Obtaining a freelancer residency visa in the UAE gives you an opportunity to legally live, do business and work in the country. With this visa, you can take on contracts and complete projects for clients, as well as work for hire. Additionally, you can use health insurance and obtain residency visas for your family members. A freelancer visa is a great option for legalization in the UAE, even if you are not actually an IT professional or remote worker.
Freelancer residency visa
To obtain a freelancer residency visa in the UAE, you must officially register as a freelancer in a freezone. This involves obtaining a freelancer’s license in Dubai. We are happy to assist you in all stages of obtaining a license and visa to ensure that it goes smoothly and quickly.
What is included in the service?
Obtaining an entry permit
Biometric registration
Assistance in undergoing a medical examination
Visa issuance at the Ministry of Justice
Acquisition of an Emirates ID
Emirates ID
The Emirates ID is a card that carries a unique identification number for its holder. The Emirates ID card or credential provides the following benefits:
enables long-term residency in the UAE;
allows the formalization of Ejari long-term housing rental contracts;
grants access to both governmental and non-governmental services;
permits unlimited crossings of the UAE border;
facilitates the procurement of insurance for medical consultations and treatments in the UAE;
provides the opportunity to work and conduct business in the UAE;
allows for-profit education at all local academic institutions;
enables applications for Schengen or U.S. visas;
allows for the acquisition of a standard driving license;
enables the opening of an account or securing a loan from a local bank.
The Emirates ID is issued with any resident visa.
What is included in the service?
Assistance in document package preparation
Undergoing a medical examination
Submission of biometric data
Acquisition of a resident visa
Acquisition of an Emirates ID
The process of obtaining a visa
Obtaining an entry permit
Our process is as follows: you give us the documents, we verify, translate, get them legally certified and forward them to the relevant ministries. Simultaneously, we arrange an entry permit for you, which remains valid for 2 months. If you are abroad when the permit is issued, you must arrive before the permit expires.
Changing visa status
The moment you set foot in the UAE, a specific status is allocated to you. In most cases, you can enter the country either as a tourist or a resident. If you are abroad when your entry permit is issued, your status will automatically change to “non-tourist” upon border crossing. If your entry permit is issued while you are already in the UAE, the status is changed manually.
Undergoing a medical examination
Undergoing a medical examination is a compulsory step in the process of applying for any kind of visa. The medical examination includes blood analysis and fluorography.
Submission of biometric data
Submission of biometric data is yet another obligatory step. This procedure must be completed in the UAE. Essentially, you just need to provide your fingerprints.
Issuance of a resident visa
All paperwork is coordinated through the immigration service. Provided everything has been prepared accurately, the ministries will give their approval and issue the visa.
Acquisition of an Emirates ID
Once your visa is issued, you will be given a plastic card with a unique identification number for accessing services within the UAE.
Our Clients' FAQ
Most of the freezones in Dubai provide an opportunity to get a freelancer visa. Each freezone in Dubai supports specific industries for freelance professionals. The set of required documents depends on the type of activity. You will also need to pay the prescribed fee. A freelancer’s license in Dubai is valid for one year and can be renewed thereafter. Lastly, costs for obtaining a freelancer license will differ based on the activity type and jurisdiction selected.
Completed application form (provided upon submission);
Recent photos;
CV;
Samples of work (e.g. if you are a photographer, you will need to provide photos from projects, portfolio, etc.);
Copy of a passport valid for at least 7 months;
Education documents certified by the UAE Consulate or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country (A diploma is required in most cases only for those who are going to conduct educational activities in the UAE, i.e. teaching. You need to provide a diploma confirming the right to carry out this kind of activity);
A copy of a valid freelancer’s license in Dubai. (In case you do not have one, you can get a license directly when applying for a visa, and it will be processed within 10-14 working days);
Additional documents may also be required.
The cost starts at $5,000 (including state fees).
Cases
What we did
Formed a company
Helped acquire a visa within five working days
Opened an account within a month
Hired 20+ employees and assisted with their family visas
Continue to provide support to this day
Learn more
Our work, from establishing the company to fully employing the staff, took approximately a month and a half. The first Dodo Pizza location opened in Dubai in January 2023. We are very happy for them and continue to provide support by answering their questions in detail. This experience was also beneficial to us. Through our collaboration with Dodo, we realized that we can offer comprehensive legal support on all matters related not only to relocation but also to conducting business in a Muslim country.
The mainland company was established in three days
The visa for one of the founders was secured within a week
The company bank account was opened in three days
Learn more
In this article, we explain how you can swiftly start selling green coffee from Indonesia worldwide with the right approach to business registration in Dubai.
The company was established within 2 weeks, despite a glitch in the government system.
The visa was obtained in 2.5 weeks
Learn more
While we working with SmartAge, a beauty product supplier, we faced a significant error from a government body. Ironically, this was also our first customer in the Emirates. Here's what transpired and how we tackled it
Obtaining an entry permit
Changing visa status
Undergoing a medical examination
Submission of biometric data
Issuance of a resident visa
Acquisition of an Emirates ID
Learn moreOur work, from establishing the company to fully employing the staff, took approximately a month and a half. The first Dodo Pizza location opened in Dubai in January 2023. We are very happy for them and continue to provide support by answering their questions in detail. This experience was also beneficial to us. Through our collaboration with Dodo, we realized that we can offer comprehensive legal support on all matters related not only to relocation but also to conducting business in a Muslim country.Learn more
Learn moreIn this article, we explain how you can swiftly start selling green coffee from Indonesia worldwide with the right approach to business registration in Dubai.Learn more
Learn moreWhile we working with SmartAge, a beauty product supplier, we faced a significant error from a government body. Ironically, this was also our first customer in the Emirates. Here's what transpired and how we tackled itLearn more
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