Freelance visa UAE
Freelance visa in Dubai: work for yourself and live here legally.
There are two main ways to freelance in the UAE on your own residence: a free zone freelance permit with a residence visa linked to it, or the five-year Green visa for established freelancers. We compare both for your field and income, then handle the permit, the visa and your Emirates ID.
- Your nameLicence in your own name
- 1 or 2 yearsFree zone residence visa
- 5 yearsGreen visa route
- From abroadStart before you arrive
Which route fits you?
Two ways to a UAE freelance visa
Which one fits depends on your field, your income and whether you plan to hire. Free zones outside Dubai offer freelance packages too, and we compare them for you.
- You are starting out or building clientsA free zone freelance permit, such as GoFreelance in Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Design District. The licence is in your own name, a residence visa is available with it, and it renews every year.
- You already earn AED 360,000 a year or moreThe Green visa for freelancers: five years, sponsored by yourself, with a MOHRE freelance permit, a bachelor's degree or specialised diploma and two years of income at that level. See our Green visa service.
- You want to hire staff laterA freelance permit does not let you hire or sponsor staff. If that is the plan, a company licence is the better start.
Why applications slow down
Where freelance visas usually get stuck
Most delays come from a mismatch between what you do and what the permit covers.
- Activity
Your work is not on the list
Each free zone has its own list of freelance activities; GoFreelance covers media, tech, education and design.
- Staff
Planning to hire
A GoFreelance licence does not allow you to hire or sponsor staff.
- Renewals
Licence and visa out of step
The residence visa is linked to the freelance licence and establishment card, so all three need renewing on time.
- Insurance
No valid medical insurance
Valid medical insurance is required before the free zone visa is issued.
How it works
From route check to Emirates ID
You attend in person only where the authority requires it, usually the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
- Step 1
Route check
We match your field and income to a free zone permit or the Green visa.
- Step 2
Permit
Freelance licence or MOHRE permit applied for, in your own name.
- Step 3
Establishment card and visa
Filed with the right authority, fees paid, queries answered.
- Step 4
Medical and biometrics
Booked at times that suit you.
- Step 5
Residence and Emirates ID
Issued, then renewal reminders for your licence and visa together.
The rules, with sources
Freelance visa conditions and fees from the official sources
Rules change, so each line links to the authority and shows when we last checked it.
| Route | Position | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| GoFreelance package (Dubai Media City) | AED 7,520 for the freelance package, visa excluded. Licence issued only in your name as on your passport; renewed annually; you cannot hire or sponsor staff; can be held alongside a full-time job with a declaration form. Fields include media, tech, education and design. | Dubai Media City, freelance licenceChecked 29 October 2026 |
| Residence visa with GoFreelance | One-year visa AED 4,600; two-year visa AED 5,042; establishment card AED 2,000, required before the visa. Needs valid medical insurance; the visa is linked to the licence and establishment card. Applicants abroad apply online, then enter Dubai to complete the process. Fees subject to change. | Dubai Media City, freelance licenceChecked 29 October 2026 |
| Green visa for freelancers | Freelance or self-employment permit from MOHRE; bachelor's degree, specialised diploma or equivalent; AED 360,000 income in each of the two preceding years, or proof of financial solvency. Apply from inside or outside the UAE; 180-day grace period after expiry or cancellation. | GDRFA Dubai, green residence (self-employment)Checked 29 October 2026 |
| Green visa fees (Dubai) | Residence permit fee AED 200, Knowledge Dirham AED 10 and Innovation Dirham AED 10; AED 500 more if the application is made inside the country; AED 20 delivery. The issuance fee rises by AED 100 for each year when the residence exceeds two years. Expected completion 48 hours. Medical test, Emirates ID and insurance are charged separately. | GDRFA Dubai, green residence feesChecked 29 October 2026 |
| Sharjah: Shams freelancer packages | Freelancer package with no visa and a lease: AED 7,745 for one year. Freelancer package with one visa: AED 15,415 for one year. | Shams, business setup packagesChecked 17 October 2026 |
Fees
Government fees itemised, our fee fixed
Your cost depends on the free zone, the visa length and whether you take the Green visa route instead. We itemise government and authority fees from their own published lists and quote our fee separately.
What sets your cost
- Free zone permit or Green visa
- One or two-year visa
- Establishment card and insurance
- Attestation of your degree, if needed
Government charges are always shown separately from our fee.
Get your number
Tell us what you do and roughly what you earn, on WhatsApp or a free call, and you will have the right route and a fixed quote, with every fee itemised, the same working day.
What we will not promise
Visas are approved by the authorities. We will not promise an approval or a date that is not ours to give. We will tell you which route fits, submit a complete application and keep you updated at every stage.
Client reviews
Clients on working with Aizaa
From the initial consultation through to the completion of the process, the team was very professional and supportive. They explained each step clearly, answered all my questions and kept me updated whenever there was progress. I particularly appreciated how responsive they were whenever I needed clarification. The entire experience was smooth and well organised, and I would be happy to recommend their services to anyone looking for professional assistance in the UAE.
Excellent service and very good communication throughout the process. Everything was explained clearly and handled professionally. I always received quick responses when I had questions, which made the whole experience much easier.
I had a very positive experience working with the team. From the beginning, they took the time to understand what I needed and guided me through the different steps in a clear and practical way. The communication was consistent, and I never felt that I was left without an update. Their attention to detail and willingness to assist made the process much more straightforward than I expected. Overall, I am very satisfied with the service.
Client feedback is published with the respective clients’ permission.
Freelance visa FAQs
Before you apply
Anything else? Ask on WhatsApp and the person who handles visas will answer.
Is there a single UAE freelance visa?
Not as one product. Freelancers get residence either through a free zone freelance permit, which comes with a residence visa linked to it, or through the five-year Green visa for freelancers and self-employed people.
How much does a freelance visa cost in Dubai?
Dubai Media City lists the GoFreelance package at AED 7,520 (visa excluded), an establishment card at AED 2,000 and a residence visa at AED 4,600 for one year or AED 5,042 for two years. Medical test, Emirates ID and insurance come on top. Our fee is quoted separately.
Can I freelance while I have a full-time job?
Dubai Media City states that a GoFreelance licence can be held alongside a full-time job once you submit a declaration form.
Can I hire staff on a freelance permit?
No. A GoFreelance licence does not allow you to hire or sponsor staff. If you plan to grow a team, a company licence fits better.
Can I apply from outside the UAE?
Yes. For GoFreelance you apply online and then enter Dubai after your entry permit is issued to complete the process. For the Green visa as a self-employed person, GDRFA Dubai accepts applications from inside or outside the UAE.
Which is better, a free zone permit or the Green visa?
If you are building your client base, a free zone permit is usually the faster start. If you have earned AED 360,000 or more in each of the last two years and hold a degree or specialised diploma, the Green visa gives five years without a sponsor. We compare both for your case.
Free, 30 minutes, no obligation
Get your freelance route checked
Tell us your field and expected income. You will speak to the person who handles freelance permits and get the right route and fees, in writing.
You will speak with our team, led by Auj Afreen Ahmad and Tabish Ahmed.
- WhatsApp, fastest+971 55 786 7621
- Call+971 55 786 7621
- Emailinfo@aizaa.ae
- Office, by appointmentAl Shaikh Building 5, Al Khabaisi, Deira, Dubai
- HoursMonday to Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 GST
Not sure which freelance route fits?
Tell us what you do and we will compare the options for you, in writing.