Freelancing has opened numerous working opportunities worldwide, and Abu Dhabi is no exception. Many students, housewives, and others earn money through online jobs while balancing their personal lives.
To improve and legalise your working experience, the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA) introduced a freelancer License abu dhabiin Abu Dhabi. This permit widens the horizons for self-employed and freelance workers by offering several opportunities. So, let’s discuss everything about the freelancer licence in Abu Dhabi!
- Overview
- Allowed Economic Activities
- Eligibility Criteria
- Required Document
- Required Fees
- Application Process
- Benefits
- FAQs
Overview of Freelancer License in Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), through the Abu Dhabi Business Centre (ADBC), has enhanced its Freelancer Professional Licence to make freelancing in the UAE more accessible for both nationals and residents. This initiative supports full-time employees, students, retirees and aspiring entrepreneurs by enabling them to pursue freelance work across a diverse range of industries, without the need for a local sponsor or office space.
With the recent addition of 30 new business activities, ranging from Artificial Intelligence (AI) development and 3D imaging production models to data analysis and online player support services, the licence now covers 100 specialised fields. Moreover, the permit also allows holders to apply for UAE residence visas without requiring an office space.
List of Economic Activities
ADDED has mentioned a hundred business activities that a freelancer can perform in Abu Dhabi. Whether your work domain is artificial intelligence or arts and crafts, as long as your business idea does not conflict with the provided list, it is permissible.
So, let’s have a look at what types of economic activities are allowed to freelancers in Abu Dhabi:
| Data Entry | Gaming Quality Assurance Specialised Services | Fashion and Apparel Design |
| Photography Location Management Services | Simultaneous Translation Services | Fine Arts Consultancy |
| Economic Feasibility Consultancy and Studies | Electronic Chips Designing and Programming | Hotel Consultancy |
| Information Technology Network Services | Personal Videotaping | Human Resources Consultancy |
| Gaming Development Services | Food Safety Consulting | Statistical Services Consultancies |
| Distributed Ledger Technology Services | Heritage Consulting | Information Research Services and Questionnaires |
| Handicrafted Products and Environmental Works | Plague Resisting Consultancy | Organising Exhibitions of ArtWorks |
| Housekeeping Consulting | Procurement Consulting | Cyber Risk Management Services |
| Gaming Consultancy Services | Cooking Consultant | Database Design |
| Consulting and Advertising Studies | E-Commerce Through Social Media | Calligraphers and Painters |
| Commodities Designing Consultancy | Precious Jewel and Jewelry Design | Building Energy Efficiency Services |
| Green Buildings Consultant | Silk Screening | Consulting Audit Legitimate Transactions of Islamic Financial Institutions |
| Cyber Security Consultancy | Plastering and Carving works | Development and Innovation in Computer Systems and Programmes |
| Information Technology Consultancy | Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Research and Consultancies | Space Consultancies |
| Network Consultancies | Parties and Occasions Photography | Photography Services |
| Transportation Consultancy | Production Models by 3D Imaging | Administrative Consultancy and Studies |
| Onshore and Offshore Oil and Gas Fields and Facilities Services | Media Consultancy and Studies | Public Relations Consultancy |
| Translation Publication Services | Oil and Gas Consulting | Waste and Garbage Treatment Consultancy |
| Management Services Costs and Risks | Data Classification and Analysis Services | Marketing Consultancy and Studies |
| Marketing Operations Management | Parties and Events Organizing | Computer Devices and Equipment Domain Consultancy |
| Banking Services Consultancy | Accounting Records and Bookkeeping Organisation | Electronic Equipment and Device Systems and Software Designing |
| Software Design for Oil and Natural Gas Fields Production | Analysis of Accountancy and Auditing System | Coordination of Natural and Artificial Flowers |
| Design Services | Online Players Support Service Providers | Artwork for Cosmetic Craft (Sculpture) |
| Technical Equipment Consultancy | Agricultural Extension Services | Quality, Standardization and Measuring Consultancy |
| Architectural Production and Technical Drawing Consultancy | Commercial Information Services | Marketing Consultancy in the Field of Energy |
| Cultural Handicrafts Training | Fashion Show Organization | Real Estate Consultancy |
| Project Development Consultancy | Website Designing | Textiles and Apparel Silk-Screen Printing |
| Spa and Fitness Clubs Consultancy | Soap Moulding and Formation | Digital Advertising Services |
| Maritime Consultancy Services | Tourism and Recreation Consultancy | Logistics Consultancy |
| Printing on Textiles and Apparel | Gift-Wrapping | Parliamentary Consultancy & Tax Consultancy |
| Project Management Services | Artificial Intelligence Developing Services | Consumer Products Consultancy |
| Design and Production of Frame Prototypes | Lifestyle Development Consultancy | E-Commerce Through Websites |
| Landscape and Gardening Services | Economical Feasibility Consultancy and Studies | Geographical Maps Drawing |
Eligibility Criteria
Applicant’s eligibility criteria depend on three primary factors while applying for a freelancer License, including:
- The legal age of the applicant is not less than 18 years.
