KHALEEJ TIMES, Saturday, Jan 22, 2022 | Jamada Al-Aakhirah 18, 1443
Freelance visa in UAE explained: Types, cost, eligibility
Emirates: The UAE has introduced freelance visas (self-employment)
for a host of categories to woo brilliant minds into the country.
Multiple free zones across the UAE – such as twfour54, Ras Al Khaimah Economic
Zone, Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Design
District, Ajman Free Zone – offer a wide range of freelance visas to residents
and foreigners to work in the UAE. Irrespective of whichever free zone people
apply for the visa, they can work across the UAE in their relevant field.
According to Dubai Development Authority, a freelancer permit costs Dh7,500 –
excluding visa cost.
Under the freelance category, Creative City Media Free Zone in Fujairah, too,
offers up to three activities and four visas including one visa free of charge.
In addition, it also offers, Flexi-desk and PRO services. It caters for
professionals working in the fields of media, events, consultancy, education,
communication and marketing, music and entertainment, design and technology.
Umm Al Quwain Free Zone also offers permits to freelancers.
Ajman Free Zone offers freelance visas for Dh6,000 in 40 categories and flexible
co-working spaces. Members are eligible for two residence visas and family
sponsorship.
Below is how and where freelancers can get visas in the UAE:
Talent Pass
The Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (Dafza), Dubai Culture and the General
Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) have launched ‘Talent
Pass’ – a three-year visa for freelance work in addition to renting office space
by Dafza for professionals in the field of media, education, art, technology,
marketing and consultancy.
This includes commerce licences for import, export and re-export; a general
commerce licence; industrial licence for light manufacturing activities and
packaging and assembly; e-commerce licence for online trading of goods and
services; a licence issued in partnership with the Department of Economic
Development, which allows companies registered at the Dubai Airport Free Zone to
apply for the Department’s license without the need for an office space for
working outside the free zone; and a services licence.
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Banking/finance professionals
Professionals in the field of accounting and auditing, analysing and reviewing
accounting and auditing systems, Shariah review consultancy for the transactions
of Islamic financial institutions and consultations in the fields of tax can
apply for the freelance with the Abu Dhabi’s Department of Economic Development.
Professionals working in various fields related to media can also obtain a
freelance visa in Dubai through Dubai Media City. There are around 45 categories
that professionals can apply for. It includes actor, aerial shoot photographer,
animator, artist, audio/sound engineer, brand consultant, cameraman,
choreographer, commentator, composer, content provider, copywriter, director,
editor, events planner, graphic and furniture designers, journalists, market
analyst, presenters, print media specialists, web designers, web developers and
other professionals.
In Abu Dhabi, twofour54 offers freelance visas within the media, production and
entertainment industries with a validity of two years.
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone also offers freelance permits to media
professionals, starting from Dh6,100.
Under this category, education advisors, e-learning advisors, executive coaches,
researchers and trainers can apply for the freelance visa with Dubai Knowledge
Park.
Professionals can apply through gofreelance.ae for a one-year visa for Dh2,750
and a three-year visa for Dh5,000. The other documents required are a freelance
licence, Establishment Card for Dh2,000, UAE phone number, valid medical
insurance, original passport and passport photo.
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone also offers freelance permits to educationists,
starting from Dh6,100.
Freelancers working in the field of web, mobile, software development and
architecture, IT and telecommunication networking, data science and analytics
and customer service can apply for the freelance visa.
Professionals can apply through gofreelance.ae for a one-year visa for Dh2,750
and a three-year visa for Dh5,000. The other documents required are a freelance
licence, Establishment Card for Dh2,000, UAE phone number, valid medical
insurance, original passport and passport photo.
Apparel designers, concept designers, fashion stylists, image consultants,
fashion artists, hairstylists, interior designers, object designers, personal
shoppers, textile designers, visual merchandisers and wedding planners can
obtain freelance from Dubai Design District by furnishing all required
documents.
Professionals can apply through gofreelance.ae for a one-year visa for Dh2,750
and a three-year visa for Dh5,000. The other documents required are a freelance
licence, Establishment Card for Dh2,000, UAE phone number, valid medical
insurance, original passport and passport photo.