Freelance permit & visa
Activity selection and your permit application, plus optional 1 or 2 year residence visa with Emirates ID support.
Complete freelance solutions in the UAE
Everything you need to freelance in the UAE.
Freelance permit and visa, office, accounting, VAT and tax support, and business setup when you grow. One partner for consultants, creatives, developers and other independent professionals.
- Freelance permit and 1 or 2 year residence visa, handled for you
- Office, accounting, VAT and tax support from the same team
- Business setup when you are ready to grow into a company
Eligibility and government approval apply. ACOUP is a private company, not a government entity.
Your Freelance Permit
or License
starts from
AED4,888
Let's find your fit
Find out if you qualify for a freelance permit and visa
Tell us your profession and where you live today. An ACOUP adviser will confirm your eligibility, the right licence for your activity and the documents you'll need.
UAE-licensed companyEstablished in Dubai in 2023, with an office in Edinburgh, UK.
Officially licensedPermits and licences issued by the relevant UAE authorities.
A real person, start to finishOne adviser on WhatsApp and phone from enquiry to visa stamping.
Freelancer eligibility check
Step 1 of 3 · Contact detailsTakes about two minutes. First, your contact details.
Please enter your full name.
Please enter a valid WhatsApp number.
Please enter a valid email address.
Freelance permits are issued for specific professional activities. Tell us what you do.
Please tell us your job title, skills or specialisation.
Nearly done. A few quick questions so your adviser can prepare the right package.
Please choose one.
Please choose one.
Please select your current country.
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Our freelance solutions
One partner, from permit to growth
Freelancing in the UAE means a permit, a visa, a business address, your books and your taxes. One ACOUP adviser looks after all of it, so you can get on with client work.
Office & flexi-desk
A professional business address and flexi-desk options to suit how and where you work.
Accounting, VAT & tax
Bookkeeping, VAT-ready invoices, client contracts, and VAT and corporate tax guidance for your freelance income.
Business setup
Ready to grow? We help you set up a mainland or free zone company, plus renewals and bank introductions.
Exclusive Free1-Year Membership
Dedicated freelancer portal to manage leads, clients and projects
How it works
Check my eligibility
From enquiry to working, in three steps
Start with the package that fits your situation. We'll tell you exactly what's needed upfront.
01
Talk to an adviser
Share your profession, where you live now and whether you need a residence visa. We'll recommend the right package.
02
Send your documents
Passport, photo and a few details. We prepare and submit the permit and visa applications on your behalf.
03
Start working
Once approved, take on clients under your permit, with ACOUP on hand for renewals and admin throughout.
Freelance permit & visa packages
Choose your package
Already on a UAE visa? Take the permit only. Need residence too? Choose 1 or 2 years. You'll have a dedicated adviser from day one.
Permit only
Freelance Permit
For professionals who already hold a UAE residence visa and need a permit to freelance.
AED4,888
First year · excl. VAT
Renewal: AED 5,000
Get started
What we take care of
- Freelance permit application
- Activity selection advice
- Contract & invoice templates
- Bank account introduction
- Dedicated adviser
Need a UAE residence visa too? Choose a Permit + Visa package.
Most popular · 1-year visa
Permit + Visa, 1 Year
For professionals who need UAE residence alongside their freelance permit.
AED9,950
First year · excl. VAT
Renewal: AED 8,950
Get started
Everything in Permit, plus
- 1-year UAE residence visa
- Entry permit & status change
- Medical & Emirates ID booking
- Visa stamping support
- Renewal reminders
Best value · 2-year visa
Permit + Visa, 2 Years
Lock in two years of permit and residence with one application.
AED13,950
Two-year package · excl. VAT
Renewal confirmed before term ends
Get started
Everything in Permit, plus
- 2-year UAE residence visa
- Entry permit & status change
- Medical & Emirates ID booking
- Visa stamping support
- Priority adviser support
Not sure which package fits? Talk it through with an adviser. It takes ten minutes.
Let's find your fit*Prices exclude VAT. Eligibility, activity and document requirements apply. Government and third-party fees are included only where stated in your written quotation.
Your adviser, your updates
Always know where things stand
No chasing. Your ACOUP adviser keeps you updated at every stage, from first submission to renewal.
