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Freelance permit or company: which should you set up?
This is the real question for most freelancers. A permit is cheaper and simpler, but a company gives you room to grow. The right answer depends on where you are heading, not just today’s budget.
Which Route Matches Your Investment?
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Is a freelance visa right for you?
For a lot of independent professionals, the freelance visa is the perfect fit. For others, a company or the Green Visa works out better. Here is a straight read.
A freelance visa fits if you
Are a solo consultant, creative or digital professional
Mainly need to invoice clients and hold UAE residency
Work in one main activity
Want low cost and easy annual renewal
Are testing the UAE market before committing further
Consider another route if you
Want to hire people or add several activities, where a company fits
Earn AED 360,000 a year or more, where the 5-year Green Visa is cheaper over time
Need to trade under a company name for clients or banking
Want longer residency and extended family sponsorship
Are building something you plan to scale
Earning well as a freelancer? The Green Visa gives you five years of self-sponsored residency and often works out cheaper than renewing a two-year visa. We will compare them for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The questions UK founders ask us most about choosing where to set up in the UAE. Rules change, so treat these as a guide and confirm your own case before you commit.
What is a Dubai freelance visa?
It is a UAE residence visa, usually valid two years, tied to a freelance permit from a free zone. The permit gives you the legal right to work for yourself, and the visa lets you live in the UAE. Together they let a solo professional operate independently.
How much does a Dubai freelance visa cost?
Your first year runs from around AED 8,000 in the cheaper zones like SHAMS or RAKEZ, up to about AED 22,000 for a Dubai-address zone such as Meydan or GoFreelance. The figure depends on the zone and what is bundled in.
What is the cheapest freelance visa in the UAE?
The lowest all-in costs come from SHAMS, RAKEZ and Ajman, from around AED 8,000 including a two-year residence visa. If you already hold UAE residency another way, the federal MOHRE freelance permit is cheaper still.
What is the difference between a freelance permit and a freelance visa?
The permit is your right to work as a freelancer in a set activity. The visa is your right to live in the UAE. They are separate, and you usually need both, which is why quotes that mention only one can mislead.
Do I need to set up a company to freelance in Dubai?
No. A freelance permit lets you work independently without a company. A company only makes sense if you want to hire, add several activities, or trade under a company name, in which case a free zone setup is the better route.
Can I work for UAE clients on a freelance visa?
Yes. A freelance permit lets you invoice clients across the UAE within your approved activity. If your work spans several different activities, we will check that your permit covers them or suggest a company instead.
Do I need an office for a freelance visa?
No. Most freelance permits include a flexi-desk or virtual address, which satisfies the legal requirement and is usually enough to open a bank account. Some banks ask for a flexi-desk add-on, which we can arrange.
How long does a freelance visa take?
Usually one to three weeks, covering the permit, establishment card, entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping. Having your documents ready is what keeps it on the shorter end.
Can I sponsor my family on a freelance visa?
Yes, if you meet the income threshold for sponsorship. We arrange the family visas alongside your own once your freelance visa is active.
Freelance visa or Green Visa: which is better?
A two-year freelance visa is ideal for starting out and testing the market. If you earn AED 360,000 a year or more and hold a relevant qualification, the 5-year Green Visa is usually cheaper over time and offers better family sponsorship.
Do freelancers pay tax in the UAE?
There is no personal income tax. Freelancers do fall under UAE corporate tax, at 9% on profit above AED 375,000, though qualifying free zone income can be 0%. Our accounting team confirms where you stand.
Can I get a Dubai freelance visa from the UK?
Yes. We handle freelance visa applications remotely for UK professionals, from choosing the zone to the paperwork. You usually only travel for the medical and Emirates ID stage.
Start your Dubai freelance visa today
Book a free consultation and we will match the right free zone to your work, and show you the real all-in cost.
