The short answer
A freelance visa is a freelance permit plus a UAE residence visa. You can get it in three ways: a freelance permit from a Free Zone or authority (for listed professions), the 5-year Green Visa for freelancers earning at least AED 360,000 a year, or your own small Free Zone company, which sponsors your visa. For most people who invoice companies, the company route is the most flexible.
Your three options
| Freelance permit | Green Visa (freelancer) | Your own Free Zone company | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who issues it | A Free Zone or authority, for its list of professions | Immigration, with a federal freelance permit | The Free Zone you choose |
| Visa length | Usually 2 years, renewable | 5 years, renewable | Usually 2 years, renewable |
| Sponsor | The issuing authority | None (self-sponsored) | Your company |
| What you can do | Only the listed activities for your profession | Your freelance work | Any activities on your licence, 3 or more |
| Invoices in | Your own name | Your own name | Your company's name |
| Hire staff later | No | No | Yes |
| Main condition | An eligible profession, portfolio or degree | Degree or diploma, AED 360,000 a year income | None beyond the zone's rules |
Option 1: a freelance permit
Several authorities issue freelance permits, each for its own list of professions, usually in media, design, technology, education, consulting and the arts:
- Free Zones such as RAKEZ offer a freelancer permit for individuals in eligible professions. See RAKEZ.
- Dubai authorities issue freelance permits for professionals in specific sectors in Dubai.
- The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issues the federal freelance (self-employment) permit used for the Green Visa.
Good to know: which permits come with a residence visa, and for which professions, changes from time to time, and guides online often disagree. We check the current position for your profession before you apply, so you don't pay for a permit that can't give you a visa.
Option 2: the 5-year Green Visa for freelancers
If you already earn well as a freelancer, the Green Visa gives you 5 years of residence without any sponsor. The official requirements are:
- A freelance or self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
- A bachelor's degree or a specialised diploma, or equivalent.
- Income: annual income from freelance work of at least AED 360,000 over the previous two years, or proof of financial solvency for your stay.
- A passport valid for at least 6 months.
The authorities describe the income alternative in slightly different words, so we confirm which proof works for you before you apply. Earning less, or just starting? The company route below is usually faster.
Option 3: your own Free Zone company
Many people who search for a freelance visa end up with a small Free Zone company, and for good reasons:
- Any profession: you are not limited to a list of freelance activities.
- Several activities: most zones include 3 or more on one licence.
- A company name on your invoices and website, which bigger clients often prefer.
- Easier banking: banks are generally more comfortable with a company account.
- Room to grow: add partners, hire staff and sponsor more visas later.
A one-person company in a zone like RAKEZ or IFZA sponsors your residence visa, and the whole setup can start from abroad. See Free Zone company setup.
What jobs can you do with a freelance visa?
Freelance permits are issued for lists of professions. The lists differ by authority, but they usually cover:
Media and creative
- Graphic and web design
- Photography and video
- Writing, editing and translation
- Content creation and social media
Technology
- Software and app development
- IT consulting and support
- Data and digital marketing
Education and consulting
- Training and coaching
- Teaching and tutoring
- Management and business consulting
Not on the list? Trading goods, running an agency with staff, or regulated work (for example health, legal or financial services) usually needs a company and sometimes an extra approval. With your own Free Zone company you can choose from hundreds of activities instead. See the IFZA activity list.
Which option should you choose?
| Your situation | Usually the best fit |
|---|---|
| Designer, writer, developer or trainer, on your own, just starting | A freelance permit if your profession is eligible, otherwise a one-person company |
| Consultant invoicing companies, now or soon | Your own Free Zone company |
| Earning AED 360,000+ a year as a freelancer, with a degree | The 5-year Green Visa |
| Planning to hire, take partners or sell products | Your own Free Zone company |
| Working mainly for one employer in the UAE | Check your contract first; you may need a no-objection letter |
What decides the cost of a freelance visa
A freelance visa is several fees added together, and they depend on the route:
- The permit or licence: the yearly fee to the issuing authority or Free Zone.
- The establishment card, where the authority needs one to sponsor your visa.
- The residence visa: entry permit or status change, then the visa itself.
- Medical test and Emirates ID.
- Desk or office, if the authority requires one.
- Attestation of your degree, if needed.
Prices online are often out of date or leave lines out. We don't publish a total that may be wrong for you: after a free 30-minute call you get the exact cost of each route, line by line, so you can compare them side by side.
Common mistakes freelancers make
- Buying a permit without a visa. Some permits don't include residence, or not for every profession. Check before you pay.
- Choosing too narrow an activity. If your work grows beyond your permit's activities, you need a new licence.
- Mixing personal and business money. It makes banking and tax harder later. Keep a separate account from day one.
- Forgetting tax thresholds. Above AED 1 million turnover you must register for corporate tax, and VAT applies above AED 375,000 of taxable sales.
- Working while employed without permission. Your employment contract and visa may not allow it.
Documents you usually need
Everyone
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Passport-format photo
- CV
- Current UAE visa and Emirates ID, if you live here
Freelance permit
- Portfolio or work samples
- Degree or professional certificates
- No-objection letter, if employed in the UAE
Green Visa
- Federal freelance permit
- Attested degree or diploma
- Proof of income for the last two years, or of financial solvency
Degrees issued abroad usually need attestation. We tell you exactly which of your documents need it.
How it works with us
- Free 30-minute call. We compare the three options for your profession, income and plans.
- Permit or company. We apply for the permit, or set up your company, with the right activities.
- Entry permit or status change. If you are already in the UAE, your status is changed without leaving.
- Medical test and biometrics. We book both.
- Visa and Emirates ID. Your Emirates ID is delivered to you.
- Bank, tax and books. We help with your bank account and keep your accounts if you want.
Bank account, tax and family
- Bank account: banks look closely at freelancers. A company account is often easier. See bank account opening.
- Tax: there is no personal income tax. Individuals whose business turnover goes above AED 1 million in a calendar year must register for corporate tax, and VAT applies once taxable sales pass AED 375,000 in 12 months.
- Family: with your residence visa you can usually sponsor your spouse and children, if you meet the income and housing rules. See family visa.
Sources
Rules checked on 29 October 2026. Freelance rules change, so we confirm the current position for every client.