A freelance visa lets you live in the UAE and invoice clients legally as a one-person business — without forming a full company. Here's how it works in 2026, what it costs, and when you should set up a company instead.
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Freelance permit vs freelance visa — what's the difference
Two things are often bundled together:
- Freelance permit — a licence that lets you work legally under your own name in a specific field (media, tech, education, and more).
- Residence visa — the permit lets you *apply* for a UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, which is what actually lets you live here, open a bank account, and sponsor family.
You usually want both: the permit to trade, and the visa to reside.
Where to get a freelance permit
Several free zones offer freelance packages. Popular routes include:
- GoFreelance / TECOM (Dubai) — well-known for media, tech, and education freelancers.
- IFZA, SHAMS, and Ajman — competitively priced freelance permits across many fields.
- RAKEZ and Fujairah — budget-friendly options outside Dubai.
- Abu Dhabi — its own freelance licences for the capital.
What a freelance visa costs
As a rough 2026 guide, a freelance permit with a residence visa typically lands in the AED 12,500–22,500 range for year one, depending on the zone, your field, and the visa term (1 or 2 years). The permit alone, without a visa, is cheaper.
Costs move with the same factors as any setup — see how much it costs to set up in Dubai, or get an instant estimate with the cost calculator.
Freelance permit or a full company?
A freelance permit is perfect when you're a solo operator invoicing under your own name. Consider a company licence instead when you:
- Want to trade under a brand name, not your own.
- Plan to hire or bring on a partner.
- Need to sponsor staff visas or scale.
- Want the credibility of a company for clients and banking.
Many founders start on a freelance permit and upgrade to a Free Zone company as they grow. We can set up either — and move you between them later.
The process
- Pick the zone and field that matches your work.
- Submit documents — passport, photo, and a short application; all remote.
- Permit issued, then the residence visa, medical, and Emirates ID (a short trip for biometrics if you take the visa).
- You're live — invoicing legally and resident in the UAE.
US citizens should also read do US citizens need a visa for Dubai, and for the 10-year option, our PRO & immigration services cover the Golden Visa.
Ready to go freelance in the UAE? Tell us your field on WhatsApp and we'll recommend the cheapest permit that gets you a residence visa — with a fixed-fee quote.
Written and fact-checked by CompanyForm's in-house formation specialists — the same team that files trade licences, arranges bank introductions, and handles tax and visas for founders setting up in the UAE.
About our team