Once your UAE trade licence is issued, the next priority for most founders is securing their residency. The UAE offers several visa categories for business owners and investors, each with different validity, cost, and eligibility criteria. Here's a clear breakdown for 2026.
Types of Investor / Business Visa
| Visa Type | Validity | Approx. Cost | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investor / Partner Visa | 2 years | Contact us | Active trade licence |
| Freelancer / Self-Employed | 2 years | Contact us | Freelance permit |
| 5-Year Investor Visa | 5 years | Contact us | AED 500K+ property or investment |
| 10-Year Golden Visa | 10 years | Contact us | AED 2M+ investment, talent, or entrepreneur criteria |
| Remote Work Visa | 1 year (renewable) | Contact us | Foreign employer + USD 3,500/mo income |
Standard 2-Year Investor Visa
This is the most common visa for business owners setting up in Dubai. When you register a company — mainland or free zone — you become eligible to apply as an investor or partner. It gives you full UAE residency, Emirates ID, and the right to sponsor family members.
Requirements
- Valid UAE trade licence with your name as shareholder/investor
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Passport-sized photos (white background)
- Health insurance (mandatory)
- Medical fitness test (tuberculosis + basic health screen)
Timeline
Typically 7–14 working days from entry permit to visa stamping. We coordinate the full process and attend government offices on your behalf — see our visa & immigration service for everything included.
10-Year Golden Visa
The Golden Visa is the UAE's flagship long-term residency programme, launched in 2019 and significantly expanded in 2022. It grants 10-year renewable residency without needing an employer or sponsor.
Who qualifies?
- Investors: AED 2 million+ in UAE real estate or business investment
- Entrepreneurs: Founders of a UAE startup valued at AED 500K+ (or with approval from a designated incubator)
- Talented professionals: Doctors, engineers, scientists, artists, athletes
- Outstanding graduates: Top students from UAE universities
- Humanitarian pioneers: As designated by relevant authorities
Benefits
- 10-year renewable — no need to renew every 2 years
- Sponsor spouse, children, and domestic staff
- Family members keep residency if the primary holder passes away
- Can stay outside UAE up to 6 months without visa expiry
The Golden Visa has become extremely popular with founders who own UAE property and are investing long-term in the country. We handle the full end-to-end application.
Sponsoring Your Family
Once you hold a UAE residence visa as an investor, you can sponsor:
- Spouse (no salary threshold for business owners)
- Children up to age 18 (sons up to 25 if in full-time education)
- Daughters of any age if unmarried
- Parents (with income threshold — typically AED 20,000+/month)
- Domestic workers (maid, driver) under an employment visa
Cost per dependent: varies by visa type and dependant count — contact us for an exact quote.
The Visa Process — Step by Step
- Receive your trade licence
- Apply for entry permit (issued in 2–3 working days)
- Enter UAE on entry permit (if outside)
- Complete status change (if already in UAE on another visa)
- Medical fitness test (1–2 days)
- Emirates ID biometrics
- Visa stamping in passport
- Emirates ID card printed and delivered (7–14 days)
Let us handle your visa application
We attend DHA, ICA, and Immigration on your behalf. No queues, no confusion — just your visa, done.
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