Greetings,
I don't know what you plan on doing ("freelance" what?), but you might want to scope out the demand for whatever it is. This may also affect the type of visa you apply for. They are a bit lax on follow-up, but it may catch up with you eventually if you don't have the right visa. For example, I have a "family reunion" visa because I am married to a local woman. I don't think it allows me to work, but back in 2007, I established a small business with the local equivalent of a chamber of commerce, and they never said anything. However, the business never took off due to protests from my wife and the fact that I got a contract in another country, so I formally shut it down. Funny enough, a few years later, I was working in Afghanistan and my wife called me to say representatives of the finance department showed up at the house and threatened to put her in jail if I didn't pay taxes they supposed I owed. I told her where to find the official letter closing down the business, and they backed down.
The informal job sector is quite widespread and common here. Whether it's legal I don't know. It leads to a lot of uncontrolled, shabby work (such as construction), and I seriously doubt those folks don't report income or pay taxes. As an expat, you'll surely receive more scrutiny. I have an Italian friend who runs an ecotourism business with his Malagasy wife. if I cross paths with him, I could send you a bit more information.
Buster
