How to Get a Freelance Licence in the UAE (2026)

A freelance licence in the UAE lets you work for yourself, invoice clients under your own name and, with most permits, get a residence visa without an employer. It suits designers, developers, writers, trainers, photographers, creators and other independent professionals who do not need a full company. Abu Dhabi alone reported freelance licences up 261% year on year in the first quarter of 2026.

The hard part is that there is no single UAE freelance licence. Dubai's TECOM zones and Expo City, Abu Dhabi's registration and media authorities, RAKEZ, Umm Al Quwain and other free zones each run their own permit, with different fees, activity lists, visa rules and banking limits. Some permits cannot open a corporate bank account at all.

This is where we come in. We set up freelance permits and small companies ourselves, so the route, the activity, the visa and the bank account all run through one team. You get one clear price and a licence in about a week.

Ready to go independent? Our team sets up freelance permits and small companies across the UAE.

What a Freelance Licence in the UAE Is

A freelance licence in the UAE is a permit for one person to carry out listed professional activities in their own name. It is not a company. There is no separate legal entity, you trade under your birth name rather than a brand, and you are personally liable for any debts.

Freelance Permit vs Company

A freelance permit is cheaper and simpler, but it limits you to one person and a short activity list, and it usually cannot hire staff or sponsor employees. A small company costs more but can grow, hire, trade under a brand and hold a corporate bank account. Our guide to the types of companies in the UAE compares the options.

The Federal Freelance Work Permit

The federal labour ministry, MOHRE, lists a freelance work permit among its 13 work permit types. The federal portal describes it as a permit for people who work independently, including foreign nationals on self-sponsored residence, without an employer or an employment contract. Article 6 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 makes it illegal to work in the UAE without a valid work permit.

Who Can Apply

Most permits are open to foreign nationals, including people already living in the UAE on a family or employer visa. GoFreelance lets a full-time employee hold a licence by submitting a declaration form, and RAKEZ asks residents on another sponsor's visa for a no objection certificate. Abu Dhabi's Freelancer licence is open to UAE nationals and residents, including those in full-time jobs.

What You Can and Cannot Do

You can invoice clients, work from home or a client's premises and, with most permits, sponsor your own residence and family. You usually cannot hire staff, trade goods or sign as a company. GoFreelance says its holders cannot hire or sponsor staff, and RAKEZ allows one activity only.

Freelance Licence Options by Emirate

These are the published freelance routes and their prices.

SHAMS, SPC, Ajman Free Zone and Fujairah Creative City publish no official freelance permit price. SRTIP and SPC offer small company packages instead of a freelance permit.

GoFreelance in Dubai

GoFreelance runs through the Dubai Development Authority and covers four sectors, each tied to a TECOM zone: tech at Dubai Internet City with 24 listed skills, media at Dubai Media City with 45 roles, education at Dubai Knowledge Park with 5 and design at d3 with 16. The licence costs AED 7,520 and is issued in about 2 working days. GoFreelance lists a one-year visa at AED 4,600, a two-year visa at AED 5,042 and the establishment card at AED 2,000, and says no annual audit is needed at renewal.

Expo City Dubai

Expo City Dubai's freelance permit costs AED 7,000, including a non-refundable AED 500, and is issued within 3 working days, according to its October 2025 guide. It is valid for one year, renewable for up to five years, and Expo City says holders can open a corporate bank account. Packages with a residence visa cost AED 9,020 for one year and AED 16,020 for two. Read about the freelance licence in Dubai.

Creative Media Authority and ADRA in Abu Dhabi

The Creative Media Authority's freelance programme waives licence and registration fees for the first two years and gives the first three activities free, with the licence issued within 14 working days. Its calculator lists a one-year residence visa at AED 3,433.50 and health insurance from about AED 1,200. ADRA's Freelancer licence is a home-based sole proprietorship from AED 1,200, and ADRA says holders can secure residency for themselves and their families. Read about the freelance licence in Abu Dhabi.

Northern Emirates

RAKEZ's permit starts from AED 6,100 and allows one activity from its list of 97 professions, with no staff, no extra visas and, in RAKEZ's words, no corporate bank account. Umm Al Quwain's permit includes a two-year visa and lets holders sponsor a spouse, children, parents and domestic workers. Read about RAKEZ company formation.

What a Freelance Licence Costs in Total

The permit price is only part of the cost. This is how the first year adds up on published figures.

Add health insurance, which is mandatory before residence is issued, and the medical test. Read about free zone visa quota and costs and the cost of business setup in the UAE.

Freelance Visa in the UAE

Most freelance permits let you apply for residence through the permit issuer, with an establishment card, medical, Emirates ID and health insurance. The visa lasts only as long as the licence and establishment card stay valid.

