UAE: What is a Freelance visa? What is the cost and Process?

UAE: What is a Freelance visa? What is the cost and Process?
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    Careerfier News
  • Apr 14, 2024

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Freelance visa is getting popular among UAE residents and Freelancers. UAE offers multiple types of visas including visit/tourist, employment visa, Freelance, and Golden visa. Visit and tourist visas are strictly for those who are just visiting UAE for short-term and not planning to work in the country.

Employment visa allows you to stay and legally work in the company who has sponsored your visa. For that, you must first secure a job in any private or public sector company and then your employer will apply for your visa. The employer/sponsor will bear all the cost related to your residence visa and recruitment. 

But what about those who wants to perform freelance activities in the country? What are the options for freelancers for staying and working legally in the UAE? Which types of visas are available for the freelancers? In this blog post we are going to discover about different type of visa available for freelancers.

 

What is a Freelance visa?

In short, freelance visa meaning is that you get a residence visa without a sponsorship to stay and work in the UAE legally.

As per the UAE law, to stay and legally work in the UAE, you must have a valid residence visa. As mentioned above, the employers provides you with an employment visa if they hire you for a full time job. But, for freelancers, where you may not have a full-time job or a sponsor, UAE offers Freelance visa for them. 

By Obtaining a Freelance visa and permit, you can legally reside and offer freelance services in the country. The duration of a Freelance visa is 3 years after which, you can renew it. Along with the visa, you must get a Freelance work permit which you have to renew every year. For freelance visa, you don't need a sponsor.

 

Benefits of a Freelance visa?

 

1. Flexibility

The best part about working as a freelancer in Dubai is the level of flexibility you get. There’s neither a strict 9-to-5 schedule nor any compulsion to work only for one company or individual. You’re the master of your will; thus, freelancing could be a turning point in your career.

 

2. Low Investment

Another benefit of freelancing is that you do not need to invest much in fixed assets or incur high operating costs. You can work from home, meaning you need not buy or rent an office or travel to work. Entering the freelancing market is much cheaper than establishing a business.

 

3. Family Sponsorship

Once you obtain a Freelance visa in Dubai, you can sponsor your family members or spouse to live with you in your apartment. However, sponsoring your employees on a Freelance visa is impossible.

 

How to apply for a Freelance visa in the UAE?

 

There are number of Free zones in Dubai which offers freelance visa and permit. The cost may vary depending on the free zone you are choosing for your visa. Many free zone offers discounts and special offers as well. Some of them even provide you with the office space to work from.

 

1. Apply online for the work permit

 

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

Required Documents

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 (if applicable)

Please note that if you are applying to the education sector, you must submit proof of academic qualifications certified 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 must 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 a permit. 

 

NOC Letter from the 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 to renew your Dubai freelance work permit. 

 

2. Following-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 10-20 days. After this, you must visit the business centre in Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Media City or Dubai Internet City, where you must sign the documents and pay the fees personally. Afterwards, you will receive your freelance permit in Dubai via email. 

 

3. Apply for Visa

 

Once you have received your freelance permit, you will also receive access to TECOM’s business service platform, AXS, launched in partnership with the Dubai Development Authority (DDA), which allows you to avail many government or corporate services. Through this platform, you can first apply for the establishment card, which will bear an additional cost. After receiving your establishment card, you can apply for a freelance employment visa under the Dubai Development Authority (DDA). Here’s a look at the freelance visa in Dubai requirements.

 

4. Complete the Residency Procedure

 

Once you submit your freelance visa application in Dubai, you will receive an entry permit within five to seven working days. You will receive the entry permit (valid for 60 days from the date of issue). As the next step, you must complete certain residency visa procedures in Dubai, such as your medical test. When these procedures are complete, your residency visa will be stamped that remain valid for three years from the date of issue.

 

How much is Freelance visa in Dubai?

There are separate costs involved when applying for freelance visas in Dubai.

Freelance permit (valid for 1 year): AED 7,500

Establishment card (valid for 1 year): AED 2,000

Employment visa (valid for 3 years): AED 2,750

Employment visa (valid for 5 years): AED 5,000

If you are applying for a residence visa in Dubai (valid for three years) outside the UAE, the costs are:

AED 3,330 (Normal)

AED 3,900 (Express)

For those applying from within the UAE, the costs are:

AED 4,960 (Normal)

AED 6,340 (Express)

Please note that the above freelance employment visa costs include medical test charges, visa stamping charges and the Emirates ID fee.

*Cost of freelance visas can vary.