United Arab Emirates as a global business hub is providing a plethora of opportunities to everyone. Tech-savvy foreign people are earning more income through remote work in the UAE, thanks to its beneficial digital nomad visa. Abu Dhabi freelancer license is a top attraction for technology driven expatriates to make money and get prosperous in 2024.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are turning out the top freelancer-friendly destinations for the foreign visa holders coming to the UAE. Abu Dhabi freelancing license has undergone an overhaul with loads of exciting new activities. Inclusion of 30 new activities is set to create a more diverse and creative enterprising business environment.
Abu Dhabi Business Centre (ADBC) at the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has come up with this expansion. UAE nationals and foreign residents are bound to avail a wider range of opportunities to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Let us dig deeper to explain what this buzz is all about the Abu Dhabi freelance license.
Areas of the new freelancing activities in Abu Dhabi
The professional Abu Dhabi freelancer license now comprises 100+ different activities. Accordingly, it offers special-purpose services to organizations, institutions, companies, and individuals. The new additions into the professional freelancing license by Abu Dhabi covers areas like these.
- Development in artificial intelligence (AI)
- Designing of electronic equipment
- Manufacturing of electronic devices systems and software
- Software design for oil/natural gas fields production
- Data classification services
- Making production models by 3D imaging
- Data analysis services
- Development and innovation for computer systems and programs
- Service providers for online players support
Abu Dhabi freelancer license is witnessing a surge in interest from individuals seeking to establish and operate their businesses. Till 2023, Emirate of Abu Dhabi had given 1,013 permits to businesses and people for conducting various freelancing activities. Abu Dhabi aims to provide a supportive environment for innovation, to enhance the contribution of professionals to the economic growth.
Process to apply for a freelance visa in Abu Dhabi
The procedure of Abu Dhabi freelancer visa application involves selecting a sector or work area. For example, media, education, sciences, technology, art, culture, consultancy, etc. ADDED or your chosen free zone authority offers freelance permits and visas for that work sector.
Abu Dhabi Global Market, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority, and twofour54 Abu Dhabi are popular free zones. Other options for industry-centric freelancers include Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Industrial Zone, and Musaffah Industrial Zone. Follow these standard steps to ensure successful approval of the application.
- Fill out an online application form on the authority or free zone’s website for the non-resident Abu Dhabi freelancer visa.
- You can take the help of business consultancy firm to submit the application form on your behalf.
- Upload or submit all the obligatory documents to complete the paperwork.
- Pay the application fee and other applicable governmental regulatory dues.
- Upon the initial application approval, you will receive an email confirmation and an e-visa.
- Visit the ADDED authority or free zone office to finalize other visa requirements.
- Undergo a medical test, or submit a prior valid medical report.
- Pay the freelance visa fee, which varies depending on the authority or the free zone.
- After the final approval, you’re set for a rewarding freelancing life in Abu Dhabi, and the UAE.
Eligibility criteria for freelance license in Abu Dhabi
Skillful people having demonstrable experience in digital technologies are eligible for Abu Dhabi freelancer license. Also, persons with academic achievement in specific technical fields fulfill the eligibility criteria. Abu Dhabi Business Council has set up a regulatory framework, and work regulations to facilitate freelancers in this purpose.
Aspirants can acquire the freelance permit through the TAMM app. The aim is to strengthen UAE’s position as a growing destination for foreign investments, talents, and businesses. Overall, it indicates a strong commitment to innovation and financial inclusion on the part of the Abu Dhabi’s government.
Necessary documents for Abu Dhabi’s freelancing visa
You need to provide these documents for submitting application for the Abu Dhabi freelancer license and visa.
- Copy of passport
- Passport-size photo
- Copies of degrees and certificates
- CV/Resume
- Portfolio of work
- Bank statement
- NOC from sponsor
- Freelance permit or self-employment permit from MOHRE (if applicable)
Types of eligible foreign freelancers in the UAE
There are three main kinds of expatriate freelancers in the UAE, depending on the individual situation and work field.
Now, we briefly look upon these categories of the expat freelancers in the UAE.
Resident freelancers
First category is foreign freelancers already having residence visa in the UAE, either through their spouse, parent, or employer. They need to get a freelance work permit from Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, or the free zone. Moreover, they have to obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) from their sponsor or employer.
