Dubai launches new freelance work permit

Residents can now obtain a new freelance package for an annual fee of Dh7,500 in media and education sectors with Dubai Media City (DMC) and Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP), officials announced. The package, called Gofreelance, was launched by TECOM Group, a member of Dubai Holding, in partnership with Dubai Creative Clusters Authority.

The annual fee includes the Freelancer Permit and access to the Business Centre. If the candidates require a visa, such as if they are non-residents who want to freelance here, relevant “assistance” will be provided. However, the visa will cost separately as per the normally associated fees.

Gofreelance was announced during a media briefing at Dubai Press Club on Tuesday. Speaking at the event, officials from Dubai Media City outlined the benefits of the new package, which offers a freelance permit at a significantly lower fee (around half) than previous freelance packages in Dubai.

Freelancing advantage

Residents who hold jobs can obtain the Freelance Permit provided they have a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer or sponsor, supplementing their salary. Companies, meanwhile, will be able to commission freelancers for needs such as a one-off project, contract-based work, outsourcing or assistance with the extra workload. The permit is also open to candidates who are on their parent’s or husband’s visa.

At the moment, the permit is restricted to certain “activities” in each of the two sectors of Education and Media. For example, in Education, there are five activities, including Education Advisor, Researcher, and eLearning Advisor.

Activities

The Media category, on the other hand, has almost 50 activities, including Actor, Animator, Cameraman, Journalist, and others.

Majed Al Suwaidi, managing director of Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and Dubai Production City, told on the sidelines of the event that the new package comes in line with expectations of a changing professional market.

“We see there are a lot of changes in the industry. The media industry today is not like the media industry 10 years ago. How individuals interact with the media and how the media interacts with individuals has drastically changed,” Al Suwaidi said.

Work freedom

Al Suwaidi also said there are a lot of people “‘freelancing’ without the right [legal] structure. What we’re saying is that the right structure is better for you – and it doesn’t cost you that much”.

‘Strong interest’

Mohammad Abdullah, managing director of Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) and DKP, told Gulf News there has been “strong interest” from the community for the new permit package and officials have started receiving applications.

“Freelance permits have been there before, but today’s event is to announce the new package. We’re making the process easier, faster and have reduced the cost, by around 70 per cent compared to many cases earlier,” Abdullah said.

Simplified process

The process for obtaining the permit has also been simplified, with almost all of the needed steps done online at www.gofreelance.ae, the website of the permit.

Candidates have to upload the application forms and required documents, such as their CV, passport and visa copy, a bank reference letter, and sponsor’s NOC (if applicable).

Once the application is approved, candidates will receive an email notification and then visit one of the business centres in DMC or DKP to personally sign the documents and pay the fee. During the visit, the candidates may be asked relevant questions regarding their application for clarification or verification purposes. Shortly afterwards, they will receive their freelance permit via email.

UAE declares three month Amnesty for Visa Violators

The UAE will grant a three-month general amnesty to foreign violators of the country’s residency laws starting from August 1, a senior official said on 21^st Thursday .

Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashedi, Acting Director General of Foreigners Affairs and Ports Department at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, told this amnesty will begin on August 1 and violators will have the option to either rectify their legal status through paying nominal fees, or leave the UAE voluntarily without prosecution.

He added details of the amnesty dubbed “Protect Yourself via Rectifying Your Status” will be announced in a press conference soon.

In 2013, almost 62,000 illegal residents took advantage of the last visa amnesty, which ran for two months.

Al Rashedi said a toll free telephone number will be set up later to answer inquiries from members of the public about the amnesty and how to benefit from its provisions and the time granted to the violators.

On the one-year residence visa for people of war-torn countries, Al Rashedi said the visa will be granted to people of war-torn countries including Syria, Libya and Yemen. “This special visa can also be granted to people who face difficulties moving to their home countries, such as the Palestinians who are stranded because of the closure of crossing points from Egypt.

Al Rashedi said this humanitarian visa will target people who arrived in the country on visit, tourist or employment visas and stranded because of the political turmoil in their countries.

UAE Cabinet introduces major changes in visa Rules

The Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, adopted a number of strategic decisions with regards to foreign workers’ insurance in the private sector, as well as a legislative package of visa facilitations.

Major changes announced by UAE Cabinet

• UAE Cabinet announces decision to abolish mandatory bank guarantee for labour recruitment and replace it with a low-cost insurance system.

• New visa facilitation procedures for visitors, residents, families & people overstaying their visa also adopted. 

• UAE exemption of transit passengers from all entry fees for first 48 hours approved. Transit visa extension for up to 96 hours for a fee of Dh50.  

• Cabinet decision grants people overstaying their visa a chance to leave the country voluntarily without a "no entry" stamp on their passport. 

• New 6-month visa to be introduced for job seekers who overstayed their visa but wish to work in the country. Temporary visa to enhance the UAE's position as a land of opportunities, a destination for talents and professionals.

