Dubai Freelancer Visa: Compare Costs, Requirements and Legal Routes
17-Jul-2026 0 Comments 1000 Views
Priyanshu Raghav
Last verified: 17 July 2026 · Sources: ICP, GDRFA Dubai, GoFreelance / DDA, MOHRE, Invest in Dubai
"Dubai freelancer visa" is an umbrella phrase, not one single government product. A freelance permit and a UAE residence visa are two separate approvals, and many applicants need both, while some existing UAE residents may only need a permit. The correct route, cost and eligibility depend on the issuing authority, your professional activity, your current UAE residence status, and whether you qualify for a long-term self-sponsored option. GoFreelance, the Dubai Development Authority’s freelance permit programme, currently lists a base freelancer permit fee of AED 7,500 per year — but this is only one component, not a universal "freelancer visa price." Separately, the five-year Green Residency has its own eligibility criteria for qualified freelancers and self-employed professionals, run through ICP rather than a free zone. Treat every cost, route and eligibility figure below as something to reconfirm with the relevant authority before you apply, since UAE visa rules and fees change periodically.
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Dubai Freelancer Visa — Quick Answer
There is no single, universal "Dubai freelancer visa." Depending on your situation, you may be looking at one of five distinct routes:
Free-Zone Freelance Permit + Residence
A permit from a free zone such as GoFreelance / TECOM, paired with UAE residence processing, medical fitness, Emirates ID and insurance.
Green Residency for Freelancers
A five-year self-sponsored ICP residency for qualified freelancers and self-employed professionals who meet income and education criteria.
Virtual Work Visa
For people who work remotely for an employer or business registered outside the UAE — not the same as a freelance permit for local clients.
Permit-Only Route
Existing UAE residents on a spouse, parent or employer visa may in some cases only need a freelance permit, not a new residence package.
Company or Professional Licence
If you need a company name, employees, partners or broader commercial activity, a freelance permit is likely too restrictive.
Important: If you want both legal freelance activity and UAE residence, you must confirm two separate things: the permit / licence that authorises the activity, and the residence route that lets you legally live in the UAE. A quote that only mentions one of these is not a complete freelancer visa package.
Dubai Freelancer Visa Route Selector
Use this table as a starting point to identify which route to research in detail. It is not legal or immigration advice — final eligibility is decided by the relevant UAE authority.
| Applicant Situation | Likely Route to Research | Important Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Wants to freelance and obtain Dubai residence. | Free-zone freelance permit plus residence processing. | Permit and residence costs are separate unless the provider bundles them into one package. |
| High-earning, established freelancer. | Five-year Green Residency. | MOHRE permit, qualification and income / solvency conditions apply — run through ICP, not a free zone. |
| Works remotely for a foreign employer or overseas business. | Virtual Work Visa. | Not intended for UAE-company employment or invoicing UAE clients. |
| Already holds UAE residence, such as spouse, parent or employer visa. | Freelance permit without a new residence package may be possible. | Requirements depend on the authority and your existing visa status; an NOC may be required. |
| Wants a company name, partners, employees or wider activities. | Company or professional licence. | A freelancer permit is scoped to one named individual and a narrow activity list. |
Important: This selector is only a comparison guide. Always verify the latest route, eligibility, documents and fees with the relevant UAE authority or issuing body before applying.
What Does "Dubai Freelancer Visa" Actually Mean?
Before comparing costs, it helps to separate the terms that get blended together in most searches and most sales pitches:
- Freelance permit / licence: Authorises a named individual to carry out a specific approved activity and invoice for it.
- Freelance work permit: Used interchangeably with permit / licence; in MOHRE’s context, this is the federal freelance / self-employment permit.
- Establishment card: Issued to the permit holder so they can sponsor visas linked to that permit.
- Residence visa: The separate approval that lets you legally live in the UAE.
- Emirates ID: Mandatory identity card linked to an active residence visa.
- Medical fitness & health insurance: Required steps in most residence applications.
- Green Residency: A five-year self-sponsored ICP route with its own income / education criteria.
- Virtual Work Visa & self-employed visa: Related but distinct categories covered in later sections.
Simplified Flow: Legal authority to freelance → freelance permit or licence → residence application, where required → medical fitness + Emirates ID + insurance → legal residence and approved freelance activity.
