Dubai Airport Freezone launches ‘Talent Pass’ licence for freelancers

The Dubai Airport Freezone has launched a new ‘Talent Pass’ licence for freelance work.

The licence will be available for people with special skills and expertise from around the world, and aims to attract global talent and professionals in the fields of media, education, technology, art, marketing and consultancy.

The ‘Talent Pass’ qualifies its holders to obtain a residence visa for three years, in addition to renting office space provided by the freezone.

Licence holders will also have access to the vast network of Dubai Airport Freezone customers as well as access to the freezone’s digital platform. The freezone hosts more than 1,800 companies across more than 20 vital economic sectors, with multinationals making up more than 30 per cent of those companies, 31 of them being Fortune 500 companies.

The initiative was launched following a directive issued by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

Under the directives of @HamdanMohammed, @dafz_official launches ‘Talent Pass’ license for freelance work. The new license aims to attract global talent and professionals in the fields of media, education, technology, art, marketing and consultancy.
(Archive photo) pic.twitter.com/64iECTUU5i

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 9, 2022

To facilitate the new initiative, the Dubai Airport Freezone, part of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), signed an MoU with the Dubai Culture and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

The MoU creates the framework for cooperation and coordination to process licences, visas and other services that support individuals in establishing and operating their business in the emirate.

DAFZA will evaluate and process applications for the ‘Talent Pass’ and issue licences that authorise holders to practice commercial activities within the freezone.

Dubai Culture will support the ‘Cultural Visa’ for holders of the applicable licence and working to encourage talent to join the freezone and tap regional and global markets through awareness and communication programmes, according to news agency WAM.

The GDRFA will also promote Dubai Airport Freezone as a preferred destination for global businesses and the emirate of Dubai as a business-friendly environment that provides talented individuals opportunities to expand their reach to a large consumer market.

“This MoU supports our strategic plans for supporting the national economy by enhancing the role of commercial, investment, and creative sectors in enhancing the emirate’s GDP. This licence comes as a response to changing market requirements and the evolving business environment in Dubai, especially in the post-pandemic period. The licence will contribute to enabling the business community in Dubai to benefit from the expertise of creatives, specialists and professionals from all over the world. It gives them the flexibility to access diverse business services at competitive prices,”said Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, executive chairman of DIEZ.

The ‘Talent Pass’ is part of a portfolio of six licences offered by DAFZ, which includes the Commerce Licence for commercial activities such as import, export and re-export and the General Commerce Licence.

The portfolio also includes the Industrial Licence for light manufacturing activities and packaging and assembly; the E-Commerce Licence for online trading of goods and services; the licence issued in partnership with the Department of Economic Development, which allows companies registered at the Dubai Airport Freezone to apply for the Department’s licence without the need for an office space for working outside the freezone; and the Services Licence for service-based companies.