• UAE grants those who entered country illegally a chance to leave voluntarily with a 'no entry' stamp for 2 years, if they present return ticket.

• UAE Cabinet allows individuals wishing to adjust or renew their visa to do so for a fee, without having to leave and re-enter the country. 

• UAE Cabinet adopts resolution on empowering 'People of Determination', enabling them to equal access the job market. 

A new insurance scheme for workers’ guarantees has been introduced. The previous mandatory deposit of AED 3,000 per worker is now replaced by a new insurance that cost only AED 60 annually per worker.The value of the insurance policy in the new system is AED 60 per year for each worker and covers the workers' entitlements in terms of end of service benefits, vacation allowance, overtime allowance, unpaid wages, worker's return ticket and cases of work injury, in which the insurance coverage amounts to AED 20,000 per worker.

The Cabinet also adopted a number of visa facilitations for visitors, residents, families and people overstaying their visa to cater for a wider segment of the society. The Cabinet approved a new legislative package, including a review of the current residency system to allow a two-year extension of the residency period for the dependents of their parents after finishing their university studies.

 

A new decision has also been approved to exempt transit passengers from all entry fees for the first 48 hours. Transit visa can be extended for up to 96 hours for a fee of only AED 50. Obtaining transit visa will be facilitated by a number of express counter at the passport-control hall across UAE airports.

In the same context, the Cabinet adopted a decision to grant people overstaying their visa a chance to leave the country voluntarily without a "no entry" passport stamp. A new 6-month visa will be introduced for job seekers who overstayed their visa but wish to work in the country. The temporary visa enhances the UAE’s position as a land of opportunities and a destination for talents and professionals.

As for Individuals who entered the UAE illegally, they will have the chance to leave voluntarily with a "no entry" stamp for two years given that they provide a valid return ticket.

Equally, in a step aimed at simplifying the process and easing the financial burden on individuals wishing to adjust or renew their visa, they can now do so for a fee without having to leave and re-enter the country.

On the other hand, the Cabinet adopted a resolution on empowering "People of Determination" and enabling them to access the job market. The resolution provides them with the necessary support to obtain equal employment opportunities in various sectors in line with the Government's social development programs for all segments of the society.

UAE residence visa for your Parents

Who can sponsor parents in the UAE

UAE expatriates, holding valid resident visas having a minimum salary of Dh20,000 or a monthly pay of Dh19,000 plus a two-bedroom accommodation can get one-year renewable resident visas for their parents or parents-in-law.

Whom can you sponsor

As per new regulations, you have to sponsor both your mother and father together and show proof that you are their sole provider and that there is no one to take care of them in your home country.

However, if your parents are divorced or one is deceased, you should carry documentary proof when visiting Department of Naturalisation and Residency Dubai (DNRD) to obtain the entry permit visa, which is the first step before you can apply for a residence visa.

Getting the entry visa

Your parents have to enter the country on this visa and you should ideally get the residency visa sorted within 60 days from their date of entry.

Documents required

Typed application form from registered typing centres

Original passport of the sponsor and parent/s

One photo each of the parent/s

Attested proof of relationship from your embassy or consulate and proof that you are the sole provider and caretaker for your parent/s

Copy of job contract for the sponsor or salary certificate from employer. 

Steps to follow

Take the listed documents and go to General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai. Submit them along with a letter from your side appealing on humanitarian grounds for an entry visa for your parent/s. Also, enclose copies of all above documents along with your contact numbers. The Approval Committee will either confirm or reject your application within two weeks.

Have a registered typist complete the form after paying the fees.

Go to the residency section of DNRD and hand in the documents.

Entry Permit will be sent by Empost usually within 48 hours, or if you have applied for an urgent visa, then you should receive it from the counter in a few minutes.

 

Fees

Dh2,000 refundable deposit (keep receipt safely for renewal or reimbursement, as this is paid back only when the visa is cancelled or in case your parent dies)

Dh110 application fee + typing centre fee (or pay Dh100 for urgent application)

Getting the residency visa

Once you receive the entry permit, get started on the visa procedures to be completed within 60 days from the date of entry.

Documents required for residence visa

    Application form and 3 photos of parent/s

    Original passport of parent/s and sponsor

    Original entry permit

    Health card of parent/s

    Refundable deposit receipt

    Original job contract or salary certificate of the sponsor

Steps

Do a health checkup and obtain a medical card.

Take the documents and go to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai.

Have one of the typists there complete the form for you after paying the fees.

Go to the residency section and hand in the documents.

The passport/s with the residency visa stamp will be sent to you through Empost.

Get a basic mandatory insurance policy for your parent/s starting at Dh600.

Fees

    Dh110 residency fees each year, not inclusive of typing centre fees

    Dh100 urgent application (optional)

    Dh10 Empost fees