How To Get Freelance Visa In Abu Dhabi
Freelancing has been a wonderful experience for me. It’s given me the flexibility I crave at times, but also keeps me plenty busy and challenged. However, finding a freelance visa in Abu Dhabi isn’t always easy. I’ve had to jump through hoops on some occasions, but it doesn’t have to be so difficult! Here are some tips that will save you six months (and more!) of frustration.
Are you looking for a freelance visa to live and work in Abu Dhabi? Wondering how to get one? This post is written for aspiring expats moving to the UAE. Whether you are a British Citizen, American or a local of India or Nepal, I have tried to compile all the relevant information needed on applying, eligibility and the status of freelancing visas in Abu Dhabi.
Getting a freelance visa in Abu Dhabi can be done but you need to check the eligibility criteria and know what you’re getting into before you apply. In today’s post, we’ll go over all the steps involved in getting a freelance visa in Abu Dhabi.
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How To Get Freelance Visa In Abu Dhabi
If you’re a wannabe-blogger, podcaster and need to get a visa for the United Arab Emirates, this post will save your life. The UAE government is currently silent about the new visa law for bloggers/podcasters. This article will explain everything you’ll need in order to obtain a Freelance Visa in Abu Dhabi.
From a business-friendly environment to a tax-free economy, Abu Dhabi offers lots of flexibility for working individuals and business owners. Recently, the UAE capital has given self-employed and freelance workers reason to rejoice by introducing a freelancer licence in Abu Dhabi. What is the new licence and how does it benefit freelancers? Read on to find out.
Abu Dhabi Freelance Visa Categories
Below is how and where freelancers can get visas in the UAE:
- Talent Pass
The Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (Dafza), Dubai Culture and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) have launched ‘Talent Pass’ – a three-year visa for freelance work in addition to renting office space by Dafza for professionals in the field of media, education, art, technology, marketing and consultancy.
This includes commerce licences for import, export and re-export; a general commerce licence; industrial licence for light manufacturing activities and packaging and assembly; e-commerce licence for online trading of goods and services; a licence issued in partnership with the Department of Economic Development, which allows companies registered at the Dubai Airport Free Zone to apply for the Department’s license without the need for an office space for working outside the free zone; and a services licence.
- Banking/finance professionals
Professionals in the field of accounting and auditing, analysing and reviewing accounting and auditing systems, Shariah review consultancy for the transactions of Islamic financial institutions and consultations in the fields of tax can apply for the freelance with the Abu Dhabi’s Department of Economic Development.
- Media
Professionals working in various fields related to media can also obtain a freelance visa in Dubai through Dubai Media City. There are around 45 categories that professionals can apply for. It includes actor, aerial shoot photographer, animator, artist, audio/sound engineer, brand consultant, cameraman, choreographer, commentator, composer, content provider, copywriter, director, editor, events planner, graphic and furniture designers, journalists, market analyst, presenters, print media specialists, web designers, web developers and other professionals.
In Abu Dhabi, twofour54 offers freelance visas within the media, production and entertainment industries with a validity of two years.
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone also offers freelance permits to media professionals, starting from Dh6,100.
- Educationists
Under this category, education advisors, e-learning advisors, executive coaches, researchers and trainers can apply for the freelance visa with Dubai Knowledge Park.
Professionals can apply through gofreelance.ae for a one-year visa for Dh2,750 and a three-year visa for Dh5,000. The other documents required are a freelance licence, Establishment Card for Dh2,000, UAE phone number, valid medical insurance, original passport and passport photo.
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone also offers freelance permits to educationists, starting from Dh6,100.
- IT professionals
Freelancers working in the field of web, mobile, software development and architecture, IT and telecommunication networking, data science and analytics and customer service can apply for the freelance visa.
Professionals can apply through gofreelance.ae for a one-year visa for Dh2,750 and a three-year visa for Dh5,000. The other documents required are a freelance licence, Establishment Card for Dh2,000, UAE phone number, valid medical insurance, original passport and passport photo.
- Designers
Apparel designers, concept designers, fashion stylists, image consultants, fashion artists, hairstylists, interior designers, object designers, personal shoppers, textile designers, visual merchandisers and wedding planners can obtain freelance from Dubai Design District by furnishing all required documents.
