Freelance Visa In Dubai

Everyone wants to be as rich as they can be. Who wouldn’t? That’s why when you have a job that can pay you well, you would want to do it as frequently as possible. Well, with the boom of the freelance job market these days, many people are looking into this alternative and finding success. Today, we will talk about freelancing visa in Dubai.

So, you want to work in Dubai and be sure about hiring someone from outside your country? Don’t worry as there is a good news for you. In fact, it is an open door for people looking for a freelance visa in Dubai. The good news may be for a foreigner or for an Emirati national.

Touriangle affords you all the relevant information you need on freelance visa for sale in Dubai, freelance visa Dubai from Philippines, freelance visa agents in Dubai, freelance employment visa in Dubai, and so much more. Take out time to surf through our catalog for more information on related topics. You don’t want to miss this!

Freelance Visa Dubai 2022

The UAE is a country on the rise, especially when it comes to the technology sector. With its visionary leaders, the UAE aims at becoming the undisputed regional center for business, commerce, transport and tourism by 2020. Dubai has emerged as one of the fastest growing cities in the world. People are flocking to the city because of an attractive investment climate that provide an environment where businesses can operate with limited regulations and restrictions. It’s no wonder why expatriates throng to Dubai in search of employment opportunities.

In the UAE, freelance work is an important industry. Local companies are increasingly looking to freelance workers from overseas. The UAE Ministry of Labour has updated their regulations regarding foreign workers. This reform will bring clarity on how people can work as freelancers in the UAE. The new regulations come into force on 1st March 2017.The United Arab Emirates is one of the top countries for expats to work in. Their willingness to lure foreign talent and investment has made it an enticing place to own a business or launch a career. An increasing number of people from all over the world are taking advantage of this wealth and establishing their lives in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other parts of the U.A.E.

The UAE is currently undergoing a transformation that is now becoming more and more apparent to the world, resulting in a new dynamic cultural destination of global significance. The influx of expatriates results in rapid economic and social growth with changes to the cityscape and lifestyles that have caught the attention of both national and international media. This guide will cover all aspects of the UAE Visa process for freelancers. What you will learn:

Residents moving to Dubai will find that there is great flexibility when it comes to working in the emirate, whether it’s establishing their own business or working as a freelancer. With the rising popularity of the ‘gig economy’, there have been initiatives introduced to make it easier and cheaper for freelancers to operate in Dubai. One such initiative is the GoFreelance package, by the TECOM Group in partnership with the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority, which allows freelancers in the media, technology and education sector to easily apply for a permit and visa! Today, MyBayut discusses how you can apply for a freelance visa in Dubai if you’re planning to work in the media or education sector. 

WHAT IS THE FREELANCE PERMIT AND FREELANCE VISA IN DUBAI?

The freelance permit in Dubai is a licence issued under the TECOM Group that allows you to work as an independent contractor and is renewable each year. The freelancer permit is ideal for those who are on their spouse’s or parent’s visa and only require a licence to operate as a freelancer. 

However, for those who aren’t sponsored by their parents or spouse, they can also apply for a freelance visa in Dubai, which is a residency permit that allows the individual to live and work in the emirate and is renewable every three years. 

WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR THE FREELANCE PERMIT AND/OR VISA IN DUBAI?

There are various sectors for which you can obtain freelancer eligibility in Dubai:

• Education 
• Media
• Tech

If you are pursuing professions such as acting, screenwriting, journalism, advertising, training, education advisor, customer service or web development, you are eligible to apply for the freelance visa in Dubai. You can find a complete list of freelance activities that you are permitted to carry out with this visa on the GoFreelance website. 

Please note that the Dubai Internet City will issue your freelance permit if you are working in the Tech sector, Dubai Media City for the media sector and Dubai Knowledge Park for the education sector. 

Freelance Visa Dubai Benefits

There are numerous benefits to having a freelance visa in Dubai. Not only can you be your own boss of your business, but you can also:

• You can get a UAE residence permit
• You do not need a local sponsor
• You can sponsor your spouse or family members
• The visa application is simple
• You can diverge into a new field of work
• You do not need to worry about bookkeeping
• You can earn more
• You can take longer holidays
• You do not need office space
• Work at your own pace
• You can travel and live anywhere

With all the benefits and the ease of visa application, Dubai Freelance Visa is one of the best options for entrepreneurs and freelancers.

