All about the freelancer licence in Abu Dhabi
From a business-friendly environment to a tax-free economy, Abu Dhabi offers lots of flexibility for working individuals and business owners. The UAE capital has also given self-employed and freelance workers a chance to live and work in the capital. Let’s find out how you can benefit from the freelance licence in Abu Dhabi.
ALL ABOUT FREELANCE LICENCE IN ABU DHABI
The freelance permit is an initiative by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). It covers 59 types of business activities and allows holders to participate in corporate activities from an authorised location or their place of residence.
The freelancer licence in Abu Dhabi makes it easier for professionals to apply for a work permit without needing a company to sponsor them. The permit also allows holders to apply for residence visas and doesn’t list an office space as mandatory.
BUSINESS ACTIVITIES COVERED BY THE FREELANCER LICENCE
The ADDED has identified 59 business activities that can be practised with the new freelancer licence. These include:
- Flower arrangement (natural and aesthetic)
- Event management
- Food safety consulting
- Architectural production
- Fine arts consultancy
- Food safety consulting
- Information technology consultancy
- Heritage consultancy
- Fashion design
- Design of database systems
- Real Estate consultancy
- Photography
- Electronic risk management services
- Fashion design
- Web design
- Accounting and auditing
- Marketing operations management
- Landscape and gardening services
- Calligraphy and painting
- Sharia review consultancy for the transactions of Islamic financial institutions
- Innovation and artificial intelligence
- Project management
- Consultations in the fields of tax
- Gift wrapping
- Information technology network services
- Food safety consulting
- Electronic networks
- Electronic security
- Personal videography
- Banking services consulting
- Design and programming of electronic chips
FREELANCE LICENCE ABU DHABI BENEFITS
According to the Undersecretary of ADDED, His Excellency Rashid Abdul Kareem Al Balooshi, the new freelancer permit will greatly enhance the capital’s business sector and significantly reduce unemployment. Other benefits include the following:
- Allowing Abu Dhabi businesses to take advantage of a wider pool of expertise in the work market.
- Reducing the need for companies to hire people for positions in which services are required periodically.
- Providing employment opportunities for people such as students, housewives and retirees.
- Allowing working professionals with technical expertise the chance to increase their income by practising freelance activities after their regular work hours.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE LICENCE
People eligible for freelance licence in Abu Dhabi should fulfil the following criteria.
- Obtain a freelance work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
- Have a minimum of bachelor’s degree, a specialised diploma or equivalent.
- Have at least three years of experience in the same field or industry.
- Annual income from self-employment for the previous two years should not be less than AED 360,000 or give proof of financial solvency throughout the duration of residency in the UAE.
PROCESS TO OBTAIN FREELANCE LICENCE IN ABU DHABI
There are two ways you can apply for a freelance permit in Abu Dhabi:
- Call the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development at +971-2-815-888 to register a new account.
- Create an account with the Abu Dhabi Business Centre (ADBC) via their official website.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of freelance licence registration in Abu Dhabi via ADBC.
- Log in using UAE PASS
- Submit the application and required documents
- Obtain the approval of other entities (if required)
- Receive an approval notification
- Pay the applicable fees
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
The freelance licence Abu Dhabi requirement includes documents proving your expertise in your area of practice. This can be a university degree or certificate demonstrating your professional experience. Here’s a roundup of the required documents for Abu Dhabi freelance licence application.
- Attested certificate or proof of academic qualification or record by issuing entity
- Experience certificates
- No Objection Certificate
- Professional Certificates
Please note that non-citizens are required to attach an approval letter from the employer in the following cases:
- Working in a government entity
- Working in the private sector on a permanent contract and the required activity is the same as the employer’s activity.
FAQs
HOW LONG IS THE LICENCE VALID FOR?
A freelance licence in Abu Dhabi is valid for five years, with annual renewals required after the initial period has expired.
Important note: The permit allows holders to sponsor their family members in the UAE. However, the sponsorship will be under the family visa, not the company’s name.
WHAT IS THE COST OF FREELANCE LICENCE IN ABU DHABI?
For a licence with up to 6 activities, the cost is AED 790. For each additional activity, you will have to pay AED 100. The issuance cost is AED 10.
WHAT ARE THE MOST IN-DEMAND JOBS IN DUBAI?
The most in-demand jobs in Dubai include financial officers, risk managers and cybersecurity architects.
HOW DO I START A BUSINESS IN ABU DHABI?
The UAE capital has business-friendly policies. Here’s our guide to opening a business in Abu Dhabi.
That concludes our review of the freelancer licence in Abu Dhabi. If you are working freelance in the emirate and are looking for a workspace, you may also consider setting up at the co-working spaces in Abu Dhabi.
You can look for full-time or part-time work using popular job sites in the UAE.
Want to work as a freelancer in Dubai’s education, media and tech industry? Here’s our guide to freelance visa and permit in Dubai.
For more updates on work and residency permits in the UAE, stay tuned to MyBayut.