The Green Visa for Freelancers

The green visa gives freelancers five years of residence without a sponsor. ICP lists the conditions: a MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit, a bachelor's degree or specialised diploma, and freelance income of at least AED 360,000 a year for the past two years, or proof of financial solvency. In Dubai, GDRFA charges AED 200 plus AED 20 for the permit, AED 500 to change status inside the country and AED 20 for delivery, and processes it in 48 hours. Holders get a 180-day grace period after expiry.

Creative Golden Visas

Creatives with recognised work can apply for a golden visa. The Ministry of Culture's recommendation is free, and Abu Dhabi's golden visa for creatives lasts 10 years across pioneer, top talent and distinguished professional tracks. Read about the UAE golden visa for business owners.

Sponsoring Family

Sponsoring family needs a monthly income of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, and a guarantee may be taken per family member. Read about the UAE investor visa for company owners.

The 2025 Pause and Tougher Checks

In July 2025, relocation firms reported a temporary pause on new freelance visas in Dubai, with renewals unaffected. In November 2025, GDRFA's director general said the visas were being issued normally and denied any suspension. Providers now report tougher checks, such as bank statements showing active work, portfolios or client contracts, and a match between the activity and your experience.

Freelance Licence in the UAE by Profession

The right freelance licence in the UAE depends on your profession, because each permit has its own list.

Media, Content and Creators

Media is the most widely covered sector. GoFreelance lists 45 media roles, RAKEZ 54 and the Creative Media Authority 88 general activities. Creators who promote brands also need the UAE advertiser permit, which requires a trade or freelance licence covering media or advertising. It is free for the first three years for those who registered in time, then AED 1,000 a year.

Tech and Software

GoFreelance covers web, mobile and software development, IT and networking, data science and customer service through Dubai Internet City, and RAKEZ lists 11 IT professions. For product companies or teams, a small free zone company is usually better. Read about IFZA company formation and Meydan Free Zone company formation.

Education and Coaching

GoFreelance lists advisers, e-learning, executive coaches, researchers and trainers, and RAKEZ lists 19 education professions. Training institutes, as opposed to individual trainers, need a KHDA permit in Dubai.

Design

GoFreelance covers 16 design roles through d3, from fashion and interior design to jewellery and events.

Consultancy

Management and business consultancy is not on every freelance list. Many consultants use a professional licence instead. Read about the consultancy licence in Dubai and the commercial vs professional licence in Dubai.

Online Selling

Selling goods online needs an e-commerce activity and TDRA's approval, not a freelance permit. Read about the e-commerce licence in the UAE.

Which Emirate Suits a Freelancer

The best emirate depends on your clients, your budget and whether you need a visa.

Dubai

Dubai has the most clients, the most co-working space and two well-known permits, GoFreelance and Expo City. It costs more, and providers report the closest checks on new freelance visas. Read about free zone company formation in Dubai if you may outgrow a permit.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has the lowest licence fees: the Creative Media Authority waives fees for two years for media and gaming freelancers, and ADRA's Freelancer licence starts at AED 1,200 for residents. It suits creatives and residents who already live in the capital. Read about business setup in Abu Dhabi.

Northern Emirates

RAKEZ and Umm Al Quwain suit freelancers who work for clients abroad and want a visa at a lower cost, with one or two activities. Check the banking rules first, because RAKEZ says its permit holders cannot open corporate accounts.

A Quick Rule

If your clients are in Dubai and you need a strong banking setup, look at Expo City or a small Dubai company. If you create media or games content, look at Abu Dhabi's Creative Media Authority. If you work remotely for clients abroad on a budget, compare RAKEZ, Umm Al Quwain and a small northern free zone company. Read about opening a business bank account in the UAE.

Freelance Permit or a Small Company

Choose a freelance permit if you work alone, your activity is on the list and you do not need a corporate bank account. Choose a small company if you plan to hire, trade goods, work under a brand or bank as a business. The prices can be close: Umm Al Quwain's LYTE company package costs AED 5,500 and SRTIP's zero-visa package AED 5,500, against AED 7,520 for GoFreelance. Read about free zone company formation in the UAE.

How to Get a Freelance Licence in the UAE

Check Your Activity

Confirm your profession is on the permit's list, and keep a portfolio or qualification ready as proof.

Get a Declaration or NOC if You Are Employed

GoFreelance takes a declaration form from employees, and RAKEZ asks for a sponsor's NOC.

Apply to the Issuer

Apply online with your passport, photo, CV and portfolio or qualifications. GoFreelance issues in about 2 working days, Expo City within 3 and the Creative Media Authority within 14.

