You may have heard about the recently announced Talent Pass in Dubai if you work in the arts, culture, education, media, marketing, consultancy, or technology fields.
Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) launched the Talent Pass license for freelance work in January this year in partnership with Dubai Culture and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
What is the Talent Pass and what are the benefits of applying for one? Here’s what you need to know.
Talent Pass – what is it?
Licenses from DAFZ allowing professionals to work as freelancers are called ‘Talent Passes’.
- Art
- Culture
- Education
- Media
- Marketing
- Consultancy
- Technology
This visa is only for individuals who wish to work as freelancers or independent contractors, but it does allow them to apply for a residence visa for their dependents if they wish to do so.
Application process
Step 1: Apply for the Talent Pass
Log on to the official DAFZ website to apply for the Talent Pass – https://www.dafz.ae/en/talent-pass/ – and upload the following documents:
- Passport copy
- Current visa copy (if you have one)
- Portfolio/educational degree/reference letters
- Any proof of previous experience in the field
- Updated CV
- The service list and fees.
- For technology-related activities: A degree or a letter of experience from a previous employer or relevant training courses are required.
DAFZ will review your application and then contact you if they need to share any feedback. Upon approval of your application, you must complete the licensing and visa process.
Step 2: Sign off your application
As soon as your application is approved, you will need to apply for an office lease, if you need one, and complete the visa application process, if necessary.
Step 3: Make the payment
Talent Pass costs Dh9,500 per year, which needs to be renewed. Visa fees are not included.
How long will it take to get the permit?
According to the DAFZ website, it may take 10 to 15 working days for the permit to be issued once your application has been approved.
Which visa options are available?
As far as your visa status is concerned, you have three choices:
- You are already under someone’s sponsorship – As long as you already have an active Residence Visa, you can submit a copy of it in the step above. If you are sponsored by a family member, this may either be an employment visa or a dependent visa. It would be necessary to include your sponsor’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) with the application documents.
- New visa applicants – A three-year employment visa can be applied for if you do not have a visa.
- You may also be eligible for a Golden Visa – A cultural visa for a period of 10 years may be available to certain professionals.
The process of applying for a three-year visa
Talent Pass holders are eligible to apply for a three-year freelance visa.
The visa application process must be completed separately and can cost up to Dh4,200. The cost includes the entire visa application process, including the medical fitness test and Emirates ID.
Documents required
In order to apply for a three-year freelance visa, you must upload the following documents:
- Current visa (should be valid for a minimum of two weeks before expiration)
- An original passport with a validity of at least six months.
- A photograph (soft copy with white background).
Visa applications can take up to 10 working days to process.
Can one sponsor any employees?
According to the DAFZ website, you cannot hire or sponsor any employees through your freelance permit. However, you can sponsor your dependents (family members or domestic workers).
