How to get a green freelancer visa in UAE for 5 years?

Article content

Freelancer visa in the United Arab Emirates for five years, freelancer license, steps to obtain a permit, remote worker visa in Dubai, freelancer visa benchmarking, Dubai visa characteristics, mandatory documents for processing, detailed guide to obtaining a visa.

General information

The UAE government is actively seeking ways to attract highly skilled professionals from various countries. Within the framework of the migration program, resident visas can be obtained not only by students, employees, businessmen and property owners, but also by freelancers working remotely.

Types of visas for freelancers

There are two main types of visas for freelancers in Dubai today:

• The first one is.“green visavalid for five years;
• The second is a visa withlicenseissued in a free economic zone.

The license for freelancers has been implemented for quite some time, while the green visa was only introduced in 2022. Remote workers can also apply for a one-year residence permit.

Submission of a green visa

“Green” visa for freelancers was introduced by the UAE Council of Ministers in April 2022. It allows freelancers and the self-employed to obtain residency status without having an employer or sponsor. To obtain it, you need to:

• First to getauthorizationfor work activities from the Ministry of Manpower;
• Possesshigher education(e.g., a bachelor's degree);
• Have a freelance income for the past two years of at least360,000 dirhams(approximately $98,010).

This law became effective from September 2022, opening up new opportunities for all freelancers.

Procedure for obtaining a license

The traditional migration route to the UAE for freelancers includes registration in one of the free economic zones, where a specialized license can be issued. Having a license grants the freelancer the right to carry out their activities both in relation to individuals and companies located in these economic zones.

Steps in obtaining a freelancer visa

To get a freelancer visa for UAE, you need to go through the following steps:

• First of all, you need to register on the platformgofreelance;
• After that, apply for alicenses;
• Pay the appropriatetoll;
• Apply fororganization charts(Карточка учреждения);
• Pass a medical examination to verify health and eligibility.

The final stage should be formalizedUAE resident identification cardThis is the final element of the whole procedure of obtaining documents. Therefore, this process should be approached responsibly and prepared in advance to ensure a pleasant stay in the country and the opportunity to develop your professional skills.

Conclusion

This approach to obtaining a visa makes the process less complicated and opens up new perspectives for freelancers from all over the world who want to improve their quality of life and develop professionally in the rapidly changing UAE market.

Freelancers vs. regular workers

The main difference between freelancers and traditional workers is that freelancers are not required to have an office for their professional activities. Moreover, the process of obtaining a freelance permit involves less financial outlay. Freelancers need to apply to one of the free economic zones in the United Arab Emirates, and the choice of a particular zone depends on their professional focus.

Freezones for various professions

For example, media, design, education, or technology professionals may choose different freezones:

• Dubai Media Cityissues licenses for creative professionals such as journalists, photographers, and media actors.
• Dubai Design DistrictOffers licensing for anyone involved in design.
• Dubai Knowledge Parkis specifically targeted at those working in the education sector, including teachers, academics and trainers.
• Dubai Internet CityThis, in turn, creates a favorable environment for IT experts.

Other opportunities for freelancers

It should be noted that the list of free economic zones is not exhausted only by the mentioned options. In other emirates, there are also opportunities to register as a freelancer. For example, Abu Dhabi has a freezoneTwofour54which focuses on the media sphere.

A freelancer license is usually issued for one year, and in Dubai its cost starts from7,500 dirhamswhich is approximately$2,042. It is important to realize that this amount may vary depending on the freezone selected.

Establishment Card issuance

In addition to a license, freelancers need to obtain aEstablishment Card- a card certifying the registration of a freelancer. This document is similar to the one issued to company owners, and its issuance costs2,000 dirhams. The validity of this card is also one year.

Obtaining a resident visa

After successfully obtaining a license and Establishment Card, foreign nationals can apply for a three-year resident visa. More detailed information about the UAE resident visa process can be found in our article. The Dubai Resident Identification Card, as well as a visa for remote workers, appeared in thein 2022.

