With the rise of technology and digital transformation, thousands in Dubai have turned to Freelance as a way for them to pursue their passions without having any constraints on where they live.
A survey conducted by Xangle found that over 8500 UAE workers currently operate outside traditional corporate structures, many working from home or in coffee shops. In contrast, others enjoy complete flexibility with visa linked contracts. If you lose your job, then it's not necessary for most people to just leave the country because now companies want this type of talent too!
Nowadays, it is possible to turn to Freelance as a viable alternative to traditional employment-based jobs by utilising online platforms like Easy Freelance to get a range of options to legally carry out your freelancing activities.
If you don't have sponsorship, you can arrange residence visas that can also be placed through a platform partner who will offer you support when using their platform.
The UAE is a haven for entrepreneurs with its permissive licensing laws. In November of last year, the country created what has been called "the most extensive freelancing license in the world." The Freelance Licence covers everything from real estate and pest control to food safety and fine art; With the introduction of new licenses, individuals can keep their permanent job and start up a side business as long they have a NOC (no objection certificate) from the original sponsor. Even soap-makers or stunt workers can benefit from this license!
So as the UAE job market evolves, there are more and more self-employed workers. Which jobs have a better rate? Easy Freelance took a look into it.
Tara Nolan is a personal trainer from London who decided to freelance in the UAE because she wanted freedom and flexibility. She found that being her own boss meant earning more money too!
"The motivation of being your own boss and earning a bit more," said the 35-year-old from London.
There are so many Personal Trainers in Dubai it can sometimes feel like every 10th person you meet is a freelance personal trainer. They dominate the Instagram wellness space with their workouts and healthy lifestyles, but how much do they earn?
"People buy into people and are willing to pay more. you can quickly become a confidant as well as help someone with their fitness."
A one hour one to one session can cost Dh325 and Dh500 in the UAE. This can go up to Dh600 through agency work, but remember, the agency may take up to 50% commission.
When working parents need to focus on other things, they can call freelancers nannies.
They must bring in a childcare professional with experience and qualifications so your child will get the best care possible while being safe at all times!
Some families in the UAE have live-in help and offer sponsorship to their nannies; there are still many opportunities for freelancing. If you are being sponsored by your partner or spouse, you can even freelance as a nanny as long as you have a valid employment contract and a valid NOC from your sponsor. Depending on your nationality and skill, the pay can vary. Nannies from Europe can earn up to Dh150 an hour, normally starting at around Dh25 per hour.
The pandemic that has hit the world has meant significant changes in learning. Before, face-to-face tutoring at home was banned because of Covid 19 regulations. Still, now it's more popular than ever with Zoom online teaching services becoming available everywhere for those who have permission from their sponsor and proof they are qualified! The independent teacher is a tough sell. You have to hustle for clients, proactively looking and networking until you find those who want what's best for your students - not just themselves! But don't let that discourage you; many teachers choose Freelance over agency work because it typically pays better and provides more flexibility when dealing with family or other issues.
As a tutor in the UAE, you can expect to charge hourly, from DH350 to Dh660, depending on the academic stage of the pupil and your qualifications.
Freelance journalists work on a range of different projects and for various clients. They're paid by the shift or word, with some getting higher rates than others depending upon their experience level in journalism and time taken to complete an assignment (which can vary from shorter freelance pieces). TV jobs pay more but still remain low when compared against other professions that offer similar types of work.
Former magazine editor Rebecca Proctor, 37, now works as a freelance journalist in the UAE.
"I just pay the platform renewal fee every year, and I'm basically set. I can use an office, but I primarily work from my house.
"I got a few small retainer gigs which really anchored me financially, and then it's just about planning and balancing the various deadlines."
Interior design work is becoming a booming industry in the UAE because people spend more time at home and find suitable spaces for themselves or their children. The interior design sector in the UAE is snowballing because people are spending more time at home and need a place to study or work.
"It's crazy how much this industry has taken off in the last year," said Gabby Garvey, 37, a qualified interior designer from Ireland.
Life coaches are vital for helping people when they get stuck in a rut, either personally or professionally. As seen by the tremendous 207% growth rate on LinkedIn recently compared with 2019 alone (according to Forbes), it's clear that more individuals than ever need these services!
"I always advise my client base to find a certified coach; there's a difference between subjective advice and mentoring and professional coaching," said Leila Almaeena, 43, who runs her own training and development company in Dubai.
Learning how you become a life coach can be done anywhere, for not much money. It's well paid if you build up your client base.
Many life coaches charge up to Dh3,000 an hour.
Marketing and PR are often bunched together under the general title of communications. Still, there is a wide disparity between those who have just started out in this industry to more experienced marketers. Freelance jobs here continue apace post-pandemic because many people want their voices heard through social media channels or traditional advertising methods like print ads. Both sides offer something different, which can be helpful for any company looking at expanding into new markets.
"Going Freelance was definitely the right decision for me because I had a lot of experience, so I could offer higher-quality work and earn reasonable payments, but I do not have any traditional overheads like an office to rent."
"Also, my clients know that if they hire me, they actually got me working on their project, not someone more junior," Mrs Tregoning, a British mother of two, said.
Well Experienced marketing and PR professionals can demand a day rate from Dh3,000 to Dh5,000, depending on the client's requirements.
Freelance as an Independent Sports Instructor
Earn from Dh15,000 to Dh25,000 a month (Dh150 to Dh350 per hour)
Sports instructors who want to make some extra money can choose either full-time employment or freelancing, where they are paid per class. Gym employees earn between Dh10,000 and 15K a month depending on their level of experience while hosting an hour-long one-to-one session as a freelancer could expect about 150 -200 dirhams per hour.
The beauty industry is booming, and self-employed makeup artists have reaped the benefits. Many people are now working as freelance contractors in the UAE because they can get better-paying jobs than those at traditional studios or companies.
Many makeup entrepreneurs see this change coming, so that's why more licenses for "Makeup Artists" (which actually just means someone who does makeup), "hairstylist", and similar professions are being seen more widely recently in the UAE.
The growth of the digital economy has been a tremendous driving force in recent years, leading to an increase not just for web designers but also for other creative professionals like graphic artists and marketers. One way you can take advantage is by hiring someone who's freelancing; they will likely have more experience than if they were working solely with one company because every project isn't exclusive (therefore giving them opportunities).
Web designers in the UAE are in high demand because every company has a digital presence. This growth market makes it easy for those with experience, like Saad Ashraf, who works as a freelance web designer on project-based hiring contracts and professional services licenses. He started out during 2008's financial crisis when fewer jobs were available, but now that situation has improved dramatically, thanks mainly to this field!
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