How to apply for a Freelance visa in Dubai?

Dubai is home to various prestigious organizations, MNCs and the city’s opulent architecture attracts plenty of tourists each year. Yet, you can have an equally successful career as a freelancer in the UAE. The recent years have observed a mini-revolution in the freelance circuit, thanks to the amendments in the UAE’s business laws. The outlook of freelancing has changed completely now with work from home becoming the “new normal.”

You get every chance in the UAE to become your own boss. How? Through a freelance visa and business license that empowers you to do work as per your will and discretion. All you need to do is get in touch with the local business consultants who’ll help you obtain the freelance visa permit. Once you apply for a freelance visa in Dubai, you’ll get several additional benefits too.

How to get a freelance license in the UAE?

Follow the steps mentioned below to apply for a freelance license in Dubai and obtain the same in quick time:

1. Select your preferred jurisdiction

Your business activities decide which jurisdiction you should choose in the UAE. If you’re a freelancer looking to establish a career in the media sector, you should prefer the Dubai Media City, Fujairah Creative City, etc., as they have the ideal business laws for this stream. Similarly, you can pick and choose depending on your requirement and needs. Selecting one jurisdiction and switching in quick time can become costly, so invest a good amount of time in finalizing the location.

2. Apply for the freelancer permit

You can collect a printed copy of the application form from the concerned jurisdiction and submit it once filled. Moreover, you can also choose to apply online for the same by providing the necessary details over their secured digital platform. You need to keep all the required documents handy if you’re applying offline. Scanned copies of the original documents are recommended when applying via the online portal. Once you submit your details and complete the paperwork, you’ll need to pay the freelance license within the specified timeframe. You’ll need an NOC from your current employer in case you’re officially working in the UAE and wish to do freelancing parallelly.

3. Apply for a freelance visa

You can apply for a freelance visa in Dubai once you receive the permit from the concerned authority. You’ll get access to TECOM’s service portal, and you can avail of various government services on this platform. Before you obtain your freelance visa, you need to acquire the establishment card from this portal and pay the associated fee. Once received, you can file in your application for a freelance employment visa in the UAE, and if approved, it’ll be valid for 3 years from the date of issuance.

4. Comply with the residency visa legalities

The government of UAE maintains a well-defined set of residency visa guidelines for all foreigners. You’ll go through a few medical tests and security checks as part of the mandatory residency visa procedures. Your visa cannot be stamped by the governing bodies unless you go through this process.

5. Renting an office space

Be it a freelancer or a business firm – who doesn’t need an office space to carry out their business activities? However, as a freelancer, you have many cost-effective solutions to choose a rental space in Dubai. You can choose a Flexi-desk, smart office, etc., being the sole entity of your business. Furthermore, you can always get in touch with the business experts at Shuraa to get the freelancer package in the UAE.

Benefits of a freelance visa in Dubai

A freelance visa presents a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs and business aspirants to prove their mettle and establishment themselves in Dubai’s competitive marketplace. Here are some advantages you need to know:

1. Work flexibility

When you apply for a freelance visa in Dubai, you open the gates for several opportunities without worrying about a monotonous office job. It doesn’t imply that you don’t need to work hard for your earnings. It rather provides you with the flexibility to pick and choose your clients and work as per your wish.

2. Cost-effective

You don’t require hefty sums of money to obtain a freelance visa in the UAE. Therefore, you can offer your professional services at a competitive price, and this helps you secure more clients, and you increase your reach even before you realize it. Furthermore, freelancers can choose affordable office space options like a Flexi desk, smart office, etc., to curb down the expenses. You can invest this money in the growth of your freelance venture in Dubai.

3. Sponsor your family members

You can sponsor your loved ones to live with you in the UAE once you have a well-settled freelance business. The visa application process is straightforward, and you can collaborate with the legal advisors at Shuraa to get it done for you. Remember that you can’t sponsor employees under your freelance visa permit.

4. Driving license

Apart from being your boss, you can also apply for a driving license in Dubai. You need to go through the standard licensing process but ensure that you have the additional freelancing documents with you. You must adhere to the road safety protocols at all times when you’re driving in the UAE or anywhere in the world.

What paperwork goes behind a freelance visa in the UAE?

You need to possess or secure the following documents to apply for a freelance visa in Dubai and get started with your venture:

• A copy of the applicant’s passport
• A passport size photograph adhering to the UAE’s picture guidelines
• Your resume/CV
• Bank’s reference letter
• NOC from a local sponsor/UAE national
• Your academic qualification documents certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (applicable for the education sector)
• Your work portfolio (especially if applying for a freelance visa in the media sector)
• NOC from your current employer in case you’re already employed in the UAE

Consult with Shuraa

Do you want to work as a freelancer in Dubai but don’t know how to go about it? Well, it’s time to bid adieu to your worries because all you need to do is collaborate with Shuraa Business Setup. We have already helped more than 25,000 business enthusiasts establish themselves and start a business in Dubai. The business consultants at Shuraa help you understand the benefits and limitations of being a freelancer in the UAE. Furthermore, you also get valuable insights on how to apply for a freelance visa in Dubai and which is the best jurisdiction for your business activities. It’s time for you now to get in touch with us, and we’ll present you with your success plan as a freelancer in the UAE.

Connect with Shuraa today by calling us on +971 44081900. For chat assistance, send a WhatsApp message on +971 50 777 5554. You can also write to us at info@Shuraa.com.