Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai and the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, inaugurated the National Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries in November 2021. It aims to increase the role of the creative and cultural sectors in the UAE economy, with the goal of ensuring that they make up 5% of the GDP by the next decade.
Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, the Minister of Culture and Youth, adds that it aims to attract the best of creative professionals and talents to the United Arab Emirates. The announcement came during the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development that was announced by the United Nations for 2021.
The National Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries consists of 40 initiatives across three major segments – talents and creatives, professionals and business environment, and enabling the business environment. 16 initiatives have been earmarked for talents and creatives, 10 for professionals and business environment, and 14 for enabling the business environment.
The Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority has launched a Talent Pass for freelancers working in the fields of art, media, culture, marketing, technology, education, and consulting. This has been undertaken jointly with Dubai Culture and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs which will process visas and facilitate licenses, among other services.
The Talent Pass issued by Dubai Airport Free Zone costs AED 9,500 (this is the same as USD 2,586) and is to be renewed ever year. However, renewal charges will be different, according to Abdulaziz Al Hammadi, Senior Vice President – Marketing and Business Growth of Dubai Airport Free Zone. Those who are granted the Talent Pass can avail of a three-year residency visa.
Abdulaziz Al Hammadi says that eligible Talent Pass holders can also apply for a UAE Golden Visa. Renting office space in the Dubai Airport Free Zone is not mandatory. However, those who need a space to work or hold meetings with clients can make use of the facilities offered by the Dubai Airport Free Zone.
The Dubai Airport Free Zone is home to 1,800 companies that span 20 industry sectors. The Talent Pass helps innovators to establish, operate, and grow their business in Dubai. Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority says that the Talent Pass comes as a response to the changing market requirements in the post-pandemic period.
Other business licenses currently offered by the Dubai Airport Free Zone include an e-commerce license for the online buying/selling of goods and services, an industrial licence for light manufacturing activities as well as packaging and assembly, commerce license for export/import including re-export, and a services license.
A&A Associate LLC is a provider of corporate services pertaining to business setup in Dubai and the rest of the United Arab Emirates. It has been of assistance to clients from 100 countries around the world, and has an excellent client satisfaction rate so far. For more details on how you can get a Talent Pass in Dubai, call +971 4 2690673 or use the form below to send us a message.