How Much Does a Freelance Visa Cost in Dubai?
The cost of a freelance visa in Dubai depends on three things: which free zone issues it, whether the visa is bundled with the licence, and how long it lasts. This guide lists each cost line and shows the published prices from two of the main zones.
Key takeaways
- The total has four parts: licence, establishment card, visa, and medical and Emirates ID.
- Zones publish different prices, and some bundle parts together.
- A cheap licence price can leave out the visa, so compare the full package.
- Fees change, so confirm the current price before you pay.
The Cost Lines
| Cost line | What it is | How it varies |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance licence | The yearly permit to carry out your activity | Set by the zone and the activity |
| Establishment card | Immigration file needed before a visa | Set by the zone |
| Residence visa | Residency for one, two or three years | Longer visas cost more upfront |
| Medical and Emirates ID | Required with each new visa | Fixed government charges |
| Renewal | Licence yearly, visa at the end of its term | Usually close to the first-year price |
Published Prices Compared
| Zone and package | Includes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Media City GoFreelance | Licence only | AED 7,520 |
| Dubai Media City visa | One-year / two-year visa | AED 4,600 / 5,042 |
| Dubai Media City establishment card | Needed for the visa | AED 2,000 |
| DMCC FreelanceUAE Standard | One-year licence only | AED 4,020 |
| DMCC FreelanceUAE Plus | Licence, visa and establishment card | AED 9,136 |
| RAKEZ | Visas of one, two or three years | Not published online |
Adding the Dubai Media City lines for a one-year visa gives AED 7,520 for the licence, AED 2,000 for the establishment card and AED 4,600 for the visa, before the medical test and Emirates ID. DMCC’s Plus package at AED 9,136 bundles the licence, visa and establishment card, so the two zones are not directly comparable until you add up the parts.
How to Keep the Cost Down
- Compare full packages, not headline licence prices.
- Ask whether a two-year visa works out cheaper per year than renewing.
- Check that your activity is on the zone’s permitted list before you pay.
- Ask what is not included, such as medical and Emirates ID.
Our Dubai freelance visa page lists the zones that issue freelance visas, and the cost calculator gives you a figure for your activity. See also freelance visa vs freelance permit, the RAKEZ free zone and the Dubai Media City pages. Our sister site explains hidden UAE setup costs most quotes leave out, and companyformationinuae.com has more guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the zone and package. Published prices include AED 4,020 for a DMCC licence without a visa and AED 9,136 for the DMCC package with visa. Dubai Media City lists AED 7,520 for the licence, AED 2,000 for the establishment card and AED 4,600 for a one-year visa.
Not always. At Dubai Media City the visa is separate. At DMCC the Plus package includes it.
At Dubai Media City a two-year visa is AED 5,042 against AED 4,600 for one year, so the second year adds little. Check the current fee.
Medical testing and Emirates ID, and in some cases health insurance. Ask the zone or EZONE for the full list.
Yes. Zones update their prices, so confirm before paying.
