Requirements for Freelance Visa in UAE are so important for Expat who wants to stay and work in this beautiful country, If we were to find something from the Covid-19 outbreak; is that companies and businesses are understanding that employees can do high-quality and timely jobs remotely. That is to say, there is no need to show up at the workplace for 8 hours or more, in 5 or 6 days per week. However, the requirements for a Freelance Visa in the UAE tend to vary.
In this article, we will make sure you understand the benefits of working under this visa in the UAE. In the same vein, we will show you the step-by-step process to acquire a freelance visa hassle-free. Similarly, new residents will discover great flexibility when it comes to working and residing in the country.
- Freelancing in the UAE
- Freelance permit and Freelance Visa in the country
- Eligibility to apply for the freelance permit and/or freelance visa
- Benefits of acquiring a freelance visa in the UAE
- Becoming a legal freelancer in the UAE
- Free zones offering freelance permits
- Step-by-step process to apply for the freelance visa and permit in the UAE
- Application follow up
- Application for the visa
- Complete the residency visa procedures
- Cost of the freelance visa
- How ConnectFreelancer can assist you to obtain a freelance visa in the UAE hassle-free?
Freelancing in the UAE
In the past year and 2021, we have seen massive growth in the popularity of temporary, freelancing jobs; this led to many initiatives by the government to make it cheaper and easier for independent individuals to work in the country.
For instance, the initiative introduced by the TECOM Group partnered with the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority. In the same vein, this allows independent workers in the education, technology, and education sector to easily obtain a permit and a visa. Thus, in ConnectFreelance we provide you with the best solution to apply properly if you want to work in these sectors.
However, the “new normal” had been a way of life for several countries even before the pandemic began. That is to say, according to Forbes, 57 million Americans worked as freelancers in 2019, this removed the physical need for workers to be in the workplace. However, this raised many questions about how will the workforces look like in the future; leading to a great rise in freelancers.
As we established earlier, newly residents of the UAE will find that is vast flexibility about working in the country, if they want to create and run their own business or work as a freelancer.
The Freelance permit and Freelance Visa in the country
There are two important requirements for individuals wishing to obtain a freelance visa Dubai, UAE; the freelance permit and the freelance visa itself. In the same vein, the TECOM Group issues the freelance permit in the country, this allows individuals to work as independent contractors. Similarly, the permit is renewable each year and is perfect for those individuals under their parent’s or spouses visa and it only requires a license to operate independently.
On the other hand, foreign individuals who are not sponsored by their spouse or their parents; can easily apply for a freelance visa in the UAE. Thus, this residency permit will allow them to legally work and reside in the country and is renewable every 3 years.
Eligibility and Requirements for Freelance Visa in UAE
The different sectors and industries eligible to obtain a freelance permit in the UAE are:
- Media.
- Education.
- Technology.
That is to say, if you are pursuing professions such as journalism, advertising, training, educational advisor, web development, customer services, or acting; you are eligible to apply for the freelance permit in the UAE. On the other hand, have in mind Dubai Media City will issue your freelance permit if you are working in the media sector.
In addition, Dubai Internet City will issue your permit if you are in working in the tech sector; and Dubai Knowledge Park when it comes to the educational sector.
Benefits of acquiring a freelance visa in the UAE
At first view, there are various benefits when you acquire a freelance permit and visa in the UAE. In addition, the permit and the visa allow its holders to work for several businesses. In the same vein, if you want to work in the previously mentioned sectors and want to avoid a 9 to 5 job; you may want to become an independent worker.
Further, the freelance permit is affordable for everyone; this means you can offer your independent services at lower prices. Similarly, with the package offered by us, you do not need office space and the setup costs are much lower. Likewise, this will allow more independent workers to enter the market.
In addition, having a freelance permit and visa in the UAE allows self-employed individuals to work independently for businesses all across the UAE; thus, allowing them to access the business centers of the different free zones as well.
In the same vein, with the freelance visa, you can also your family relatives to live with you in a villa or an apartment for rent in the UAE. Similarly, you must have in mind that you cannot sponsor any worker with a freelance visa and permit.
If you want to keep learning, we have an in-depth article about the benefits of obtaining a Freelance visa in the UAE
Becoming a legal freelancer in the UAE
The past year, specifically in November 2020, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) revealed that non-residents of the UAE are eligible to apply for freelance permits. Moreover, according to this new law, independent workers are now able to legally work and live in the country.