Freelance Permit vs Residence Visa in Dubai
This is the single most common source of confusion in freelancer visa quotes. A permit and a residence visa solve two different problems, and packages combine or separate them differently.
| Factor | Freelance Permit / Licence | Residence Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Authorises approved freelance activity. | Allows legal residence in the UAE. |
| Issued By | Free zone, authority or relevant permit issuer, such as GoFreelance / TECOM or MOHRE. | UAE immigration authority — GDRFA Dubai or ICP. |
| Needed For | Freelance work activity and invoicing. | Living in the UAE. |
| Same as a Visa? | No. | No — separate from the permit. |
| Renewal | Authority-specific, typically annual. | Immigration / residence-specific, varies by route. |
| Key Risk | Assuming the permit includes residence. | Assuming residence status alone authorises any freelance activity. |
Quote Check: Many advertised package prices combine these components; others quote the permit only. Always ask which of the two — or both — a price actually covers.
Dubai Freelancer Visa Cost Breakdown
There is no single headline price. Below is an itemised view of the components that typically make up a Dubai freelancer visa package. Figures are cross-referenced from GoFreelance / TECOM publications and multiple 2026 provider disclosures; confirm the current amount with the issuing authority or your chosen free zone before paying.
| Cost Component | What It Covers | Required / Optional | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance permit / licence | Authorises the approved activity for one year. | Required | Authority-published: AED 7,500 / yr, GoFreelance |
| Establishment card | Lets the permit holder sponsor a residence visa. | Required if sponsoring a visa | Estimated — varies by free zone |
| Entry permit / status change | Initial UAE entry approval, or in-country status change. | Required if applying for residence | Estimated — varies by case |
| Residence visa, 1 or 2-year stamping | Legal residence linked to the establishment card. | Required for residence | Estimated — varies by duration / authority |
| Medical fitness test | Mandatory health screening before Emirates ID issuance. | Required | Estimated — DHA / MOH-approved centre rate |
| Emirates ID | Mandatory identity card for residents. | Required | Estimated — ICP-published, duration-linked |
| Health insurance | Mandatory coverage for Dubai residents. | Required | Estimated — depends on provider and coverage |
| Express processing | Faster turnaround on permit, medical or Emirates ID. | Optional | Optional add-on |
| Dependent sponsorship | Adding spouse / children to your residence. | Optional | Optional, condition-dependent |
| Renewal, Year 2 onward | Ongoing permit and / or residence renewal. | Required to stay compliant | Estimated — ask for the exact renewal figure upfront |
| Third-party service charge | PRO / agency handling fee, if you use one. | Optional | Provider fee — not a government charge |
Fee Note: Every figure above should be re-verified on the date you apply. Government and free-zone fees are subject to change without prior notice, and no provider quote is valid until it is itemised in writing.
Freelance Visa Dubai Cost vs Dubai Freelance Visa Price
Searchers use "freelance visa Dubai cost" and "Dubai freelance visa price" interchangeably, but providers do not use them consistently:
- Some providers quote "freelance visa cost" for the permit only.
- Some quotes include residence processing; others exclude it entirely.
- Emirates ID, medical fitness, insurance, establishment card, status change and renewal are frequently excluded from the headline number.
- Always ask for an itemised quote rather than accepting a single all-in figure.
Before accepting any Dubai freelance visa price, confirm whether it includes:
- Freelance permit or licence.
- Establishment card.
- Residence visa.
- Entry permit or status change.
- Medical fitness.
- Emirates ID.
- Health insurance.
- Courier or delivery.
- Renewal cost.
- Cancellation cost and service fee.
Two-Year Freelance Visa Dubai Price
"Two-year freelance visa Dubai price" is one of the highest-intent searches on this topic, so it deserves a direct answer: a two-year freelance visa Dubai price can vary depending on the issuing authority, the selected package type, your current residence status, whether an establishment card is required, and whether medical, Emirates ID, insurance and service fees are itemised separately or bundled in.
Some providers advertise one-year and two-year options side by side; treat any older two-year price you find online as unverified until you confirm it directly with the issuing authority or free zone, since fee structures are reviewed periodically. Before comparing a "two-year price" across providers, ask explicitly whether the quote covers only the permit, or the permit plus a full two-year residence package, since these are very different products at very different price points.
