Freelancing in the UAE: permit, Green Visa and tax
Freelancing takes two separate things: permission to work for yourself, then residency. Here are the official routes, their price where it is published, and what to expect on health cover and tax.
Three ways to get the right to work
Prices below are those shown by the authorities on the day we checked. They do not include residency unless stated.
| Route | Who it suits | Published price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MoHRE freelance permit | People working for themselves, with no UAE employer or employment contract, including foreign nationals on self-sponsored residence. | Not published on an official page: ask MoHRE. | u.ae · Work permits ↗ |
| GoFreelance (Dubai Media City, Internet City, Knowledge Park, d3) | Freelancers whose activity is on the list accepted by these Dubai free zones. Check yours on the site. | AED 7,500 a year advertised (the FAQ on the same page says AED 7,520). Visa extra: AED 4,600 for one year, plus AED 2,000 for the establishment card. | GoFreelance (TECOM) ↗ |
| RAKEZ Freelancer Permit (Ras Al Khaimah) | Media and education professions only, one activity per permit. | From AED 6,100. | RAKEZ · Freelancer Permit ↗ |
The Green Visa for freelancers
- Duration
A five-year residence, renewable, with no employer sponsoring you.
ICP · UAE Green Residency ↗ - Requirements
A freelance or self-employment permit issued by MoHRE, at least a bachelor’s degree or specialised diploma, and freelance income of at least AED 360,000 a year over the previous two years. You must also show stable income or financial solvency for the whole residence period.
ICP · UAE Green Residency ↗ - Family
The holder can sponsor their spouse and children, under the applicable requirements.
ICP · UAE Green Residency ↗ - Fees in Dubai
GDRFA lists AED 200 plus 5% VAT and, if the person is already in the UAE, AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham and an AED 500 in-country fee. The MoHRE permit is step one.
GDRFA Dubai · Green visa (self-employment) ↗ - After expiry
A 180-day grace period applies after a Golden, Green or Blue residence expires or is cancelled.
ICP · Residence renewal ↗
Health insurance
- Dubai
Health insurance is mandatory for residents. For dependants an employer does not cover, the sponsor must make sure they are insured: if you sponsor your family, that sponsor is you.
DHA · ISAHD FAQ ↗ - Other emirates
Rules depend on the emirate of residence. Compare the options and their regulators on our health insurance page.
Compare health insurance ↗
Corporate tax: does it apply to you?
- Threshold
A natural person only falls within corporate tax if business turnover exceeds AED 1 million in a calendar year. Wages, personal investment income and real estate investment income are excluded.
FTA · Natural persons ↗ - Registration
If you exceed the threshold, register by 31 March of the following year.
FTA · Decision No. 3 of 2024 ↗ - Free zone
A natural person cannot be a Free Zone Person: the free zone 0% rate does not apply to a sole freelancer.
FTA · Free Zone Person bulletin ↗
Price your own move.
Company, visa, health, housing and school: a two-year estimate based on your profile, in 5 minutes.