Freelance Licence
Work for yourself in the UAE, without an employer holding your residency.
A freelance licence lets you invoice clients in your own name, live in the UAE and sponsor your family, with no company sponsoring you. It is faster and cheaper than a full company setup, and for most independent professionals it does the same job.
- From
- AED 6,500
- Timeline
- 7–10 working days
- Validity
- 2 years, renewable
- Best for
- Consultants and creatives
You will usually qualify if
- You have a degree, or provable experience in your field
- Your profession is one the free zone covers
- Your passport has at least six months left
- You have no current UAE employer, or you have their NOC
What we handle
Every step below is ours. You send documents once and attend only what legally requires you in person.
- Free zone matched to your profession
- Permit application and issuance
- Entry permit and status change
- Medical and Emirates ID
- Residency stamping
- 01Passport copy, valid at least six months
- 02Passport-size photograph on white background
- 03CV or portfolio showing relevant experience
- 04Attested degree certificate, where the activity requires one
- 05No Objection Certificate from a current UAE employer, if you have one
- 06Emirates ID and visa copy, if you are already resident
- 07Bank statements, where the free zone asks for them
Which free zone your profession falls under is what moves the number most, followed by whether your activity needs an attested degree behind it.
Government fees change and every file is different. Your written quote is confirmed before any work begins.
Get your written quoteThe same sequence every time, whichever visa you apply for.
Start with stage one on WhatsAppEligibility check
A short conversation. We establish which route fits and whether your case is viable. If the answer is no, we say so.
Written quote
Government fees and our service fee, itemised separately, before any work starts.
Documents
You send documents once. We check them, handle attestation, and flag anything missing immediately.
Submission and follow-up
Entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, stamping. We book what needs booking and chase what needs chasing.
Approval and aftercare
You receive your residency. We record the renewal date and remind you in advance.
Common questions
Yes, once your own residency is issued and you meet the salary and accommodation requirements. The threshold is the same as for any resident sponsor. We check your position against the current rules before you apply, because this is the part people assume and get wrong.
Not sure if the freelance licence is your route?
Tell us your situation. We will tell you which route fits, and say so plainly if none of them do.