According to the Undersecretary of ADDED, His Excellency Rashid Abdul Kareem Al Balooshi, the new freelancer permit will greatly enhance the capital’s business sector. This includes a significant reduction of unemployment and:

• Allowing Abu Dhabi businesses to take advantage of a wider pool of expertise in the work market.
• Reducing the need for companies to hire people full time for positions in which services are required periodically.
• Providing employment opportunities for people such as students, housewives and retirees.
• Allowing working professionals with technical expertise the chance to increase their income by practicing freelance activities after their regular work hours.

That concludes our review of the freelancer licence in Abu Dhabi. If you are working freelance in Abu Dhabi and are looking for a workspace, you may also consider setting up your business in the co-working spaces in Abu Dhabi.

Want to work as a freelance professional in the education, media and tech industry in Dubai? You’ll want to check out the freelance visa and permit in Dubai.

BENEFITS OF HAVING A FREELANCE VISA IN DUBAI

There are several benefits of having a freelance permit and visa in Dubai. Firstly, it allows you the flexibility to work for multiple companies. If you plan to work in any of the sectors mentioned above and don’t want a 9-to-5 job, becoming a freelancer in Dubai could be your best career move. 

Additionally, the affordability of having a freelance visa in Dubai means you can offer your services at much lower prices. With the GoFreelance package, the setup costs are much lower and no office space is required, allowing more freelancers to enter the market. 

Having a freelance visa and permit in Dubai also allows you to work as an independent contractor for companies across the UAE and allows you access to the free zone’s business centre, as well. 

With the freelance visa in Dubai, you can also sponsor family members to come and live with you in an apartment or villa for rent in Dubai. However, bear in mind that you cannot sponsor employees with your freelance permit and visa. 

How To Get A Freelance 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 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.

Dubai Freelance Visa Requirements

HOW TO APPLY FOR FREELANCER PERMIT AND VISA IN DUBAI

Applying for the GoFreelance’s permit and freelance visa in Dubai is now a simple process that requires only a few steps. To get the freelance visa in Dubai, you will initially need to apply for the freelance permit or licence to be registered as a freelancer in the emirate. 

1. APPLY ONLINE FOR THE PERMIT

You can apply for the freelance permit in the UAE through the GoFreelance website. Select the option Go Apply and fill out the application form and submit the required documents. 

DOCUMENTS FOR FREELANCER PERMIT IN DUBAI

Some of the documents needed to apply for the freelance permit in Dubai include: 

• Resume/CV
• Recent photograph
• Passport and visa copy (valid for at least 8 months) 
• Bank reference letter
• NOC from your UAE sponsor

Please note that if you are applying to the education sector, you will have to submit proof of academic qualifications, which must be certified either by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the UAE Consulate in your country of origin. Likewise, if you are applying in the media sector, you will have to submit a portfolio or sample of your work. 

If you are applying in the education or tech sector, you can only choose one activity when applying for the permit. 

NO OBJECTION LETTER FROM SPONSOR/ EMPLOYER

If you are on your spouse’s or parent’s visa, you will need a No-Objection Certificate from them before applying for the permit. Likewise, if you are employed full-time in Dubai and your company sponsors your visa, you will need an NOC from your employer. Remember, that you don’t require the NOC for the renewal of your Dubai freelance work permit. 

2. FOLLOW UP ON THE APPLICATION

After you have submitted your application online, you will be notified by email when it has been approved, which can take up to 10-15 days. After this, you will need to visit the business centre in Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Media City or Dubai Internet City, where you will need to personally sign the documents and pay the fees. Afterwards, you will receive your freelance permit in Dubai via email. 

