Self-employed / FreelancerVisa
Self-employed visa
Self-employed/freelancer visa — residence for independent professionals who work for themselves (for example, in Germany or the UAE).
- What it is
- A self-employed/freelancer visa — residence for independent professionals
- Who it is for
- Those who work for themselves rather than an employer
- Where it exists
- Germany, the UAE, a number of EU and other countries
- Condition
- Evidenced activity, income, sometimes clients
- Can you prepare
- Yes: gather a portfolio, income and a plan
In plain words
A freelancer or self-employed visa is a residence permit for independent professionals who work for themselves rather than being employed by an employer. Such visas exist in various countries — from Germany (Freiberufler) to the UAE — and allow you to live in the country legally, providing services to clients as a self-employed professional.
The general logic is similar everywhere: you need to evidence that you are an in-demand professional with genuine activity and sufficient income. A portfolio, contracts or letters from clients, financial solvency and sometimes a business plan and professional qualifications are usually requested. The specific requirements differ widely between countries, so it is important to choose the option to suit your profession and profile.
Such a status is valuable for designers, developers, consultants, creative professionals and others who want to live abroad while remaining independent. Unlike a work visa, you are not tied to a single employer. We help choose a suitable country, assemble a persuasive freelancer file and obtain the status — with a further path to PR in view where possible.
Who a freelancer visa suits
What matters about a freelancer visa
- Working for themselves
- Professionals and creatives
- Consultants
- Portfolio and contracts
- Client letters
- Qualifications
- Sufficient income
- Financial solvency
- Sometimes a business plan
- Not tied to an employer
- A legal status
- Path to permanent residence
How to obtain the visa
- 01Choosing a country for your profession
- 02Assembling the freelancer file
- 03Filing the application
- 04Review
- 05Self-employed residence permit
What you need to know
- A freelancer visa is residence for those working for themselves
- It exists in Germany, the UAE and a number of other countries
- Evidenced activity and income are required
- A portfolio, contracts and qualifications are usually requested
- Unlike a work visa — not tied to an employer
Common mistakes
- Filing without a portfolio and evidence of clients
- Not showing sufficient and stable income
- Choosing a country without regard to your profession
- Ignoring the qualification requirements
- Not planning the path to PR in advance
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We help independent professionals obtain a freelancer visa: we choose a suitable country for the profession, assemble a persuasive file — portfolio, contracts, income, qualifications — and obtain a residence permit not tied to an employer. We build the status with a path to PR in view where possible.
Frequently asked questions
01 /What is a freelancer visa?
A residence permit for independent professionals who work for themselves rather than as employees. It allows you to live in the country legally, providing services to clients as a self-employed person.
02 /In which countries does it exist?
In various ones — from Germany (Freiberufler) to the UAE and a number of EU countries. The requirements and conditions differ widely, so the option is chosen to suit the profession.
03 /What is needed to obtain it?
Evidence of genuine activity and income: usually a portfolio, contracts or client letters, financial solvency, and sometimes a business plan and qualifications.
04 /How is it better than a work visa?
You are not tied to a single employer and keep your independence, working for your own clients. That is the key difference from employment.
05 /Who does such a visa suit?
Designers, developers, consultants, creative and IT professionals — anyone running an independent practice who wants to live abroad.
06 /Does it lead to PR?
In many countries, yes, subject to the residence conditions. We build the status with a further path to PR in view where possible.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
Live abroad as a freelancer?
We will choose a country for your profession and assemble a self-employed file — through to a residence permit not tied to an employer.