Freelance Visa Dubai | Costs, Requirements, Setup (2026)

Free Zone	Starting Cost	What You Get	Best For
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah)	AED 6,100	Permit + visa support	Ultra-budget option
Ajman Media City	AED 6,999	1-year permit + visa	Media & creative professionals
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)	AED 7,500	Permit + basic setup	Content creators, designers
UAQ FTZ	AED 7,800	Flexible activities	General freelancers
IFZA Dubai	AED 9,900	Wide activity range	E-commerce, consulting

Component	Cost (AED)
Application Processing	1,000 – 2,000
Medical & Emirates ID	1,500 – 2,500
Visa Stamping (5 Years)	3,000 – 4,000
Total	5,500 – 8,500

Factor	Free Zone Permit	Green Visa	Remote Work Visa
Cost (First Year)	AED 13,000-18,000	AED 5,500-8,500	AED 1,000-2,000
Validity	2-3 years	5 years	1 year (renewable)
Sponsor Yourself?	Yes, via free zone	Yes, directly	No (employer sponsors)
Work for UAE Clients?	Yes ✓	Yes ✓	No ✗
Multiple Clients?	Yes ✓	Yes ✓	No ✗ (one employer only)
Family Sponsorship?	Yes (after setup)	Yes ✓	No ✗
Income Requirement	None	AED 360k/year	USD 3,500/month
Setup Speed	2-3 weeks	3-4 weeks	1-2 weeks
Best For	Active freelancers	Established high-earners	Digital nomads

Choosing the Right Free Zone: Decision Framework

Not all free zones are created equal. Here’s how to choose:

If You’re a Budget-Conscious Freelancer: → RAKEZ or Ajman Media City

• Lowest costs (AED 6,000-7,500)
• Basic but functional
• Good enough to get started

If You’re in Media/Creative Field: → Dubai Media City or Ajman Media City

• Industry-specific networking events
• Credibility with creative clients
• Better suited for content creators, designers, photographers

If You’re in Tech/IT: → Dubai Internet City or IFZA

• Tech-focused ecosystem
• Access to tech events and meetups
• Clients respect these more for tech services

If You Need Maximum Flexibility: → IFZA Dubai or DMCC

• Wide range of allowed activities
• Can add multiple services
• Better for diversified freelancers

If You Want Prestige: → DMCC or Dubai Design District

• Premium reputation
• Better address for high-end clients
• More expensive but worth it if targeting corporate clients

Should You Use a PRO Service or Do it yourself?

DIY (Do It Yourself):

• Pros: Save AED 1,500-3,000
• Cons: More time, potential mistakes, confusing process
• Best if: You’re patient, good with paperwork, have time

Use PRO/Setup Company:

• Pros: Stress-free, faster, they handle everything
• Cons: Extra AED 2,000-4,000 cost
• Best if: You value time, want guarantee of no mistakes, busy with client work

My Take: If it’s your first time and you’re not familiar with UAE systems, using a setup company is worth it. They’ll save you from rookie mistakes and speed things up. Once you know the process, you can DIY renewals.

2 Years Freelance Visa Dubai vs 3 Years

One decision you’ll face: should you get a 2-year or 3-year residence visa?

Cost Difference

The 3-year actually costs slightly more per year, but there’s a reason people still choose it.

Why Choose 2-Year Visa?

✓ Lower upfront cost – Pay less now
✓ More flexibility – Can change free zones after 2 years if needed
✓ Testing the waters – If unsure about long-term Dubai plans
✓ Budget constraints – Easier to afford initially

Why Choose 3-Year Visa?

✓ Less hassle – One year less of renewal headaches
✓ Better for planning – More stability for long-term projects
✓ Bank preferences – Some banks prefer longer visa validity
✓ One less medical test – Medical tests required at each renewal

My Recommendation:
If you’re committed to Dubai for the long haul and have the budget, go for 3 years. The extra AED 1,000-2,000 is worth the peace of mind. If you’re testing the freelance life or budget is tight, 2 years is perfectly fine.

Renewing Your Freelance Visa

Your permit is good for 1 year. Your visa is good for 2-3 years. Here’s what happens when renewal time comes.

Permit Renewal (Annual)

When: 30-60 days before expiry
Cost: AED 7,000-9,500 (same as initial permit)
Process:

1. Free zone sends renewal reminder
2. Pay renewal fees online
3. Submit any updated documents (usually just passport copy)
4. New permit issued within 2-3 days

Important: You MUST renew your permit even if your visa still has time. The permit is separate from the visa.

