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Everything to Know About Freelance Visa Dubai for Indians

TeamAckoJan 25, 2024

Dubai has become a popular place to visit, either for tourism or for work purposes. If you are a freelancer looking for opportunities to make something for yourself at an international level, visiting Dubai can be the best option for that. From world-class infrastructure to impressive incentives, Dubai is the melting pot of world business.

However, before visiting Dubai from India to work as a freelancer, you need to get a freelance visa that will help you achieve your aims and purposes. Keep reading this article to know everything about freelance visa Dubai.

freelance visa dubai for Indians

Contents

What Is Freelance Visa Dubai?
Who runs Freelance Visa Dubai?
Freelance Visa Dubai Benefits
What is a Free Zone in Dubai?
What is a Dubai Freelance Permit?
What is a Talent Pass?
What is a Dubai Establishment Card?
Validity Of Freelance Visa Dubai
Freelance Visa Dubai Requirements
How to Apply for a Freelance Visa Dubai
Fees for Freelance Visa Dubai
Processing Time For Freelance Visa Dubai
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Freelance Visa Dubai?

In Dubai, freelancing is facilitated by favourable rules and regulations. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are recognized as top destinations for freelancers to reside and work. Additionally, the UAE government has implemented freelance visas for non-citizens and freelance permits for residents. The aim is to draw freelancers to the city from different parts of the world.

The good thing is that you don’t need a sponsor to get this visa. With a freelance visa Dubai, you can work in the media, education, tech, and design sectors, helping you to work as an independent contractor and have professional flexibility.

Who runs Freelance Visa Dubai?

The TECOM Group runs this project via the online platform Marketplace. To freelance in Dubai, you have to become a member of GoFreelance first and then take the next step in your career.

If you want to work in the Dubai Airport Freezone, you will have to apply for a talent pass first. Nonetheless, getting a talent pass is not part of the GoFreelance platform.

Freelance Visa Dubai Benefits

Freelancing offers several benefits, which conventional forms of employment usually don’t. Here are some of the benefits of getting a freelance visa Dubai.

With a freelance visa, you can work for various companies and industries. As an employee, you need not remain tied to one company alone.
Freelancers, in general, enjoy a better work-life balance.
You can earn a lot more by working on multiple projects specific to your strengths.
The freelance visa Dubai gives you access to the economic opportunities in the free zone area you apply for.
It is a lot more economical from an employer’s point of view.

What is a Free Zone in Dubai?

The UAE has over 40 free zones where it offers tax benefits and incentives to investors and entrepreneurs. With a freelance visa Dubai, you will be eligible to work in one of the free zones. The following is a list of free zones in Dubai.

Dubai Media City
Dubai Internet City
Dubai Knowledge Park
Dubai Design District
Dubai Airport Freezone

While the visas offered by the first four come under the GoFreelance initiative, the Dubai Airport Freezone offers a separate visa called the talent pass.

What is a Dubai Freelance Permit?

As a citizen of India, you have to first apply for a freelance work permit before you are eligible for a freelance visa Dubai. As per the Dubai Development Authority, the permit identifies you as a lone practitioner and allows you to conduct business using your given name rather than a brand name. It is issued by the following four free zones.

Dubai Media City
Dubai Internet City
Dubai Knowledge Park
Dubai Design District

What is a Talent Pass?

The talent pass is also like a freelance visa but with it, you can work only within the Dubai Airport Freezone. With it, you can work as a freelancer in various fields such as arts, culture, education, media, marketing, consultancy, and technology. You can access jobs in more than 2500 companies across over 20 sectors. After getting a talent pass, you will also need a residency visa to work in the Dubai Airport Freezone.

The Dubai Airport Freezone is one of the free zones in Dubai which offers incentives to businessmen and professionals.

What is a Dubai Establishment Card?

For your freelance visa Dubai, you will have to submit a Dubai establishment card along with the freelance permit. It is a card which contains the details of the company you work for along with the card number and expiry date. The General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) issues it. In the free zones, it usually has a one-year validity.

