FREELANCING VS. FULL-TIME FOR SOUTH ASIAN CREATIVES IN THE UAE
- BRWN iNK Admin
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Pitching clients on Zoom at midnight or clocking into an in-house role at 9 AM, what actually powers your creative hustle in the UAE? If you’re torn between freelance jobs for creatives and creative job stability, you’re not alone. No one’s “winning”, just honest breakdowns so you can choose your own adventure.
THE FREELANCE LIFE IN THE UAE
Pros
Zero income tax = more take-home on those premium day rates.
Flex-anywhere culture: beachside workdays, commute-free mornings.
Global portfolio: Dubai clients, Abu Dhabi briefs, beyond.
Cons
Income unpredictability: one month slays, next month’s ghost town.
Freelancing licence headaches: navigating DED or DXB Free Zone regs.
Solo client-hunting: fierce market, everyone’s vying for attention.
Check out local hubs like Ureed (previously Nabbesh) for gigs.
FULL-TIME IN HOUSE ROLES
Pros
Regular salary + health insurance + annual leave: reliability wins.
Built-in feedback & cultural mentorship: learn from in-house veterans.
Steady project pipeline: agencies and media houses keep it rolling.
Cons
Less project control: you might be on someone else’s vision.
Office politics: tight teams can feel cliquey.
Slower salary bumps: cost-of-living rises don’t always sync with pay reviews.
Dubai vs. Abu Dhabi salaries vary a ton, expect anywhere from AED 6k/month at boutiques to AED 20k+ at multinationals, depending on role and experience.
HYBRID HACKS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Part-time freelancing alongside your in-house gig.
“Creative days” passes at co-working spaces like AstroLabs.
Weekend workshops with BRWN iNK or local art communities.
COMMUNITY AND RESOURCE ROUND-UP
BRWN iNK Dubai & Abu Dhabi events: network IRL or virtually.
Slack/Discord groups for UAE’s South Asian creatives.
Regional platforms: UReed, Mostaql, plus X (formerly Twitter) threads.
CONCLUSION
Neither route is flawless, your choice hinges on how much you value stability vs. freedom. Ready to transform your career? Join 3,000+ South Asian creatives who’ve signed up for our newsletter and get weekly tips, job alerts, and community vibes. 🚀