Arrange the Visa

Apply for residence through the issuer, with a medical, biometrics, Emirates ID and health insurance.

Open a Bank Account

Choose a bank that accepts your permit type. Some permits run through a personal account in your name.

Register for Tax When Needed

Register for corporate tax once your business turnover passes AED 1 million, and for VAT once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000.

Documents for a Freelance Licence in the UAE

The documents for a freelance licence in the UAE are short, but issuers now check them more closely.

• Passport valid for at least six months, and a photo
• CV showing experience in the activity you apply for
• Portfolio, qualification certificates or client contracts as proof of profession
• Current UAE visa and Emirates ID if you already live in the UAE
• A declaration form or sponsor's NOC if you are employed or on someone else's visa
• For the green visa, a MOHRE freelance or self-employment permit, degree certificate and income evidence

Expo City says it may run compliance and financial checks, and providers report that Dubai issuers now ask for bank statements showing active work.

Working With Clients as a Freelancer

The licence lets you work; how you contract and get paid decides how smoothly it runs.

Contracts

Sign a written agreement for each client covering scope, fees, payment terms and ownership of the work. GoFreelance says its holders can work as independent contractors from a client's free zone premises.

Invoicing

Invoice in your licensed name, with your licence number. If you are VAT-registered, a tax invoice is due within 14 days of the supply, with amounts converted to AED at the Central Bank rate.

Getting Paid

Clients abroad usually pay by international transfer or through a payment platform. A multi-currency account cuts conversion costs if you bill in several currencies.

Disputes

The federal portal describes freelance permit holders as paid per task or service without being employees, so a payment dispute is a contract matter. Keep your contracts, invoices and correspondence.

Renewing a Freelance Licence in the UAE

A freelance licence in the UAE renews every year. GoFreelance renews online through the Dubai Development Authority and says no audit or bank details are needed at renewal, and Expo City's permit renews annually for up to five years. The visa depends on the licence and establishment card staying valid, so renew both before they expire.

Tax for Freelancers

Corporate Tax

Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023 brings an individual's business into corporate tax only once its turnover passes AED 1 million in a calendar year. Wages and personal investment income do not count, but freelance and sole proprietorship turnover is added together. A resident individual registers by 31 March of the following year, and late registration costs AED 10,000. Read about UAE corporate tax for companies.

VAT

VAT registration is mandatory above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies. Services to a client who lives outside the GCC and is outside the UAE when the work is done are usually zero-rated, and the FTA can exempt from registration a person whose supplies are all zero-rated. Tax invoices are due within 14 days of the supply. Read about UAE VAT registration.

E-Invoicing

The UAE's e-invoicing rollout requires businesses with revenue under AED 50 million to go live by 1 July 2027, with B2C-only businesses excluded for now.

Insurance, Savings and Benefits

Health Insurance

Health insurance is a condition of residence. Dubai's health insurance law puts the duty on the visa sponsor, and from 1 January 2025 a policy is needed before any private-sector residence is issued or renewed.

End-of-Service Savings

Freelancers have no end-of-service gratuity from an employer, but the voluntary savings scheme launched in November 2023 is open to people with freelance work permits.

Banking for Freelancers

Banking is where freelance permits differ most. GoFreelance says banking runs in the holder's personal name, and RAKEZ says its holders cannot open corporate accounts, while Expo City says its permit makes holders eligible for a corporate account. Mashreq's guidelines say freelancers with a permit can open a business account, and Wio's Creators account accepts a freelance permit or a creative-industry licence and is free for 12 months. Our partners open multi-currency accounts for small UAE companies in days. Read about a multi-currency business bank account in the UAE.

Common Mistakes With a Freelance Licence

Choosing a Permit Your Activity Is Not On

Each permit has its own list, and consultancy, trading and some tech services may not be covered.

Assuming You Can Hire

Most freelance permits cover one person only.

Forgetting the Bank

Some permits cannot open a corporate account, so client payments land in a personal account.

Ignoring the Advertiser Permit

Paid promotion for other brands needs the UAE advertiser permit, with fines of up to AED 10,000.

Missing the Tax Threshold

Freelance and sole proprietorship turnover is added together for the AED 1 million test.

Bottom Line

A freelance licence in the UAE comes from a free zone or an emirate's authority, not one national scheme. Expo City's permit costs AED 7,000, GoFreelance AED 7,520, RAKEZ from AED 6,100 and ADRA from AED 1,200, and Abu Dhabi's Creative Media Authority waives fees for two years. Each differs on activities, visas and banking. If you plan to hire or trade under a brand, a small company is often the better buy.

We set up the permit or company and the bank account with you, from €1,899.