FREELANCE WORK IN DUBAI

A Guide to Freelance Work in Dubai

The United Arab Emirates have emerged to one of the most developed countries in the Middle East. Today, a lot of people from all corners of the globe come to UAE for work. Not all of them come for business or with a job offer. A good number of freelancers also come to UAE due to the growing demand of such professionals and the excellent facilities that Dubai offers. In this article, we would take a look at some of the commonly asked questions about freelance work in Dubai. Hopefully, by the end of the article, you would have a good sense of direction when looking for freelance work in Dubai.

Is freelance work in Dubai legal?

Freelance work in Dubai is permitted as long as you have the necessary permits and approvals from the relevant authorities.

What are the important permits and approvals needed for freelance work in Dubai?

To work in the UAE, whether as a freelancer or on any other job, you will need a residence visa and as well as a work permit.

What is the easiest way to become a freelancer?

One of the simplest ways to get qualified for freelance work in Dubai, is to apply for a freelance work permit and residence from a free zone (if you visa is not sponsored by your father or spouse).

There are a number of Free Trade Zones in Dubai that offer permits for freelance work in Dubai. They include Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, and Dubai Design District. Apart from Dubai, you can also get freelance permits for Abu Dhabi’s TwoFour54 and Fujairah Creative City RAKZE, Ajman Freezone. In most cases, it is required that your profession to be related to the activity of the free zone.

What are the activities that are allowed for freelance work in Dubai?

For legally doing freelance work in Dubai, your job should be one of the following:

1. Education Advisor
2. eLearning Advisor
3. Executive Coaching
4. Researcher
5. Trainer
6. Actor
7. Aerial Shoot Photographer
8. Animator
9. Artist
10. Brand Consultant
11. Cameraman
12. Choreographer
13. Commentators: Radio, Events, Sports, Television
14. Composer
15. Content Provider
16. Copywriter
17. Creative Director
18. Critics
19. Director
20. Editor
21. Event Manager
22. Furniture Designer
23. Graphic Designer
24. Illustrator
25. Journalist
26. Lighting Specialist
27. Market Analyst
28. Marketing Specialist
29. Media Planner
30. Music Director
31. Musician
32. New Media Specialist
33. Photographer
34. Photojournalist
35. PR Specialist/Public relations
36. Presenter TV/Radio
37. Print Media Specialist
38. Producer
39. Scriptwriter
40. Set and Exhibit Designer
41. Social Media Specialist
42. Special Effects Producer
43. Translator
44. Wardrobe Stylist
45. Web Developer
46. Web Designer
47. Writer
48. Web, Mobile, Software Development and Architecture Freelancer
49. IT and Telecommunication Networking Freelancer
50. Data Science and Analytics Freelancer
51. Customer Service Freelancer

The freelance permit in Dubai officially identifies you as a sole practitioner. This also allows you to conduct your business in your birth name as opposed to a company name. In most cases, the free zone will provide you with a shared office space and a shared PO Box.

What are the costs involved for getting the freelance permit?

The cost of getting a freelance permit in UAE depends on the free zone that you intend to establish yourself in. In most cases, you can expect your set-up costs to be in the range of AED 7500 to AED 20,000. You will have to renew your license on a yearly basis. The cost of doing that would be almost the same as your set-up cost.

What are the documents do I need for freelance work in Dubai?

You will need to submit the following documents to get the permit for freelance work in Dubai.

• Business plan,
• Bank reference letter,
• CV profile
• Degree certificate. They should be attested from UAE embassy in the country of origin as well as from Ministry of Foreign Affairs in UAE.
• A copy of a no-objection certificate (NOC) from your current sponsor (if any)
• A copy of your passport.

If one has a freelance permit from a free zone, can I contract with mainland or onshore companies?

Well, as a matter of fact, they are no strict restrictions on being contractually engaged by a mainland/onshore company. However, in some cases, there might be certain conditions depending on your activity and the free zone in which you are set up in.

 I have a residence visa sponsored by my spouse/father, can I engage in freelance?

In any case, you will need a work permit if you wish to freelance work in Dubai. You can obtain a temporary work permit from the Ministry of Labour, provided that you are to be employed by a mainland company for a maximum period of six months.

You could also get a part-time work permit through the company you intend to work for. For both part-time and a temporary work permit, an NOC from your current sponsor would be required

These were some of the things that you need to know about freelance work in Dubai. At Arab Business Consultant, we help you by guiding you with practically everything. So, get the help of the experts and write your own story of success.