Validity Of Freelance Visa Dubai

The freelance visa Dubai can have a maximum validity of two years. It must be renewed on an annual basis.

On the other hand, the Dubai talent pass issued by the Dubai Airport Free Zone has a validity of three years. But it must be renewed annually.

Freelance Visa Dubai Requirements

Before you apply for a freelance visa Dubai, you need to be prepared with all the relevant documents. Below is a list of documents that you must keep handy while applying for a freelance visa.

Passport valid for a minimum of six months
Resume
A recent photograph
Dubai freelance permit and establishment card
Financial statements
Reports of medical tests
Medical insurance
In some cases, you will have to submit a portfolio of your work experience

How to Apply for a Freelance Visa Dubai

Once your documents are ready, you will have to initiate the process for freelance visa Dubai registration. Below is a step-by-step guide that you can follow to apply for your freelance visa.

Step 1: Visit the GoFreelance registration page to start the application process.

Step 2: You will get a login link on your email ID. Click on the link and you will land on the Axs portal.

Step 3: Enter your username and password to set up your account. After this, an OTP will be sent to your phone.

Step 4: Enter the OTP.

Step 5: Upload all necessary documents.

Step 6: Pay the fee to complete the process for the freelance permit.

Step 7: You should get your freelance permit in 10 to 15 working days via email.

Step 8: Log in at the Axs portal and apply for the Dubai establishment card. It will take 8 to 10 working days to issue it.

Step 9: After getting the Dubai establishment card, you can apply for a freelance visa Dubai from the Axs portal.

Step 10: You should get a soft copy of your freelance visa via email within a month.

Step 11: To live and work in Dubai, you will also need to complete the application for a residency visa on the online portal of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai.

Fees for Freelance Visa Dubai

If you want a freelance visa Dubai, you will not only need to apply and pay for the visa, but also the freelance permit and the establishment card. In this section, you will not only find the freelance visa cost in Dubai but also the cost of the freelance permit and the establishment card.

Visa/Licence	Cost
Freelance permit	Rs. 1,70,057
Establishment card	Rs. 45,348
Freelance visa(1-year)	Rs. 99,358
Freelance visa(2-years)	Rs. 1,07,702
Talent Pass	Rs. 2,15,405

Processing Time For Freelance Visa Dubai

After filling in the application form and paying the fees for the freelance permit and the establishment card, it can take up to 8 weeks for the freelance visa Dubai application to be processed.

Visa/Licence	Processing Time
Freelance permit	10-15 days
Establishment card	8-12 days
Freelance visa	10-30 days
Talent Pass	10-15 days

Overall, if you are a freelancer or one in the making, then Dubai is one of the places you can consider as your next destination. We hope we have covered all the grounds that you need to have detailed knowledge about before and while applying for a freelance visa Dubai and enjoy your work opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions people frequently ask about the freelance visa Dubai.

Will I get a refund if my freelance visa Dubai application is rejected?

No, there is no provision for a refund in case your application gets rejected.

What will happen if I extend my stay beyond my visa validity?

Dubai is very strict regarding visa validity norms. Apart from financial penalties, you could also face legal action if you overstay your visa for a long time.

Is it compulsory to buy travel insurance for a freelance visa in Dubai?

Yes, travel insurance is compulsory for getting a freelance visa in Dubai.

Can a company employ me under a freelance visa in Dubai?

Yes, you can work for a company as an independent contractor. You can also work on its premises if it is within the free zone you are eligible for.

Which are the free zones in Dubai?

Dubai currently has five free zones for freelancers.

Dubai Media City
Dubai Internet City
Dubai Knowledge Park
Dubai Design District
Dubai Airport Freezone

Which professions can I practise with a freelance visa in Dubai?

With a freelance visa, you can work in the tech, design, media and education sectors. You can find the full range of activities on the official website.

What is the maximum validity of a freelance visa Dubai?

The freelance visa Dubai under the GoFreelance initiative, can have a maximum validity of two years. In the case of the Dubai talent pass issued by the Dubai Airport Freezone, the validity is three years.