Professionals can apply through gofreelance.ae for a one-year visa for Dh2,750 and a three-year visa for Dh5,000. The other documents required are a freelance licence, Establishment Card for Dh2,000, UAE phone number, valid medical insurance, original passport and passport photo.
Freelance Visa Dubai Installment
If you are considering a career as a freelancer within the media, production, and entertainment industries in the UAE, then twofour54’s freelance visa is the way to go.
When you join twofour54 as a freelancer, you will access a community of 600 local, regional and international media partners and a myriad of opportunities for collaboration with some of the biggest names in our industry.
Freelance Visa Benefits
twofour54 offers a host of exclusive services and benefits including a dedicated freelance relations team to help you get the most out of your experience. They will help guide you on facilitating all essential paperwork, such as the residence visa, Emirates ID and getting your medical insurance sorted.
They will promote your profile and work throughout our community to give you a helping hand as you kick-start your freelancing journey.
There has never been a better time to join our freelance program. Here are some of the benefits and services you’ll enjoy:
- Waived freelance licence fees for two years from the date of issue*.
- Residency visa valid for 2 years.
- Connect events where you can network with our community and government entities.
- More work briefs on our online Connect portal.
- Access to over 600+ world-class media and entertainment companies.
- Talent and development training programmes
- Youth community of 15,000+ members
- Dedicated team to support you with all your government and logistics needs.
WHAT IS THE FREELANCER LICENCE IN ABU DHABI?
The freelance permit is an initiative of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). It covers 48 types of business activities and allows holders to partake in corporate activities from an authorised location or their place of residence.
The freelancer licence in Abu Dhabi makes it easier for professionals to apply for a work permit without needing a company sponsor them. Additionally, the permit also allows holders to apply for residence visas and doesn’t list an office space as a mandatory requirement.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREELANCER LICENCE IN ABU DHABI?
The freelancer licence in Abu Dhabi is available for UAE citizens, residents and non-residents.
HOW TO OBTAIN FREELANCE LICENCE IN ABU DHABI
There are two ways you can apply for a freelance permit in Abu Dhabi:
- Call the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development on +971-2-815-888 to register a new account
- Create an account with the Abu Dhabi Business Centre (ADBC) via their official website
To create a new account with the ADBC, an applicant needs to provide the following details:
- Personal email address
- Full name
- Mobile number
- Passport number
You can select the “Commercial Licence” category to apply for the freelancer licence.
WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE FREELANCER LICENCE IN ABU DHABI?
As an applicant, you will be required to provide documents that will serve as proof of your expertise in your area of practice. This can be a university degree or another certificate that demonstrates your professional experience.
ARE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS DIFFERENT FOR RESIDENTS?
As a resident, you will need to provide the following documents to apply for an Abu Dhabi freelancer licence:
- A freelance employee for a government sector will require an ‘NOC’ (No Objection Certificate) from their employer.
- As a part-time freelance employee in a private sector, no ‘NOC’ is required.
Additionally, those working in the private sector under permanent contracts, who will be participating in similar activities to those they’ll potentially be using on their freelance license, are also required to submit an NOC from their employers.
WHICH BUSINESS ACTIVITIES ARE COVERED BY THE FREELANCER LICENCE IN ABU DHABI?
The ADDED has identified 48 business activities that can be practiced with the new freelancer licence. These include:
- Flower arrangement (natural and aesthetic)
- Event management
- Food safety consulting
- Architectural production
- Fine arts consultancy
- Food safety consulting
- Information technology consultancy
- Heritage consultancy
- Fashion design
- Real Estate consultancy
- Photography
- Fashion design
- Web design
- Marketing operations management
- Landscape and gardening services
- Calligraphy and painting
- Project management
- Gift wrapping
- Food safety consulting
- Personal videography
- Banking services consulting
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.
Cheapest Freelance Visa UAE
According to Dubai Development Authority, a freelancer permit costs Dh7,500 – excluding visa cost.
Under the freelance category, Creative City Media Free Zone in Fujairah, too, offers up to three activities and four visas including one visa free of charge. In addition, it also offers, Flexi-desk and PRO services. It caters for professionals working in the fields of media, events, consultancy, education, communication and marketing, music and entertainment, design and technology.
Umm Al Quwain Free Zone also offers permits to freelancers.
Ajman Free Zone offers freelance visas for Dh6,000 in 40 categories and flexible co-working spaces. Members are eligible for two residence visas and family sponsorship.