42 votes

Freelance visa in UAE for a graphic designer — which one to choose? Mainland vs Free Zone?

Business

Hi everyone! I've been working as a freelance graphic designer and social media manager from Sri Lanka, serving Gulf-based clients. I want to legitimise my setup and get a UAE freelance permit so I can invoice properly and open a business bank account.

I'm confused about the options:
1. Dubai mainland freelance permit (~AED 15,000–20,000/year?)
2. Fujairah free zone (Creative Zone) — heard it's cheaper around AED 7,500?
3. Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) — AED 5,750?

I don't need an office and my work is 100% digital. What's the best value option? Anyone done this recently?

Sanduni Rajapaksha 1 month ago 892 views 5 answers

5 Answers

Accepted Answer

Great question and very relevant! Here's my breakdown for digital/creative freelancers as of 2024–2025:

**Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)** — AED 5,750/year
✅ Cheapest legitimate option
✅ Includes residency visa application
✅ Specifically for media, creative, and digital services
✅ E-commerce and social media management allowed
❌ Some banks still unfamiliar with SHAMS

**Dubai Media City Freelance Permit** — AED 7,500–9,000/year
✅ Most recognised by banks and clients
✅ Strong for media/creative activities
❌ More expensive

**KIKLABB (Fujairah)** — around AED 5,000–6,000
✅ Cheap
❌ Less recognised by UAE banks

My recommendation: **SHAMS** for cost vs recognition balance. I know 3 designers who use it. Emirates NBD and Mashreq bank accept it.

Kamal Perera 1 month ago

Update 3 weeks later: Got my SHAMS freelance permit! ✅ Process was fully online. Trade licence + freelance permit in hand. Now applying for residency visa through their PRO service. Wio Business bank account opened within 48 hours of licence. Life changing! Thank you Kamal and Nuwan! 🙏

Sanduni Rajapaksha 9 days ago

Agreeing with Kamal. Also check out 'Meydan Free Zone' — they sometimes have packages around AED 4,500–5,500 for single-activity freelance. Their online process is fast (I set up a company-related permit there, very smooth).

Key tip: whatever free zone you choose, open your bank account at either Mashreq Neobiz (online, no minimum balance) or Wio Business (completely digital). Traditional banks make free zone companies jump through hoops.

Nuwan Dahanayake 1 month ago

Yes, SHAMS freelance allows work with any client globally — UAE, Sri Lanka, UK, wherever. No geographic restriction. Your 'base' is UAE but your clients can be worldwide. That's the whole point for digital freelancers. Just make sure your activity code covers your work type (graphic design + social media management both covered under SHAMS media activities).

Kamal Perera 30 days ago

This is incredibly helpful! One more question — for SHAMS, does the freelance permit allow me to work for international clients (Sri Lanka, UK) too or is it restricted to UAE clients only?

Sanduni Rajapaksha 1 month ago