If you run a business entirely on your own, do everything from strategy to execution, and prizes independence, then you may be a solopreneur. And whether you remain a solopreneur for your entire career or eventually branch out into entrepreneurship, the business landscape of the UAE has been carefully curated to provide the ultimate launch pad.
The numbers back this up. The UAE was ranked first in the world by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for 2023–2024, and it was recognised as the best global destination for starting and operating a new business venture. In fact, the country gained a score of 7.7, the highest ever recorded in the history of the report.
On its journey to becoming the go-to destination for solopreneurs, the UAE has attracted a wide variety of professionals – from content creators, to financial experts, to consultants, with every sector imaginable covered. This is no surprise, since this is a culture where independence and flexibility in business are highly prized.
So, how did this happen and what underpins the city’s status as a solopreneur hub? That’s what this article uncovers – the secret behind Dubai’s success as the best place for one-person businesses.
Government policies that encourage small businesses
Dubai’s total commitment to making business easy and attractive is at the core of its rise as a solopreneur hotspot. This is exemplified by its zero personal income tax, exceptional ease-of-doing-business, high digital connectivity, the world's busiest airport, and its strategic East-West location, blending the best of both worlds.
None of this happened by accident. Over the past decade or more, the UAE government has invested heavily in infrastructure and updating legislation aimed at attracting independent talent. And it’s worked. The result is a business ecosystem that really understands and supports one-person companies. The fact that it’s possible to set up in a free zone has made it significantly more affordable for individuals to work for themselves and start their own entity.
Changes to UAE visas facilitate easier entry
Until recently, it was difficult for individuals to legally offer services in Dubai without setting up a full company. Now, with the introduction of the freelance permit and freelance visa programmes set up by several Dubai-based free zones, professionals in fields including media, education, technology, and design can legally operate as sole proprietors.
This set up suits the solopreneur at the start of their career as they don’t need office space or multiple shareholders to obtain this visa. They simply apply online, provide a portfolio, and, if approved, they receive a business license and a residency visa tied to their freelance work.
This approach has not only legitimised solo work but has actively encouraged it. Whether you’re a designer from Europe, a developer from India, or a finance expert from South Africa, you can now live and work in Dubai legally without needing a local sponsor or full company setup. This lowers the barrier to entry while reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to become a magnet for skilled independent talent.
The flexibility afforded by Dubai’s free zones
When it comes to establishing yourself and your new enterprise, cost is always going to be a major consideration – particularly when looking at setting up in a global business hub. A prestigious place of business doesn’t come cheap: office rent, staffing requirements, and red tape can quickly spiral. However, the UAE’s free zones have addressed the issue head-on.
Many free zones now offer solo license packages with pricing structures accessible to solopreneurs regardless of the stage of their business’s development. These packages often include everything from trade name registration to visa eligibility, and some allow individuals to work remotely or operate from a co-working space.
It’s also notable that many free zones allow for the license holder to be both the owner and the only employee of the company – a model that fits perfectly with high-skill, low-overhead professionals such as consultants, financial advisors, and marketers.
Tailor-made for the life of the digital nomad
Another key factor in Dubai’s rise is its embrace of the digital nomad economy. In 2021, the UAE introduced the Virtual Working Programme, a one-year visa that allows remote workers employed by companies outside the UAE to live in Dubai while continuing to work for their overseas employer.
This initiative was a major boost to solopreneurs around the world, whether digital freelancers, remote consultants, or startup founders without fixed locations – there is now a visa pathway and regulatory framework that understands exactly what they need.
There is no shortage of co-working spaces in Dubai for those who don’t want to, or can’t, work at home. But more than that, these locations are a place of networking – both informal and structured – and they offer many business support services and mentorship programmes tailored to those entering the market. The result is a supportive community where you might meet a mentor, a future client, or just a friend, through a collaboration-focused environment.
An attractive work-life balance
For the solopreneur, Dubai delivers on the lifestyle front, too. The city offers year-round sunshine and a cosmopolitan, English-speaking environment. It’s safe, tax-free, and designed to make everyday life efficient, whether that’s government apps or same-day grocery delivery. Everything is set up for convenience, which is critical for anyone running a single-person business.
For the solopreneur, quality of life might not always be seen as important as the regulatory environment when it comes to reasons for relocation, but the peace of mind you get from knowing you live in a safe country with access to top healthcare as well as excellent restaurants and leisure activities creates a quality of life that helps you focus on the business at hand.
Sectors of focus for Dubai solopreneurs
Certain sectors have shown particular momentum for solopreneurs in Dubai:
- Media and content creation: With Dubai’s status as a regional media hub, freelance videographers, writers, podcasters and social media managers are in high demand. Many find work supporting both startups and major multinationals.
- Tech and development: As a growing fintech and AI hub, Dubai needs developers, product managers and UX consultants.
- Wellness and coaching: From yoga instructors to life coaches, the UAE’s growing wellness scene is supported by solopreneurs operating under personal training or consultancy licenses.
- Education and training: E-learning, tutoring, and language instruction have all seen upticks, especially since the pandemic made remote education more acceptable.
Dubai and the future of going solo
Last year, Intuit conducted a study of solopreneurs in the US, and while it was specific to that country, many of the findings are relevant to Dubai. Around 65% of solopreneurs said they made more money working for themselves than they did as employees, but perhaps most interestingly, half of those surveyed who were currently employed said they were interested in starting their own business within the next year. The biggest reason? Greater freedom.
So, solopreneurship is an increasingly attractive prospect. As work becomes more and more decentralised and people prioritise this kind of autonomy, the demand for solopreneur-friendly cities is set to grow. While many locations around the world have thrown their hats into the ring, the fact that Dubai has been specifically structured to be as business-friendly as possible for the solopreneur sets it apart. It’s no mystery, then, why this vibrant city has become the go-to hub for the solopreneur in 2025.
