Freelance permit and visa in Dubai
Freelancers can live and work in the UAE on a freelance permit or licence, with residence linked to it. We help you choose the right permit for your field and income, and handle the application, visa and Emirates ID.
The main routes
| Free zone freelance permit or licence | A permit in your own name from a free zone, usually with a residence visa — for example Dubai Development Authority's GoFreelance, RAKEZ or Ajman Free Zone |
| MOHRE freelance work permit | A permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for individuals working independently without an employer; you need your own residence, such as the Green Visa or another self-sponsored status |
| Green Visa (self-employment) | Five-year residence for freelancers with a MOHRE permit, a degree or specialised diploma, and freelance income of at least AED 360,000 a year over the previous two years (Dubai also accepts proof of solvency) |
| Sole establishment or company | A licensed business — the better route if you will trade under a brand name or hire staff |
Free zone freelance options
- Dubai Development Authority — GoFreelance: covers Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Design District, for media, technology, education and design. You trade in your own name, not a brand; a hot desk is included; the visa is applied for separately; and sponsoring staff is not allowed.
- RAKEZ: a freelance permit for one or two years, with eligibility for a UAE residence visa; a portfolio or qualification is needed.
- Ajman Free Zone: states that its freelancer licence covers 40 categories and includes one residence visa; family sponsorship may be possible, subject to conditions.
Documents and attestation
- A passport valid for at least six months, photos and your CV or portfolio.
- Degree certificates, where the permit or visa needs them, attested in your home country and then by the UAE embassy and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some professions also need Ministry of Education equivalency.
- A no-objection letter from your current sponsor if you already live in the UAE on another visa.
Tax for freelancers
A freelancer working in their own name is taxed as a natural person. Corporate Tax applies only when business turnover exceeds AED 1 million in a calendar year (Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023); wages, personal investment income and real estate investment income are excluded. If turnover goes above AED 1 million, registration is due by 31 March of the following year. VAT registration is mandatory above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies. We can connect you with our tax & accounting team at pbz.ae — see Corporate Tax registration.
How we help
In a short online meeting we look at your field, clients, income and plans to hire. We recommend the permit or licence that fits, prepare the application and documents, and support you with the residence visa, Emirates ID and bank account. If a company licence would suit you better, we'll say so. Approvals are always decided by the authorities.
Sources: u.ae — Work permits and Preparing to work (updated September 2026); ICP — UAE Green Residency; GDRFA Dubai — Green residence permit (self-employment); Dubai Development Authority — Freelancer licence registration and GoFreelance; RAKEZ — all you need to know about freelancing in the UAE; Ajman Free Zone — business licence types; Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023, FTA Decision No. 3 of 2024 and FTA guidance on natural persons; Federal Tax Authority — VAT registration.
Freelance setup in four steps
Fit
Your field, clients, income and plans to hire.
Permit
Free zone or MOHRE permit, with the right documents and attestation.
Residence
Entry permit or status change, medical, Emirates ID.
Bank & tax
Bank account and a check on VAT and Corporate Tax.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a 'freelance visa' in Dubai?
Not as a single visa. A freelancer gets a freelance permit or licence — for example from a free zone — and the residence visa can then be applied for on the strength of that permit. Separately, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) issues freelance work permits, and the Green Visa (self-employment) offers a five-year residence for qualifying freelancers.
Which free zones offer freelance permits?
Among others, Dubai Development Authority's GoFreelance programme (covering Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Design District) for media, tech, education and design; RAKEZ, with a freelance permit that makes holders eligible for residence; and Ajman Free Zone, which states that its freelancer licence covers 40 categories. Fields, visas and conditions differ, so we match the permit to your work.
What does the Green Visa for freelancers require?
The conditions published by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) include a freelance or self-employment permit from MOHRE, a bachelor's degree or specialised diploma, freelance income of at least AED 360,000 a year over the previous two years, and proof of stable income or financial solvency during residence. Dubai's GDRFA accepts proof of solvency as an alternative to the income test. The visa is valid for five years and renewable.
Do freelancers pay UAE Corporate Tax?
A freelancer working in their own name is a natural person. Under Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023, a natural person's business is subject to Corporate Tax only when its turnover exceeds AED 1 million in a calendar year. Wages and personal investment income are not counted. VAT registration is separate and applies above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies.
Can a freelancer sponsor family or hire staff?
Family sponsorship may be possible once you hold residence, subject to the general income and document rules. Most freelance permits do not allow sponsoring employees — if you plan to hire, a company licence is usually the better route.
Thinking of freelancing in the UAE?
Tell us your field and plans. We'll recommend the right permit in a short online meeting and send a written quote.