What I paid for my UAE freelance visa (and what cost more than it should have)

Breaking down the real costs of freelancing in the UAE - so you don’t overspend like I did

With so many topics floating around my head for this newsletter, it has been hard to know where to start. My husband had some decent advice: start with the basics.

While not all my readers are based in the UAE, this is the location I know the best and there are also a range of options for freelancers getting set up here.

I’ll do more posts in the future on how to get started in other regional destinations, collaborating with local freelancers to get the most up-to-date and useful information.

Why get a freelance permit in the UAE

It might be tempting to freelance without a permit in the UAE – I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to build a career and profile, anyway. Firstly, it’s illegal to operate as a freelancer here without it. I’ve also had to use my paperwork to secure jobs numerous times, particularly with companies headquartered outside of the region.

I recommend reading this comprehensive breakdown by Virtuzone about the various options for permits and visas across the UAE.

That said, with the most comprehensive guide in the world, it can still be a bit of a minefield to navigate. Plus, there are so many options these days it’s hard to know where to start. While most visa guides tell you freelance permits cost somewhere between AED7,500 to AED12,000 (give or take), that’s rarely the full story. After accounting for medical tests, PRO fees and renewal costs, you’re highly likely to end up paying more than you expected.

In this guide, I’ll break down exactly what I paid, a checklist of what I needed to apply, the hidden costs, the pros and cons, and what I wish I’d done differently before applying (that would have saved me money).