Dubai Freelance Visa Requirements
Requirements differ by route. Treat the checklist below as a starting point, not a universal list — exact requirements depend on the issuing authority and your professional activity.
Free-Zone Freelance Permit Route
Potential requirements may include:
- Passport copy and passport-style photograph.
- Selected professional activity from the free zone’s approved list.
- Qualification certificate or portfolio, where requested for the activity.
- Existing UAE residence details, if applicable, including an NOC where required.
- Establishment card, where a residence visa is also needed.
- UAE phone number, where required by the authority.
- Medical insurance, where required as part of residence processing.
- Additional sector approvals for regulated activities, such as education or certain consulting fields.
Green Residency Route for Freelancers and Self-Employed Professionals
Per ICP’s official Green Residency criteria, verified 17 July 2026, freelancers and self-employed applicants must:
- Hold a freelancing or self-employment permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, MOHRE.
- Hold a minimum qualification of a bachelor’s degree, specialised diploma, or equivalent.
- Provide proof of stable annual income or financial solvency throughout the residency period.
- Show annual income from freelancing of not less than AED 360,000 over the past two years, or equivalent in foreign currencies.
Some private guides describe free-zone freelance permits as an accepted alternative to the MOHRE permit for this route. ICP’s own published wording specifies a MOHRE-issued permit, so confirm directly with ICP or MOHRE whether your specific permit type qualifies before assuming eligibility. Do not merge this route with GoFreelance or other free-zone packages — Green Residency is processed through ICP.
Virtual Work Visa Route
Per GDRFA Dubai’s published Virtual Work visa-issuance service, verified 17 July 2026, applicants must:
- Hold a passport valid for at least six months.
- Provide evidence of working for an entity outside the UAE, with the work carried out remotely.
- Show a monthly income of no less than USD 3,500, or the equivalent in foreign currency.
- Hold a valid health insurance document.
This route is aimed at remote employees and overseas business owners — it is not the same as a freelance permit for UAE client work, and it does not authorise local UAE employment or invoicing.
Existing UAE Resident Seeking a Freelance Permit
Some existing UAE residents may need only a freelance permit or licence, depending on the issuing authority, their profession, and their sponsor or residence conditions. Existing residence status does not automatically authorise freelance work — a separate permit is generally required, and requirements vary by authority.
Apply for Freelance Visa Dubai
The exact steps depend on your route, but the general sequence looks like this:
- Identify the correct route using the selector table above.
- Confirm whether you need a permit, a residence visa, or both.
- Check whether your professional activity is on the authority’s approved list.
- Verify the issuing authority’s current rules directly, such as GoFreelance / DDA, MOHRE, ICP, or another free zone.
- Check qualification, income or portfolio requirements for your chosen route.
- Apply for the freelance permit or licence.
- Obtain an establishment card, where required.
- Start the entry permit or status-change process if residence is needed.
- Complete the medical fitness test where applicable.
- Apply for the Emirates ID where applicable.
- Arrange health insurance.
- Receive residence approval, if approved.
- Track renewal dates separately for the permit, establishment card, insurance and residence visa — they rarely expire on the same date.
Application Tip: Do not start by asking only for the cheapest price. First confirm the correct legal route, whether residence is included, whether your activity is allowed, and which authority will issue the permit or visa.
GoFreelance Dubai Explained
GoFreelance is the freelance permit programme run by TECOM Group under the Dubai Development Authority, covering activity clusters such as Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Design District. It approves freelance activities across media, technology, education and design.
- Categories: Media, such as writing, photography, videography and production; technology, such as development, IT support and data; education, such as training, tutoring and advisory work; and design, such as graphic design, UI / UX, branding and creative services.
- Permit and residence are separated: The permit authorises the activity; a residence visa, establishment card, medical fitness, Emirates ID and insurance are separate steps and separate costs.
- What may be included: The base permit and access to GoFreelance’s business centre and marketplace for bidding on projects.
- What may be excluded: Establishment card, residence visa, medical, Emirates ID, insurance and express processing, unless specifically bundled by a service provider.
- Renewal: The permit is renewed annually; residence renewal follows a separate cycle depending on visa duration.
