Licence options: free zone or mainland

The Dubai Development Authority (DDA) offers a Freelance License (Sole Professional License). It identifies the holder as a sole practitioner, who trades under their birth name, not a brand name.

DDA's stated freelancer permit fee is AED 7,500 (AED 7,500 per annum in the licensing decision), plus AED 10 'Knowledge Dirham' and AED 10 'Innovation Dirham' per transaction.

DDA lists these documents for a freelancer permit: passport copy with residence visa page (if any), NOC from external authorities where applicable under the Licensing Categories Decision, and a self-declaration form if the applicant holds a valid visa.

DDA's licence categories decision covers freelancer segments in four areas: ICT freelancers (e.g. web, mobile and software development; data science), media freelancers (e.g. animator, graphic designer, photographer), education freelancers (e.g. trainer, researcher) and design/fashion freelancers. The decision covers Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Park and other TECOM-area zones.

Under DDA rules a Freelancer is not a Licensee and not an employee for the purposes of the free zone Employment Regulations. Freelancers must also obtain NOCs or approvals from the relevant UAE authorities and comply with applicable laws.

DMCC's licensing rules let a natural person apply for a Freelance Licence, which must cover one or more Approved Freelance Activities. DMCC markets this as 'FreelanceUAE'.

DMCC's FreelanceUAE activity list includes software developer, web developer, graphic designer, copywriter, digital marketer, photographer, translator/interpreter, influencer/content creator, personal trainer and life coach, among others. Some entries are online sellers (E-Seller) of goods.

DMCC's schedule of charges lists FreelanceUAE Package 1 at AED 4,020. It includes only the FreelanceUAE licence (no visa), valid for 1 year. All charges are subject to AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation Dirham fees, and DMCC may change fees without notice.

DMCC's blog lists two larger FreelanceUAE packages: Plus at AED 9,136 (1-year licence, visa and establishment card) and Premium at AED 14,136 (2-year setup with visa and establishment card). The same amounts appear as Package 2 and 3 in DMCC's renewal charges.

DMCC (a Dubai free zone) offers a freelance licence called FreelanceUAE; DMCC's guide says the package includes a FreelanceUAE licence, an Establishment Card and a Residency Visa, with the visa giving residency for two years and an Emirates ID.

DMCC licences are valid for permitted activities conducted 'in or from' the DMCC Free Zone.

Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) launched a 'Talent Pass' licence in January 2022 for freelance work (self-employment), aimed at fields including media, education, technology, art, marketing and consultancy; the announcement said it qualifies the holder for a three-year residence visa. The release is dated 2022, so current terms need checking with DAFZ.

Dubai free zones each have their own rules, regulations and regulatory authorities. dubai.ae says Dubai has more than 20 free zones, and u.ae says to check with each free zone authority about which company types it registers.

Free zone company types include the Free Zone Establishment (FZE) and Free Zone Company (FZ Co.). dubai.ae says an FZE is registered by a single shareholder, who can be an individual or a company; an FZCO needs at least two shareholders.

DDA also offers company structures, such as the Free Zone LLC (FZ-LLC), a separate legal entity with shareholders who are individuals or corporates, and a branch of a foreign or UAE company. These are separate from the Freelancer permit.

Mainland means all areas of Dubai outside the free zones, and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) manages registration and licensing of mainland companies.

dubai.ae lists five mainland licence types: Industrial, Commercial, Professional, E-Trader and Dual. u.ae, citing Invest in Dubai, lists eight for Dubai: industrial, commercial, professional, eTrader, dual, instant, SME and Intelaq. Neither list has a licence named 'freelance'.

u.ae notes that Abu Dhabi has a separate 'freelancer licence' among its licence types, which is distinct from the Dubai licence list.

dubai.ae describes the mainland Professional Licence as for individuals who offer professional services based on their intellectual or artistic abilities.

The E-Trader Licence is a home-based licence for individuals selling products or services through social media and online platforms. It is issued only as a Sole Proprietorship, with the owner bearing full legal responsibility. dubai.ae also says all eTrade licences need an approval or NOC from the TDRA.

dubai.ae describes a mainland Sole Proprietorship as a business owned by one person who is personally liable for all of its financial obligations.

A mainland Limited Liability Company (LLC) limits partners' liability to their capital share. It can be owned by a UAE national or any other individual or company regardless of nationality, with up to 50 partners.

Most business activities allow 100% foreign ownership. Certain strategic sectors do not, and need an Emirati partner. Some activities also need approvals from other government bodies.

u.ae says free zone companies are outside the mainland jurisdiction: to sell goods or services locally they must use a licensed mainland distributor, set up a mainland branch or company, or obtain the required mainland licences or approvals. In Dubai, Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 sets out those licences and permits.

Dubai's Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 lets DET authorise a free zone 'Establishment' (a company or corporation) to work in Dubai outside free zones via a branch licence or a temporary permit of up to six months. The temporary permit costs AED 5,000; the branch licence out of the free zone costs AED 10,000 a year.

The Resolution No. 11 of 2025 defines an 'Establishment' as a company or corporation licensed by a free zone authority, and does not apply to financial establishments licensed in DIFC.

The Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit (launched 8 Oct 2025) is for free zone companies holding a Dubai Unified Licence. At first it covers non-regulated activities such as technology, consultancy, design and professional services, and mainland revenue is subject to 9% corporate tax.