Affordable new freelance visa allows Abu Dhabi 'mumpreneurs' to work when they want


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi mothers say a new affordable freelance visa empows them to legally establish start-up businesses and work flexibly on their own terms.

Late last year, the capital announced it would issue licences for 48 business categories, including fashion design, flower arrangement, legal consultancy, property and handicrafts.

The visas cost Dh530 ($144), enabling people such as Kate Carter, 37, to cheaply set up a company. In Ms Carter's case, Fabric Kate.

The mother of three makes crayons, personalised cards and cotton bunting for birthday parties and other events.

I can now legally work from home and supply to businesses

As well as selling them online under the licence of a third party site, Ms Carter would take her wares to markets.

“When I read the article about the new licence, I thought, yes, why not?” she said.

Ms Carter is from the UK and has lived in Abu Dhabi for the past 11 years.

“It was pretty straightforward. It’s perfect for me because I don’t have a lot of money to put into it. It took me about a week in total. This is for two years.”

If it becomes too expensive in future, Ms Carter said she may have to reassess, but for now it is working well because it is affordable. The licence enables her to sell her goods from her own website.

She said there are several benefits, including being able to keep the profits herself, rather than share them with the company providing the licence.

“Also, because I can do it from my own website, it enables me to add more stuff, like the message option.”

The importance of flexible freelance work 

Mother of three Ffion Carroll, 31, from the UK, used to sell her cards and festive crafts at markets, where she paid for the use of a table and operated under the licence of the business that ran the event.

“I would drive to Dubai to do the markets, because Dubai was still open during the pandemic,” she said.

“But this means I can now legally work from home and supply to businesses. I now supply to about six or seven businesses.

"The potential is endless for me now. I can do it from home.”

Justine Anderson, who owns Shaggy Hands, which sells wall hangings, took out a handicraft licence.

She said having the ability to work for herself is important, because her husband is a pilot and away a lot. This way she still can work and be with her two children.

She said she was surprised at how easy the process was to apply.

“I thought it would be harder,” she said.

Almost put off by the need to attest her certificates, Ms Anderson was told they were not required for the handicraft licence, only for licences that require professional qualifications, such as architecture.

The new documentation will help her to grow her business – she used to sell her wall hangings through word of mouth only. She is currently building a website.

"I made a comment on Facebook about the licence because I had a question and a few people replied to ask how easy was it?" she said.

“I was able to tell them it was simple. There are a lot of people looking for a side hustle, I guess.”

The new freelance licences for the first time allow entrepreneurs working in a wide range of industries to set up a business and work from home or any authorised location.

People who are retired, homemakers, and students can also apply.

Freelance visas were previously limited to certain sectors, including media, finance and education.

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Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
  • Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
  • Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
  • Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
  • Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
  • Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
  • Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
  • Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
  • Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.

Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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ELIO

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Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

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LA LIGA FIXTURES

Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)

Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)

Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)

Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)

if you go

The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip 
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles. 

The specs

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Engine: 5-litre V8

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

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Sand storm

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  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
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  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

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Price: Dh554,000

On sale: now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The Disaster Artist

Director: James Franco

Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan

Four stars

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

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Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

The biog

Age: 35

Inspiration: Wife and kids 

Favourite book: Changes all the time but my new favourite is Thinking, Fast and Slow  by Daniel Kahneman

Best Travel Destination: Bora Bora , French Polynesia 

Favourite run: Jabel Hafeet, I also enjoy running the 30km loop in Al Wathba cycling track

The specs: 2018 Jeep Compass

Price, base: Dh100,000 (estimate)

Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Power: 184bhp at 6,400rpm

Torque: 237Nm at 3,900rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.4L / 100km

Messi at the Copa America

2007 – lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final

2011 – lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals

2015 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final

2016 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final