- Limitation: GoFreelance is one route among several, restricted to its own approved activity list — it is not the entire Dubai freelancer visa market, and some free-zone programmes periodically adjust which activities or clusters are open for new registrations. Confirm current activity availability directly with GoFreelance / TECOM before applying.
Green Visa for Freelancers and Self-Employed Professionals
The Green Residency is a five-year, renewable residency permit granted through self-sponsorship, run by ICP, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security. It lets the holder live and work in the UAE without needing a local sponsor, and it is one of the routes freelancers most often confuse with a standard free-zone permit-plus-visa package.
- Validity: Five years, renewable, per ICP’s published Green Residency page.
- Self-sponsorship: No sponsor is required inside the country.
- MOHRE permit requirement: Applicants must hold a freelancing or self-employment permit issued by MOHRE.
- Qualification: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree, specialised diploma, or equivalent.
- Income or solvency: Annual freelance income of at least AED 360,000 over the past two years, or proof of financial solvency throughout the residency period.
- Family sponsorship: Spouse and children can be sponsored according to approved terms and conditions.
- How it differs from free-zone packages: Green Residency is an ICP-run, self-sponsored residency category; it is not a GoFreelance or other free-zone product, and the two should not be quoted as interchangeable.
Source Note: ICP Green Residency page, content last updated 23 March 2026, verified 17 July 2026.
Dubai Freelancer Visa vs Virtual Work Visa
Remote workers and freelancers frequently assume the same visa route applies to both — it does not.
| Factor | Freelancer Route | Virtual Work Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Main User | Independent professional invoicing UAE and / or overseas clients under an approved local activity. | Employee or business owner working remotely for an entity registered outside the UAE. |
| UAE Client Work | Depends on the approved freelance activity and permit. | Not intended for UAE-company employment or local invoicing. |
| Business Permit | Usually relevant, such as freelance permit / licence. | Not required in the same way — income and remote-work evidence apply instead. |
| Residence Duration | Depends on route selected. | One year, extendable, per GDRFA Dubai’s published service. |
| Income Criteria | Route-specific, such as AED 360,000 / 2 years for Green Residency. | Minimum monthly income of USD 3,500, per GDRFA Dubai. |
| Best For | Consultants, creatives and independent professionals serving local and / or overseas clients. | Remote employees and overseas business owners with no UAE client work. |
Source Note: GDRFA Dubai, Virtual Work visa-issuance service, verified 17 July 2026.
Freelance Permit vs Company Licence in Dubai
A freelancer route may not be suitable if you:
- Want to trade under a company name.
- Want partners or shareholders.
- Want to hire employees.
- Need broader commercial activities than one approved freelance activity.
- Need office or facility approvals.
- Want to operate beyond your permitted freelance activity.
- Need multiple, unrelated business activities under one licence.
Key Difference: A company or professional licence may be more suitable for broader operations; a freelance permit is deliberately scoped to a single named individual and a narrow activity list.
Freelance Activities in Dubai
Approved activities vary by authority. The groups below are indicative — always verify the exact approved activity list and wording against the authority you plan to apply through.
| Category | Example Activities | Authority to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Media | Writing, photography, videography, animation, production. | GoFreelance / TECOM, or relevant free zone. |
| Technology | Web / app development, IT support, data and product roles. | GoFreelance / TECOM, RAKEZ, or relevant free zone. |
| Education | Training, tutoring, education advisory, often requiring an attested qualification. | GoFreelance / TECOM, KHDA where relevant. |
| Design | Graphic design, UI / UX, branding, interior and costume design. | GoFreelance / TECOM, or relevant free zone. |
| Consulting | Management, business and strategy consulting; regulated fields need extra approvals. | Relevant free zone or MOHRE. |
| Marketing | Digital marketing, social media management, content strategy. | Relevant free zone. |
| Creative Services | Illustration, voiceover, translation, editing. | Relevant free zone. |
Activity Note: Not every activity is available through every free zone. Regulated activities, such as legal, healthcare and financial advice, generally require sector-specific approvals a standard freelance permit cannot carry.
Freelance Visa Dubai Benefits
- A legal route for approved freelance activity in the UAE.
- May support independent work in approved categories such as media, tech, education and design.
- May allow residence processing, depending on the route selected.
- May offer more flexibility than a full company setup for solo professionals.
- May support self-sponsored residence under eligible routes such as Green Residency, where criteria are met.
