The short answer
Yes. If you own a share in a UAE free zone company, that company can sponsor you for a residence visa as its investor or partner. The order is always the same: the licence comes first, then the establishment card and visa allocation, then an entry permit, a medical test and Emirates ID biometrics inside the UAE.
Our Standard 1 visa package covers the licence and one residence visa from AED 23,136 with Meydan or AED 23,436 with IFZA. Most of the work happens while you are still abroad; you fly in for the medical and the biometrics.
What is a UAE investor or partner visa?
It is an ordinary UAE residence visa where the sponsor is a company you own, not an employer. In a free zone, the free zone authority files it with the immigration authority for that emirate: GDRFA in Dubai, ICP at federal level. You become a resident without needing a job offer, and you can rent a home, apply for a personal bank account and, subject to the rules, sponsor your family.
Validity depends on the zone and the visa type. The UAE government portal says sponsored residence visas run for 1, 2 or 3 years, and Meydan Free Zone says its partner and investor visa is usually issued for two to five years and renewable while the company stays active and compliant. In practice, plan on renewing the visa together with your licence.
This is different from a visit visa. If you only need to attend meetings or a trade show, read our guide to UAE business visa requirements for short trips. And it is different from the green and golden visas, which are self-sponsored and tied to investment thresholds. The table below puts the routes side by side.
Which residence route fits you?
Five routes come up again and again when people abroad ask us about living in the UAE. The figures in this table come only from the official pages linked in the last column.
| Route | Who it suits | Key requirement | Typical validity | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partner or investor visa through your own free zone company | Founders, consultants, freelancers and small business owners moving from abroad | A shareholding in a licensed company with a visa allocation; medical test and Emirates ID in the UAE | Usually 2 to 5 years, renewable (Meydan); sponsored visas run 1, 2 or 3 years (u.ae) | |
| Employment visa with your own company | Owners who prefer to be employed by their company, for example as its manager | The company holds a visa allocation and sponsors you as an employee | Sponsored visas run 1, 2 or 3 years (u.ae) | |
| Green visa for investors or partners | Larger shareholders who want residence without a company or employer as sponsor | A trade licence, proof of your paid-up share and an investment or partnership contract; GDRFA sets the minimum share, which we confirm with you before you apply | 5 years, renewable | |
| Property investor residence (Dubai Land Department, Taskeen) | People who own property in Dubai | A Dubai title deed; a co-owner needs a share worth at least AED 400,000 | 2 years | |
| Golden visa | Investors, property owners and entrepreneurs who meet the thresholds | ICP: at least AED 2 million in public investments or property, or an SME with annual revenue of at least AED 1 million | 10 years, renewable, no sponsor needed |
For most people with a one-person or small business, the first row is the practical one. It is tied to your licence and visa allocation rather than to a published investment threshold, the costs are known in advance, and it works for consultants and online businesses as well as trading companies. If you are still choosing a zone, our Dubai free zone licence guide compares the options, and our guide to setting up a business in Dubai walks through the whole company setup from abroad.
How to apply for a Dubai residence visa through your company
Here is the route for a founder who starts abroad and takes a Standard 1 visa package with IFZA or Meydan. Times are typical, not promised: each step waits on a free zone or government approval.
| Step | What happens | Where you are | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose the free zone, business activity and package; send passport copy and KYC details | Abroad | Your decision; a call or two |
| 2 | Licence application, name and activity approval, licence issued | Abroad | Depends on the free zone checks |
| 3 | Establishment card and visa allocation for the company | Abroad | Follows the licence |
| 4 | Entry permit issued, or a status change if you are already in the UAE | Abroad, then you fly in | Meydan says its visa process typically takes 5 to 10 working days, depending on approvals |
| 5 | Medical fitness test | In the UAE | Normal or VIP medical |
| 6 | Emirates ID biometrics | In the UAE | Normal appointments generally 5 to 7 days, subject to availability |
| 7 | Residence visa approved; Emirates ID card issued as proof of residence | In the UAE or abroad | Card delivered after approval |
Plan one trip around steps 5 and 6. With normal appointments, a stay of one to two weeks is a sensible plan, but appointment availability decides it.
