Dubai is well known for its amazing flexibility for working individuals and business owners. It can go from a business-friendly environment to a tax-free economy. In the past few years, the UAE has allowed freelancers to get a freelancer license. Due to its current bombing economy, the government has created many initiatives to make it easier for freelancers to work and live in the UAE.
The Dubai Creative Clusters Authority strongly believes in the development of the freelance industry. The implementation of these initiatives helps to infuse different skills and talents into the UAE.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the freelancer license in Dubai and starting freelancing in Dubai in just a few steps. Let’s see:
- What is the freelancer license?
- How can you get a freelancer license in Dubai?
- What are the business activities you can carry out with a freelancer license in Dubai?
- Why should you start your freelance business in Dubai?
- Things you need to know before applying for a freelancer license
- What are the benefits of a freelancer license?
- Avoid illegal freelancer license solutions
- What are the reasons to become a freelancer?
- How can you become a freelancer?
- How can Connect freelance help you with getting a freelancer license in Dubai?
1. What is the freelancer license?
As previously mentioned, this license is one of the UAE’s government initiatives to encourage freelance to work in the territory. This type of license covers 48 types of business activities. Also, holders can participate in corporate activities from an authorized location or their place of residence.
The freelancer license allows the professionals to apply for a work permit without needing a company’s sponsor. Moreover, the best part is that holders can apply for a residence visa without needing an office space as a mandatory requirement.
On the other hand, it is perfect for those who are on their parent’s or spouses’ visas since they do not have to go through the visa application process and only need the license to work as a freelancer in Dubai.
2. How can you get a freelancer license in Dubai?
At this point, you are likely wondering: how do I know I am eligible for a freelancer license? This license is available for residents, UAE citizens, and non-citizens. In other words, anyone can apply to get it.
Once we have this clear, we will see how you can get the freelancer license in Dubai. Firstly, there are different ways to apply for it, so it might be complicated to do all this process by yourself. Thus, at Connect Freelance, we work to make the application process as easy as possible.
During the process, you have to provide some personal information such as email address, full name, passport number, and phone number. After that, you must select the commercial license category.
In case you are a resident, freelancing for a government sector a ‘NOC’ (No Objection Certificate) is required from your employer. On the other hand, if you are working in the private sector, there is no need for a “NOC”. Therefore, there are different requirements for this permit.
3. What are the business activities you can carry out with a freelancer license in Dubai?
There have been forty-five business activities identified that can practice with a freelancer license. Let’s see some of them:
- Photography
- Marketing management
- Fashion design
- Architectural production
- Event management
- Web design
- Videography
- Graphic design
- Flower arrangement
- Painting
- Project management
This license allows you to work for two years, with annual renewals required after the initial period has expired. In addition, holders can sponsor their family members in the UAE. Nevertheless, it is crucial to stand out that the sponsorship will be under the family visa, not under the company’s name.
4. Why should you start your freelance business in Dubai?
The UAE is successfully establishing itself as a well-established infrastructure network in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA region) region with an excellent banking system, a strong political system, and a favorable tax environment.
The country’s stable coin (which is pegged to the US dollar) consistently provides strong capital flows from across the region. There are no foreign exchange control restrictions in the UAE, and the facility of unlimited repatriation of income and capital is readily available through the many international banks located in the UAE.
This very liberal foreign investment regime allows foreign owners to do business in over 45 free zones, some of which are industry-specific. The legal system and culture of the region are based on Islamic traditions. Therefore, it is supported by the UAE leadership’s commitment to the values of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and equality among all members of the community.
5. Things you need to know before applying for a freelancer license
Be aware that many UAE free zones also offer freelance permits. These licenses give freelancers the right to be hosted in the Free Zone. Free Zone freelance permits are an affordable and relatively easy way for freelancers to set up in the UAE, and many of them, also offer other benefits such as the use of workplace and office space as needed.
