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The twofour54 freelancer licensing guide
This freelancer licensing guide explains the process for becoming a licensed freelancer (or sole proprietor which is the legal name) in the Media Zone - Abu Dhabi (media zone).
What is a licensed freelancer?
A licensed freelancer is a media professional who has been licensed by the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi (Authority) to work within the media zone.
What can a licensed freelancer do?
We have a wide range of media related activities which a licensed freelancer can carry out. Please tell us about what you would like to do in the media zone and we should have an activity to fit you!
Will the Authority sponsor licensed freelancers?
Yes, all non GCC national licensed freelancers must be sponsored by the Authority to work within the media zone. Please note, you cannot be licensed as a freelancer by the Authority whilst sponsored by another UAE company or authority.
How long is the licence term?
We offer 6 and 12 month sole proprietor business trade licences (licence), depending on how long you will be working in the media zone.
If you choose a 6 month licence and want to extend it to 12 months, you simply need to pay the additional licence fee (please see fees below).
All renewal periods are for 12 months and will cost the full AED 2500 licence fee.
How much does it cost to become a licensed freelancer?
The 6 month licence is AED 1250 and the 12 month licence is AED 2500.
The sponsorship fee for non GCC nationals is approximately AED 2200 and there is a refundable security deposit to pay of AED 5000.
What is the refundable security deposit for?
The Authority requires a AED 5000 security deposit to be paid by each licensed freelancer. The deposit amount is refundable when the licence terminates unless there are any outstanding fees or fines incurred by the licensee.
steps
What is the application process?
1complete and submit the application form, references and other documentation
Please carefully complete the online application form and upload and attach:
- an up-to-date CV (in English) to provide additional information about your experience (a maximum of 2 A4 pages)
- a high resolution colour passport photo on a white background and
- a colour scan of your passport (and visa, if relevant).
We also require 2 references per skill (from a person holding a senior position in a recognised company or with at least 5 years professional media experience) which show relevant experience for each activity you have selected. If the activities you have selected are similar, you can provide two references which cover that skill set.
Preference will be given to those applicants who can provide evidence that they have organised work in the media zone e.g. a letter of intent or work offer from a company in the media zone.
Applicants who plan to work on their own projects, for example, as a producer working on an independent documentary project, must provide a detailed business plan explaining what they intend to do in the free zone.
Business Plan guidelines;
- Background, history, experience. Highlight your specialist knowledge.
- Pipeline of work, plan if licenced, contacts within the MZA, aim of being a freelancer.
- Financial liabilities, expected income, work expenditure plan, family support, expenditure.
2review by the application review team
The application team will review your application form, references and other documentation and will contact the referees you have provided. They may also request further information in support of your application.
3meet the Authority
If your application has been successful you will be invited to meet the Authority and present your passport for an ID check.
4payment of licence fees, visa fee and security deposit
After passing the ID check, the Authority will require payment of the applicable licence fee, the visa fee (for non-GCC nationals) and the refundable security deposit.
5issuing your license
Once all payments listed above have cleared, the Authority will issue you with a licence (in accordance with the Business Licensing Regulations 2009) and an employment visa (if you are a non GCC national). You must then complete a process to convert your employment visa into a residence visa.
Please contact the team at with any questions regarding the application process.
10 important points about being a licensed freelancer
Please make sure you read the Business Licensing Regulations 2009 available on the Authority’s website (www.twofour54.com/en/regulatoryaffairs/about-twofour54/regulatory-affairs.html).
- You may work in the media zone as a licensed freelancer if you hold both a valid licence and valid Authority sponsorship (for non GCC nationals).
- The licence enables you to undertake the specific business activities in the media zone which are stated on your licence.
- You can apply to the Authority to request to add additional business activities to your licence.
- You can apply to the Authority to request to extend the licence term of a 6 month licence to the full 12 month licence term.
- You must keep up-to-date records, including financial information, of all the work you have been doing during your licence term.
- After the first 3 months of the licence term, you will be asked to complete a review form to provide details of the work you have been doing in the media zone.
- You are required to provide a AED 5,000 security deposit to the Authority which is refundable when the licence terminates unless you have any outstanding fees or fines.
- As a licensed freelancer, you are personally liable for any debts and other obligations you may incur in carrying out your work.
- The Authority has the power to suspend, vary or revoke your licence.
- If your licence expires or is revoked, your Authority sponsorship will be cancelled.
