A permit and a visa are two different things
A freelance permit is a document granting the right to work independently — without an employer and without your own company. It is issued by individual free zones under their own programmes and by relevant authorities under theirs. The permit does not in itself grant residency status: the right to live in the country comes from a residency visa, which is obtained separately, along with a medical examination, biometrics and an Emirates ID.
The practical takeaway: when comparing offers on the market, always ask what is included in the price — the permit alone, or the permit together with the visa and fees. The gap between those two figures is the source of most misunderstandings.
Who it suits and who it doesn’t
- Ideal for: consultants, designers, developers, marketers, teachers, and creative professionals — wherever clients are based outside the UAE
- Suitable for those who do not need a warehouse, a point of sale or staff
- Not suitable if you plan to hire staff: employees are sponsored by a company, not a freelancer
- Not suitable for activities requiring a special licence — medicine, law, finance and the like
- Disputed when working with the local market: some permits restrict work within the UAE
Green Visa: five years for the self-employed
Separate from the standard two-year route, a five-year green visa exists for the self-employed and freelancers. It requires a valid freelance permit, verified qualifications — typically a degree — and proof of income from previous years or sufficient financial means.
The Green Visa is structured as a standalone status: it’s not tied to an employer and allows you to sponsor your family. It’s a sensible goal for anyone who has been freelancing for a year or two and wants to stop renewing every two years.
Family, banking and daily life
Sponsoring a spouse and children is possible, but requires proof of income and a registered rental agreement. A freelancer’s income is verified differently from an employee’s, and this is a separate question for the bank and the authority — best resolved before the family moves, not after.
Opening a bank account as a freelancer is harder than as a company: compliance looks at the source of income and at contracts with clients. A well-prepared package — contracts, invoices, payment history — saves weeks.
- The tenancy agreement must be registered — without it, sponsorship cannot be arranged
- Health insurance is required for both you and your family members
- Emirates ID is required for everything: renting, mobile services, banking, enrolling children in school
- Russian driving licences cannot be exchanged in the UAE — you will need to go through a local driving school
When a company works in your favour
Freelancing is cheaper to maintain, but it has a ceiling. Once employees come into the picture, local clients, licensed activities, or the need for a stronger banking profile, a free zone company becomes both more convenient and, when the numbers are broken down, more cost-effective — because it solves all of those problems at once.
We calculate both options over three years and show the difference in numbers. This is exactly the case where the right answer depends on your activity, not on what is cheaper in the first month.
UAE Freelance Visa
- Finding the right permit programme for your activity and its restrictions
- Full processing of the freelance permit and residency visa
- Medical check-up, biometrics, and Emirates ID
- Freelance vs. company over three years — a breakdown in figures, before payment
- Preparing to open a bank account: what documents the bank will ask a self-employed person for
- Family sponsorship, if income and housing allow
A legal consultation — 80 $.Credited toward the full service fee if you continue with us.
During the consultation the lawyer reviews your situation based on your documents and provides filing route: which basis, what will be needed and in what order.
Government fees, notarisation, certified translations and apostille, where required, billed separately at actual cost — we will itemise them for your situation. Processing time depends on the authority and its workload, which is why we do not publish an average figure.
Frequently asked questions
How does a freelance visa differ from a company-sponsored visa?
A freelancer does not maintain a company licence and cannot hire employees; the residency visa is obtained in the same way — with a medical check, biometrics, and an Emirates ID. A company costs more to maintain but removes activity restrictions and presents a stronger profile to banks.
Can you work with clients inside the UAE on a freelance visa?
It depends on who issued the permit: some programmes restrict employment within the country or impose additional conditions. This should be checked before applying, because the answer determines which programme to choose.
Can you bring your family?
Yes, provided income and housing requirements are met: a registered rental agreement and proof of earnings are required. Proving income as a freelancer is more complex than as an employee, so this should be sorted out in advance.
What is the green visa and what makes it better?
This is a five-year status for the self-employed and freelancers, not tied to any employer. It requires a valid freelance permit, verified qualifications and proof of income for previous years. It eliminates the need to renew every two years.
Does a freelancer need to pay taxes in the UAE?
There is no personal income tax. However, corporate tax rules and VAT registration requirements apply to business activities once thresholds are exceeded, so a freelancer with growing income should look into this in advance.
Verified August 16, 2026. The thresholds and amounts are tied to indicators that are reviewed annually — check the official source for your country before filing.
Services and prices — openly, before any conversation
- Freelance visa$2 694
People usually add: personal bank account — $1 080 · document attestation (mofa) — $149. Two or more services — 5% off each.
Turnkey pricing: government fees are included, and 5% VAT is built in.