Best freelance, gig and earning platforms in the United Arab Emirates
The UAE's local earning platforms center on delivery, rides, online selling and Arabic freelance work. Talabat, a Delivery Hero company serving the UAE, and Deliveroo, whose 2026 exits from Singapore and Qatar did not include the UAE, run food delivery, and Careem, the Dubai-based super app, covers rides. Noon hosts online sellers, dubizzle and OpenSooq carry classified ads, Urban Company books home-service professionals, and Ureed, Mostaql and Khamsat serve Arabic-speaking freelancers. Tap Payments and Paymob let small businesses accept card payments. Money is in UAE dirhams (AED). PayPal accounts in the UAE can receive payments and withdraw to a UAE bank account in AED, free for amounts over AED 750 and AED 11 below that. Wise sends AED to UAE accounts, and Upwork pays out locally in AED. Individuals whose business turnover exceeds AED 1 million in a calendar year fall under UAE corporate tax. Tip: withdraw PayPal balances in amounts over AED 750 to avoid the fee.
Updated · how we verify platforms
The United Arab Emirates at a glance
Platform types: 3 freelance sites, 2 delivery platforms, 2 marketplaces, 2 card processing platforms, 1 ride platform, 1 big marketplace and 1 task platform
How they pay out: Bank transfer (10)
On this page: Local platforms (12) How to get paid (5 confirmed) Global platforms that accept you (53)
Local platforms in the United Arab Emirates, compared
| Platform | Type | Fees / commission | Pays via | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Careem
|
Ride-hailing company | ~20-25% commission per ride | Bank transfer | 2012 |
Deliveroo
|
Food delivery company | Paid per delivery ~GBP 2.90-6 + tips | Bank transfer | 2013 |
Khamsat
|
Gig marketplace | 20% commission per order | Bank transfer (Arab countries) | 2010 |
Mostaql
|
Freelance marketplace | 15-20% commission per project by membership tier | Bank transfer (Arab countries) | 2014 |
Noon
|
Online marketplace | Category referral commission ~4-27% | Bank transfer | 2017 |
OpenSooq
|
Classifieds marketplace | Free listings - no commission, paid promotions | Cash in person / direct arrangement | 2011 |
Paymob
|
Payment processor | 2.75% + EGP 3 per online transaction | Bank transfer | 2015 |
Talabat
|
Food delivery company | Paid per delivery ~AED 7.50-9.50 + tips | Bank transfer | 2004 |
Tap Payments
|
Payment processor | ~2.75% standard cards | Bank transfer ~T+3 | 2013 |
Urban Company
|
Home services platform | ~20-30% commission per booking | Bank transfer | 2014 |
Ureed
|
Freelance marketplace | 20% commission on all project payments | Bank transfer, PayPal | 2017 |
dubizzle
|
Classifieds marketplace | Free basic listings, fees for cars/property and featured ads | Direct payment from buyers | 2005 |
CareemThe leading ride-hailing and everything app across the Middle East and North Africa (it left Pakistan in July 2025), owned by Uber. Captains…
careem.com54 viewsDeliverooA food delivery platform operating across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Riders sign up to deliver by bike, scooter, or car and…
deliveroo.co.uk50 viewsKhamsatThe Arabic equivalent of Fiverr, where sellers offer micro-services starting at a low base price.
khamsat.com56 viewsMostaqlOne of the largest Arabic-language freelance marketplaces, used across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Arab world.
mostaql.com69 viewsNoonThe Middle East homegrown marketplace - sellers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt list to the region fastest-growing buyer base.
noon.com33 viewsOpenSooqA leading Arab-world classifieds marketplace for goods, cars, and services.
opensooq.com72 viewsPaymobA leading MENA payments company - merchants in Egypt, the Gulf, and Pakistan accept cards, wallets, and installments online and in person.
paymob.com47 viewsTalabatThe Middle East largest food delivery platform (Delivery Hero), with rider sign-up across the Gulf, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq.
talabat.com48 viewsTap PaymentsA MENA payment gateway letting businesses accept cards and local methods across the Gulf.
tap.company50 viewsUrban CompanyIndia largest home services platform, training and equipping professionals for beauty, cleaning, repairs, and maintenance work. Also operate…
urbancompany.com46 viewsUreedA MENA-focused freelance marketplace strong in Arabic-English language services, content, and translation. Connects clients in the Gulf and…
ureed.com93 viewsdubizzleThe UAE everything-classifieds platform - sell items, cars, and services directly to buyers across the Emirates.
dubizzle.com39 viewsHow to get paid in the United Arab Emirates
Payment services whose official country lists include the United Arab Emirates. Check that the platform you join pays out to at least one of them, or to a local bank.