Licence and establishment card
The licence is the foundation. You pick an activity, the free zone approves the name and checks your passport and background, and the licence is issued with the memorandum of association and share register. The free zone then opens the establishment card, the immigration file that lets the company sponsor visas. All of this can be done remotely with digital signatures.
Entry permit, or a status change if you are already in the UAE
Once the visa allocation is in place, an entry permit is issued in your name and you travel on it. If you are already in the UAE on a visit visa, your status can be changed inside the country instead, which is an extra line on our sheet: AED 1,600, if applicable. Check the date on your entry permit before you book flights, because it has to be used within its validity.
Before you book, read your own government's current travel advice for the UAE. The GOV.UK travel advice for the UAE (opens in a new tab), updated in July 2026, asks travellers to prepare for possible flight cancellations and airspace closures, so keep your dates flexible.
Medical test and Emirates ID biometrics
The UAE government portal says residence applicants aged 18 and above must pass a medical fitness test. You also give fingerprints and a photo for the Emirates ID. Normal biometrics appointments are generally 5 to 7 days away, subject to availability. If your time in the country is short, VIP medical and earlier biometrics assistance are optional extras, priced in the cost section below.
Visa issue: no passport sticker, the Emirates ID is your proof
Since 11 April 2022 the UAE no longer puts a residence sticker in passports. ICP says the Emirates ID card serves as proof of residence, and the residence details can also be viewed electronically in the ICP app. Keep the card with your passport when you travel.
What documents do you need?
Most of these are scans you send from home. Originals matter only for the medical, the biometrics and family documents.
For the company
- Passport copy, valid for at least 6 months
- Passport photo on a white background
- Home address and contact details for KYC
- A short description of what the company will do
- A no objection letter from your employer, if the free zone asks for one because you already hold a UAE work visa
For your residence visa
- Your original passport, for the medical and biometrics
- The entry permit, or your current visa if you change status inside the UAE
- Digital photo to the ICP specification
- Licence, memorandum of association and share certificate (we prepare these)
- Medical fitness result
For family members
- Attested marriage certificate
- Attested birth certificates for children
- Passport copies and photos of each family member
- Registered tenancy contract in the UAE
- Medical fitness test for family members aged 18 and above
Family certificates issued abroad usually need attestation in the country that issued them before they are accepted in the UAE. Start this early, because it is often the slowest part. The family list follows the UAE government page on residence visas for family members (opens in a new tab).
How much does a UAE investor visa cost through a company?
These are the Standard 1 visa package rows from our approved price sheet. IFZA and Meydan are separate packages, so pick one column; never add them together.
| What you pay for | IFZA (AED) | Meydan (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence | 12,900 | 12,500 |
| Visa allocation | 2,000 | 1,850 |
| Establishment card | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Residence visa (IFZA: manager or employee visa) | 3,750 | 4,000 |
| Normal medical | 400 | 400 |
| Normal biometrics and Emirates ID | 386 | 386 |
| Professional service fee (promotional; regular AED 3,500) | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| 1 visa package total | 23,436 | 23,136 |
Indicative only: about USD 6,300 (Meydan) or USD 6,380 (IFZA) at the rate on 8 October 2026. You pay in AED.
Optional lines
| Service | AED | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Inside-country status change | 1,600 | Only if you are already in the UAE on another visa |
| VIP medical | 750 | Instead of the normal medical, if you are short of time |
| Earlier biometrics appointment assistance | 600 | In addition to normal biometrics, if you cannot wait for a normal slot |
The package includes the licence, the memorandum of association, a flexi-office address, one residence visa, corporate tax registration and guidance through every step. Use the cost calculator to compare zones and options before you decide.
If you also want banking set up, the Premium package adds help opening a digital business account and one personal account, from AED 28,136 (Meydan) or AED 28,436 (IFZA). Bank account opening is subject to the bank's KYC, compliance review and final approval.
