| Registry | TECOM Registry in Dubai. |
| Timeframe for registration | Maximum 2 weeks to obtain the permit. |
| Minimum capital | No capital deposit required. |
| Accounting | Maintaining accounting records is required. |
| Proof of expenses and income | It is required to keep supporting documents for income and expenses. |
| Audit | Not required. |
| VAT | Applicable if clients are located in the Emirates. |
| Corporate Income Tax (CIT) | Applicable if the annual turnover exceeds AED 1 million. |
| Residence visa | Once the license is obtained, the residence visa can be applied for immediately. |
| Bank account | Once the residence visa is obtained, you can open an account in any bank in the Emirates. |
Which activities are allowed with a Freelance permit?
Here is the list of possible activities (maximum 3 per permit) with a Freelance permit in Dubai:
| MEDIA ACTIVITIES |
EDUCATION ACTIVITIES |
DESIGN ACTIVITIES |
TECH ACTIVITIES |
|
| Actor | Market analyst | Education advisor | Apparel designer | Web, Mobile, Software Development and Architecture Freelancer |
| Aerial shoot photographer | Marketing specialist | Elearning advisor | Concept designer | IT and Telecommunication Networking Freelancer |
| Animator | Media planner | Executive coaching | Costume designer | Data Science and Analytics Freelancer |
| Artist | Music Director | Researcher | Fashion artist | Customer Service Freelancer |
| Audio/Sound engineer | Musician | Trainer | Fashion designer | |
| Brand consultant | New media specialist | Fashion stylist | ||
| Cameraman | Photographer | Image consultant | ||
| Choregrapher | Photojournalist | Hair stylist | ||
| Commentators: radio, events, sports, television | PR specialist | Interior designer | ||
| Composer | Presenter TV/Radio | Jewellery designer | ||
| Content Provider | Print media specialist | Make-up artist | ||
| Copywriter | Producer | Object designer | ||
| Creative director | Scriptwriter | Personal shopper | ||
| Critics: music, film, theatre | Set and exhibit designer | Textile designer | ||
| Director: film, television, music, theatre | Social media specialist | Visual merchandiser | ||
| Editor: audio/video | Social media influencer | Wedding planner | ||
| Editor: publishing | Special effects producer | |||
| Events planner | Translator | |||
| Furniture designer | Wardrobe stylist | |||
| Graphic designer | Web developer | |||
| Illustrator | Web designer | |||
| Journalist | Writer | |||
| Lighting specialist | ||||
Fees for the company and residence visas
Package related to the Freelance Permit
Here are the fees for the Freelance permit in Dubai:
Please note:
– It is possible to rent an office from a business center or a co-working space.
– It takes approximately 1 week to obtain your Freelance permit.
– The bank account will be opened within 48 hours after obtaining your Emirates ID.
– The permit can be obtained remotely (no need to be physically present). However, your presence is required for obtaining your residence visa (see below) and opening a bank account.
– You can sponsor your family (spouse/children) so they can also obtain a residence visa for the UAE (see below).
Package related to residence
Here are the fees related to residence for a freelancer in Dubai:
A noter:
– Si un visa de résidence est demandé alors que vous êtes présent(e) aux Emirats avec un visa touristique, il y a un sur-coût de AED 1600 pour changer son statut en un visa de résidence.
– Medical check: les frais du test médical sont à déduire pour les enfants de moins de 15 ans.
– Une assurance médicale locale est requise pour tout visa de résidence (à partir de AED 800 par an, nous contacter).
– Les visas ci-dessous sont automatiquement annulés si son porteur passent plus de 6 mois consécutifs en dehors des Emirats.
– Exchange Driving License: pour AED 1055, il est possible d’échanger un permis de conduire étranger avec un permis des Emirats (voir liste des pays disponibles en page suivante). Ce montant est à payer directement sur place (nous vous assistons gratuitement pour cet échange). A noter: pour certains pays (France, Belgique, etc.), le permis initial vous est rendu avec le nouveau permis des Emirats.
