Are you a thriving freelancer in the UAE? Or maybe you want to relocate to the UAE and continue your freelance work… The UAE has now implemented a five-year Green Visa, which allows certain categories of workers to apply for the visa without the need for a sponsor in the UAE.
This visa is a component of the redesigned UAE visa system, which went into effect on October 3, 2022. One of the Green Visa categories available is that of freelancers. To be eligible, you must provide a bank statement showing a minimum earning of Dh360,000 – or the equivalent amount in another currency – over the previous two years. If you convert this cost to a monthly salary, you would be eligible for the Green Visa if you earned an average of Dh15,000 per month for the previous two years.
If you want to apply for long-term residency in the UAE, you can do so through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP), the immigration authority that issues visas in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.
Where can one apply for the Green Visa?
If you wish to start the application process, you can apply for it through:
- The ICP website – http://www.icp.gov.ae
- The ICP smartphone application – ‘UAEICP’, which is available for both Apple and Android devices.
- An ICP customer happiness centre.
- Typing centre accredited with the ICP.
How to apply through the ICP website?
If you want to apply for a Green Visa for freelancers through the ICP website, here are the steps to take:
- First, go to the ICP website at http://www.icp.gov.ae and click on ‘eChannels Residency & Citizenship’ under the ‘Services’ tab.
- Select the ‘Visa – Green Residency – Freelancer – Issue new visa’ option. Click the ‘Start service’ button. You will then be directed to a form that must be filled out with the following information:
- Applicant Information: Enter information such as your name, phone number, and email address here. If you see a section where you can enter your name in Arabic, simply type your name in English and the system will fill in the Arabic name for you.
- Identification information: Select whether you currently reside in the UAE and, if so, provide your UID number. Then, choose the department from which you want the visa to be issued. This refers to the Emirate from which you want to apply for the visa, so you can choose from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, or Umm al Quwain.
- Personal information: In this section, you must provide passport information, educational qualification information, and family information.
- Address: You will be asked for your address both within and outside the UAE.
- Press the ‘Next’ button. You will then be urged to upload the necessary documents.
- Make the payment.
Your application will be completed and sent to the ICP once you have made the payment. You will receive the visa via email once your application has been approved.
Documents required
- Passport copy
- Coloured photograph
- Educational Qualification Certificate
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Income proof – You must show proof that you have earned at least Dh360,000 or the equivalent currency in the last two years.
- The freelance permit from MOHRE
You may also be asked to show your home country’s National ID.
How much does the application cost?
According to ICP, here is how much the visa application will cost you:
Request fees – Dh100
Issue fees – Dh100
E-services fees – Dh28
ICP fees – Dh22
While the total cost of the application is Dh250, the ICP call centre states that this is only for visa applications. If your application is approved, you will also be required to pay the following fees:
Change of status within the country – Dh550 (If you are already in the UAE at the time you apply for the Green Visa, you must also apply for a ‘status change.’)
Emirates ID – Dh650
Total: Dh1,450
If you apply for the service through a typing centre, you may be charged a service fee.