UAE freelance visa: GoFreelance, free zones, cost and limits

A UAE freelance visa has two parts: a freelance permit and a residence visa issued on the basis of that permit. The best-known option in Dubai is the GoFreelance package from the TECOM free zones: according to the programme website, the permit costs AED 7,500 a year, and a 1-year or 2-year visa is paid for separately.

There are two other routes: freelance permits from other free zones, and a MOHRE permit which, with income of AED 360,000 a year or more, leads to the 5-year Green Visa. The choice depends on your profession, your income and whether you need a corporate bank account.

Below we compare the options, work out the first-year budget and list the limitations worth knowing before you apply.

Three routes for a freelancer

How to choose. If you work in IT, media, design or education and a personal account is enough, GoFreelance is the clearest start in Dubai. If your profession is not on the TECOM list, look for a free zone that covers it. If your income is consistently above AED 360,000 a year and you have a degree, it makes sense to aim straight for the Green Visa: it lasts longer and does not depend on an annual package. And if you plan to grow, hire people or work with companies that require invoices from a legal entity, start with a company.

Read more: Free zone company in the UAE.

GoFreelance: what is included and what it costs

GoFreelance is offered by Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Design District and Dubai Knowledge Park. You apply and pay through the axs portal. Permits are issued in four streams:

• Tech: web and mobile development, software, IT and networks, data science, customer service.
• Media: actors, photographers, journalists, editors, social media specialists.
• Education: education consultants, e-learning, researchers, trainers.
• Design: graphic, fashion and interior design.

GoFreelance states separately that visa and Establishment Card fees may change and that paid charges are non-refundable. The medical test, Emirates ID and insurance are not included in these amounts.

Note that the AED 7,500 covers the permit only. Without a visa it gives you the right to work but not residency, so if you are relocating, count the full set.

For the visa, GoFreelance requires: the freelancer licence, the Establishment Card, a UAE phone number, valid health insurance, your original passport and a photo.

GoFreelance application steps

1. Submit an enquiry on the programme website and confirm your email address.
2. Log in to the axs portal, fill in the permit application and attach documents.
3. Pay for the package on the portal and wait for the licence to be issued.
4. Obtain the Establishment Card and apply for the visa.
5. Take the medical test and biometrics, then receive your Emirates ID.

Prepare a portfolio and CV for your chosen category: the permit is issued for a specific profession, and an application with a vague description of activity may be sent back for revision.

Permits from other free zones

Other free zones also issue freelance permits, for example Shams in Sharjah (media-focused) and RAKEZ in Ras Al Khaimah. Their lists of professions, prices and visa numbers differ and change regularly. As of October 2026, check tariffs directly with the zone; current options are collected on the UAE freelance visa page.

We help you compare packages by the full first-year cost rather than the advertised permit price. When choosing a free zone, check three things: whether your profession is on the list, whether the visa is included in the package, and whether banks recognise the permit when you open an account.

MOHRE permit and the Green Visa

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) issues freelance and self-employment permits. With such a permit you can apply for the 5-year Green Visa if you meet the ICP conditions:

• a bachelor's degree, a specialised diploma or equivalent;
• annual freelance income of at least AED 360,000 in each of the two previous years;
• or, in GDRFA's wording, proof of financial solvency for the full term.

The advantage of the Green Visa is that it does not depend on renewing a free zone package and gives a 180-day grace period after cancellation. We cover it in detail in UAE Green Visa.

Limitations of a freelance visa

If you need a corporate account to invoice clients or plan to hire staff, it is usually better to set up a free zone company with a partner visa from the start.

A note on banks. A freelancer receives payments into a personal account, and the bank may ask about the source of each incoming payment. Keep your contracts, invoices and client correspondence in order. If the payments are large and regular, the bank may suggest moving to a corporate structure, and the question of a company will arise by itself.

Read more: UAE residence visa types.

Can you sponsor your family

Yes, if the freelancer's income reaches the sponsor threshold. According to u.ae, that is AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus housing. A freelancer proves income with statements and client contracts, so keep them in order in advance. Details are in UAE family visa.

We help you choose between a freelance permit and a company and prepare the documents with you. The application is submitted by a licensed agent or by the free zone.

What changed in 2026

• As of October 2026, the GoFreelance website lists: a package at AED 7,500 a year, a visa at AED 4,600 for 1 year and AED 5,042 for 2 years, and an Establishment Card at AED 2,000.
• The threshold for the freelancer Green Visa in the ICP guide is unchanged at AED 360,000 a year, but GDRFA Dubai accepts proof of financial solvency as an alternative.
• Free zones continue to revise their freelancer packages. Compare offers as of your application date, not by last year's price lists.

FAQ

Can I work with clients outside the UAE on GoFreelance?

GoFreelance does not restrict where your clients are. However, UAE banks check payments from abroad, so keep contracts and invoices for every incoming payment.

Which is cheaper: a freelance permit or a free zone company?

In the first year, GoFreelance with a visa comes to roughly AED 14,000-15,000 excluding the medical test and insurance. Some free zone packages with a visa are comparable in price but give you a legal entity and a corporate account. Compare on the full set of features.

Can I get a freelance visa while abroad?

You can apply for the permit online, but the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics take place in person in the UAE.

Can I get a visa for my spouse on GoFreelance?

Yes, if your income meets the sponsor threshold: AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus housing. The bank and the immigration authority will need statements and client contracts for recent months.

Do I need a degree for GoFreelance?

The GoFreelance website does not list a degree among the visa requirements. For the freelancer Green Visa, a degree or specialised education is mandatory.

Sources

• GoFreelance (Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Design District, Dubai Knowledge Park): gofreelance.ae
• ICP, Green Residency Guide: icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-green-residency
• GDRFA Dubai, Issuing a green residence permit (self-employment): gdrfad.gov.ae
• u.ae, Residence visa for families of employees: u.ae
• u.ae, General provisions for the residence visa: u.ae