Freelancers and consultants can set up a licensed company in Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone from AED 4,888 a year, with up to 10 service activities on one licence. For anyone already invoicing clients informally, or planning to leave employment and go independent, ANCFZ is one of the most affordable ways to do it properly.
This guide covers why a licence matters, how an ANCFZ company compares with a freelance permit, which package to choose, and what to expect on banking, clients and tax.
Why freelancers need a licence in the UAE
In the UAE, carrying on a business activity requires a licence. Working without one creates real problems.
- Clients cannot pay you easily. Most companies need a trade licence and a tax invoice to onboard a supplier.
- Banks will question the income. Regular business payments into a personal account draw attention.
- You have no legal separation. If a project goes wrong, your personal assets are exposed.
- You may breach your visa terms. An employment visa covers work for your sponsor.
A licence fixes all four. It also changes how clients see you. A company name, a licence number and a proper invoice signal that you are a business, not a favour.
Why ANCFZ works for independent professionals
The cost is low enough to justify early. At AED 4,888 a year for a zero visa licence, one modest project covers the annual fee.
Ten activities fit how freelancers actually work. Few independents do only one thing. A marketer writes, designs, runs ads and trains teams. ANCFZ lets you list up to 10 activities on one licence, so your invoices match your licence.
No office is needed. A lease agreement is included in the package, and the zone says flexi-desk solutions are sufficient for most businesses.
Setup is fast and remote. The zone advertises licence issuance in as little as two hours when documents are in order, with no visit required.
You own it outright. There is no local partner and no nationality restriction on shareholders.
The free zone lists 53 licensed activities in its consulting and professional services category alone, within a wider list of more than 3,500.
ANCFZ company or freelance permit?
Several UAE free zones sell freelance permits. They can be a good fit, but they are a different product from a company licence. The table shows the usual differences. Details vary by zone, so check the specific permit you are comparing.
Point | ANCFZ company (FZE) | Typical freelance permit |
|---|---|---|
Legal form | Separate company with limited liability | Individual trading in own name |
Activities | Up to 10 on one licence | Usually one activity or a narrow group |
Brand | Your own company name | Usually your personal name |
Hiring | Can sponsor employees with a visa package | Generally cannot hire |
Partners | Unlimited shareholders | Not possible |
Starting price | AED 4,888 a year | Varies by zone |
The main advantages of the company route are limited liability, a brand you can build, and room to grow. If you ever plan to hire a subcontractor on a visa, bring in a partner or sell the business, a company makes that possible.
A freelance permit can still suit someone who wants the simplest possible setup in a specific media or tech zone. The point is to compare like with like.
Who this suits
ANCFZ is a strong match for service professionals such as:
- Management, strategy and HR consultants
- Marketing, social media and PR specialists
- Designers, writers, editors and translators
- Software developers and IT consultants
- Trainers and coaches
- Project managers and business analysts
- Photographers, videographers and content creators
Some professions are regulated. Legal practice, audit, medicine, engineering consultancy and financial advice often need separate professional licences or regulator approval. The zone notes that regulated activities such as financial services, healthcare and education may need additional approvals. If your work is regulated, confirm the route before applying.
Choosing your activities
Think about what your invoices will say over the next two years.
A marketing consultant might choose:
- Marketing consultancy
- Social media management
- Advertising services
- Web design
- Event management
An IT contractor might choose:
- IT consultancy
- Software development
- Web and app development
- IT infrastructure services
- Technical training
A business consultant might choose:
- Management consultancy
- Feasibility studies
- HR consultancy
- Project management services
- Business training
Activity names differ slightly between free zones. We match your services to the closest approved activities on the ANCFZ list before you apply.
Which package: zero visa or one visa?
The published 2026 prices for the consulting category are the same as the standard list.
Visas | One-year all-inclusive price (AED) |
|---|---|
0 | 4,888 |
1 | 10,800 |
3 | 20,700 |
5 | 29,700 |
Choose zero visa if you already hold UAE residency through an employer, a spouse or another route, or if you live abroad and do not plan to relocate.
Choose one visa if you are leaving employment and need your own residency, or you are moving to the UAE to work for yourself.