Non-resident freelancers
Expat freelancers who are non-resident in the UAE come under the second category. They require residence visa and freelance permit from ADDED, or the chosen free trade zone. Furthermore, they need proof of qualifications, experience, and sustainable income.
Freelancers with green residency
Since 2023, UAE’s green residency for self-employment allows freelancers to sponsor themselves for 5 years. However, the applicant expatriates must meet certain criteria to fulfill the eligibility. Aspirants must apply for a self-employment or freelance permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE).
Benefits of Abu Dhabi freelancing visa for techpreneurs
These are the advantages of Abu Dhabi freelance visa for self earners and future entrepreneurs in the UAE.
Next, we take a look on the advantages of the Abu Dhabi freelancer visa.
Complete location independence
Freelancing enables tech resources to work independent of the location. It enables them to run operations as a sidle hustle or a main gig. Subsequently, they can focus on creating profitable businesses, and increasing revenues.
No employer requirement
Freelancing allows individuals to work for multiple clients. Likewise, freelancers do not need the employers or sponsors for making money. They can set their own work schedules, and enjoy the rewards of living in the UAE.
Business banking
Setting up a corporate bank account for conducting financial transactions is simple for freelancers in the UAE. Many free zones in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE do not require a No Objection Certificate (NOC). Nonetheless, you can easily receive NOC from regional sponsor or organization, to submit to the economic zones that have requirement.
Shifting your family to UAE
Once, freelancers earn a decent amount of money, they can sponsor their dependent family members for the UAE visa. Furthermore, women professionals working in specific technology sectors, may sponsor their foreign dependents. Also, you can move foreign staff to the UAE, if you’re founding a business in the United Arab Emirates.
Conclusion
The economy of the UAE is welcoming economic diversification due to its openness for innovation. Abu Dhabi is embracing freelancing to play its role in this transformation. Expansion in eligible activities in Abu Dhabi freelancer license benefits technical UAE nationals and foreign residents.
It provides a legal framework for offering services, encouraging entrepreneurial spirit, and promoting personal and professional growth. This advancement has a significant impact on both Emirati nationals and expatriate residents. Also, the UAE taxation incentives like 0% personal income tax and corporate tax enable more income earning and retention.
Do you need professional assistance in obtaining Abu Dhabi freelancing visa? Business advisors like KWS ME help you in getting a freelance license in the UAE. Get in touch with them for a free consultation for securing your UAE work visa.
FAQs about Abu Dhabi freelancer license
These are the short answers to questions regarding Abu Dhabi freelancer license.
Higher education certificate or degree level qualification is necessary to acquire Abu Dhabi freelancer license for most activities. Get notarization and attestation of the educational documents by the UAE embassy in your country. Translate your technical documents in Arabic language, and get stamping from the ministry of foreign affairs (MOFA) in the UAE.
Yes, you can apply for the Abu Dhabi freelance permit, by submitting an NOC letter from your employer. However, if your employment visa expires, then transfer to Abu Dhabi investor visa under the freelancer license. Similarly, if your employer cancels employment visa, moving to the Abu Dhabi investor visa with the freelancing license saves you.
The validity of the Abu Dhabi freelance permit as a mainland license is for 2 years. Afterward, you need to renew the Abu Dhabi freelancing permit annually. Also, freelancers with earnings over AED 360,000 can apply for the Abu Dhabi green visa valid for 5 years.
Yes, the requirement of choosing a trade name in the UAE for freelancers enables them to register a bank account. However, some banks may limit them to non checking foreign currency account, or zero balance account without no deposit need. Also, you can register a corporate bank account by transferring to the Abu Dhabi investor visa under the freelancer license.
Yes, as a spouse in the UAE, you can get a 2-year freelancer permit from Abu Dhabi DED (ADDED). If your spouse visa expires, you can transfer it to a 3-year Abu Dhabi investor visa under the freelancer license. Register with the Abu Dhabi Immigration and eChannel system, to obtain the visa and the Abu Dhabi freelancer permit. Also, you must obtain health insurance with Abu Dhabi HAAD approval, as part of the investor visa process.
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