Similarly, all applicants do not need to have an office space and apply for a residence visa for both themselves and their relatives. The requirements for a freelance visa in the UAE vary, you need a work permit and a residence visa; however, the requirements for non-residents and residents are listed below:
For UAE non-residents: if you are not a resident of the UAE, you must apply for both a residency permit and a freelance visa. Thus, this will allow you to work in the UAE independently.
For UAE residents: if you are residing in the UAE on your parent’s or spouse’s visa, you only must acquire a freelance permit. However, full-time professionals in the country can also become freelancers if they obtain the permit.
However, you must show proof of your relevant skills and permission from an employer if you are looking to work independently as a side-hustle.
On the other hand, there are many options for non-residents and residents to consider a freelance career to work and live in the UAE. Therefore, several free zones are offering freelance permits; thus, allowing you to obtain a residency visa and sponsor your relatives. However, the choice will depend on the industry/sector/activity. In the same vein, costs and fees also vary.
Free zones offering freelance permits
- Dubai Production City.
- Abu Dhabi’s twofour54.
- Dubai Design District.
- Ajman Free zone.
- Fujairah Creative City.
- Dubai Media City.
- Ras Al Khaimah Economic Free Zone.
- Dubai Knowledge Park.
- Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone.
- Dubai Studio City.
The step-by-step process and Requirements for Freelance Visa in UAE
Applying for a freelance visa and a work permit in the UAE is a really simple process if you partner with us. That is to say, you will need to apply for the license or permit in order to be registered as an independent worker in the country.
Apply online
We apply for the permit on your behalf so you do not need to worry about time-wasting processes. That is to say, we fill out and submit the necessary documents provided by you.
Documents for the freelance permit in the UAE
Here is a list of some of the required documents to apply for the freelance permit:
- Recent photograph.
- Bank reference letter.
- Resume/CV.
- NOC from your UAE sponsor.
- Visa and passport copy (valid for 8 months).
In addition, you must have in mind that if you are applying for an educational permit, you need to submit proof of all the pertaining academic qualifications; however, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the consulate in the applicant’s home country must attest to this. In the same vein, if you are applying in the media industry, you must submit a sample of your work or a portfolio.
If you are applying for the tech or education sector, you are only able to choose one activity when applying for the permit.
No objection letter (NOC) from the employer/sponsor
If you are on your parent’s or spouse’s visa, you must acquire a NOC before applying for the permit. Similarly, if you are working in the country and your business is sponsoring you, you need a NOC from them.
However, have in mind that you do not need a NOC for the renewal of your freelance work permit.
Application follow up
After you submit your application; you will receive a notification via email when it has been approved; however, this process can take up to 10 to 15 days. Consequently, you must visit the business center in the pertaining Free Zone; in this stage, you must sign the documents as well as pay the fees. After that, you will receive the permit via email.
In ConnectFreelancer we want you to succeed, here is an article about how you can improve your well-being with a freelancer visa.
Application for the visa
One of the requirements for a freelance visa in the UAE is access to TECOM’s business platform. That is to say after you obtain the freelance permit, you will receive access to the platform known as AXS, this was presented in partnership with Dubai Development Authority (DDA).
As a result, this will provide you with several corporate services. In addition, you can apply for the establishment card through the AXS platform; which cost is additional. Thus, after you received the establishment card, you can apply for the freelance employment visa through the Dubai Development Authority (DDA); valid for 3 years.
Complete the residency visa procedures
After the submission of your application process for the visa in the UAE, you receive a permit within 5 to 7 working days. After that, you will receive the entry permit and you must complete certain residency visa procedures such as the medical screening tests. Therefore, after they are completed, your visa will be stamped in your passport, being valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
Have in mind that all costs established above for the employment visa include the additional costs for the Emirates ID, Medical Tests, and Visa Stamping.
Freelance workers moving to the country obtain several benefits that UAE nationals have; take a look at the activities you can do with a freelance visa in the UAE.
How ConnectFreelancer can assist you to obtain a freelance visa in the UAE hassle-free?
We understand that finding a job in this pandemic world can be an exhausting task. In addition, we know that acquiring a freelance visa in this beautiful country is confusing if you do not have the right guidance. We are the connection between you and potential employers so you can start working as an independent contractor in the UAE easily and quickly.
Our different services are focused to help both businesses and workers within the UAE; we connect the brightest independent workers so you will focus only on running your business. That is to say, our hub of highly-skilled workers is an innovative way to connect and empower both parties.
Would you like to contact us to receive additional information about we can assist you to obtain a freelance visa in the UAE?
You can get in touch with us easily by sending an email at contact@connectfreelance.ae. Or if you have additional inquiries for Requirements for Freelance Visa in UAE or you want to discuss our services. You can call us at +971 433 166 88.
