Setting up a company in the UAE gives you the right to apply for an investor residency visa. This is your legal right to live and work in the UAE as a business owner.
This guide covers exactly how it works, what it costs, and how long it takes.
What Is an Investor Residency Visa?
The UAE investor visa (also called a Partner Visa or Business Owner Visa) is a residence permit issued to shareholders and partners of UAE-registered companies.
It gives you:
- The right to live in the UAE
- An Emirates ID
- Access to UAE healthcare and services
- The ability to sponsor family members for residency
- A driving licence (you can convert or apply locally)
The visa is valid for 2-3 years and is renewable as long as your company remains active.
Who Qualifies?
You qualify for an investor visa if you are:
- A shareholder of a UAE Mainland company (LLC, sole establishment)
- A partner or shareholder in a UAE Freezone company
- An owner of a business property valued at AED 750,000+
The minimum share value to qualify varies:
- Mainland: AED 72,000 minimum share capital (some activities vary)
- Freezone: Depends on the freezone - most require you to hold at least a 20-50% share
Most standard freezone setups automatically qualify the founder for one investor visa.
How Many Visas Can You Get?
Your visa allocation depends on your office space or licence package:
- Flexi-desk: Typically 1-3 visas
- Serviced office: 3-6 visas (depends on sq ft)
- Dedicated office: More visas based on office size
If you need to bring employees or family members, make sure your licence package supports enough visas before signing up.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Company Must Be Active
Your trade licence must be issued and active before you can apply for a visa. You cannot apply for a visa during the company registration process.
Step 2: Apply for Entry Permit
If you are outside the UAE, you need an entry permit first. This is issued by your company’s PRO service or the freezone authority.
Timeline: 3-5 business days. Cost: AED 1,000-1,500.
If you are already in the UAE on a visit visa or another visa, you skip this step (or go through a status change instead).
Step 3: Enter the UAE (if applying from outside)
Travel to the UAE on your entry permit. Once you enter, you have 60 days to complete the visa process.
Step 4: Medical Fitness Test
All UAE residency applicants must pass a medical fitness test. This checks for tuberculosis, HIV, and a few other conditions.
Where: Any approved medical centre (SEHA clinics, Aster, and others). Cost: AED 200-350. Results: Usually same day or next day.
Step 5: Emirates ID Registration
Register your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at an ICP (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) centre or through your PRO.
Cost: AED 370 for a 2-year ID (bundled with 2-year visa) Timeline: Emirates ID typically arrives in 1-2 weeks.
Step 6: Visa Stamping
Your passport gets the UAE residency visa stamped. This is the final step.
Timeline: 3-5 business days after Emirates ID registration. Cost: Included in the overall visa package.
Total Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Entry permit (if outside UAE) | AED 1,000-1,500 |
| Medical fitness test | AED 200-350 |
| Emirates ID | AED 370 (2yr) / AED 570 (3yr) |
| Visa fees | AED 1,200-2,000 |
| PRO service fees | AED 800-1,500 |
| Total | AED 3,500-5,500 |
Freezone packages often include the investor visa as part of the setup fee. Check what is included before paying separately.
How Long Does It Take?
From company registration to visa stamped in passport:
| Stage | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Company registration | 1-2 weeks |
| Entry permit | 3-5 days |
| Medical test | 1-2 days |
| Emirates ID registration | 1 day |
| Emirates ID issued | 7-14 days |
| Visa stamping | 3-5 days |
| Total | 4-7 weeks |
Sponsoring Family Members
Once you have your investor visa and Emirates ID, you can sponsor:
- Your spouse
- Children under 18 (and unmarried daughters of any age in some cases)
- Domestic workers (if you meet income requirements)
Spouse visa cost: AED 3,000-5,000 per person. Requirement: Monthly salary/income of AED 4,000+ (varies by emirate).
What Happens If Your Company Lapses?
Your visa is tied to your company. If you let your trade licence expire without renewal:
- Your visa status becomes invalid after a grace period (usually 6 months)
- Your Emirates ID becomes invalid
- You could face overstay fines
Always renew your licence on time. Set a calendar reminder 2 months before expiry.
Visa vs Golden Visa: What Is the Difference?
The standard investor visa is a 2-3 year renewable visa tied to your business.
The UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year renewable visa for a different category of people. It is not automatically available to all business owners.
Read the full comparison: UAE Golden Visa Guide
Common Mistakes
Not checking visa allocation before signing a freezone package. If you need visas for employees or family, make sure your package covers it.
Letting the entry permit expire. You have 60 days from entering the UAE to complete the process. Do not leave it to the last minute.
Using an unregistered PRO service. Always use a licensed typing centre or PRO service. Unauthorised agents cause delays and sometimes fraud.
Not attending the medical test promptly. Some conditions require follow-up tests. Build in extra time.