guide you in getting a freelance permit:
1. Apply for a Freelance Permit
To get a freelance permit, register in the “GoFreelance” system and file your freelance visa application there. Start by registering online, then fill out and send in the application form. Your specific paperwork will depend a little on which visa category you select.
2. Get a Freelance Permit and Business Card together
When your application is reviewed, they will send you the document showing you can do freelance work. The local Authority, often a free zone agency, is where you register for your Dubai Establishment Card. The card legally registers your business in Dubai.
3. Apply for a Residency Visa
After getting your freelance permit and establishment card, use the GDRFA Dubai online portal to apply for your residency visa. This visa lets you work and live in Dubai at the same time. The process generally involves:
- Experience a health evaluation required for the permit process.
- Applying for an Emirates ID.
- Take your residence visa and have it approved across the pages of your passport.
4. Establish a Bank Account
After you get your freelance permit and Dubai residence visa, you can start a bank account in Dubai to control your income and spending.
5. Renew Your Permit and Visa
Every year, you need to update your freelance permit and residence visa. Remember when your visa and permits come up for renewal and get everything done beforehand to avoid extra charges.
Check out Xpert Advisory Pro and visa services in Dubai – our experts know how to help freelancers get their visas in Dubai. Our experts will help you submit your legal applications correctly and complete all necessary steps.
Final Words
The freelance permit in Dubai allows independent workers various chances to succeed professionally in the UAE work environment. Moreover, you can select from many freelance visas, finding one that matches your job and what you want to achieve in your career. Whether you’re working in digital media, technology, or art, you can follow your dreams through this visa, which also grants you access to all the exciting opportunities Dubai offers.
Ready to start your freelance journey? Let Xpert Advisory help you pick the perfect visa and do all the government paperwork from start to finish. As you work on your freelance goals, Xpert Advisory will manage your complicated legal steps. Contact us now to make your freelance aspirations come true!
FAQs
Do You Need a Freelance Permit to Obtain a Freelance Visa in Dubai?
You need a freelance permit to get your freelance visa in Dubai. With your freelance permit, you can request a freelance visa to work and live legally in Dubai as an independent professional.
What is the Processing Time for a Freelance Visa in the UAE?
A freelance license or visa in the UAE takes around 20 to 30 days to process when you submit all necessary documents.
Do You Need a Health Insurance to Get a Freelance Permit in the UAE?
Every UAE freelance visa holder must carry health insurance. You must show your valid health insurance documents to initiate the visa process.
