1. General information on freelance in the UAE
2. Freelance visa (for residence in the UAE)
3. Freelance permit (to carry out freelance activities in the UAE)
4. Freelance taxation
5. Check-list for freelancers
Labor legislation. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 On the Regulation of Employment Relations recognizes freelance as a permissible form of activity in the UAE. According to the definitions of the Law and Article 8 of Cabinet Decision No. 1 of 2022 on the Implementation of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, freelance is defined as an independent and flexible work arrangement, whereby the natural person generates income by providing his services for a specified period of time or performing a task or providing a specific service, whether for individuals or establishments.
At the same time, this natural person is in no way a worker for individuals or establishments. Accordingly, standard labor law guarantees (vacation, end-of-service benefits, etc.) do not apply to them.
Articles 6 and 8 of Cabinet Decision No. 1 of 2022 stipulate that freelance activities require a special freelance p...