- May allow family sponsorship depending on the residence route and current immigration rules.
Avoid Absolute Claims: No legitimate route works for every profession with no sponsor required, and no provider can guarantee approval or offer the cheapest way to work in Dubai as a blanket promise — approval always rests with the relevant UAE authority.
Can Freelancers Sponsor Their Families?
Family sponsorship depends on the residence route, income, accommodation, insurance, and current immigration rules — it is not automatic under every freelance permit. Green Residency and standard residence-package routes may carry different family sponsorship conditions, so verify current official requirements through ICP or GDRFA before assuming your route allows it. For a full breakdown of dependant sponsorship rules, see our Dubai family visa guide .
Renewal, Cancellation and Grace Period
Track each of these separately — they rarely share one expiry date:
- Freelance permit expiry, typically annual.
- Establishment card expiry.
- Residence visa expiry.
- Emirates ID renewal.
- Health insurance renewal.
- Dependent visa impact if the sponsor’s status lapses.
Cancellation and status-change processes vary by authority and route. Do not assume a grace period applies to your specific visa category — grace-period rules differ across residence types, and overstay fines apply once any applicable grace period ends. For current overstay penalty rules, see our Dubai overstay fine guide .
Common Mistakes and Misleading Offers
Watch for these patterns when comparing freelancer visa offers:
- "Freelance visa" advertised when the quote is actually permit-only.
- Establishment card charge missing from the quote.
- Medical fitness fee excluded.
- Emirates ID excluded.
- Insurance excluded.
- Unapproved professional activity used to secure a quick sale.
- "Lifetime visa" language — no such product exists.
- Guaranteed-approval claims.
- Using a tourist visa for paid freelance work.
- Confusing a remote-work visa with a freelance permit.
- Quoting a non-Dubai free-zone product as a "Dubai freelancer visa".
- No itemised renewal cost provided upfront.
- No cancellation cost disclosed.
- No authority name or official verification date given.
Quote Warning: Never rely on a package price unless it clearly lists what is included and what is excluded, in writing, before you pay anything.
Dubai Freelancer Visa Quote Checker
Before accepting any quote, ask the provider:
- Which authority issues the permit?
- Is this a permit, licence, residence visa, or a full package?
- Is the establishment card included?
- Is the residence visa included?
- Is medical fitness included?
- Is the Emirates ID included?
- Is health insurance included?
- Is status change included, if applicable?
- Are dependants included, or priced separately?
- What is the renewal cost next year?
- What is the cancellation cost?
- What happens if approval is not granted?
- What is the official source for the quoted fee?
- When were these fees last verified?
Official Update Log
| Review Date | Item Checked | Official Authority | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jul 2026 | Freelance permit base fee | GoFreelance / DDA | AED 7,500 / yr, cross-verified across multiple current sources; confirm exact figure at point of application. |
| 17 Jul 2026 | Green Residency freelancer criteria | ICP | Confirmed current: MOHRE permit, bachelor’s / diploma, AED 360,000 / 2 yrs income or solvency, page last updated 23 Mar 2026. |
| 17 Jul 2026 | Virtual Work Visa criteria | GDRFA Dubai | Confirmed current: USD 3,500 / month minimum income, 6-month passport validity, 1-year extendable residence. |
| 17 Jul 2026 | Overstay fine standard | GDRFA / ICP | AED 50 / day standardised, effective 11 Feb 2026. |
Review Note: This log will be updated at each quarterly content review. Figures not directly sourced from an official authority page are labelled as estimated in the cost tables above.
Why Apply Through Dubai Visitor Visa?
Dubai Visitor Visa helps you understand which freelancer visa route fits your situation, compare permit, residence, Green Visa and remote-work options side by side, and review your documents before submission. We are a government-registered but privately managed visa service provider, not a government authority, and final approval, issuance and eligibility for any route are controlled solely by the relevant UAE authority — no provider, including us, can guarantee approval.
What we can help with:
- Route guidance: Permit vs residence, Green Visa, remote-work and company-licence comparisons.
- Document review support: Where our service applies.
- Cost and requirement guidance: Guidance on itemised costs and current requirements, sourced from official authorities.
