Freelance visa in the UAE: the cost in each free zone, 2026
By Malik, Founder · Prices checked
A freelance permit lets you invoice in your own name without a company. The visa that lets you live in the country is usually a second bill. Here are both figures, zone by zone, as each zone publishes or confirms them.
Freelance permit cost by free zone, 2026
14 free zones put a price on a freelance permit issued in your own name. The permit is what lets you invoice; the residence visa is what lets you live in the country, and most zones price it separately.
| Free zone | Permit, one year | Residence visa |
|---|---|---|
| 1. twofour54 Abu DhabiFreelance package, 12 months | 3,500 AED | Residence visa paid separately, 3,433.50 AED for 1 year |
| 2. DMCCFreelanceUAE | 4,020 AED | 9,136 AED with a 1 year visa, 14,136 AED with a 2 year visa |
| 3. Ajman Free ZoneFreelancer permit | 6,010 AED | 12,131 AED with one residence visa, medical test and Emirates ID |
| 4. RAKEZFreelancer Permit | 6,100 AED | Visa not priced with the permit |
| 5. Ajman Media City Free ZoneSole Professional Licence | 6,150 AED | Visa not priced with the licence |
| 6. Expo City DubaiExpo Freelance | 7,020 AED | 9,020 AED with a 1 year visa, 16,020 AED with a 2 year visa |
| 7. DAFZATalent Pass | 7,500 AED | Visa excluded, price: ask us |
| 8. Dubai Internet CityFreelancer permit, tech | 7,500 AED | Residence visa paid separately, 4,600 AED for 1 year or 5,042 AED for 2, after a 2,000 AED establishment card |
| 9. Dubai Knowledge ParkGoFreelance, education | 7,520 AED | Residence visa paid separately, 4,600 AED for 1 year or 5,042 AED for 2, after a 2,000 AED establishment card |
| 10. Dubai Media CityGoFreelance, media | 7,520 AED | Residence visa paid separately, 4,600 AED for 1 year or 5,042 AED for 2, after a 2,000 AED establishment card |
| 11. d3GoFreelance, design | 7,520 AED | Residence visa paid separately, 4,600 AED for 1 year or 5,042 AED for 2, after a 2,000 AED establishment card |
| 12. Academic CityGoFreelance, education | 7,520 AED | Residence visa paid separately, 4,600 AED for 1 year or 5,042 AED for 2, after a 2,000 AED establishment card |
| 13. SHAMSFreelancer Package | 7,745 AED | 15,415 AED with one visa |
| 14. UAQ FTZFreelance Permit | 9,999 AED | The package lists a visa and an identity card |
Freelance visa, zone by zone
twofour54 Abu Dhabi freelance visa and licence cost
Freelance package, 12 months: 3,500 AED for the permit; residence visa paid separately, 3,433.50 AED for 1 year.
The published 3,500 AED tariff is waived in full for the first two years. More than 120 creative and gaming professions.
DMCC freelance visa and licence cost
FreelanceUAE: 4,020 AED for the permit; 9,136 AED with a 1 year visa, 14,136 AED with a 2 year visa.
One profession per permit, no family sponsorship. In August 2026 the zone stated its freelance visa packages were on hold: confirm before you count on the visa.
Ajman Free Zone freelance visa and licence cost
Freelancer permit: 6,010 AED for the permit; 12,131 AED with one residence visa, medical test and Emirates ID.
One sole professional activity, lease agreement and establishment card included.
RAKEZ freelance visa and licence cost
Freelancer Permit: 6,100 AED for the permit; visa not priced with the permit.
One activity from about a hundred professions. No corporate bank account; the holder may sponsor eligible dependants.
Ajman Media City Free Zone freelance visa and licence cost
Sole Professional Licence: 6,150 AED for the permit; visa not priced with the licence.
The figure appears in an article on the zone's own site, not on a product page: confirm it in writing.
Expo City Dubai freelance visa and licence cost
Expo Freelance: 7,020 AED for the permit; 9,020 AED with a 1 year visa, 16,020 AED with a 2 year visa.
More than 100 professions, and you may propose your own. Renewable yearly up to five years.
DAFZA freelance visa and licence cost
Talent Pass: 7,500 AED for the permit; visa excluded, price: ask us.
Arts, culture, education, media, marketing, consultancy and technology. A portfolio, a degree or reference letters are required.
Dubai Internet City freelance visa and licence cost
Freelancer permit, tech: 7,500 AED for the permit; residence visa paid separately, 4,600 AED for 1 year or 5,042 AED for 2, after a 2,000 AED establishment card.
Web, mobile and software development, data science, IT networking.
Dubai Knowledge Park freelance visa and licence cost
GoFreelance, education: 7,520 AED for the permit; residence visa paid separately, 4,600 AED for 1 year or 5,042 AED for 2, after a 2,000 AED establishment card.
Five roles only: education advisor, eLearning advisor, executive coaching, researcher, trainer.
Dubai Media City freelance visa and licence cost
GoFreelance, media: 7,520 AED for the permit; residence visa paid separately, 4,600 AED for 1 year or 5,042 AED for 2, after a 2,000 AED establishment card.
Actors, photographers, sound engineers, journalists, content creators and more.
d3 freelance visa and licence cost
GoFreelance, design: 7,520 AED for the permit; residence visa paid separately, 4,600 AED for 1 year or 5,042 AED for 2, after a 2,000 AED establishment card.
Fashion, interior, jewellery and textile design, stylists, make-up artists, wedding planners.
Academic City freelance visa and licence cost
GoFreelance, education: 7,520 AED for the permit; residence visa paid separately, 4,600 AED for 1 year or 5,042 AED for 2, after a 2,000 AED establishment card.
Education, technology or media professions, on the same terms as the other Dubai districts of the same operator.
SHAMS freelance visa and licence cost
Freelancer Package: 7,745 AED for the permit; 15,415 AED with one visa.
Three activities, one of which must be a media activity.
UAQ FTZ freelance visa and licence cost
Freelance Permit: 9,999 AED for the permit; the package lists a visa and an identity card.
The zone's own articles also quote a monthly figure: ask which one applies.
Announced, but not priced
These zones mention a freelance route without publishing a price.
Freelance permit or company?
A permit is issued to a person: it cannot hire staff on most zones, take a partner, trade goods or be sold. If any of that may happen, a company licence is the safer start, and the cheapest ones cost little more.
This figure is not published by every free zone. Ask them: fill in the questionnaire once, and we come back to you with the figure of the free zone you pick.
Questions
How much does a freelance visa cost in the UAE in 2026?
What is the cheapest freelance visa in the UAE?
What does the Dubai Knowledge Park freelance visa cost?
Can a freelancer hire staff or sponsor family?
All prices and terms come from the free zones and may change at any time without prior notice. Free Zone Radar cannot be held responsible for any change, error or omission. Always confirm the final price and terms in writing before you sign or pay.
