Dubai, UAE — Freelancers in the UAE are commanding day rates of up to $1,000 (Dh3,600), with demand surging for skills in cards portfolio management, project and product management, data analytics, business development, and risk management, according to the 2025 Talent on Demand report by independent talent platform Outsized.
The report highlights a 78 per cent increase in freelancer registrations across the MENA region over the past year, driven by the growing acceptance of flexible, on-demand expertise among businesses.
“The day rates for independent professionals in the UAE vary widely depending on their experience, industry, and the complexity of the projects they undertake,” Azeem Zainulbhai, Managing Director for MENA and India at Outsized, told Khaleej Times.
He noted that cards portfolio management specialists with up to five years of experience typically earn between $275 and $325 per day, while those with over a decade of expertise command rates ranging from $725 to $875 per day.
Specialist Skills in High Demand
In the fields of data analytics and project management, freelancers earn between $225 and $750 per day, depending on experience.
Entry-level project managers can expect around $250 daily, with rates rising to $525-$675 for those with more than ten years of experience.
Meanwhile, product managers with significant expertise can secure up to $600 per day, and business development professionals typically earn between $425 and $675 per day.
Senior professionals with over 15 years of experience are seeing even higher rates, particularly if they possess niche expertise or a track record of managing complex projects.
“This talent scarcity has also led to increased reliance on flexible talent solutions, such as independent consultants and project-based hires, which offer agility without long-term commitments,” Zainulbhai said.
A Growing Freelance Market
The UAE’s freelance market is experiencing a 10 per cent annual growth rate, underscoring a significant shift in career preferences.
“Professionals are increasingly exploring independent work as a viable and sustainable career option, and businesses in the UAE are recognising the value of flexible, on-demand expertise to support their growth and transformation efforts,” Zainulbhai explained.
The report also identified a notable supply-demand gap in the region, leading to higher premiums for skilled professionals compared to other markets like South Asia or South Africa.
This imbalance is further amplified by major regional initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s digital transformation agenda, which are driving demand for skilled independent consultants to expedite high-impact projects cost-effectively.
Visa Pathways for Freelancers
Facilitating this growing freelance ecosystem, the UAE offers multiple visa and residency options. Introduced in 2022, the five-year Green Visa allows freelancers and self-employed individuals to operate without requiring a sponsor.
According to Zainulbhai, the cost of a freelancer visa ranges from Dh2,000 to Dh12,000, with an approval timeline of seven to ten days. Freelancers can apply through various free zones such as Dubai Media City (DMC) and Dubai Internet City (DIC).
Planning for Freelance Success
For skilled professionals contemplating the switch to freelancing, Zainulbhai advises strategic planning, beginning with the creation of a strong portfolio that highlights tangible outcomes from past projects.
As businesses across the Middle East continue to embrace flexible workforce solutions, the outlook for freelancers in the UAE appears promising.
The 2025 Talent on Demand report is based on research and proprietary data from actual projects listed on the Outsized platform, providing a comprehensive view of the evolving freelance landscape in the region.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members