It is the news many aspiring entrepreneurs in the capital have been waiting for. Abu Dhabi, for the first time, will issue freelancer licences for 48 business activities.
The list includes activities in fashion design, flower arrangement, legal consultancy, property, human resources and architecture. See below for the full list.
Authorities said the licences will make the job market flexible and help the private sector by keeping costs low.
How is the new measure different to what was previously available to residents who wanted to start a business?
The National explains.
How did residents set up a business before?
Residents could either set up a business in a free zone such as twofour54, where they could obtain a freelancer licence, or alternatively establish a business onshore, which means anywhere else in the emirate.
Those options worked for some people, but were a barrier for others.
Freelancer licences were previously limited to sectors such as media and finance. Business activities were technically limited to operating within the free zone where the licences were issued.
A resident could open a shop in a mall but only with an Emirati business partner, who would automatically obtain a 51 per cent stake in the business. That put off many people.
Another option was introduced later that allowed business owners who set up in a free zone to open a satellite office onshore.
That opened doors for people who could afford to set up in both areas, but there were still limits, experts said.
“It was extremely expensive, because now you had to set up two entities,” said Bernard Lee, chief executive of GlassQube Coworking, a workspace operator with four sites in Abu Dhabi.
“Secondly, that onshore branch does not cover all the trade activities and some of the most important trade activities that really require you to have onshore licensing, such as real estate-related activities, from my understanding are not covered in this dual licence structure.”
The new freelancer licence changes that.
What does the new licence offer?
For the first time, entrepreneurs can set up a business and obtain a freelancer licence to work from home or any authorised location.
People who are retired, homemakers and students can also apply.
That is a welcome change for businesses or people looking to set up a shop.
Mr Lee said that if the list of activities was comprehensive and relevant to freelancers then the move was “very helpful and long overdue” to aspiring entrepreneurs in the capital.
Gina Dillon, administrator of the Facebook group Women Entrepreneurs Abu Dhabi, said her members needed cheaper business licences.
“We have so many women entrepreneurs who want to use their skill sets but just can’t seem to find a licence that works for us,” she said.
Many were once put off by the cost or loss of control in having an Emirati partner with an onshore licence, she said.
Ms Dillon wanted an option similar to the Dubai DED Trader Licence, which is relatively cheap and allows start-ups in the emirate to conduct business activities online and across their social networking accounts.
She said Abu Dhabi’s new freelancer licences were a welcome start.
"We are excited about it, but this is not as broad as the Dubai Trader's licence because this is freelancing only. I hope there are other programmes to follow," she said.
Anir Chatterji, Middle East immigration leader at PwC, said the new freelancer licences will allow prospective entrepreneurs to test the waters before deciding to set up on a longer-term basis.
"The 48 freelancer licenses stretches across a good range of sectors and activities, in which the applicant can find a fit for their specialism in order to conduct business in Abu Dhabi and will be welcome news to many who are considering to invest in the UAE," he added.
The cost of the licence has not yet been revealed.
What activities does the freelancer licence cover?
The licences cover 48 business activities and some consultancy work.
Fashion design
Clothing
Natural and aesthetic flowers arrangement
Photography studio
Event photography
Videography
Event management
Gift packaging
Jewellery design
Web design
Project design and management services
Translation
Calligraphy
Drawing
Statistical consultations
Agricultural guidance
Marketing operations management
Computer hardware and software
Property
Legal consultancy
Public relations
Standardisation and quality management
Pest control
Project development
Procurement
Technical installations
Green buildings
Information technology
Economic feasibility studies
Human resources
Tourism
Heritage
Entertainment
Administrative studies
Food safety
Goods designs
Fine art
Architectural drawings
Maritime services
Lifestyle development
Marketing studies
Parliamentary studies
Banking
Marketing services
Energy
Space
Logistical consultations
Fitness
Artworks
Sculpting
Handicrafts
Printing services
Photocopying
Gardening and landscaping
Printing on textiles or clothes
Plastering
Engraving
Decoration
Soap making
360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
Results
3pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,400m, Winner: Lancienegaboulevard, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Fawzi Nass (trainer).
3.35pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Turf) 1,600m, Winner: Al Mukhtar Star, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
4.10pm: Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner: Gundogdu, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Speedy Move, Sean Kirrane, Satish Seemar.
5.20pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Moqarrar, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy.
5.55pm: Handicap Dh175,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Dolman, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press
Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
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Community Shield info
Where, when and at what time Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday at 5pm (UAE time)
Arsenal line up (3-4-2-1) Petr Cech; Rob Holding, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal; Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck; Alexandre Lacazette
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Chelsea line up (3-4-2-1) Thibaut Courtois; Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Gary Cahill; Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas, N'Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso; Willian, Pedro; Michy Batshuayi
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte
Referee Bobby Madley
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 720hp
Torque: 770Nm
Price: Dh1,100,000
On sale: now