Visa Renewal (Every 2-3 Years)

When: 30-60 days before visa expiry
Cost:

• 2-year renewal: AED 2,750-4,000
• 3-year renewal: AED 5,000-6,300
• Plus medical test: AED 300-500
• Plus Emirates ID: AED 370-1,070

Check here: how to renew emirates ID online

Process:

1. Submit renewal application via free zone
2. Pay fees
3. Do medical test again
4. Get new Emirates ID
5. Visa renewed

Grace Period: You get 30 days grace period after visa expiry to complete renewal. Don’t push it though – overstaying can result in fines (AED 25/day after grace period).

Can You Switch Free Zones?

Yes! But it’s not a simple “renewal” – you’re essentially canceling one and starting fresh with another.

When It Makes Sense:

• Found a cheaper option
• Need different business activities
• Current free zone has poor service
• Want more credible/prestigious address

Process:

1. Apply to new free zone
2. Get approved and pay new fees
3. Cancel old permit
4. Transfer visa to new permit
5. Update Emirates ID

Cost: Basically like starting over – full setup cost at new free zone, plus cancellation fees at old one.

My Advice: Choose carefully the first time to avoid this headache.

Real Talk: Is Getting a Freelance Visa Dubai Worth It in 2026?

Let’s get real for a moment. Is spending AED 15,000-20,000 to set yourself up as a freelancer in Dubai actually worth it?

The Honest Pros

Tax Benefits:
No personal income tax means you keep 100% of what you earn (minus the 9% corporate tax on high earners). In most Western countries, you’d lose 20-40% to taxes. Over a year, this saves tens of thousands of dirhams.

Quality of Life:
Dubai offers safety, world-class infrastructure, amazing weather (okay, summer is brutal), and a lifestyle that’s hard to beat. You can actually enjoy your money here.

Central Location:
Perfect time zone for serving both European and Asian clients. You can work with clients from London to Singapore without insane hours.

Networking Opportunities:
Freelancers community in Dubai is huge and active. You’ll meet potential clients, collaborators, and friends easily.

Business Credibility:
Having a Dubai-based business makes you look more professional than “freelancer working from bedroom in random country.”

Growth Potential:
Start as solo freelancer, grow into agency, hire team. Dubai supports business growth really well.

The Honest Cons

Upfront Cost:
AED 15,000-20,000 is real money. If you’re just starting out and haven’t earned much yet, it’s a big investment.

Annual Renewals:
This isn’t one-and-done. You’re looking at AED 7,000-10,000 every single year for renewals.

Living Costs:
Dubai isn’t cheap. Rent, food, transportation – budget at least AED 4,000-8,000/month for basic living.

No Safety Net:
If you don’t make money, there’s no unemployment benefits, no support system. It’s all on you.

Visa Tied to Business:
If your business struggles or you want to quit, you need to either find new visa option or leave UAE.

Hot Weather:
June-September is genuinely brutal. AC is your best friend.

Who Should Get a Freelance Visa Dubai?

Green Light (Go For It) If:

• You already have clients or strong income source
• You earn at least AED 6,000-10,000/month consistently
• You’re committed to living in Dubai for minimum 2-3 years
• You have 6 months emergency fund saved up
• You’re disciplined and can handle freelance uncertainty
• You want to build a real business, not just “try freelancing”

Yellow Light (Proceed with Caution) If:

• You’re just starting out with no clients yet
• Income is inconsistent
• You have less than AED 30,000 saved
• You’re still testing if freelancing is for you
• You’re easily stressed by financial uncertainty

Red Light (Wait, Don’t Do It Yet) If:

• You have no freelance experience at all
• You have no savings
• You’re hoping to “figure it out once you’re there”
• You can’t afford the setup costs without going into debt
• You have unstable income and no plan

My Honest Opinion:
If you’re already earning decent money as a freelancer (even in another country) and want to upgrade your lifestyle, Dubai is amazing. But if you’re brand new to freelancing, consider starting in a lower-cost country first, building up your client base and savings, then making the move to Dubai once you’re stable.

Welcome to the Dubai Freelance Life

Look, getting your freelance visa Dubai sorted isn’t some mystical, impossible process. Yes, there’s paperwork. Yes, there are costs. Yes, it takes a few weeks. But thousands of people do this every single year, and if you follow this guide, you absolutely can too.

