Dubai freelance visa and permit services (2023)

What is Freelance Visa and Permit In Dubai?

The freelance permit in Dubai is a kind of freelance license issued under the TECOM Authorities that allows you to work as an independent person and is renewable each year. Dubai freelance visa is the best way to work independently as a professional freelancer.

The freelance visa and a permit are ideal for those who are on their spouse’s or parent’s visa and only require a license to work as a freelancer. However, even visitors and all those not sponsored can also apply for a freelance visa and license in Dubai. The freelance visa is valid for 3 years issued from Dubai free zone authority and renewable after 3 years. The freelance permit is valid for 1 and can be renewed easily once expired. The freelance permit or license allows you to work and live anywhere in the United Arab Emirates as an independent professional along with your family and dependents.

Who Can Apply For The Freelance Visa And Permit In Dubai?

There are several sectors in which one can apply for a freelance visa in Dubai:

• Media
• Information Technology
• Education

If you are pursuing professions such as acting, screenwriting, journalism, advertising, training, education adviser, customer service, or web development, you are eligible to apply for a freelance visa in Dubai.

If you’re working in Tech., Marketing, or Education you’ll apply for a freelancer visa in Dubai.

If you’re a sponsored residence (A wife or child of a residence) which suggests that your stay in Dubai is linked to your father or Husband. Getting a Freelancer visa isn’t a nasty idea.

You can go through the complete list of freelance activities that you are allowed to practice with a freelance visa.

It is important to note thatDubai Internet City-DIC is authorized to issue your freelance permit if you are working in the tech sector.

Similarly, Dubai Media City for the media sector and Dubai Knowledge Park for the education sector.

Benefits of Freelance Visa in Dubai

There are many benefits associated with having a Dubai freelance visa and permit. First and foremost, it gives you complete freedom to work for different companies as an independent professional without having a regular job.

As far as for all those, who are working in Dubai and the UAE with a regular job and looking to work as a freelancer without any time-bound job, the Dubai freelance visa could be the best possible option for them to start up a small-scale.

Additionally, having a freelance visa in Dubai is much more affordable as compared to opening a new company in the UAE.

Moreover, with the Dubai freelance package, the permit costs are much lower and no office space is required.Having a contract visa and permit in Dubai also allows you to figure as an independent contractor for companies across the UAE and allows you access to the free zone’s business center, as well.

With the freelance visa in Dubai, you’ll also sponsor your family and dependents and accept you within the emirate. However, bear in mind that you simply cannot sponsor employees together with your freelance permit and visa in the UAE.

How To Apply For Freelance Visa In Dubai?

One can easily apply for the freelance permit and freelance visa Dubai online

Applying for a freelance permit and freelance visa in Dubai is now an easy process that needs only a couple of steps. to urge the freelance visa in Dubai, you’ll initially get to apply for the freelance permit or license to be registered as a freelancer within the emirate.

1. Apply Online For The Freelance Permit
You can apply for a freelance permit within the UAE through the freelance website. Select the choice Go Apply and fill out the application form and submit the specified documents.

Documents Required For Freelancer Visa
Following are the documents need to use for the freelance visa in Dubai:

• Resume/CV
• Recent photograph
• Scan passport copy
• Bank reference letter
• NOC from your UAE sponsor
• Previous visa copy if any

Please note that if you’re applying to the education sector, you’ll need to submit proof of educational qualifications, which must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Consulate in your home country.

In case, if you’re applying within the media or education sector, you need to submit a personal portfolio or a CV.

No Objection Letter From Sponsor/ Employer

If you’re on your spouse’s or parent’s visa, you’ll need a No-Objection Certificate from them before applying for the permit. Similarly, if you’re working full-time in Dubai and your visa is sponsored by your company, you’ll require a NOC letter from your employer.

Please note that you simply don’t require the NOC letter for the renewal of your freelance working papers in Dubai.

2. Follow Up on Your Application
After you’ve submitted your application online, you’ll be notified by email when it’s been approved, which may take up to 10-15 days. After this, you’ll get to visit the business center in Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Media City, or Dubai Internet City, where you’ll get to personally sign the documents and pay the fees. Afterward, you’ll receive your freelance permit in Dubai via email.

