For those planning to visit the United Arab Emirates, one question! Which Visa is more? This is a big subject that can be talked about all day long. So, hire me, Gulf. We decided to write an article about this so our visitors can get a basic idea. What we’re about to cover in this insight: UAE tax payment equations, hidden costs, legal requirements, benefits, salary benchmarks, and which category suits.
Freelance
Rakes/Shams/Go
- Required Many Documents
- The cost is high
- 2 years of Visa
- Visa joining process for jobs
- No strict regulations
Full Time
Sponsored by the employer
- Document requirements are fewer.
- Free of charge
- Mostly 2-3 years Visa
- Visa any regulations
Visit Visa
Single Entry
- Documents requires.
- One to six months can extend.
- Easy Job Transfer
- cannot legally work while on a visit
Here’s why the UAE works for different visa types
If you’re working in Canada, the US, or the United Kingdom, you may have to pay tax every month, depending on your salary. But in the United Arab Emirates, every single dirham that you earn is 100% yours. But it’s not just because a zero-tax-free country is the story. But recently, the UAE has rapidly become one of the most well-paying countries, even for freelance visa holders. On the other hand, company-employed visa holders receive additional benefits, such as free accommodations, medical insurance, and free transportation.
Benchmark of salary
The UAE official job boards base the salary ranges on the information below.
| FREELANCE CONTRACT | SALARY RANGE |
|---|---|
| Videographer/Photographer | 4,500AED – 8,000AED PER MONTH |
| MARKETING MANAGER | 7,000AED – 12,000AED PER MONTH |
| SOFTWARE ENGINEER | 7,000AED – 15,000AED PER MONTH |
| REAL ESTATE BROKER | 4,500AED – 20,000AED PER MONTH |
| EMPLOYMENT VISA | SALARY RANGE |
|---|---|
| Videographer/Photographer | 3,000AED – 6,000AED PER MONTH |
| MARKETING MANAGER | 4,500AED – 7,500AED PER MONTH |
| SOFTWARE ENGINEER | 5,000AED – 12,000AED PER MONTH |
| REAL ESTATE BROKER | 3,500AED – 15,000AED PER MONTH |
Compared to the basic ballpark figures for the two visa types above, the freelance Visa is in High Demand in high-demand fields. A real estate broker with a commission-based career earns a higher salary than we mentioned for the freelance role, so the gap between a work visa and one’s own Visa is clear. Visa
The hidden costs of a freelance visa
Even though a freelance visa brings a higher salary to you, at the beginning, it costs more money to complete the visa approval process. A freelancer must pay the charges listed below to get approval.
- Bank statement documents (not mandatory, but it depends on which freelance type you are applying for).
- Medical test and insurance. (Cost will be a minimum of 350 AED).
- Emirates ID fee. (Cost is min 370+AED).
- State of change – if you’re already in the UAE on a visit visa, it’s mandatory to change your status. (By bus to Oman, visa change costs around 1,000 AED – 1,500 AED / A2A visa change will cost 1,500 AED to 1,800 AED by airplane).
- Document attestation or translation, if required, the cost will be 200 AED+.
Be aware that many scammers in Dubai are promoting a freelance visa at low prices, but it comes with many hidden costs you have to pay. Make sure a UAE government-approved agency provides your visa service.
Full-time employment benefits
- Every year, an annual vacation for 30 days with full payment and free tickets.
- Up to 60 days of sick leave protection.
- 90 days of maternity leave.
- Free Employment visa for personal use at no cost.
- Guaranteed income even during probation.
- Housing and transportation are provided.
- End of service with gratuity.
- Health insurance is provided by the company.
Get the Freelance Visa Permit
A freelance visa (Own Visa) has become easier to get in the United Arab Emirates now than before. We will outline the 3 major types of freelance vista categories to help you understand.
Freelance Freezone Permit
This visa permit is a legally valid document that allows you to work individually or for a company. You can select a free zone, e.g., Rakez, Shams. Shams is a lower-costVisaion than the Rakez permit type. This Visa is valid for Passport years.
Visa Process Required Documents :
- Original passport and copy.
- Passport-size photo.
- Resume.
- Portfolio if available.
- Medical test.
- Boi metric test.
The cost of a visa will be around 10,000 AED.
Federal authority FrVisance Permit (Green Visa)
This type of Visa is for those who work remotely, web/UI developers, consultants, small business owners, etc. This visa type is not easy to get because it has more requirements and more benefits. Validation time is 5 years
Visa Passport Required Documents :
- Minimum 6 months’ valid original passport.
- white background, recent photo.
- Work permit documents.
- Proof of income.
- Fitness report.
Depending on your needs, the visa fee starts at 8,000 AED.
Virtual Work Visa
Foreigners, digital nomads, and business owners out of the UAE, for those who work outside the UAE and are not intending to work in a UAE company. The renewal facility is valid for a one-year self-sponsored freelance permit.
Visa Process Document Requirement :
- Passport: business ownership documents.
- 6-month valid passport.
- Income proof documents. (Min 3500$)
- Bank Statements.
- Medical tests.
This Visa costs from 7,000 AED TO 10,000 AED.
Why Choose and Which Path (Verdict)
| Freelance If | Full time If |
|---|---|
| Strong network of clients surrounds | Freshly starting a career |
| financially deciplined | UAE beginners |
| Location flexibility | Income stability |
| Building a brand than working under a company | Long term residency |
