Freelance Visa Documentation
Freelance Visa in Dubai & the UAE
A freelance permit lets you work for yourself in the UAE and sponsor your own residence visa — no company or employer needed. It's available in Dubai through GoFreelance (TECOM) and other free zones, and in Abu Dhabi through twofour54 and ADDED. We handle the permit, Establishment Card, medical, Emirates ID and residence visa for you.
Last updated October 2026 · Checked against gofreelance.ae and twofour54.com
We provide documentation assistance and consultancy support only. We are not GoFreelance, twofour54, ADDED, or MOHRE, and we do not guarantee approval. Permits and visas are issued through the relevant free zone or government authority.
Visa type
Freelance permit + self-sponsored residence visa
Where
Dubai (GoFreelance/TECOM, IFZA, DMCC) or Abu Dhabi (twofour54, ADDED)
Dubai permit from
AED 7,500/year (GoFreelance)
Residence visa
1 or 2 years, no employer needed
What Is a UAE Freelance Visa?
A UAE freelance visa is a residence visa obtained through a freelance permit — a licence that lets you work independently in an approved activity without a company or employer sponsor. Once you hold the permit, you can legally invoice clients, open a bank account, and sponsor your own stay in the UAE. It suits consultants, developers, designers, marketers, educators and other independent professionals.
Where Can You Get a Freelance Visa in the UAE?
Freelance permits are issued by individual free zones and government departments — there's no single UAE-wide freelance visa.
Dubai
GoFreelance (TECOM — Dubai Media City, Internet City, Design District and Knowledge Park) is the main route. Other Dubai free zones, including IFZA and DMCC, also offer their own freelance packages.
Abu Dhabi
twofour54 issues a Sole Proprietor freelance permit for media, creative and tech fields, and ADDED offers a mainland freelance licence for other activities.
UAE-wide
MOHRE also runs a federal freelance/self-employment permit route alongside the free-zone options above.
How Much Does a Freelance Visa Cost in Dubai?
GoFreelance, the TECOM-backed Dubai freelance platform, publishes its own fees: the freelance package starts from AED 7,500 a year, and the residence visa and Establishment Card are priced separately.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| GoFreelance package (per year) | from AED 7,500 |
| 1-year residence visa | AED 4,600 |
| 2-year residence visa | AED 5,042 |
| Establishment Card | AED 2,000 |
Source: GoFreelance (TECOM). Visa and Establishment Card fees are marked subject to change; health insurance and the medical fitness test are required but priced separately.
Abu Dhabi (twofour54, ADDED) and other Dubai free zones (IFZA, DMCC) don't currently publish a public fee schedule — message us on WhatsApp and we'll confirm the current cost for your activity and emirate.
What's Included When You Apply With Travelaxis
- Freelance permit / licence application (Dubai or Abu Dhabi)
- Establishment Card registration
- Entry permit / status change (inside or outside the UAE)
- Medical fitness test booking
- Emirates ID registration & biometrics
- Residence visa application
- Bank account opening guidance
Who Is Eligible for a UAE Freelance Visa?
GoFreelance groups eligible Dubai activities into four categories: Tech (software, web and IT), Media (content, photography, production), Education (training and consulting) and Design (fashion, interior, graphic and product design). Abu Dhabi's twofour54 route focuses on media, creative and tech fields.
Typical documents: a valid passport, a passport photo, a CV, and — for Abu Dhabi or creative categories — a portfolio or professional references. The visa stage also needs a UAE phone number and valid health insurance.
How to Get a Freelance Visa With Travelaxis
Step 1
Free consultation
We recommend the right emirate, free zone and activity for your field.
Step 2
Permit & documents
We apply for your freelance permit and Establishment Card.
Step 3
Entry permit, medical & Emirates ID
We guide you through each step and appointment.
Step 4
Residence visa issued
You're a legal UAE freelancer, ready to invoice clients.
Does Abu Dhabi Offer a Freelance Visa?
Yes. twofour54 issues a “Sole Proprietor License” for freelancers in media, entertainment and gaming, and also guides successful applicants through the residency application. ADDED separately offers a mainland freelance licence for other professional activities. Abu Dhabi can be a good fit for eligible creative and tech fields, but like Dubai, the exact current fee depends on your category.
Source: twofour54 — freelance work permit · Federal route: MOHRE