Does living as a freelancer seem like an ideal lifestyle for you? The next step is to obtain freelancing permission and a freelance visa for Dubai! You can lawfully do business in the UAE and offer clients professional services if you get a Freelance Visa in Dubai.
Most independent contractors operate in software development, websites, social media, architecture, health and fitness, and graphic design. In the UAE, 38% of freelance workers are women and 62% of men. Most independent contractors are between twenty-one and thirty years of age.
If you are a non-national willing to work as a freelancer, you will also need your UAE Residency Visa. You can work in diverse arenas, such as consulting, film production, education, events management, new media and entertainment.
With step-by-step advice on navigating the application procedures, legal requirements, and information on which Free Zone you might wish to set up your Freelance Visa, this thorough guide seeks to ease the process.
How to become a freelancer in Dubai?
In the UAE, you can reside and work as a freelancer with a freelancer visa. Now, you can apply for this visa through the mainland authorities if they offer a freelance package. However, it is handled by the Free Zone that issued your Freelance Permit. This visa is tied to your Freelance Permit.
How to Obtain a UAE Free Zone Freelance Visa
Select Your Field
Decide on the area you want to work as a freelancer, such as design, media, education, or technology.
Pick a Free Zone
Make sure the one you pick allows freelancer licenses. Check out the list given under the “UAE Free Zones“.
Obtain a freelance permit by applying to the area of your choice. In the UAE, the permit serves as permission to do freelancing business. Most Free Zones provide online application platforms.
Documentation
Collect the necessary documentation, including copies of your passport, resume, bank reference letter, academic transcripts validated by the UAE Consulate or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, credentials, work portfolio (if applicable), two professional references (along with their contact details), and, if you are already a UAE resident, the sponsor’s No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Submit Your Application
A freelance permit from the relevant Free Zone authority is all you need. Look for the appropriate authority to submit your application.
Apply for a Freelance Visa
You can use your Freelance permit to apply for a Freelance Visa. It will allow you to live and work as a freelancer in the United Arab Emirates. Your Freelance Permit, health insurance, passport, UAE phone number and passport-sized pictures are required for the application.
Establishment Card
You might have to apply for an establishment card based on the Free Zone selected. This card is essential for handling visa-related paperwork, particularly if you need extra operational permissions or intend to sponsor dependents’ visas. The annual cost will be AED 2000 to undergo and clear the medical check-up.
You are required to clear the medical tests, which is a part of the visa application process.
Issue of Visa
Your Freelance Visa will be issued once the application is approved and all visa fees are paid.
Visa Renewal
Freelance visa requires renewal after a particular duration. The cost and validity depend on the free zone authority.
Costs of Freelance Visas and UAE Free Zones
Many UAE Free Zones offer Freelancer licenses, but not all do. The Free Zones listed below, each focusing on a particular industry, provide Freelance Permits and Visas. The sector expertise and the specific services and amenities that best suit your company’s needs should be considered while choosing your free zone.
Consider the pricing structure considering license fees, visa costs, and any required deposits. To make sure a Free Zone fits your career goals and growth possibilities, you must evaluate the general atmosphere and networking opportunities it offers.
How to Obtain a Visa for Freelance Work in Dubai?
Mainland Freelance Visa Application Outside the free zones, Dubai has a somewhat different procedure.
- Select Your Business Purpose: Decide the industry or subject you want to work for yourself in fields like technology, education, or the media.
- Acquire a Permit for Freelance: In contrast to free zones, where the permit is granted by the free zone authorities, on the Mainland you must get a freelance permit in Dubai from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization. It entails completing any specific requirements specified by your selected sector and submitting the required paperwork.
- Apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC): You must get a NOC from your current sponsor if you are already a resident of the UAE under a different type of visa, such as an employment visa.
- Comply with All Legal Requirements: You must have all the documentation needed, including a current passport, the credentials you need to work as a freelancer, and any other licenses you may need.
- Medical Fitness Test and Insurance: Obtain legitimate health insurance and submit to a medical fitness test as the requirements for obtaining a UAE resident visa.
- Apply for a resident Visa: You can lawfully live and work in Dubai if you have a resident visa and the required paperwork in hand in addition to your freelance permit. You must specifically apply for a Green Visa with documents like a Bachelor’s degree or any other specialist qualification. In addition, you must confirm your financial stability during your stay in the country or furnish evidence or proof of income that should be at least AED 360,000 in yearly self-employment revenue for the previous two years.
- Stamping of the Visa: You must have the approval of your residency visa stamped on your passport.
- Open a Bank Account: You must open a bank account for your freelance venture.
Get from A&A Associate your Freelance Visa Now!
It makes sense why many experts prefer getting a Freelance license in UAE. A & A Associates Consultancy provides comprehensive support to help you obtain your freelance visa in Dubai.
As one of the UAE’s top experts in Dubai company formation, A&A Associate Consultancy provides value-added business support services and diverse Freelancer package options to people willing to work as independent contractors.