Trust Note: We do not use language such as guaranteed approval, cheapest price, fastest visa, lifetime visa, or "work in any profession, no sponsor required." If you see that language elsewhere, treat it as a red flag.
Final Recommendation
Before choosing any Dubai freelancer visa route, compare the legal purpose, issuing authority, included services, renewal cost, and residence status carefully. The lowest advertised package is not always the safest or most complete option.
- Do not choose a route based only on the cheapest advertised package.
- First decide whether you need permit-only, permit plus residence, Green Residency, a Virtual Work Visa, or a company licence.
- Check whether your professional activity is approved under your chosen authority.
- Ask for a fully itemised quote before paying anything.
- Verify official fees and eligibility conditions directly with the issuing authority.
- Confirm renewal and cancellation costs upfront, not after you have committed.
- Speak with Dubai Visitor Visa if you need help understanding which route matches your situation.
Not Sure Which Dubai Freelancer Visa Route Is Right for You?
Avoid paying for the wrong package. Our visa experts can help you compare freelance permit, residence visa, Green Residency, Virtual Work Visa, and company licence options before you commit. Get clear guidance on the right route, required documents, estimated costs, and what your quote should include.
Important: Dubai Visitor Visa is a privately managed visa assistance service. Final approval, eligibility, fees, processing time, and visa issuance are determined only by the relevant UAE authority.
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Frequently Ask Questions
“Dubai freelancer visa” is commonly used as an umbrella term for the legal arrangements that allow an individual to work independently and, where required, live in Dubai. Depending on the route, an applicant may need a freelance licence or permit, an establishment card and separate residence processing.
No. A freelance permit or licence authorises an individual to conduct approved professional activities under their own name. A residence visa gives the person permission to live in the UAE. Some packages combine these services, but they are legally and financially separate components.
Potentially, yes. GoFreelance states that a person who already holds a full-time job may apply for the freelance licence by submitting the required declaration. The exact conditions can depend on the applicant’s existing residence and employment arrangement.
Ask for an itemised quotation showing whether the price includes the freelance licence, establishment card, residence visa, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, insurance, status change and renewal charges. Also confirm the issuing authority, permitted activity, visa duration and refund terms before paying.
A standard free-zone freelance route generally involves a licence and separate residence processing. Green Residency is a five-year, renewable, self-sponsored residence route for eligible freelancers and self-employed professionals who satisfy qualification, permit and financial requirements.
Requirements depend on the issuing authority and route. Common documents may include a valid passport copy, photograph, selected professional activity, existing UAE residence details where applicable, a declaration or approval form and any authority-specific supporting documents.
Available activities depend on the issuing authority. GoFreelance currently covers selected activities across technology, media, education and design. Applicants should confirm that their exact profession appears on the approved activity list before applying.
There is no single universal price. Dubai Development Authority currently lists a freelance licence fee of AED 7,500, plus AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham. Residence processing, establishment card, medical fitness, Emirates ID and health insurance may cost extra.
First identify the professional activity and authority that cover your work. Apply for the appropriate freelance licence, upload the required documents and pay the applicable fee. Applicants who also need UAE residence can then complete the establishment-card and residence process through the relevant portal.
The duration depends on the programme. GoFreelance currently offers one-year and two-year residence options for eligible licence holders. The residence remains linked to the validity of the freelance licence and establishment card.
No. UAE government guidance states that working while holding a tourist or visit visa is prohibited. A person must obtain the appropriate work authorisation before carrying out paid or unpaid work in the UAE.
Eligible freelancers must hold a freelance or self-employment permit issued by MOHRE, possess at least a bachelor’s degree, specialised diploma or equivalent, and demonstrate the required freelance income or financial solvency. ICP currently specifies freelance income of at least AED 360,000 during each of the previous two years.
No. The Virtual Work Visa is designed for people who live in the UAE while working for a company outside the country. It is different from a Dubai freelance licence used to carry out approved independent professional activities.
Family sponsorship depends on the residence route and the applicant meeting current immigration conditions. Eligible Green Residency holders may sponsor qualifying family members under the approved rules, but a freelance licence alone does not automatically provide family-sponsorship rights.
GoFreelance currently publishes a freelance package price of AED 7,520, but it does not include a residence visa. Applicants who need residence must also budget for an establishment card, visa processing, valid medical insurance and other applicable residence expenses.
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