Abu Dhabi Freelancer License Complete Guide
The Abu Dhabi freelancer license allows an individual to practise professional activities based on their own skill set. It is ideal for individuals wanting to start their own business in a field in which they are qualified and competent.
Abu Dhabi Freelancer License - Overview
Cheapest license-type in Abu Dhabi
Quick to set up - usually within 2-3 working days
100% foreign ownership - individual owner. No local sponsor required
Abu Dhabi mainland license - operate throughout Abu Dhabi Emirate
Work with Abu Dhabi government, ADNOC, Mubadala etc.
No office space needed
Flexibility to work from home, remote work etc.
12 months validity, renewable annually
Limited choice of business activities
Can't hire employees
Freelancer visa - optional, with ability to sponsor family visas
Must have a valid Emirates ID at time of application
Some banks may offer corporate banking facilities
Abu Dhabi Freelancer License: Eligibility & Suitability
Applicants must be over 18
UAE Citizens
GCC nationals (must have previously visited the UAE)
UAE residents
Startups (individual owners only)
Freelancers and skilled professionals
Entrepreneurs and solo-preneurs
One-man bads and sole proprietors
Side hustles: test the market whilst remaining in full time employment
Side hustles: build up a regular monthly income before quitting the 9-to-5
Skilled housewives wanting to boost their household income
Redundant professionals wanting to stay in the UAE
Skilled professionals wanting control of their visa
Abu Dhabi Freelancer License: Legal Structure & Ownership
Mainland or Free Zone
The Abu Dhabi freelancer license is a mainland license, issused by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), enabling the license holder to work throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This is not a free zone license.
Legal Form
The Abu Dhabi freelancer license takes on the legal form of an establishment, which means it is wholly-owned by one person, who assumes total responsibility for the finances and liabilities associated with the license, in their individual capacity.
Ownership
The freelancer license is owned 100% by an individual as it relates specifically to the specialist skills of the individual holding the license.
If two or more persons are wanting to start a business together, the freelance license is not suitable. An alternative license-type should be considered.
Share Capital
N/A
Local Sponsor?
There is no requirement for a local sponsor.
Commercial Premises
Work from anywhere. There is no requirement to lease an office or commercial space with the Abu Dhabi freelancer license. This means the license holder saves money and has the flexibility to work from home, their client's premises, a coffee shop, co-working space, or wherever they want. The freelancer license in Abu Dhabi is ideal for today’s modern professionals who work on-the-go. However, a lease in the name of the freelancer license may be required to avail corporate banking facilities with your preferred bank.
Existing Residence Visa
Expat applicants must already be resident in the UAE with a valid Emirates ID card at the time of application. It is not necessary to make any changes to your existing visa status unless you want to cancel it and apply for a visa under your your freelancer license once it has been issued.
The freelancer license is ideal for individuals wanting to start a side business, whilst still in full-time employment. It enables the license holder to continue working under their existing employer's visa sponsorship, whilst building up sufficient regular income for themselves, before commiting to going 100% all-in and being fully self-employed. (The individual should check they won't be contravening any non-compete agreements they might have signed with their existing employer, if they will be providing the same/similar services, which would be in direct competition.)
Abu Dhabi Freelancer Visa
Abu Dhabi Freelancer license holders can apply for a residence visa, if required or retain their existing visa.
To move your visa under your new license, DO NOT cancel your existing visa until your freelancer license has been issued. Upon issuance of your license, you can arrange for your existing visa to be cancelled. Gateway Group will register your freelancer license in Immigration and apply for your Establishment Card, which is mandatory before starting your visa application. It will be necessary for you to be in-country throughout this process. Upon successfully obtaining your visa, you can then sponsor your family members.
Abu Dhabi Freelancer License Details
Trade License Application
Upon submission of the complete information, the license application is usually reviewed quickly, with the license issuance following within two to three working days.
Trade License Validity
The Abu Dhabi Freelancer License is issued for a period of 12 months.
Trade License Renewal
The Abu Dhabi Freelancer License needs to be renewed annually. Delays in renewing the license will incur fines for the company, which will increase each month the license is not renewed.
Trade License Cancellation
When the Abu Dhabi Freelancer License is no longer required, it needs to be liquidated and removed from the official registry. Failure to cancel the license will result in fines accruing, as well as liabilities relating to non-filing of tax returns.
Abu Dhabi Freelancer License: Essential Information
Business Activities
A limited but broad selection of 100 business activities can be carried out under the Abu Dhabi freelancer license. Traditionally, the business activities were restricted to professional services, mainly in media, IT and education. However, the selection of business activities has been extended to include a variety of consultancy services, making it an ideal solution for consultants wishing to give up the corporate 9-to-5 or try their hand at a side-hustle.
A number of arts and crafts activities are also available under Abu Dhabi's freelancer license, making it a cost effective license for creatives, crafters, artisans and individuals specializing in handmade creations.
The latest activities to be added, on 15th August 2024, include new and in-demand sectors, such as AI, as well as activities considered vital for the UAE's economy.
Business Name
Usually, freelancers work under their own name. However, the Abu Dhabi freelancer license, requires a trade name (business name). This feature of the freelancer license provides two key benefits.
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Ability to build a brand identify - conveys professionalism, credibility and confidence.
