Residence Permit in Dubai Without Opening a Company

Vitaly decided to move to Dubai to establish himself as a self-employed programmer. Especially now, as the country of great opportunities encourages such initiatives at the federal level.

He reached out to us for intermediary assistance in obtaining a visa and the appropriate license. After discussing his plans with us, we identified several options for securing a freelance visa, which allows him to legally provide services to both local and international clients in the UAE and abroad.

Among the proposed free zones, Vitaly chose Dubai, and our legal expert began the application process. Since the client provided a complete set of documents, the procedure took just over three weeks.

The processes of obtaining the visa and license were resolved almost simultaneously. Through a special online platform, we submitted an application for freelance authorization, attaching the following:

• A scanned copy of his passport,
• A digital passport-sized photo,
• His resume,
• The client’s business plan,
• A visa application letter,
• A bank statement.

A positive response regarding the license arrived by email after eight days. Three days later, Vitaly was approved for a resident visa. Our enthusiastic client traveled to Dubai and sent us a copy of his passport with the entry visa stamp just three days after arrival.

The only remaining formalities were obtaining the resident visa and the establishment card confirming his authorization for freelance activities. While in Dubai, Vitaly underwent a medical examination, obtained his Emirates ID, and provided us with certified copies of his documents. Our agency submitted the complete package to Dubai's immigration service, and two weeks later, the young specialist became a full-fledged resident authorized for freelance work in the UAE. Vitaly independently handled the opening of a bank account. He can now legally offer his services as an independent contractor to both local and international companies.

Self-employment in the UAE – Access to New Opportunities

For Vitaly, obtaining a three-year freelance visa along with a license for independent activities proved to be the optimal solution. This approach allowed him to gain UAE residency status without setting up a company while retaining the option to establish one in the future. Vitaly is a promising professional with over five years of remote work experience.

Opting for a freelance visa proved to be a much more cost-effective solution compared to setting up a company in a free zone. This way, he can focus on his passion, independently choosing his partners and accessing free zone business centers without the need to rent an office.

By following Vitaly’s example, specialists not only from the IT sector but also from other fields can become freelancers in the UAE.