Dubai is a city that is constantly on the move. With its imposing skyscrapers and ever-changing skyline, it is no wonder that this UAE metropolis has become one of the most popular places in the world to live and work.

But it is also an ideal place to work as a freelancer.

Besides the tax-free environment, many opportunities for networking and professional development are added to the long list of reasons why many of the UK's freelancers choose to move abroad.

What is a Remote Freelancer?

A remote freelancer is a person who works independently and does not travel to the company's premises for the time they work.

This way of working has become increasingly popular in the last years, as technological advances make it easier to work from anywhere in the world. The Covid era has also encouraged remote working, initially from one's own home and then, as borders have reopened, from abroad.

There are many reasons why a person may choose to become self-employed abroad rather than from the UK. For some, it is a way to escape the traditional routine and have more control over their work-life balance. For others, it is an opportunity to live and work in a new and exciting place. And for many, freelancing in Dubai is simply a more cost-effective way to run their business as an expatriate. freelancer in dubai it's simply a more profitable way to run their business as expats.

So, what are the particular advantages of being an English freelancer from Dubai?

The lack of taxation is one of the main reasons why Dubai has become such a popular destination for remote freelancers. There is no personal income tax and no tax on freelance work in the UAE, which means you can keep much more of your income than in the UK. This makes it an ideal location for those looking to maximise their earnings and save money on taxes.

In addition to the tax advantages, Dubai also offers a number of other benefits to freelancers. The city is home to a large number of international companies, which means there are plenty of opportunities for networking and professional development.

This is especially true through the MAJ Business Club, which brings together big names in e-commerce, infopreneurs, and many UAE-based entrepreneurs who have set up their company with MAJ.

Finally, with its modern infrastructure and world-class facilities, Dubai is an excellent place to live and work.

Acquire a Freelance License in Dubai

To be able to benefit from a Residence Visa and expatriate to Dubai, you will need to create a new company registered in the UAE and obtain your freelance license. This is a fairly quick process that can be done online and with which your structure will be registered within 3 to 5 days.

For this, you can trust MAJ who will support you from A to Z in your company formation in Dubai thanks to its team of French-speaking experts on site and its network of partner banks. Once your license is obtained, you will immediately obtain your residence visa in the UAE as well as opening your bank account. Our team is also responsible for providing you with all the legal & accounting advice necessary for the development of your activity.

Keep your existing clients from the UAE

Whatever your remote business, it is possible to keep your current business and clients even after you move to Dubai. It will be possible to obtain a multi-currency bank account and thus invoice and collect your income from companies and individuals from all over the world, accepting payments in their own currencies (Euros, Dollars, etc.).

You will also be able to use the most important payment platforms such as Stripe and link these tools to your local account to collect card payments.

The cost of living in Dubai

The cost of living in Dubai is a complex subject. Most English-speaking expatriates will say that the cost of living in Dubai is expensive and this is mainly due to our European standards. Indeed, and this is the same for any expatriation destination in the world, our desire to consume products that we were used to before our expatriation leads to paying their import costs.

This issue of cost of living is also a subject related to the needs and expenses of each individual and it is important to consider this subject from a step back.

Dubai is a cosmopolitan megalopolis with a population of 3 million, 90% of whom are foreigners. The vast majority of these expatriates represent a social class that works in low-paid jobs. The majority of the nationalities represented are Indian, Pakistani and Filipino and are motivated by the much better salary conditions than in their country of origin (on average $700 per month).

This salary allows these people to live in Dubai and to find accommodation, sometimes up to 40 minutes from their place of work. It is therefore important to understand that a very low cost life exists, but that due to our different demands and expectations, we often look at expatriation with a quality of life immediately superior to the one we had before.

Dubai is a city that fits the smallest of budgets, but also the greatest of wealth in this world. It is up to you to take advantage of this opportunity and make the most of it.

Accommodation in Dubai

For accommodation, there is a very large supply of flats available for rent throughout the year. Market prices are constantly evolving and vary according to time and trends.

The amount charged for a rental also varies according to many criteria including location and proximity to amenities, as well as the "standing" of a building and its ancillary services (swimming pool, security service, etc.).

You will find ads on several sites, the two best known of which are:

https://dubai.dubizzle.com/ (equivalent of Gumtree in the Emirates) & https://www.propertyfinder.ae/ (equivalent of Rightmove).

The rent will have to be paid by cheques, the number of which will depend on the owner's wishes and potential negotiations.

As an example, a landlord may ask for a payment of AED 60K per year with a payment in 1 cheque, and AED 80K for 12 cheques (monthly payment).

Finally, please note that you will not be able to sign a lease until you have fully finalised your residency procedure and received your Emirates ID card.