In addition, it is also a great option if you want the cheapest freelance visa in UAE, it is also incredibly easy to set up with a freelance license in the UAE. You can apply directly to the Department of Economic Development (DED) or the municipality of the emirate in which you are located, or you can apply to create a free zone.
Several free zones, including Fujairah Creative City, allow you to apply online. Also, to ensure that there are no gaps or errors in your application, it is always advisable that you work with a company formation specialist while creating your application. They can manage your entire application. In most cases, they issue licenses within a few days.
6. What are the benefits of a freelancer license?
This license offers many advantages for freelancers. Let us take a look at some of them:
- It will contribute to the betterment of the capital’s business sector.
- It represents a significant reduction in unemployment.
- This allows Dubai businesses to take advantage of a wider pool full of professionals in the market.
- It provides job opportunities for people such as students, housewives, and retirees.
- Professionals with technical expertise have the chance to increase their income by carrying out activities after their regular work hours.
7. Avoid illegal freelancer license solutions
You must take some precautions when looking for freelance opportunities online or even offline. Keep in mind that there are plenty of online advertisements promoting freelancer visa packages on social media platforms and company websites. Those platforms are the most places where aspiring freelancers look for opportunities.
These advertisements promise you a “freelancer visa” or opportunities to make the process easier without leaving your home. Hence, be cautious and avoid becoming a victim of freelancer license scams.
Scammers will likely encourage you to do certain things such as omitting information or lying in your visa application, requiring you to buy products promising that the process will be faster and easy.
8. What are the reasons to become a freelancer?
Freelancing means earning money with the skills you possess. Therefore, nowadays everyone wants to work from home and earn money online. But first, think about what service you can give to people? And what job can you do well?
Whatever skill you have, you can show it to the world by opening your account on a freelance website and earning money online sitting at home. In addition, the freelance market is constantly growing and UAE is seeking people with skills to contribute to the development of the country.
To summarize, working as a freelancer gives you the freedom to adjust your time according to your needs, so you can perfectly balance work and social life. Nevertheless, if you are planning to start a freelance career, bear in mind that it might be difficult at the beginning since it takes time to build a clientele. In fact, having a strong clientele base will help to have a good source of income.
9. How can you become a freelancer?
If you do not want to spend all day in an office and want to do online jobs while earning money online wherever you are then you can become a freelancer. In addition, make sure to specialize in a specific niche.
To hone your skills and become a professional in any work, you need some special things like a computer or laptop, internet connection, smartphone, email account and a bank account since the work of freelancing is online.
While creating an account on our freelancing site, explain about yourself and your work. For example, where are you from? How long have you been doing that work and how did you learn that work? Make sure to write down everything. After that, upload a picture of yourself. This way, people who contact you can see who is doing the work.
9.1 Set a price
You are the only one who knows your work worth. Set the right price for the job you specialize in. In this manner, the client can have an idea about how much he/she will have to pay for the work they want to be done.
When you start working as a freelancer, many projects will come in front of you. Out of which you can choose according to your ability and your convenience.
Also, whatever work you do, do it with full sincerity and do it well, because when the client writes a review saying how well you did your job, other people can see it. Hence, good reviews are crucial to build a good reputation.
10. How can Connect freelance help you with getting a freelancer license in Dubai?
Our platform connects thousands of individuals and companies with many freelancers who are looking to take their careers to the next level. With us, you can get your 2-years residency and work permit so you start having a great quality of life in Dubai. If you are an individual looking for freelancers, or you are a freelancer looking for job opportunities, Connect Freelance is perfect for you. Therefore, let us know if you want to know more about us.
Would you like to contact Connect Freelance to get a freelancer license in Dubai? You can call at +971 433 166 88 or send an email to contact@connectfreelance.ae, and you will talk to one of our representatives that will gladly answer all of your questions.
If would like to send your resume or CV, you can enter thetalentpoint.com. Resumes sent to contact@thetalentpoint.com will not be stored. Do not hesitate to contact us now.