How to get a freelance permit and visa in Dubai

Residents who relocate to Dubai will find a lot of flexibility to work in the emirate, whether starting their own business or freelancing. With the growing popularity of the gig economy, several initiatives have been proposed to make it easier and cheaper for freelancers to start a business in Dubai. One initiative is the GoFreelance package, launched by TECOM Group in partnership with the Dubai Creative Cluster Authority, which makes it easy for media, technology and education freelancers to apply for licenses and visas! Today MyBayut discussed how to apply for a freelance visa in Dubai if you are planning to work in media or education.

What is freelance permit and freelance visa in Dubai?

Freelance Dubai License is a license issued by TECOM Group that allows you to work as an independent contractor and is renewed annually. A freelancer license is ideal for those with a spousal or parental visa and only need to get a freelance license.

However, those without a parent or spouse sponsor can also apply for a freelance visa in Dubai, which is a residence permit that allows people to live and work in the emirate and can be renewed every three years.

Who should apply for a freelance permit and / or visa in Dubai?

You can qualify as a freelancer in various fields in Dubai:

• Teach
• Media
• Technology

If you are into acting, screenwriting, journalism, advertising, training, education consultant, customer support or web development, you are eligible to apply for a Dubai freelance visa. You can find a complete list of freelance activities permitted with this visa on the Go Freelance website.

Please note that if you work in the technical department, Dubai Media City is the media department and Dubai Knowledge Park is the education department, then Dubai Internet City will issue you a freelance license.

Benefits of getting a freelance visa in Dubai

Having a permit and visa for a freelancer in Dubai has several advantages. First, it gives you the ability to work with multiple companies. If you are planning to work in any of the above areas and do not want to work from 9 to 5, then becoming a freelancer in Dubai may be your best career choice.

In addition, the availability of a freelance visa in Dubai means you can provide services at a lower cost. With the Go Freelance package, setup costs are much lower and there is no need for office space, 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 a company in the UAE and allows you to enter the commercial center of the free zone.

With a Dubai Freelance Visa, you can also sponsor your family to live with you in an apartment or villa in Dubai for rent. However, keep in mind that you cannot use freelance work permits and visas to sponsor employees.

How to apply for a freelance permit and visa in Dubai

Applying for a Go Freelance license and a freelance visa in Dubai is now a simple process and only requires a few steps. To obtain a freelance visa in Dubai, you first need to apply for a permit or freelance license in order to register as a freelancer in the Emirate.

Apply for a permit online

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

Freelancer License Document in Dubai

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

1. Summary
2. Recent photos
3. Copy of passport and visa (valid for at least 8 months)
4. Bank reference letter
5. Your sponsor’s NOC in the UAE

Please note that if you are applying to the Ministry of Education, you must provide a certificate of academic qualification, which must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the UAE Consulate in your country of origin. Likewise, if you are applying in the media field, you must submit a portfolio or sample of your work.

If you are applying for education or technology, you can only choose one activity when applying for a permit.

Sponsor / employer no objection letter

If you have a spouse or parent’s visa, you need to obtain their non-objection certificate before applying for permission. Likewise, if you work in Dubai full time and your company sponsors your visa, you will need your employer’s NOC. Remember, you do not need a NOC to renew your freelance work permit in Dubai.

• Follow the application.

Once you submit your application online, you will receive an email notification after approval, which can take 10-15 days. After that, you need to go to the business center Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Media City or Dubai Internet City, where you need to sign the documents and pay the fee in person. You will then receive your Dubai Freelancer license by email.

• Apply for a visa for a freelancer in Dubai.

After obtaining a freelance license, you can also access a commercial services platform called AXS, launched by TECOM in collaboration with the Dubai Development Authority (DDA), which allows you to use multiple government or corporate services. Through this platform, you can apply for a card creation first and you will need to pay additional fees. Once you receive your company card, you can apply for a freelance visa valid for three years with the Dubai Development Authority (DDA).

• Complete the procedure for obtaining a resident visa.

Once you apply for a Dubai Freelance Visa, you will receive an entry permit within 5-7 business days. After obtaining an entry permit (valid for 60 days from the date of issue), you will need to go through certain procedures for obtaining a residence visa in Dubai, such as a medical examination. After completing these procedures, your residence visa will be stamped and valid for three years from the date of issue.

Dubai Freelance Visa Fees

There are separate fees for freelance permits, open cards, and freelance visas.

• Freelancer license (valid for 1 year): AED 7500
• Institutional Card (valid for 1 year): AED 2,000

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

• AED 4,960 (regular)
• AED 6,340 (express)

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

• AED 3,330 (regular)
• AED 3900 (express)

Please note that the above freelance visa fees include the cost of your medical examination, visa stamping and UAE ID.

Contact phone number GOFREELANCE

If you have further questions about permits and visas for freelancers in Dubai, you can contact the respective 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

While applying for a freelance permit and Dubai visa is affordable, you will need some financial support. At the initial stage, it can take from several months to a year to create a network and create an investment portfolio.

Therefore, if you would like, please immediately apply for a Dubai Freelance Visa or check other types of residency visas such as business visa or investor visa in Dubai.

After obtaining a freelance visa in Dubai, you can track its validity by checking the UAE visa status online. For those planning to sponsor family members, check out the new rules for obtaining a family visa in the UAE.