Visa · Solo Professionals
UAE Freelance Visa & Permit
The leanest legal route to work and live in the UAE.
A freelance permit lets you invoice clients under your own name and (optionally) get a residence visa — the cheapest legitimate route for solo consultants, creatives and developers.
Indicative from ~AED 7,500 for a permit plus residence visa; the permit alone can be cheaper.
What's involved
Work legally, solo
Invoice clients under your own name with 100% ownership and 0% personal income tax.
Residency + family
Add a residence visa, then sponsor family and open a bank account.
Low cost
A much lower cost base than a full company with staff.
Upgrade later
Convert to a full company when you're ready to hire and scale.
Frequently asked
01How much is a freelance visa in Dubai?＋
Indicatively AED 7,500–20,000 in year one for a permit plus residence visa, depending on the zone, activity and add-ons like the establishment card, medical and Emirates ID.
02Can I upgrade a freelance permit to a company?＋
Yes — many founders start freelance and upgrade to a full free zone company as they grow, adding activities and visa quota.
Start here
Ready to incorporate in Dubai?
Book a free 30-minute consultation. We'll map the right structure, zone and budget for your business — with a written, all-in quote and no obligation.