Freelance visa cost in Dubai & the UAE — from AED 10,800 all-in
What a UAE freelance visa actually costs in 2026 — the permit, the residence visa and every government fee, in one honest number. Compared across 9 verified free zones. No sales calls.
How much does a freelance visa cost in the UAE?
In 2026, a UAE freelance visa — a freelance permit plus a renewable residence visa — costs from AED 10,800 all-in at Ajman NuVentures Centre, which is the cheapest route; the permit on its own is AED 4,888. Fujairah Creative City offers a dedicated freelance and creative permit at AED 12,500 all-in, and SRTIP in Sharjah is the same at AED 12,500. If clients expect a Dubai address, the lowest Dubai option is IFZA at AED 17,615, then Meydan at AED 24,450. Every figure is all-in: the permit or licence, government and free-zone fees, and the complete residence-visa block (entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping). The breakdown below compares all the routes so you can see exactly what drives the price.
The cheapest freelance visa routes, ranked
The lowest all-in freelance visa in the UAE is Ajman NuVentures Centre at AED 10,800 (permit + one residence visa). For a dedicated freelance/creative permit, Fujairah Creative City is AED 12,500 with a flexi-desk included. A freelancer rarely needs an office, so the cheapest flexi-desk zone usually wins — Dubai zones cost more mainly for the address, not the visa. Permit-only (zero-visa) setups start at AED 4,888.
| Free zone | Emirate | Permit + 1 visa | Permit only | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman NuVentures CentreCheapest | Ajman | AED 10,800 | AED 4,888 | Lowest-cost freelance visa |
| Fujairah Creative CityBest freelance permit | Fujairah | AED 12,500 | AED 4,900 | Media & creative freelancers |
| SRTIP | Sharjah | AED 12,500 | AED 5,500 | Tech & consulting freelancers |
| SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 13,165 | AED 5,750 | Broad solo activities |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 14,000 | AED 6,000 | Solo trading |
| IFZA | Dubai (DSO) | AED 17,615 | AED 12,900 | Cheapest Dubai address |
| Meydan | Dubai | AED 24,450 | AED 12,500 | Prime Dubai address |
All-in = freelance permit/licence + government fees + the full residence-visa block. Prices are live Formenzo figures for 2026 and exclude optional add-ons (extra activities, dependant visas). Confirm your exact number with the free calculator.
What you actually pay for
A freelance visa is two things bundled together — the permit that lets you trade, and the residence visa that lets you live here. Both are inside every all-in figure above.
The freelance permit
Issued in your own name by the free zone — your legal right to invoice clients. This is what makes the residence visa possible. Permit-only starts at AED 4,888.
The residence-visa block
Entry permit, change of status, medical test, Emirates ID and visa stamping — the full government process for one renewable residence visa, bundled in.
Flexi-desk address
A registered shared-desk address that satisfies the free zone — no private office needed, which is why solo founders keep costs low.
No hidden extras
The headline number is the number. Optional add-ons (extra activities, dependant visas) are shown separately, never baked-in surprises.
Dubai vs the rest of the UAE
The residence visa itself is federal — the same document whether your permit is in Dubai, Ajman or Sharjah. So a "Dubai freelance visa" is not a different or better visa; you are paying for a Dubai-registered address. That is why the cheapest UAE freelance visa (Ajman, AED 10,800) is roughly AED 7,000–14,000 less than the Dubai routes (IFZA AED 17,615, Meydan AED 24,450) for the same legal outcome.
If your clients never check where your licence is registered — common for remote consultants, developers, writers and designers — an Ajman, Fujairah or Sharjah permit gives you the identical visa for far less. If a Dubai address matters for your brand or local clients, IFZA is the lowest Dubai entry point.
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Open the free calculator →Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest freelance visa in the UAE?
Ajman NuVentures Centre at AED 10,800 all-in (permit + one residence visa). If you do not need a visa yet, the freelance permit alone starts at AED 4,888.
How much is a freelance visa in Dubai specifically?
The lowest Dubai route is IFZA at AED 17,615 (permit + 1 visa), then Meydan at AED 24,450. The residence visa is identical to the cheaper emirates — in Dubai you are paying for the address.
What does the freelance visa price include?
The permit/licence, all government and free-zone fees, and the full residence-visa block: entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID and stamping. No hidden add-ons in the headline price.
Do I need a company to get a freelance visa?
No — a freelance permit in your own name is enough, and it is what makes the residence visa possible. Some freelancers later upgrade to a single-shareholder FZ-LLC for broader activities.
How long is the residence visa valid?
Free-zone residence visas are typically two years and renewable; the permit renews annually. The prices here cover the first residence visa issued alongside the permit.
Get your freelance all-in cost in writing
Send your name and WhatsApp or email — we reply with the exact all-in figure for your freelance permit and visa, locked 14 days in writing. No calls, ever.