Lemon SqueezyStore activation needs a questionnaire and ID check (about 2-3 business days), payouts go by bank in listed countries or by PayPal elsewhere.
PayPalNot available in Pakistan or Bangladesh, and in some listed countries accounts may only send or cannot withdraw locally, so check in the app.
StripeYou'll need: A bank account
Not open in Pakistan, Nigeria or Bangladesh, India and Indonesia are invite-only, and under-18s need a parent or guardian.
GreyGives USD, GBP and EUR receiving accounts for foreign clients and platforms like Upwork, Deel and Payoneer, payments from sanctioned countries fail.
PaddleFor software and digital products only, individuals can sell, and payouts go monthly by wire or Payoneer once you reach $100.
Not available for receiving money in the United Arab Emirates: NayaPay, bKash, CIH Bank, Mercado Pago, M-Pesa, PayPay, Paytm, Mollie, SadaPay, Razorpay, Bancontact Pay, PicPay, Tikkie, Paystack, Midtrans, MoMo, MTN MoMo, PayMongo, AlipayHK, ChapChap, Nequi, Tenpo, TrueMoney, Yoco, Chipper Cash, dLocal, Easypaisa, Khalti, OPay, Telebirr, ExpressPay, GCash, Fawry, JazzCash, Revolut, Xendit, Zalopay, CashPlus, Monobank, Square, Yape, Maya, Vipps, Wave, Daviplata, Flutterwave, Hubtel, Toss, Uala, Wise.
Global platforms that accept people in the United Arab Emirates
Each one's official sign-up or terms pages list the countries it accepts, and the United Arab Emirates is on the list. Check them against your age and what you have →
Freelance sites 6
UpworkYou'll need: A computer
You need a verified ID, an approved profile and a tax form (W-8BEN outside the US) before withdrawing. Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk are also restricted.
FiverrYou'll need: A computer
Fiverr can ask any seller for a government ID to confirm you are 18+, and PayPal withdrawals arrive in about 24 hours with a $1 minimum.
ToptalYou'll need: A computer, Good English, A skills test
Fewer than 3 percent pass the English interview, skills tests, live screening and 1-3 week test project.
GuruYou'll need: A computer
Free Basic plan gives 10 bids a month with a 9 percent job fee, paid plans from $11.95/mo add bids and lower fees.
PeoplePerHourYou'll need: A computer
Profiles are reviewed within 2 business days and new earnings clear 14 days after the invoice is approved.
FreelancerYou'll need: A computer
Identity verification is required before withdrawing, and your first withdrawal can be held up to 15 days.
Creator platforms 4
SubstackPaid subscriptions run through Stripe, so you need to live in a Stripe-supported country to get paid.
GumroadYou'll need: A bank account
Listed countries get bank payouts, others PayPal only (no Payoneer or Wise), $100 minimum payout, and US sellers need an SSN.
GhostYou'll need: A computer
Paid memberships need the Publisher plan or self-hosting plus a Stripe account, so countries follow Stripe coverage.
PatreonYou'll need: A tax ID number
Under 18 needs a parent or guardian's permission, and you must give tax info or Patreon may withhold tax.
Music distribution platforms 4
AmuseThere is no free plan now, the cheapest Artist plan costs $23.99 a year.
CD BabyOne-time $9.99 per single or $14.99 per album, payout within 15 business days of hitting your $25 default threshold, W-9 or W-8 required.
DistroKidAges 13-17 need parent or guardian consent, and you pay the annual fee by credit card.
TuneCoreAges 13-17 need parent consent, artists outside the US sign with Believe International instead of TuneCore.
Tutoring platforms 3
SuperprofFree to publish an ad with no commission, students pay you directly, but you must win your own students from profile views.
PreplyYou'll need: A computer, A webcam, A headset
Profiles reviewed within 3 business days, no certificate needed, but the first trial lesson with each new student pays 100% commission.