Virtual work program

Moreover, the UAE government has launched a programvirtual workwhich offers freelancers from all over the world the opportunity to live in Dubai. The cost of a visa for remote workers is2,451 dirhamThis visa is issued for a one-year renewable period.

Obtaining a freelance visa in the UAE: Important requirements

If you are planning to get a freelancer visa in the United Arab Emirates, it is important to consider a few basic requirements. First of all, you need to prove that you have been the owner of the company for at least one year. In addition, you will need a document that demonstrates that your average monthly profit is at least$5,000.. In addition to this you will need to provide your company's latest bank statement for three months.

Comparison of different types of visas for freelancers

The process of obtaining such a visa is considered easier and cheaper as compared to the visa for freelancers working under licenses. Let's compare the different types of freelancer visas in UAE.

• Freelancer visa under licenseis valid for one year, whereasfreelance licensemay allow you to stay in the country for up to three years.
• Visa for remote workerswill also be valid for one year.
• With regard to financial costs, the followingfreelancer visacost approximatelyAED 2,750aboutUS$749.), whereaslicensewould cost considerably more - about7,500 dirhamsApproximately$2,042).

It should be noted that the cost of a freelancer visa includeshealth insuranceThis simplifies the process of obtaining this type of document. For other types of visas, health insurance is also required, but its cost will be determined later in the process.Minimum income requirementsalso differ: freelance visas do not require proof of income, while for other visa categories this requirement is mandatory.

Sponsorship and tax conditions

Freelancers have the right to sponsor their relatives by allowing them to move to the Emirates. This means that if they have a stable income, they can support their relatives in this country. But it is worth remembering thatfreelancer visadoes not give you the right to hire employees.

Special attention should be paid totax conditionsIn Dubai - tax residents are not taxed on their income, except for those earning over375,000 dirhamsper year (approx.$102,094), such persons will have to payvalue added taxin size5%.

Obtaining a license for freelancers

Freelancer licenses can also be obtained by foreign nationals who are already in the country legally. These may include:

• family members of investors who became residents due to the purchase of real estate,
• employees of local companies wishing to freelance in parallel with their main job.

In this situation, it will be necessary to obtainwritten consent of the employerto apply for a visa.

Documents for obtaining a freelance visa

To become the ownerfreelance visasIn order to travel to the UAE, you will need to prepare a certain package of documents. It includes:

• a photocopy of your passport,
• resume
• a 3x4 photo,
• health insurance,
• your bank statement,
• high school diploma.

For members of the creative professions, it is important to provideportfolioor samples of your work. All documents must be translated into English and certified by the UAE Consulate.

Procedure for obtaining a freelancer visa in Dubai

Now let's move on to the step-by-step procedure of getting a freelancer visa in Dubai:

1. Start by preparing all the required documents.
2. Contact the appropriate authorities to make an application.
3. Once you submit your application, keep track of its status and prepare for possible interviews or additional screenings.

Conclusion

Concluding our article, I would like to emphasize how great the opportunity is for freelancers and remote workers to solve their professional challenges while living in such a dynamic and attractive place as the United Arab Emirates. New“green visafor 5 years, as well as the traditional freelancer visa with license, open up a whole range of opportunities for professionals looking to develop ideas and release projects on an international level.

The process of obtaining a visa may seem complicated, but by following the step-by-step instructions, everyone will be able to successfully cope with it. As I have already mentioned, the UAE government is actively working to attract talented people to the country. As a result, the rules are becoming more and more accessible and understandable.

Important points

• “Green” visa allows you to obtain residency status without having an employer.
• A traditional visa requires a freelancer's license, which can be arranged in a free economic zone.
• The United Arab Emirates offers comfortable living and working conditions.

However, it is important for potential residents to consider not only legal and tax specifics, but also the very culture and way of life in the UAE. This place combines unique traditions and modern technology, which makes it attractive for those who want not only to work but also to live in an environment that fosters creativity and innovation.

I hope this information has been useful to you and will help you in your journey to becoming a freelancer in UAE. Don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of this platform to grow and develop your career. There are plenty of opportunities ahead of you for self-fulfillment and professional growth.