FAQ – Freelancer Licence Abu Dhabi

Freelancer Licence Abu Dhabi

Freelancer Licence Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence is proving popular with many individuals in the UAE who are looking to undertake freelance work, and to set up and obtain a resident visa and sponsor family members at lower entry costs and requirements.

Here we detail a number of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on this subject.

  1. How often do I need to renew the Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence and Investor Visa?
    The licence must be renewed with Abu Dhabi DED every 2 years and the visa renewed with Immigration every 3 years.

  2. What type of qualifications do I need to provide to obtain Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence?
    A Higher Education Certificate or Degree level qualification is required for most of the activities under the Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence. The qualification must be notarised and attested through the UAE Embassy in the country of original. The document is then sent to the UAE where it must be legally translated, and MOFA Stamped. Each activity will require different levels of qualification. PPR can assist with document attestation process and advise you if the qualification is sufficient for the chosen Freelancer activity.

  3. Do I need health insurance for the Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence?
    Yes, you must provide your own Abu Dhabi based local health insurance. The health insurance must be HAAD approved.

  4. What type of work can I carry out and can I work across the UAE with an Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence?
    There are 48 activities available to choose from. All activities are consultancy related. The Freelancer permit allows you to work across the UAE within this range of activities.
    The full activity list for the Abu Dhabi Freelancer Visa is present on the PPG Freelancer Page here www.propartnergroup.com/blog/2020/11/abu-dhabi-freelance-visa

  5. Can I sponsor dependants with an Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence?
    Yes you can. If you wish to sponsor dependants under you with the Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence you will need to show a copy of your Tawtheeq - lease agreement in Abu Dhabi. You will need to rent or own property in Abu Dhabi of sufficient size to house your dependants.

  6. Do I need to acquire office space for the Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence?
    No – office space is not required for an Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence.

  7. Am I able to open a bank account with an Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence?
    Yes. You can open a personal bank account under your investor visa. You will also be able to open a corporate bank account for the Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence itself, however you will need to move your visa onto the Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence and obtain an investor visa under this licence to be able to open a corporate account. Note that bank account processes and opening procedures will vary – we have a number of banking contacts that can assist you.

  8. Do I need to be VAT registered or pay any tax for the Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence?
    You are required to register for VAT if the company will exceed the VAT annual revenue threshold of AED 375,000 pa.

  9. Can I hire staff under the Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence?
    No – the permit does not allow you to obtain Labour Quota or to hire staff under the Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence. There are other options such as setting up a Freezone Company or a Mainland Licence to allow you to hire staff.

  10. Do I need a local sponsor and what type of legal structure is the Abu Dhabi Freelance Permit?
    You do not require a local sponsor or a local partner; the Abu Dhabi Freelancer Licence is 100% owned by you. The legal structure is a sole establishment, owned 100% by an individual, this is not a Limited Liability Company.

  11. Can I still apply for the Abu Dhabi Freelancer permit if I am currently holding an employment visa?
    Yes, you can still apply for the Freelance permit, you will need to provide an NOC letter from your employer. However, once your employment visa expires (or is cancelled), you will then need to transfer to the Abu Dhabi Investor visa under the Freelancer Licence. You will also need to obtain an Investor visa under the Freelancer Licence itself if you wish to open a Corporate Bank account.

  12. I am on a UAE Spouse Visa can I set up an Abu Dhabi Freelancer licence?
    Yes, you can apply for the Freelance permit as a spouse, sponsored by your husband or wife in UAE. You can obtain the 2 year Freelancer Licence from Abu Dhabi DED. You will need to transfer your visa to a 3 year Abu Dhabi Investor visa under the Freelancer Licence once your current Spouse visa expires. You will also need to obtain an Investor visa under the Freelancer Licence itself if you wish to open a Corporate Bank account for the Freelancer entity.

    You will need to set up the Abu Dhabi DED Freelancer Licence first, then register with the Abu Dhabi Immigration and eChannel system to be able to set up and obtain the visa.

    Note that once you move to the Investor Visa you will need to obtain local Abu Dhabi HAAD approved health insurance for yourself as part of the Investor Visa process. This must be considered as an extra cost of the licence as you may no longer be eligible for health insurance under your Spouse's company health insurance policy.

How can PRO Partner Group Help?

If you need assistance in obtaining a Freelancer Licence in Abu Dhabi and for all steps and assistance in obtaining the relevant investor and family visas please do get in touch with us at the Abu Dhabi Office on +971 (0)2 448 5120, email us at info@ppg.ae or complete the contact form below and we will be delighted to assist you.

Obtaining a business licence in Abu Dhabi can be complicated without the support and services of an experienced partner. PRO Partner Group can offer you access to an experienced team who will advise you on whether the freelancer licence is the right fit for you and can guide you through the application process and all the necessary steps to set-up the licence.

If you need assistance on this or any other related company setup, restructuring, local partner or PRO support matter in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, the wider UAE, Oman or Qatar, then please do get in touch with us on +971 (0)4 456 1761 for Dubai or +971 (0)2 448 5120 for Abu Dhabi, email us at info@ppg.ae or complete the contact form below and we will be delighted to assist you.

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