CamblyYou'll need: A computer, A webcam, Native-level language skills, Good English
No degree or certificate needed but tutors must be native English speakers and cannot tutor from California, Massachusetts or New Jersey.
Marketplaces 3
EtsyYou'll need: A bank account
Etsy Payments needs 18+, a card on file and a bank account, and sellers in 16 countries incl. Pakistan and India are paid via Payoneer.
StockXYou'll need: Products to sell
Sellers must live in a StockX seller country (Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt and Turkey cannot sell), and items ship to StockX for checks first.
GrailedYou'll need: A smartphone
Must be 16+ (18 in China) and pass a Persona government ID check, and you must connect a payment account before listing.
Ride platforms 2
BoltYou'll need: A smartphone, A car, A driver's licence
Phone must run Android 9 or iOS 16 or newer, and Bolt partners can rent you a car if you do not own one.
UberYou'll need: A smartphone, A car, A driver's licence, Vehicle insurance, A background check
US drivers must meet the local minimum age and need 1 year of US driving experience (3 years if under 25).
Microtask sites 2
ProlificYou'll need: A computer, A PayPal account
New sign-ups join a demographic waitlist that can take hours or months, and you must verify ID and live in a supported country.
Amazon Mechanical TurkYou'll need: A computer, A tax ID number
MTurk is closing on September 30 2026, so new workers should not sign up, and US persons living abroad were never supported.
Open source funding platforms 2
GitHub SponsorsYou'll need: A bank account, A tax ID number
Needs 2FA on GitHub, a bank account in the same supported region you live in and a W-9 or W-8BEN tax form, review takes a few days.
LiberapayYou'll need: A bank account
41 countries get Stripe bank payouts, the other 71 listed can only receive through PayPal, processor fees average 3 to 5 percent.
Delivery platforms 2
DeliverooCountry list from Wikipedia because the rider site blocks automated reading, and DoorDash has owned Deliveroo since Oct 2025.
TalabatCountry list from Wikipedia, and Talabat no longer operates in Saudi Arabia.
Social platforms 2
YouTubeYou'll need: An existing audience
Partner Program needs 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours (12 months) or 10M Shorts views (90 days), and an AdSense account.
SnapchatYou'll need: A smartphone, An existing audience
Snap Stars earn from ads on public content, eligibility depends on authenticity, engagement and quality (help centre would not load).
Stock marketplaces 2
ShutterstockYou'll need: A tax ID number
You need an approved tax form before any payout, and contributors in some countries face a 90-day waiting period.
EnvatoYou'll need: A portfolio or work samples, A tax ID number
New author applications are paused until further notice, when open they need portfolio review (about 30 days), tax info and an ID check.
Template marketplaces 2
CodeCanyonOfficial Envato author help blocked automated reading (HTTP 403) so eligibility could not be verified.
ThemeForestOfficial Envato author help blocked automated reading (HTTP 403) so eligibility could not be verified.
Print-on-demand platforms 2
RedbubbleYou'll need: A computer
Paid monthly by the 15th once you pass the payment threshold, via PayPal or bank transfer (US, AU and UK banks), and inactive accounts can be charged a fee.
ZazzleYou'll need: A computer, A PayPal account
Royalties are paid by PayPal (from $50) or check (from $100) within 45 days after month end, and tax forms are needed.
Bug bounty platforms 2
HackerOneYou'll need: A computer
Under 18 needs parental consent, and payouts need a Veriff ID check plus an approved tax form.
BugcrowdYou'll need: A computer
A Jumio ID check is required before reporting to managed programs, and payouts need a tax form plus bank transfer or PayPal.
Mentorship platforms 2
Clarity.fmExpert applications are reviewed on background, demand and profile completeness, and Clarity keeps a 15% fee on every call.
ADPListMentoring is unpaid volunteer work, applicants need 5+ years of industry experience and only about 30% are approved.
Photography gig platforms 2
FlytographerYou'll need: A camera, A portfolio or work samples, Good English
Needs 2+ years of paid lifestyle photography experience and conversational English, and only about 3% of applicants are accepted.
LocalgrapherYou'll need: A camera, A portfolio or work samples, Good English
Needs 3+ years of experience, professional gear with backups, very good English, and you must live in the destination you shoot.