3. APPLY FOR THE FREELANCE VISA IN DUBAI

Once you have received your freelance permit, you will also receive access to TECOM’s business service platform known as AXS, launched in partnership with Dubai Development Authority (DDA), which allows you to avail a number of government or corporate services. Through this platform, you can first apply for the establishment card, which will bear an additional cost. After you have received your establishment card, you can then apply for a freelance employment visa under the Dubai Development Authority (DDA), which is valid for three years. 

4. COMPLETE THE RESIDENCY VISA PROCEDURES

Once you have submitted your application for the freelance visa in Dubai, you will receive an entry permit within 5 to 7 working days. Once you receive the entry permit (valid for 60 days from the date of issue), you will be required to complete certain residency visa procedures in Dubai, such as your medical test. When these procedures are complete, your residency visa will be stamped and valid for three years from the date of issue. 

Freelance Visa Dubai Cost 2022

There are separate costs for the freelance permit, establishment card and freelance visa. 

• Freelance permit (valid for 1 year): AED 7,500
• Establishment card (valid for 1 year): AED 2,000

If you are applying for the freelance employment visa in Dubai (valid for three years) within the UAE: 

• AED 4,960 (Normal)
• AED 6,340 (Express)

If you are applying for the freelance employment visa in Dubai (valid for three years) outside the UAE:

• AED 3,330 (Normal)
• AED 3,900 (Express)

Please note that the above cost for the freelance employment visa includes charges for your medical test, visa stamping and Emirates ID. 

Freelance Visa Dubai Price

The freelance visa Dubai costs vary depending on the urgency, the permit’s validity, and if you are applying from Dubai or outside.

Additionally, Indian citizens must pay separate fees for the freelance license or permit, establishment card, and freelancer visa. The Dubai freelance visa costs are as follows:

• The freelance permit in Dubai is valid for a year and must be renewed annually; it costs AED 7,000
• The establishment card in Dubai is valid for a year and must be renewed annually; it costs AED 2,000
• The freelance residence visa in Dubai costs AED 4,960 (normal) or AED 6,340 (express) and is valid for 3 years if applied from within the UAE.
• The freelance residence visa in Dubai costs AED 3,330 (normal) or AED 3,990 (express) and is valid for 3 years if applied outside the UAE.
• The freelance employment visa for a one-year visa in Dubai costs AED 2,750, and the three-year-visa employment visa costs AED 5,000 through GoFreelance.
• The total for a freelance visa Dubai cost can be between AED 10,000 and AED 25,000.
• The Talent Pass license fee is AED 9,500, which must be renewed annually.

Additionally, the Dubai freelance visa costs may vary depending on the location of the free zone. Hence if you apply at:

• Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone, the costs can start from AED 15,000
• Fujairah Free Zone, the costs can start from AED 14,000
• Umm Al Quwain Free Zone, the costs can start from AED 13,000
• Ajman Free Zone, the costs can start from AED 11,000
• D-Tech FTZ in Dubai, the costs can start from AED 7500
• Twofour54 in Abu Dhabi, the costs can start from AED 2500
• Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) FTZ, the costs can start from AED 20,000

You might also have to pay additional fees throughout the entire visa process, such as paying for your medical insurance.

GOFREELANCE CONTACT NUMBER

If you have more questions about the freelance permit and visa in Dubai, you can get in touch with the relevant free zones in Dubai at the following contact numbers:

• Dubai Media City: +971-4-391-4555
• Dubai Internet City: +971-4-391-1111
• Dubai Knowledge Park: +971-4-390-1111

And that’s MyBayut’s guide to getting a freelance permit and visa in Dubai! However, along with the technical aspects, you also need to have a certain aptitude for the freelance lifestyle. This includes being comfortable working alone, self-motivation and being ruthless in networking and chasing bills.

While it is affordable to apply for a freelance permit and visa in Dubai, you need to have some sort of financial backup. It is likely that you may initially have to spend a few months to a year, networking and developing a portfolio. 

So if you’re up for it, apply for the freelance visa Dubai today, or take a look at other types of residency visas, such as the business or investor visa in Dubai.  

Once you have received your freelance visa in Dubai, you can keep track of the expiry date by checking the UAE visa status online. For those planning to sponsor a family member, do check up on the new family visa rules in the UAE.