- The applicant must select activities from the list of approved economic activities.
Required Document
The requirements for the issuance of a freelancer licence are straightforward. Here are all the essential documents you need to submit at the TAMM Abu Dhabi portal:
- Attested Certificate, Academic Qualification or Academic Record by the Issuing Entity
- Certificates of Work Experience
- NOC for the Foreign Investor
- Professional Certificates
Required Fees
The issuance process requires multiple service fees, like registration and commercial licence fees. Here is the fee breakdown for the freelancer licence issuance:
- Economic Register Enrollment Fee: AED 10
- Issuance Fees for Commercial Licence: AED 10
- Chamber Fees in Abu Dhabi: AED 50
- Sole Proprietorship Establishment Fees: AED 50
- Fee for Requesting an Establishment Card from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship: AED 315
- Organisational Entities Fee: AED 790
- Social Contributions: AED 1,500
- Ministry of Economy (MoEc) Fees: AED 2,500
Note: The licence includes six investor-selected activities at the basic cost of AED 1,200. However, an additional amount after six activities will be AED 100 per activity
Application Process
You can start the application process for the freelancer licence via the official website of TAMM Abu Dhabi. The following are the step-by-step instructions for requesting a freelancer licence in Abu Dhabi:
- Step 1: Visit TAMM’s official website and log in using your UAE PASS.
- Step 2: Apply for a freelance licence and submit the required documents.
- Step 3: After obtaining the approval of other entities (if any), you will receive an approval or rejection notification.
- Step 4: Pay the applicable fees mentioned in your voucher.
- Step 5: You will obtain your freelancer licence within 10 working days.
Benefits of Freelancer Licence Abu Dhabi
A freelancer licence in Abu Dhabi offers several benefits, including:
- Flexibility of working hours.
- Freedom to choose your work domain from a hundred different business activities.
- Allows you to be self-reliant and apply for family residency.
- Freelancing also benefits housewives, students and retired people as it provides several employment opportunities.
- Permits all kinds of business operations from home without needing a separate office.
- No need for service agents for business setup.
- Freelancing in Abu Dhabi offers diverse sector opportunities, from AI to fashion design.
- With a freelance licence in Abu Dhabi, you can apply for the UAE Green Visa as a freelancer from the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO).
FAQs
A freelance license in the UAE permits freelance professionals to operate under their birth name. Such freelancers are identified as sole practitioners rather than brand-name
The basic cost for a freelance licence in Abu Dhabi, which includes six economic activities, is AED 1,200. However, if you add more activities, AED 100 will be charged for each additional role.
The average monthly salary for freelancers in the UAE is around AED 4,500, ranging between AED 2,000 and AED 10,000.
With all the relevant details and step-by-step guidance on a freelance License in Abu Dhabi, you can now easily apply for it. TAMM provides a seamless platform for all permit applications, saving you from waiting in long queues. So, register online for this freelance permit soon and avail of amazing work opportunities.
Freelancers in Dubai can also apply for freelance visas in Dubai via DED’s official website.
