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A freelance visa in Dubai is two things: a freelance licence or permit that lets you work for yourself, and a residence visa sponsored through that licence. The Dubai Development Authority freelancer licence costs AED 7,500 plus AED 10 and AED 10 in government fees. With a 2-year residence visa, most free zone freelance packages in the UAE come to about AED 11,000 to AED 16,000.
Three routes to freelance in the UAE
| Route | What you get | Who issues it |
|---|---|---|
| DDA freelancer licence | Freelancer (Sole Professional) Licence in Dubai's DDA zones | Dubai Development Authority |
| Free zone freelance package | Freelance licence or permit, often with a visa quota | A free zone, in Dubai or another emirate |
| MOHRE freelance permit | Permit to work independently on your own residency | MOHRE |
Free zone packages often come with a visa quota. The DDA page does not say whether its licence includes one. The MOHRE permit is the one the green visa asks for. More on that below.
DDA freelancer licence
| DDA item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Freelancer (Sole Professional) Licence | AED 7,500 |
| Knowledge fee | AED 10 |
| Innovation fee | AED 10 |
Source: Dubai Development Authority licence page, checked .
Documents DDA asks for:
- a copy of your passport, with your visa page if you have one
- an NOC, if the licensing categories decision requires one for your case
- a self-declaration form, if you already hold a valid UAE visa
DDA states about 2 working days, and you apply through the "Set up as a Freelancer" service on the TECOM Group website. The DDA page does not say that a visa is included in the AED 7,500.
Free zone freelance packages and what they cost
These are published prices, from free zone price lists and business setup consultants, checked . They are not official fees.
| Package | Published price |
|---|---|
| GoFreelance licence package | AED 7,500 headline (its FAQ says AED 7,520) |
| GoFreelance visa | AED 4,600 for 1 year, AED 5,042 for 2 years |
| GoFreelance establishment card | AED 2,000 |
| GoFreelance all in, licence, card and 2-year visa | about AED 14,562 |
| SHAMS, Sharjah, licence only | from AED 5,750 |
| SHAMS visa packages | about AED 12,810 to AED 15,520 |
| ADRA, Abu Dhabi, with visa | about AED 11,000 to AED 12,000 |
Across the market, a freelance permit alone usually costs about AED 6,000 to AED 10,000, and a permit with a 2-year visa about AED 11,000 to AED 16,000. DMCC is higher than that range. Medical, Emirates ID and insurance are often not in the package price, so ask.
Costs most packages leave out
- Medical test: AED 270 for the normal service, AED 700 for VIP 6 hours. See medical test for a visa in Dubai.
- Emirates ID: ICP charges AED 100 per year of residence plus a AED 100 smart application fee.
- Inside-country fee: if you are already in the UAE on another visa, GDRFA permits carry an extra AED 500 plus AED 10 and AED 10, and a status change may be needed. See visa change in Dubai.
- Health insurance, which packages often price separately.
The MOHRE freelance permit
MOHRE issues a freelance permit for people who work independently on their own residency, without an employer. No official MOHRE page shows its fee, so none is quoted here. Ask at a Tasheel center or check the MOHRE service page for the current amount before you budget.
Green visa for freelancers
The freelance route to a longer, self-sponsored residence is the green visa. MOHRE lists these conditions for freelancers and the self-employed:
- a MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit
- a bachelor's degree or a specialised diploma
- self-employment income of not less than AED 360,000 over the two preceding years, or proof of financial solvency
The official wording on the income does not make clear whether AED 360,000 is the total for both years or a yearly figure. Ask before you apply if your income is close.
The green visa lasts 5 years, needs no sponsor and lets you sponsor your spouse and children. After it expires or is cancelled, the grace period is 180 days. GDRFA charges AED 200 plus AED 10, AED 10 and AED 20 delivery, with AED 500 more inside the country. Read the full rules on green visa UAE.
Freelance licence or a company?
A freelance licence covers you as one person. If you plan to hire staff or take on partners, you need a company licence instead, and every employee then needs a work permit and a visa. PRO services in Dubai covers that paperwork. Leaving an employer's visa first? See visa cancellation in Dubai for the order of steps.
Timeline from licence to residence
| Step | Where | Time stated |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer licence | DDA, online | about 2 working days |
| Entry permit or status change | GDRFA, through the free zone | 48 hours for a status change |
| Medical test | Dubai Health center | about 24 hours on the normal service |
| Emirates ID biometrics | ICP | by appointment |
| Residence issue | GDRFA | 48 hours |
Sources: DDA and GDRFA service pages and the Dubai medical fitness fee schedule, checked .
Where freelance budgets go wrong
- Licence price read as visa price. A headline like AED 7,500 is usually the licence only. The visa and establishment card come on top.
- Medical and Emirates ID left out. Many packages exclude both.
- Inside-country charges. Applying while you are already in the UAE adds AED 500 and a status change.
- An NOC you did not plan for. DDA asks for one where the licensing categories decision requires it.
- The green visa income line. The AED 360,000 wording is unclear, so a borderline income can be refused.
What you can do alone
You can apply for the DDA licence online yourself, and most free zones sell their packages directly. The work that trips people up comes after: the entry permit or status change, the medical test, the Emirates ID and the residence, each with its own appointment. If you already hold a UAE visa from an employer, it must be cancelled before the new one is issued, and the timing matters. The UAE visa page shows every step in order.
Setting up your freelance permit and visa
Tell us your activity, whether you are inside the UAE and whether you need a visa. Send your passport, photo, CV or portfolio and any degree. The partner team compares the DDA and free zone permits for that activity, because an activity a zone does not list is where most freelance applications stop. They apply for the permit, type and submit the entry permit or status change and the residence, and book the medical and Emirates ID biometrics. You do not juggle a free zone portal and GDRFA at once. One total price comes up front, the permit and visa fees on their own lines and the service charge apart.