3. Apply For The Freelance Visa
Once you’ve received your freelance permit, you’ll also receive access to TECOM’s business service platform referred to as AXS, launched in partnership with the Dubai Development Authority (DDA), which allows you to avail yourself a variety of state or corporate services.

Through this platform, you’ll first apply for the establishment card, which can bear a further cost. After you’ve got received your establishment card, you’ll then apply for a contract employment visa under theDubai Development Authority(DDA), which is valid for 3 years.

4. Complete The Residency Visa Procedures
Once you submit your application for the freelance visa in Dubai, you’ll 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’ll be required to finish certain residency visa procedures in Dubai, like your medical test. When these procedures are complete, your residency visa is going to be stamped and valid for 3 years from the date of issue

Freelance Visa Cost In Dubai:

Please note there are separate costs for the freelance permit, establishment card, and freelance visa.

• Freelance permit is valid for 1 year and costs AED 7,500
• Establishment card is also valid for 1 year and costs AED 2,000
  If you’re applying for the freelance employment visa in Dubai (valid for 3 years) within the UAE:
• AED 4,960 (Normal)
• AED 6,340 (Express)

The cost of a freelance employment visa in Dubai (valid for 3 years) whereas the applicant is outside the UAE:

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

The above cost includes a freelance employment visa, medical test, visa stamping on passport, and Emirates ID.

Freelance Visa & Permit In Dubai:

If you’ve got more questions on the freelance permit and visa in Dubai, you’ll get in-tuned with the relevant free zones in Dubai or in the UAE.

• Dubai Media City: (Media Sector)
• DIC – Dubai Internet City: (Information Technology)
• Dubai Knowledge Park: (Education Sector)

However, alongside the technical aspects, you furthermore may get to have a particular aptitude for the freelance lifestyle.

This also includes being comfortable working alone, self-motivation, and being ruthless in networking and chasing bills.

While it’s affordable to use for a contract permit and visa in Dubai, you would like to possess some kind of financial backup.

It’s likely that you simply may initially need to spend a couple of months to a year, networking and developing a portfolio.

So if you’re up for it, apply for the freelance visa in Dubai today, or take a glance at other sorts of residency visas, like the business or investor visa in Dubai.

Once you’ve received your freelance visa in Dubai, you’ll keep track of the expiry date by using the web visa status tool.

For those getting to sponsor a loved one, do check abreast of the new family visa rules within the UAE

Total Budget To Be A Freelancer In Dubai

• Freelance Permit/License: AED 7,520
• Establishment Card: AED 2,000
• Out of Country(UAE) freelance visa process fee AED 4,600
• Health or medical insurance for Visa: (950–5000) According to your needs.

The total amount for a Dubai freelance visa and permit/license for the first year is AED 14,120/-. Alternatively, there are other low-cost options available to apply for a UAE freelance visa & permit in Sharjah or Ajman free zones which costs as low as AED 11,500/- for 3 year freelance visa.

Below are the few steps to get a Freelancer Visa in Dubai

• Apply through the online process
• Pay the freelance permit cost and sign the agreement
• Apply for an Establishment card
• Apply for Visa

What to organize before applying?

• Resume/CV
• Passport /Visa Copy
• Bank Reference Letter
• NOC from the local sponsor is required in case you are working in the UAE
• Work-portfolio
• Credentials and Certificates (education sector only)

UAE Resident as a Freelancer:

If you’re employed in Dubai and your visa is sponsored by a corporation, you’ll also apply for the Dubai Freelancer Visa but at the same time, also you may be required to request the “No Objection Letter” from your employer or the company.

All those who intend to shift to Dubai will find great freedom and flexibility with their own work as a freelancer in the United Arab Emirates, which may lead to full-scale business at a later stage.

However, with the rising popularity of the ‘Dubai economy’, there have been initiatives introduced to make it easier and cheaper for freelancers to operate in Dubai.