Your application
✓
Documents receivedDay 1✓
Freelance permit approvedDay 4✓
Entry permit issuedDay 74
Medical test bookedIn progress5
Emirates ID biometricsNext6
Residence visa stampedNextRecent invoices
| Client | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Retail brand, Dubai | AED 18,500 | Paid |
| Hospitality group | AED 9,200 | Due in 7 days |
| Tech start-up | AED 12,000 | Sent |
| Agency retainer | AED 6,500 | Paid |
Documents on file
| Document | Expires | |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance permit | Nov 2027 | Valid |
| Residence visa | Nov 2027 | Valid |
| Emirates ID | Nov 2027 | Valid |
| Passport | Mar 2027 | Renew soon |
Messages with your adviser
YouCan I add a second activity to my permit later?
ACOUP adviserYes, in most cases. I'll send you the form and the fee today.
YouPerfect, thank you!
Screens are illustrative. Government decisions and processing times are set by the relevant UAE authorities.
Who it's for
Built for independent professionals
If you sell your skills to clients rather than to one employer, a freelance permit and visa is usually the simplest way to do it legally in the UAE.
01
Moving to the UAE
Bring your clients with you. Apply from abroad and enter on your own freelance visa.
02
Leaving a full-time job
Switch from your employer's visa to your own, without leaving the country.
03
On a family visa
Sponsored by a spouse or parent? Take a permit only and start invoicing clients legally.
04
Remote & global freelancers
Base yourself in Dubai while serving clients in the UAE and abroad.
Eligible professions
Professional categories we cover
Your job title, skills or specialisation needs to fall under one of these categories to qualify for a freelance permit.
FAQ
Freelance solutions questions
What is a UAE freelance permit?
It's an official UAE licence that lets you work for yourself and invoice clients under your own name, without setting up a company. Combined with a residence visa, it lets you live and work in the UAE.
Do I need to be in the UAE to apply?
No. You can start from abroad. We issue your entry permit, you fly in, and we complete the medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping once you arrive. If you're already here, we can usually change your status without you leaving the country.
How long does it take?
Timelines depend on your activity, your nationality and the authorities' processing, so your adviser will give you an estimate for your case before you pay. Approval and processing times are not guaranteed.
What documents will I need?
Usually a passport copy, a passport-size photo, your current visa (if in the UAE) and a CV or portfolio showing your profession. Some activities need a degree or professional certificate. We'll send you the exact checklist.
I already have a UAE visa. Do I still need the visa package?
Not necessarily. If you're on a family or other valid residence visa, the Permit only package may be all you need. Your adviser will confirm what your current visa allows.
Can I work with more than one client?
Yes. That's the point of a freelance permit: you can take on multiple clients within the activities listed on your permit.
Can I sponsor my family on a freelance visa?
In many cases, yes, subject to UAE income and sponsorship requirements. Ask your adviser about your situation.
Can you provide an office address?
Yes. We offer a business address and flexi-desk options. Your adviser will recommend what suits your permit and the way you work.
Do you handle accounting, VAT and corporate tax?
Yes. We keep your books, set up VAT-ready invoices and tell you when UAE VAT or corporate tax rules apply to your income, so your records are ready for filing.
Can you help me set up a company later?
Yes. When you outgrow a freelance permit, we advise on mainland or free zone company setup and can add payroll and HR support when you start hiring.
How do I know my final price?
After a quick call, your adviser sends you a written quotation for your activity and visa needs, so you see your full price before you pay anything.
Client reviews
What our clients say
"The platform is easy to use, and the entire process is straightforward. I could complete everything without any confusion."
Arjun SharmaSoftware Engineer | India
"A simple, well-designed platform that saves time. Everything is clearly explained, and the experience feels professional."
James WilsonMarketing Manager | United Kingdom
"Very convenient and easy to navigate. The process was smooth, and I appreciated how quickly I could get started."
Omar Al MansouriBusiness Development Executive | UAE
Ready when you are
Start freelancing in the UAE the right way
Tell us about your work, residence, office and accounting needs. An adviser will explain the right package, what it costs and what happens next.
Book a call back
Leave your number and an ACOUP adviser will call you at a time that suits you.
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Send the prepared message in WhatsApp to request your call back. You can also reach us on +971 4 218 0400.