The one-visa package includes the establishment card, entry permit, medical test, residency visa and Emirates ID. Health insurance is mandatory during the visa process and is paid separately.
Freelancing alongside a full-time job
Many UAE residents start their business while still employed. Three points matter.
- Read your employment contract. Some contracts prohibit outside business activity or require the employer’s consent.
- Check for conflicts of interest. Serving your employer’s clients or competitors on the side is a common source of disputes.
- Keep the two separate. Use your company bank account, your own equipment and your own time.
A licence makes your business lawful. It does not change the obligations in a contract you have already signed. When in doubt, ask your employer in writing.
Moving from employment to your own company
If you are resigning to go independent, sequence matters.
- Set up the ANCFZ company with a one-visa package before your last working day, if you can.
- Have your employer cancel your employment visa after your notice period.
- Use the grace period after cancellation to complete your new investor visa through a status change, without leaving the country.
- Update your Emirates ID, bank and tenancy records once the new visa is issued.
Grace periods and procedures change, so confirm the current rules when you plan your timeline. If you sponsor family members, their visas depend on yours and need to be handled in the same window.
Working with clients
International clients. A free zone company can invoice clients anywhere in the world. This is the simplest case.
Other free zone companies. Also straightforward.
UAE mainland clients. Free zone consultancies commonly provide services to mainland businesses. Some larger companies and most government entities have supplier rules that require a mainland licence or specific registrations. Ask your target clients about their vendor requirements before you commit.
Whatever the client, use a written contract. State the scope, fees, payment terms, ownership of work and how the agreement ends. A two-page contract prevents most payment disputes.
Getting paid: bank accounts and invoicing
Open a corporate bank account as soon as the licence arrives. Every ANCFZ package includes a bank letter to support the application.
Banks will ask what you do, who your clients are and how much you expect to earn. Bring your CV or LinkedIn profile, a portfolio or website, and any signed contracts. Consultants with a clear professional history generally find this manageable.
Your invoices should show the company name, licence number, address, client details, a description of services, the amount and payment details. Once you are VAT registered, they must also meet tax invoice requirements.
Tax for freelancers and consultants
Personal income tax. The UAE does not levy personal income tax on salaries.
Corporate tax. Your company must register for corporate tax. Taxable profit up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0%, and profit above that at 9%. The free zone 0% rate applies only to qualifying income from specific activities under strict conditions, and general consultancy is not usually among them. Most consultants should plan on the standard regime.
Small business relief. A relief for businesses under a revenue limit has been available for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2026. Ask a tax adviser whether you qualify and what applies afterwards.
VAT. Registration is mandatory once taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 over 12 months. Voluntary registration is available from AED 187,500. Services to clients outside the UAE may be zero-rated when conditions are met.
Records. Keep invoices, contracts and bank statements from day one. Good records make tax returns simple.
What does it all cost in year one?
For a resident consultant on a zero visa package, the fixed costs are the licence at AED 4,888, basic bookkeeping and tax filing, and any bank charges. For someone who needs residency, the one-visa package at AED 10,800 replaces the licence line, and health insurance is added.
Compare that with what you charge. If your day rate is AED 1,500, the zero visa licence is paid for in under four working days.
Frequently asked questions
Can a freelancer set up in ANCFZ? Yes. You set up a single-shareholder company (FZE) with the service activities you offer.
Do I need an office? No, not for most service activities. A lease agreement is included.
Can I keep my job and run an ANCFZ company? The licence allows the business. Whether you may do so depends on your employment contract.
Can I work with clients in Dubai? Free zone consultancies commonly serve mainland clients. Check each client’s supplier requirements.
Will I pay tax? You must register for corporate tax. Tax is due only on profit above AED 375,000 under the standard regime.
Can I add a partner later? Yes. The licence allows unlimited shareholders, and the company can be converted to a multi-shareholder structure.
How fast can I start invoicing? The licence can be issued the same day. A bank account takes longer, so start that application straight away.
Go independent the right way
A licence is the difference between a side hustle and a business. ANCFZ makes that step affordable, and the 10-activity licence means you will not outgrow it in six months.