Passive income apps 2
HoneygainMust be 18+ on your own home network (no shared or work networks) and payouts start at a $20 minimum.
GrassYou'll need: A computer
Terms bar minors and sanctioned regions (list not itemised) and rewards are points or tokens with no promised cash value.
Course platforms 2
SkillshareYou'll need: A computer, A portfolio or work samples
First-time teachers must be approved (English-language applications only) and earnings are forfeited while Tipalti payment setup is incomplete.
TeachableYou'll need: A computer, A bank account
No free plan (7-day trial), the Starter plan adds a 7.5% transaction fee, payouts can arrive within minutes of a sale.
Ticket resale platforms 2
viagogoOfficial pages blocked automated reading so eligibility is unverified.
StubHubOfficial seller pages blocked automated reading so eligibility is unverified.
Shipping gig platforms 1
LalamoveYou'll need: A smartphone, A driver's licence, A car, A motorbike or scooter
Rules are set per city, in Hong Kong you must be 18+ with a local licence and HKID and own or rent a van, truck or motorbike.
Task platforms 1
Urban CompanyYou'll need: A smartphone
Official partner site blocked by a bot check, countries from Wikipedia, which reports partners paying for training and products before working.
Paid blogging platforms 1
MediumOfficial Medium pages blocked automated reading (HTTP 403) so Partner Program eligibility could not be verified.
Prize competitions 1
TopcoderYou'll need: A computer
Quebec, Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk are also barred, winners pass an ID check and file a W-9 or W-8BEN, prizes paid within 90 days.
Big marketplaces 1
eBayYou'll need: A bank account
New private sellers get funds 2 to 7 days after delivery, and payouts go to a checking account or debit card, not PayPal.
Not available to people in the United Arab Emirates (65)
Their official pages list the countries they accept, and the United Arab Emirates isn't one of them right now: inDrive, Coople, GoStudent, Glovo, Angkas, Swagbucks, Hipcamp, Outschool, Tutor.com, bol, Airtasker, Awign, Rappi, iFood, Instacart, Bykea, Jumia, Grab, Mrsool, Uklon, 1111 Job Bank, Bark, Belay, foodpanda, Kickstarter, Lyft, Shopee, TaskRabbit, DoorDash, Flipkart, Gojek, MercadoLibre, Talkspace, Zomato, Boldly, Lazada, Varsity Tutors, Vinted, Daraz, DiDi, Getir, Pathao, Thumbtack, TikTok, Turo, 104 Job Bank, Ola, Swiggy, Allegro, Depop, Poshmark, Whatnot, Grubhub, Wolt, Amazon Flex, BetterHelp, Getaround, Coupang, Kiva, Mercari, Rover, OfferUp, Vivid Seats, Walmart Marketplace, GoFundMe.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best freelance and gig platforms in the United Arab Emirates?
Talabat and Deliveroo for food delivery, Careem for rides, Noon for selling products online, dubizzle for classified ads, Urban Company for home services, and Ureed, Mostaql or Khamsat for Arabic freelance projects.
How do freelancers in the United Arab Emirates get paid by international clients?
Clients abroad can pay through PayPal, which UAE accounts can use to receive and withdraw to a local bank in AED, or through Wise, which sends AED to UAE accounts. Upwork pays out directly to UAE banks in AED for USD 0.99 per withdrawal, and Fiverr pays through PayPal or Payoneer.
Does PayPal work in the United Arab Emirates?
Yes. UAE PayPal accounts can send and receive payments. Withdrawals to a UAE bank account in AED are free for amounts over AED 750 and cost AED 11 below that. Card withdrawals carry a separate fee, and transfers to a US bank account cost 3%.
Can people in the United Arab Emirates work on Upwork and Fiverr?
Yes. Upwork supports Direct to Local Bank withdrawals in AED for USD 0.99 each, and your bank account name must match your verified Upwork name. Fiverr pays out through PayPal, Payoneer or bank transfer via Payoneer, and you must be at least 18 to withdraw earnings.
Do freelancers in the United Arab Emirates pay tax on their earnings?
Individuals who conduct business in the UAE fall under corporate tax once their business turnover exceeds AED 1 million in a calendar year. Taxable income up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0% and income above that at 9%, under a regime that took effect for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023.