Dubai Freelance Permit in 2026: Cost, Visa and Where to Get It
Costs, zones and activity lists for Dubai freelance permits in 2026, plus how to add a residence visa if you need one.
A Dubai freelance permit lets you work legally as an individual, invoice clients and sponsor your own visa. In 2026 permits start at AED 7,500 per year without a visa and run to AED 20,000 with a 2-year residence visa included. Here are the best options.
GoFreelance (Dubai Development Authority)
Price: AED 7,500 per year for the permit, AED 2,000 Establishment Card, AED 5,000 to AED 7,000 per residence visa.
Covers media, tech, education, consulting and design. Issued by TECOM (same authority behind Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City). Prestigious address, strong banking acceptance. Good for writers, designers, developers, consultants and educators.
Dubai Media City (DMC) freelancer
Price: AED 15,000 per year including flexi-desk. Visa add-on AED 5,500 to AED 7,000.
Reserved for media professionals: journalists, producers, PR consultants, broadcasters, directors, cinematographers. Flagship address for media work in the UAE.
IFZA Freelancer
Price: AED 12,500 per year with visa quota included, AED 7,500 without visa.
No activity restrictions beyond IFZA's main list. Fastest issuance of the three (2 to 5 working days). Best for consultants and solopreneurs who want speed and low cost.
Fujairah Creative City Freelancer
Price: AED 6,500 per year, AED 15,000 with a 2-year residence visa.
Cheapest in the UAE for freelance work. Address is Fujairah but you can live and work from Dubai. Visa and TRN perfectly valid. Good for budget-conscious consultants and content creators.
SHAMS Freelancer (Sharjah)
Price: AED 5,750 per year zero-visa. With visa package: AED 17,500.
Media, tech, consulting, education covered. Sharjah address but no restrictions on where you work. Popular with content creators and part-time freelancers.
Documents required
- Passport copy with 6 months validity
- Passport-size photo
- CV
- Proof of qualification (degree, certification, portfolio for creative fields)
- No Objection Certificate from current employer (if already on another UAE visa)
How a freelance permit compares to a free zone licence
- Freelance permit: you work as an individual, no company structure, one activity, limited to professional/creative services.
- Free zone licence: real company (FZE or FZ-LLC), multiple activities possible, can hire staff, better for scaling and raising investment.
If you plan to stay as a solo operator earning under AED 500,000 per year, a freelance permit is cheaper and simpler. Once you hire anyone or want multi-activity flexibility, upgrade to a free zone licence.
The freelance permit is a legal shortcut for solo professionals: all the benefits of UAE residency and tax-residency status, none of the overhead of running a company. Just make sure your activity is on the issuer's list before paying.
Compare freelance against free zone options with the Breeo cost calculator, or talk to our team for a recommendation based on your activity.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest Dubai freelance permit?
GoFreelance at AED 7,500 per year is the cheapest Dubai-authority option. Fujairah Creative City is cheaper overall at AED 6,500, with the same freedom to live and work in Dubai.
Can I get a residence visa with a freelance permit?
Yes. All major freelance permits (GoFreelance, Dubai Media City, IFZA, SHAMS, Fujairah Creative City) offer 2-year residence visa add-ons that let you sponsor yourself and your family.
Can a freelancer open a UAE bank account?
Yes. Mashreq Neo Biz, WIO and RAKBANK onboard freelance permit holders. Expect slightly stricter KYC than for a full company. GoFreelance and DMC permits have the smoothest banking experience.
Does a freelancer pay UAE corporate tax?
Yes if annual profit exceeds AED 375,000. Below that threshold, 0 percent applies. Small Business Relief until end of 2026 means revenue below AED 3 million can elect to be treated as having no taxable income.
Can I work for multiple clients on a freelance permit?
Yes. The permit lets you invoice unlimited clients under the activity you registered. You cannot be employed on a payroll of another company unless you also hold an employment visa separately.