# Freelance permits in UAE free zones: which zones offer them > Which free zones publish a freelancer permit or sole-practitioner licence, how it differs from a company licence, and how to compare packages with a visa. Category: Visas · Reviewed 2026-10-13 · https://freezoneguide.com/guides/freelance-visa-cheapest-free-zone ## Key takeaways - A freelance permit or sole-practitioner licence is issued to you as an individual; a company licence creates a legal entity. - Zones that publish a freelancer option include RAKEZ, UAQ FTZ, Ajman Free Zone, Ajman Media City, DMCC, Dubai South and the Dubai Development Authority districts (GoFreelance). - Some zones state that they do not offer one, for example IFZA, Meydan, SPC, DWTC and JAFZA. - Compare the lowest published package with a visa, and ask for an itemised quote. - Each permit covers a defined list of activities; confirm yours in writing. A **freelance permit** (some zones call it a sole-practitioner or sole-professional licence) licenses you as an individual for a defined list of activities. A **company licence** creates a separate legal entity. Several free zones publish a freelancer option, several state that they do not, and others offer a low-cost single-owner company instead. The table below lists zones that offer freelancer licensing in our data, sorted by the lowest package each zone publishes with at least one visa. _Live data · figures as published by each zone · Verified on 2026-10-24 from tax.gov.ae, rakez.com and 6 more official sources_ | Free zone | Emirate | Lowest package (yr 1) | Licence fee from | Max visa quota | Min. office | Incorporation | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Ajman Media City Free Zone](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/ajman/ajman-media-city) | Ajman | AED 4,999 | AED 4,999 | 3 | Flexi-desk | Not published | | [Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/ras-al-khaimah/rakez) | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000 | AED 6,000 | 1 | Flexi-desk | 1 day | | [Masdar City Free Zone](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/abu-dhabi/masdar-city) | Abu Dhabi | AED 7,000 | AED 7,000 | 3 | Virtual office | Not published | | [Dubai South Free Zone](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/dubai/dubai-south) | Dubai | AED 11,375 | Not published | 2 | Not published | Not published | | [Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/umm-al-quwain/uaq-ftz) | Umm Al Quwain | AED 12,500 | AED 5,500 | 1 | Flexi-desk | 1 day | | [Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/dubai/dmcc) | Dubai | AED 31,000 | AED 20,285 | 3 | Flexi-desk | 10 days | | [Dubai Airport Freezone](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/dubai/dafza) | Dubai | Not published | Not published | 6 | Flexi-desk | Not published | Figures are as published by each zone with the date checked. Our process is set out on [how we verify](/how-we-verify). ## Zones that publish a freelancer option From each zone's own published information: - **RAKEZ** publishes a Freelancer Permit. - **UAQ FTZ** publishes a Freelance Permit for individuals, aimed at technology, media and film roles. - **Ajman Free Zone** publishes a Sole Professional Licence / Freelancer Package. - **Ajman Media City** states that its permit identifies the freelancer as a sole practitioner trading under their own name, and its activity list includes freelance activities. - **DMCC** publishes a freelance licence for natural persons in its Licensing Rules. - **Dubai South** provides for a Sole Establishment for freelancing and professional services in its 2025 Companies Regulations. - **Dubai Development Authority districts** (Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park, d3) share one GoFreelance package. - **twofour54** describes a Sole Proprietor (Freelancer) licence issued by Abu Dhabi's Creative Media Authority. ## Zones that state they do not IFZA, Meydan, SPC, DWTC, JAFZA, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Healthcare City, International Humanitarian City, DIFC and ADGM publish licence types that do not include a freelancer permit. Meydan states that it does not issue freelance visas directly and offers a single-owner company instead; SPC directs freelancers to its standard business licence. ## Freelance permit or company licence? A permit is issued to you personally for defined activities. A company licence creates an entity that can sign contracts in its own name and add activities, partners or staff later, usually with more administration (for example, many zones state that annual audited accounts are required). Ask each zone what the permit lets you do, and compare it with its lowest single-owner company package. ## Compare packages with a visa _RAKEZ vs UAQ FTZ vs AFZ vs AMCFZ · live data · Verified on 2026-10-24 from rakez.com, uaqftz.gov.ae and 3 more official sources_ | | RAKEZ | UAQ FTZ | AFZ | AMCFZ | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Solo, no visa (year 1) | AED 6,000 | AED 12,500 | Not published | AED 4,999 | | Founder + 1 visa (year 1) | AED 12,000 | AED 12,500 | Not published | AED 12,999 | | Team, 3 visas (year 1) | Not published | Not published | Not published | AED 22,999 | | Lowest package of any size (year 1) | AED 6,000 (Biz Starter Package) | AED 12,500 (UAQ START (all-inclusive one visa)) | Not published | AED 4,999 (Business Club) | | Lowest licence fee | AED 6,000 | AED 5,500 | Not published | AED 4,999 | | Largest visa quota in a published package | 1 | 1 | Not published | 3 | | Minimum office | Flexi-desk | Flexi-desk | Flexi-desk | Flexi-desk | | Minimum share capital | AED 10,000 | AED 300,000 | Not published | Not published | | Incorporation time (stated by the zone) | 1 day | 1 day | Not published | Not published | | On the FTA VAT Designated Zone list | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | | Emirate | Ras Al Khaimah | Umm Al Quwain | Ajman | Ajman | [Full comparison](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/custom?z=afza&z=ajman-media-city&z=rakez&z=uaq-ftz) - **RAKEZ:** lowest package AED 6,000; lowest with a visa AED 12,000. - **UAQ FTZ:** lowest package AED 12,500; lowest with a visa AED 12,500. - **Ajman Media City:** lowest package AED 4,999; lowest with a visa AED 12,999. Ajman Free Zone does not publish package prices on its own channels. Ask for an itemised quote that includes one visa from start to finish: permit or licence fee, establishment card, visa fees, medical test and Emirates ID. > Get a personalised shortlist in 2 minutes: https://freezoneguide.com/uae/find ## Check the activity, not just the price Before you pay, confirm in writing: - **Your exact work is covered** by the permit's activity list. - **Who you can work for**, including mainland clients. - **How invoices are issued**, and in whose name. - **The renewal cost** for the same permit. Browse zones by activity on the [freelance page](/uae/industries/freelance) or the [media and creative page](/uae/industries/media-creative). Activity fit on those pages is our own assessment from published licence types. ## Next steps Shortlist two or three zones, request itemised quotes with one visa and the renewal fee, and confirm your activity wording. For comparing totals, read the guide to the [cheapest free zone in the UAE](/guides/cheapest-free-zone-uae), or use the [free zone finder](/uae/find). ## FAQ ### What is the difference between a freelance permit and a company licence? A freelance permit or sole-practitioner licence licenses you as an individual for defined activities. Ajman Media City, for example, states that its permit identifies the freelancer as a sole practitioner trading under their own name. A company licence creates a separate legal entity. ### Which zones say they do not offer a freelance permit? Among the zones we track, IFZA, Meydan, SPC, DWTC, JAFZA, DSO, DHCC, IHC, DIFC and ADGM publish licence types that do not include a freelancer permit. Meydan, for example, states that it does not issue freelance visas directly and offers a single-owner company instead. ### Does a freelance permit include a residence visa? Check the zone's package. Visa fees, the medical test and Emirates ID are typically listed separately in zones' fee schedules. ### Can I work for mainland clients on a freelance permit? This depends on the zone and the activity. Get written confirmation from the zone. The UAE Government portal sets out the general rules for free zone businesses selling to the mainland. ### Do freelancers pay corporate tax? Corporate tax can apply to individuals carrying on business. Check your position with the Federal Tax Authority or a tax adviser. ## Sources - [RAKEZ: Freelancer Permit](https://rakez.com) — Zone's own site. - [Dubai Media City: GoFreelance](https://dmc.ae) — GoFreelance package shared by Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park and d3. - [Zone pages](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/free-zones) — Whether each zone offers a freelancer permit, linked to the zone's own source. ## General information, not advice This guide is general information about UAE rules and free zone requirements, based on official sources on the dates shown. It is not legal, tax, immigration, employment or financial advice, and reading it does not create an adviser relationship. Rules change and their effect depends on your circumstances: before you act, confirm with the relevant authority (the free zone, the Federal Tax Authority, ICP or GDRFA, or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) or a professional licensed in the UAE. --- Source: FreezoneGuide (https://freezoneguide.com/). AED, as published by each zone on its official channels. Information collected from free-zone authorities and UAE government sources on the dates shown. Fees and rules change; the zone's current schedule prevails. Not legal, tax or financial advice.