The key things to remember:

1. It’s an investment, not an expense. You’re paying for tax advantages, quality of life, business credibility, and incredible opportunities.
2. Start with a solid plan. Don’t wing it. Know your numbers, have clients lined up, and be financially prepared.
3. Choose your free zone wisely. It’s not just about the cheapest option – consider reputation, allowed activities, and long-term costs.
4. Stay legal from day one. Don’t work on tourist visa while “waiting.” Get proper authorization before starting.
5. Think long-term. This isn’t a one-year thing. Budget for renewals and ongoing costs.

Dubai’s freelance scene is thriving in 2026. More people are ditching traditional employment for the freedom and flexibility of freelancing. The infrastructure is there. The opportunities are there. The question is: are you ready to take the leap?

If you’ve made it this far, you probably are. So stop overthinking it. Pick your free zone. Gather your documents. Start the application. Three months from now, you could be sitting in a Dubai café, laptop open, working on projects you actually care about, keeping 100% of what you earn, and living the life you designed.

That’s the dream. Now go make it happen.

Good luck, future Dubai freelancer. You’ve got this.

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Related: How to Earn Money Online in UAE: 20 Proven Methods for 2026 – Complete guide to different income streams once you have your freelance visa sorted.

Common Questions and Mistakes (Learn From Others’ Mistakes)

Top 10 Mistakes Freelancers Make

1. Choosing the Cheapest Option Without Research → You get what you pay for. Some ultra-cheap free zones have terrible customer service, banking issues, and credibility problems.

2. Not Checking Allowed Business Activities → You pick a free zone, get approved, then realize they don’t allow the services you actually want to offer. Always verify activities upfront.

3. Forgetting About Renewal Costs → That cheap AED 6,000 permit? Yeah, it’s still AED 6,000 every single year. Budget for renewals.

4. Not Understanding License vs Visa → Paying for just the visa and wondering why you can’t work legally. You need BOTH.

5. Starting Work Before Getting License → Working on tourist visa while “waiting for freelance visa” is illegal. Don’t risk it.

6. Picking Too Many Business Activities → Some free zones charge per activity after 3-4. Be strategic.

7. Not Opening Business Bank Account → Using personal account for business. Banks catch this and can freeze your account.

8. Ignoring Medical Test Timing → Medical results expire after 30 days. Book it at the right time in the process.

9. Not Having Backup Plan for Rejection → Applications can be rejected. Have plan B free zone ready.

10. Assuming It’s a One-Time Cost → Annual renewals, visa renewals, bank fees – budget for ongoing costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I work for UAE companies with a freelance visa?

A: Yes! That’s literally the point. You can serve both UAE and international clients.

Q: Do I need an office?

A: Most free zones don’t require physical office for freelancers. A virtual office or flexi-desk is included in many packages.

Q: Can I hire employees?

A: With just a freelance permit, no. You’d need to upgrade to a full company license to sponsor employee visas.

Q: Can I sponsor my family?

A: Yes, once your freelance visa is issued. You’ll need to meet minimum salary requirements (usually AED 4,000-5,000/month proof of income) and pay additional visa costs for each family member.

Q: What if I don’t have enough income yet?

A: Start anyway. Most free zones don’t require proof of income for the initial permit (except Green Visa). You can start earning once you’re set up.

Q: Can I convert my employment visa to freelance visa?

A: Yes, but you need NOC (No Objection Certificate) from your current employer, or you quit and do the visa change process.

Q: How long can I stay outside UAE with freelance visa?

A: You can stay outside UAE for up to 6 months continuously. Beyond that, your visa may be cancelled.

Q: Do I pay tax as a freelancer in Dubai?

A: As of 2023, UAE has 9% corporate tax, but there are exemptions:

• 0% tax on income up to AED 375,000
• Small Business Relief (revenue under AED 3M may qualify for 0%)
• Natural Person Relief (individuals under AED 1M income may be exempt)

Consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.

Q: Can I do business outside UAE with Dubai freelance visa?

A: Yes! Your freelance permit allows you to serve clients anywhere in the world. Many freelancers have 100% international client bases.

Q: What happens if I cancel my freelance visa early?

A: You’ll need to pay cancellation fees (AED 1,000-2,000), cancel your visa, and you have 30 days to either get new visa or leave UAE.