Dubai Freelance Visa, UAE

The term Dubai freelance visa refers to a residence permit in Dubai, which gives you the eligibility to live and work in the Emirates while getting resident permits for your dependents or family members. To get the freelance visa in Dubai, first, you should secure a freelancer license. Several Free zones in Ras-Al-Khaimah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai provide Freelance Licenses. Professionals in media, education and technology domains are allowed to apply for a Dubai Freelance License. A Freelance License lets these professionals offer their valuable help, support and service as consultants in the UAE. Issuance of Freelance license is part of the UAE government’s meticulously planned decision to attract expertise in different sectors of the UAE. Many free zones offer Freelance License and some of them are listed below:

• Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP)
• Dubai Internet City (DIC)
• Twofour54
• Ras Al Khaimah Economic Free Zone Authority (RAKEZ)

As already discussed only the individuals and professionals who belong to the education, technology and media sectors can apply for the Freelance license/Permit.

Education sector – Individuals who offer e-learning consultancy, conduct research, educational consultants, counsellors come under this category.

Technology sector – Many professionals who apply for the freelance license belong to the technology sector. Information technology, all sorts of web- based development, app development, data analytics and many others come under the category of the technology sector.

Media - artists, creative individuals, professionals who excel in the field of music and related streams, directors, writers, PR executives, print media professionals, social media analysts and many other creative professions come under Media.

Many creative professionals, particularly in the media sector, have benefitted from the launch of affordable freelance licenses. The Media and Entertainment free zone, Twofour54 based in Abu Dhabi has helped many young professionals establish themselves in the Production industry. Freelance licenses have helped not just the job-seeking individuals. It has helped the employers too. Here are some of the major benefits connected with hiring freelancing individuals to the workforce.

• Hiring freelancers help the business establishment in business expansion.
• The employers can cut down the cost of hiring full-time employees and the associated expenses. The associated expenses include the visa charges, medical insurance expenses, air tickets cost etc. When all these expenses add up, it becomes considerably huge.
• Hiring freelancers is more flexible compared to full-time employees. The employer needs to hire a freelancer only when there is a requirement.
• The employer can manage the cash flow more easily.
• Helps the employer to meet quick and bulk employee requirements.
• The employer may select from the vast pool of freelancers in order to pick the right candidate.
• The employer can get the desired workforce from all over the world.

The advantages of pursuing a freelance job is very obvious and here are they.

• A physical office is not needed for freelance ventures.
• The freelancers enjoy the flexibility in job timings.
• Freelancers may work irrespective of their location.
• Freelancers can cut the travel-cost by working from home. This helps the freelancers minimize their expenses and thereby increase profits.
• Freelancers have the freedom take up multiple assignments at the same time.
• A freelancer with time and effort can transform the freelancing venture in to a successful business.
• Freelancers can create a brand of their own.
• Being their own boss, freelancers enjoy better work-life balance.

When compared to the company registration formalities, obtaining a Dubai freelance license is rather simple. The freelance license fee connected with the issuance of the Freelance license is affordable too. In order to attain a Dubai freelance license, the license applicant is supposed to register in a relevant free zone jurisdiction. The Free zone must be selected based on the type of activity and jurisdiction. The license is issued by the concerned Free zone authority.

Here is how you should go about for a freelancing career.

• Get the appropriate application form for the purpose and fill it.
• Next is the procurement of documents like a passport(copy), educational certificates, necessary proofs and business plan.
• You are required to change the residence visa to freelance visa in order to acquire a freelance license. In order to accomplish this, the sponsor is supposed to sign a No-Objection certificate.
• Your banking history must be proved satisfactory. You may acquire the supporting certificate from your bank.
• You may have to submit other documents like CV, endorsement letter from your present or former employer etc.
• Select the appropriate free zone for registering your freelance license.
• Produce the filled application and passport copy before the free zone authority.
• The free zone authority will issue a confirmation letter. Return back the confirmation letter signed.
• Now it’s time for payment of fees connected with acquiring a Freelance permit.
• After signing the sponsorship contract, you may acquire the Freelance Permit and Visa.
• Wait for a period of 10 days for the license to be issued.

The validity of the freelance license has been extended to 2 years recently. When the validity ends, the license has to be renewed. The validity was 1 year previously.

The license fee varies with the free zone jurisdiction and the kind of activity. Twofour54 free zone offers the most affordable license fee. Various free zones and the corresponding license fees are listed below in the table.

Would you like to get a Dubai freelance visa? Need to register a Freelance license from any of the free zones based in the UAE? Are you a professional working in the technology, media or education field? Are you someone looking for a career-change to freelancing? If yes, get in touch with Ahil Alzyn Commercial Brokers Freelance Permit experts. Our experts will assist you to select the apt Free zone and accomplish all the formalities associated with acquiring a Freelance License in UAE.