How do I get a freelance visa in Dubai and what work does it allow?

The freelance route has two parts, and the price confusion usually comes from mixing them up. First is the freelance permit, the licence that lets you legally work independently; second is the residence visa attached to it. Permits are issued by several bodies, including Dubai free zones covering creative and media activities and MOHRE's freelance work permit, and each issuer has its own fees, activity lists, and visa packages, which is why quotes vary so widely. As a graphic designer, choose an issuer whose activity list actually covers design work. Once you hold the permit, you can take on multiple clients rather than being tied to one employer, and working for clients abroad is generally fine; the permit governs your right to work from the UAE, not where your customers are located. The sequence runs roughly: select the issuer, obtain the permit, then process the residence visa, medical test, Emirates ID, and health insurance. Since you are currently employed, plan the transition, because your existing visa needs cancelling or your status changing before you start independently. Compare total first-year and renewal costs, not headline prices. A licensed adviser or UAE lawyer can confirm which permit covers your exact activities before you pay for one.