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Ability to open a corporate bank account - helps freelancers to keep their work and personal transactions separate.
The business name must reflect the business activity listed on the license.
Employing Staff
It is not possible to employ staff with Abu Dhabi's freelance licence. Therefore, if the license holder anticipates needing staff, an alternative license-type should be considered.
A work around could be to contract other freelancers, when needed, to support the local freelance community.
Business Bank Account Opening
Given that the Abu Dhabi freelance licence operates under a trade name rather than in the license holder's personal name, means some banks may allow the opening of corporate bank accounts. However, not all banks offer this facility, so it will be necessary for the license holder to check if their preferred bank accommodates this. (Bear in mind, banks regularly update their account features and conditions to be competive, reflect their current appetite for risk and to comply with industry regulations.)
Exit Strategy
The Abu Dhabi freelancer license is ideal if the license holder just wants it to legally practise their skills for a period of time, or whilst they are living in the UAE, and has no intention of building an empire to sell in the future. When the time arrives to stop providing your services, it is simply a case of cancelling the license. If the intention is to build up a business to sell in the future, this is unlikely to be the most suitable license-type.
Abu Dhabi Freelancer License & Visa Requirements
Freelancer License Requirements
✔️ Full name
✔️ Date of birth
✔️ Nationality
✔️ Residential address (inc. verification, e.g. utility bill)
✔️ Mobile number
✔️ Email address
✔️ Source of funds
✔️ UAE Pass app registration
✔️ UID Number (overseas GCC applicants)
✔️ Passport copy (6 months validity)
✔️ Visa copy (expat applicants)
✔️ Emirates ID copy
✔️ Proof of expertise relevant to the business activity being applied for: attested university degree, attested certificate of experience or attested accredited accomplishments
✔️ Arabic No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (applicants employed in the UAE).
✔️ Purpose of the transaction.
Freelancer License & Visa Requirements
✔️ Everything in Freelancer License Only
✔️ High resolution, passport size, studio photo, white background, without eye glasses, soft copy
✔️ Marital status
✔️ Mother’s name
✔️ Religion
✔️ Home country residential address
✔️ Home country telephone number
✔️ UAE residential address
✔️ Existing residence visa copy
✔️ Existing Emirates ID copy
✔️ Health insurance (to be arranged during the visa application process)
Choose the Perfect Package for You.
Abu Dhabi
Freelancer License Company Setup
Starting at
$1,999
All fees included.
Ideal for professionals just wanting a license, without the administrative hassle.
What's included in the price
✔️ ALL license setup fees
✔️ Client document review
✔️ DED application preparation & submission
✔️ Immigration approval
✔️ Trade name reservation
✔️ Special approvals (certain activities)
✔️ Abu Dhabi Freelancer License
✔️ Email Freelancer License
✔️ Email Commercial Registration Certificate
✔️ Access to our Business Setup team
✔️ A company ready to start operating
What's NOT included in the price
❌ Company Stamp
❌ Commercial Premises (not required)
❌ Visa
❌ Annual renewal fee, currently $999*.
Most of the Abu Dhabi Freelancer License setup packages cost $1,999 fully inclusive of all government, third party and Gateway Group fees. Those, which have business activities requiring special approvals from various government departments are more expensive to cover the additional fees.
Abu Dhabi
Freelancer License Company Setup & Residence Visa
Starting at
$5,199
All fees included.
Perfect for individuals seeking both a license and visa solution.
What's included in the price
✔️ ALL license setup & visa processing fees
✔️ Abu Dhabi Freelancer License
✔️ Immigration registration
✔️ Establishment card
✔️ License holder's visa processing
✔️ Visa medical
✔️ Emirates ID card
✔️ Notarized Specimen Signature
✔️ Company Stamp
✔️ Abu Dhabi residence visa
✔️ Access to our team of experts
What's NOT included in the price
❌ Health Insurance
❌ Commercial Premises (not required)
❌ Annual renewal fee, currently $1,899**.
Most of the Abu Dhabi Freelancer License & Visa packages cost $5,199 fully inclusive of all government, third party and Gateway Group fees. Those, which have business activities requiring special approvals from various government departments are more expensive to cover the additional fees.
Get Started Today
Talk to one of Gateway Group's company formation and visa experts.
Small Print
* Annual Renewal Fee is based upon current rates, which include third party fees outside of our control, and are therefore subject to change. This fee is provided for information purposes only. When we are made aware of third party fee changes we will update the relevant fees on our website, accordingly. Please check our website closer to the time of your renewal for the current fees at that time. We will send a renewal notification to our clients prior to the license renewal date confirming the exact fees at that time. You are welcome to contact our team to check the renewal fees: Contact Us.
** Annual Renewal Fee for the license and visa package will be for the license and associated fees (first renewal); and will be for the license and the visa (second renewal) due to the license being valid for 12 months and the visa being valid for two years. The Annual Renewal Fee for the license and associated fees is $1,899 (first renewal); and for the license and the visa is $3,099 (second renewal) based upon current rates, which include third party fees outside of our control, and are therefore subject to change. This fee is provided for information purposes only. When we are made aware of third party fee changes we will update the relevant fees on our website, accordingly. Please check our website closer to the time of your renewal for the current fees at that time.
Abu Dhabi Freelancer License. Page updated 28 August 2024.