The life of a freelancer in Dubai.

How to go about as a Freelancer in Dubai

by Zaara 29, Nov 2023

The rising city profile, colourful culture and growing economy in Dubai have turned freelancing into a successful option with many opportunities. This generation has given a lot of importance to uniqueness, art, and talent, which gives various earning options to freelancers in Dubai. The economy for this business type is in high demand, eventually encouraging the freelancers of the city. 

However, freelancing requires planning, guidance, and knowledge of local regulations. In this article, we will provide all the essential steps and required information to establish yourself as a successful freelancer in Dubai.

What is Freelancing?

Freelancing is a type of working independently as a self-employed individual who earns money based on a particular task and is not employed by a firm or an organisation. They have the liberty to work on multiple projects at the same time, provided they meet the deadlines and quality standards of their client.

A freelancer in Dubai can choose their own hours, rates, and work locations.

Licenses of Freelancer in Dubai

Licenses are the most essential for any type of business setup in Dubai. It signifies approval from the authorities for particular activities of the business. 

  • Freelancer licenses are issued by the various licensing authorities, mainly located in free zones.
  • These licenses allow individuals to work as individual entrepreneurs and provide their services legally across the UAE.
  • A freelancer license is available for various categories of professionals, such as educators, designers, sportsmen, artists, media, IT professionals, and banking professionals.
  • Freelancers can apply for the 5-year green visa. This offers more flexibility and benefits.

Read more about the benefits of a freelance visa in Dubai.

The Freelance Permit Dubai is a license that enables independent professionals to conduct their profession by their birth name as opposed to a brand name.

Application of these licenses can be easily done on online platforms with the help of a consultancy firm.

Pros and Cons of a Freelance Permit Dubai

Any individual who wishes to work as a freelancer in Dubai—either apart from their current job or as a complete freelancer—requires a freelance permit in Dubai. You become the sole practitioner of the activity that you choose.

Having a freelance work permit poses several advantages and very few disadvantages. 

 However, it's our responsibility to provide you with so that you can choose if it suits you better.

Pros

Cons

It is comparatively easier to obtain a freelance permit, with fewer procedures and documentation involved.

Freelance access allows only you (the person named) to work in the organisation, preventing employee hiring from being possible.

Consequently, if you don't want your costs to go up, a freelance permit is the best choice. There are lucrative freelance permit packages for professionals in Dubai. A freelance license in Dubai can cost between AED 10,000 and AED 25,000 in total.

Only in the case of a restricted collection of domains-education, fashion, and media can a freelance permit be given.

Provides you with free zone business centre access

The Federal Tax Authority does not issue a tax registration number (TRN) to freelancers.

Key Points Before Applying for a Freelance License in Dubai

  • The procedure of obtaining a freelance license is straightforward, with fewer papers.
  • The freelance licensing rates are lower. There are lucrative freelance permit packages for professionals in Dubai.
  • Freelance support enables only the designated employee to work in the business. If the freelancer wishes to recruit staff, he must upgrade them to a trade license
  • Only a small number of domains are given a freelance permit.
  • Working as a freelancer is a cost-effective option. This way, you are allowed to work in a one-person business. You don’t even need to rent an office space for your business as Dubai free zones let you rent a workstation for that purpose.

Procedure to Obtain a Freelance Permit Dubai

A freelancer in Dubai requires a license to continue working without any problem in the future. The process of obtaining a license is pretty simple but involves chronological steps which should be followed according to the authority’s regulations and standards. 

The procedure is as follows –

a) Eligibility Verification:

Make sure that you follow the conditions so that you are eligible to obtain a freelance license. These conditions are the specific skills and professional experience, etc.

b) Select a Free Zone:

Dubai freezones are comparatively beneficial in terms of 100% ownership, tax exemptions and a business-friendly environment. Select the free zone for your freelance in Dubai.

c) Business License:

There are various types of licenses offered according to the nature of the freelance work. Obtain the license required for the right profession or business activity for further functions.

d) Documents and Paper Work:

Prepare necessary documents and submit them within time for other business activities and legalities.

Some of the documents are mentioned below – 

  • Passport copies.
  • Visa copies.
  • Passport-sized photographs.
  • Educational and professional certificates.
  • Business plan.

e) Business Applications:

The freelancer in Dubai should make sure to submit the necessary application to the relevant authority for required approvals and freelance work permits. This can be easily done on online websites.

f) Visa Processing:

If the freelancer is not a UAE resident, he/she must apply for a freelance visa to reside in the country on legal terms. The process involves tests and interviews and requires personal documents.

g) Open a Bank Account:

Establishing a bank account in Dubai is an essential step because this facilitates business transactions and the maintenance of books.

h) Legal Compliance:

Make sure that the freelancers are following the rules and regulations of the free zone issued by the government. This leads to the functioning of their work easily and without any legal issues.

Dubai is one of the most popular destinations for not just successful businesses but for freelancing as well. Dubai’s culture and location are beneficial and profitable to freelancers. The city’s policies issued by the government are simple and straightforward, and the process of obtaining licenses and approvals is easy to comply with, and that’s why it is an attractive place for businesses. A freelancer in Dubai must get into contacts with a consultancy firm like Commitbiz because all of the formalities and legalities can be completed in no time.

Commitbiz is a consultancy firm with experienced professionals, advanced technologies and easy to approach. They provide various services with top quality and researched knowledge. Save your time and get in touch with us today!

FAQs

What's the validity of the freelance permit?

The permit is renewable on an annual basis.

Am I allowed to use a company name?

No. The freelance permit is issued under your name only.

What is the type of freelance activities and where can I view them?

At present, one can obtain a license in tech, media and education activities

How much time will it take to get the permit?

Once your application has been approved, it should take between 10 – 15 working days. 

If I currently have a full-time job, can I apply for a freelance permit only?

Yes, you need to provide a NOC letter from your sponsor and employer.

Will I need to set up a professional bank account?

As a sole trader, you should not have a registered company bank account under the same profession or industry you practice freelance in.

Which freezone is best for starting as a freelancer in Dubai

There is not a single free zone that is best in the UAE because each free zone attracts different clients. Some are designed for creative businesses, and others for technology, education or even medical services.

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