Abu Dhabi allows residents, non-residents to obtain freelancer licences

Abu Dhabi has permitted UAE citizens, residents and non-residents to obtain freelancer licences to practice around 48 economic activities.

The 48 economic activities that can be practiced with a freelancer licence, include fashion design, clothing, natural and aesthetic flowers arrangement, photography studio, event photography, videography, event management, gift packaging, jewellery design, web design, project design and management services, translation, calligraphy, drawing, statistical consultations, agricultural guidance and marketing operations management.

The freelancer licence also covers consultation activities in areas of computer hardware and software, real estate, legal consultancy, public relations, standardisation and quality management, pest control, project development, procurement, technical installations, green buildings, information technology, economic feasibility studies, human resources, tourism, heritage, entertainment, administrative studies, food safety, goods designs, fine art, architectural drawings, and maritime services.

In addition, consultations related to lifestyle development, marketing studies, parliamentary studies, banking and marketing services in the fields of energy, space and logistical consultations, fitness, art works, sculpting, handicrafts, printing services, photocopying, gardening and landscaping, printing on textiles or clothes, plastering, engraving, decoration and soap-making can be practiced with the licence.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) confirmed that obtaining such licences will allow non-citizens to conduct their business activities from their residences or any other authorised location, according to the general provisions applicable to individual organisations.

A recent resolution issued by ADDED had permitted non-citizens to obtain freelancer licences – previously only issued to UAE nationals – in accordance with the terms and conditions specified by the department.

يتوجب على المتقدمين بطلب الحصول على رخصة المهن الحرة من غير المواطنين استيفاء شروط اللائحة التنظيمية التي حددتها الدائرة.

Non-citizens applying to obtain a Freelancer license must fulfil the requirements of the regulatory regulations set by the department. pic.twitter.com/tZ8M8vkSin

— دائرة التنمية الاقتصادية – أبوظبي (@AbuDhabiDED) November 15, 2020

Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, undersecretary of ADDED, said that the resolution will help stimulate the business and investment environments in the emirate and will create more job opportunities in certain fields.

The ADDED’s decision to qualify non-citizens for freelancer licences will have a positive impact on the services sector in the emirate, with the economic activities under this type of licences being mostly technical and service related. It will also allow those with technical expertise to practice freelancing activities post normal working hours.

The licence will underpin businesses by eliminating the need to employ labour in all specialisations that are only required periodically, contribute to resolving unemployment, and increase the income of various segments such as retirees, housewives and students, among others.

The regulatory list of the new resolution specifies a number of work terms and general conditions that need to be met by the applicants, official news agency WAM reported.

In case the applicant works for the public sector, he/she should obtain an approval from the government employer and meet the general requirements.

If the applicant works with a permanent employment contract in the private sector, and the employer’s activity is similar to or overlaps with the activity of the requested licence, the employer’s approval is mandatory, in addition to meeting the general requirements.

If the employer’s activity is different from the activity of the licence to be issued, then the employer’s approval is not needed in this case. Similar rules apply if the applicant is employed in a part time contract within the private sector.