Our sheet covers IFZA and Meydan only. For mainland, DMCC or another free zone, send us your plan on WhatsApp for a written quote. Visas for family members, the green visa and property residence carry their own government fees, set by GDRFA, ICP or the Dubai Land Department, and are quoted separately. Remember the running costs too: the licence renews every year, the visa at the end of its validity, and you should budget for health insurance.
How long must you stay in the UAE to keep the visa?
The published rule is about absence rather than a minimum stay. The UAE government portal (opens in a new tab) says a residence visa is cancelled automatically if the holder stays outside the UAE for more than 180 days in a row.
The same page lists exceptions, including investors holding valid residence visas, and says golden visa and green residence holders can enter at any time while their residence is valid. Whether an exception applies to your file is for ICP or GDRFA to decide, so check with them before any long absence. A resident who has been away too long can apply for an entry permit to return, with a fine for each 30 days spent outside.
Two other things depend on real presence: your UAE bank, which may ask for proof that you live here, and any UAE tax residency certificate, which the Federal Tax Authority issues under its own conditions. Holding a visa is not the same as being tax resident.
Can you sponsor your family?
Usually, yes. Meydan says investor visa holders can sponsor a spouse and children, and the UAE government page on family visas (opens in a new tab) says a resident can sponsor a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs.
For employees the same page sets a minimum salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, and asks for suitable housing. For partners and investors the evidence can differ, for example company documents instead of a salary certificate, so we check the current GDRFA requirements before we file. Each family visa adds its own government fees and a medical test for anyone aged 18 or above.
What about tax at home?
On the UAE side it is simple: the UAE government portal (opens in a new tab) says the UAE does not levy income tax on individuals. 0% personal income tax. Corporate tax is 9% only on profit above AED 375,000 (Ministry of Finance (opens in a new tab)), and registration is included in every package from Standard upward.
If you are a US citizen, moving does not end US tax. The IRS (opens in a new tab) says citizens and resident aliens abroad are taxed on worldwide income. The foreign earned income exclusion (opens in a new tab) can help if you pass the bona fide residence test or the physical presence test of 330 full days in 12 months. Our guide Can Americans live in Dubai? covers the move in more detail.
In the UK, tax residence is decided by the statutory residence test, explained in HMRC guidance RDR3 (opens in a new tab). Keeping a home in the UK or returning often can change the result. Moving from Germany? Read our guide to moving from Germany to Dubai.
We are not tax advisers. Speak to an adviser in your home country before you give up your residence there.
Mistakes we see founders make
None of these is fatal, but each one costs time or money.
- Booking flights before the entry permit is issued.
- Letting the passport drop below six months of validity in the middle of the process.
- Choosing an activity that needs an outside approval without allowing time for it.
- Leaving the attestation of marriage and birth certificates until after the move.
- Assuming a residence visa opens a bank account by itself. The bank runs its own checks.
- Staying abroad for more than 180 days in a row without checking the rules first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a UAE investor visa?
Set up or buy into a UAE company, usually in a free zone, with a visa allocation. Once the licence and establishment card are issued, you receive an entry permit, fly in for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics, and the residence visa is issued with your Emirates ID as proof. Larger investors can look at the green visa, where GDRFA sets a minimum paid-up share that we confirm with you before you apply, or the golden visa, where ICP thresholds start at AED 2 million.
Can I get a Dubai residence visa by opening a company?
Yes. A free zone company with a visa allocation can sponsor its shareholder for a residence visa. You need to be in the UAE for the medical test and the biometrics, and you can renew the visa while the company stays active and its licence is renewed.
What are the UAE residency requirements for company owners?
The UAE government portal (u.ae) lists the basics: a sponsor, which for an owner is your own company with a valid licence and a visa allocation, a valid passport, a medical fitness test if you are 18 or over, and Emirates ID biometrics with ICP. Sponsored residence visas run for 1, 2 or 3 years and are renewed while the company stays licensed. To keep the visa, do not stay outside the UAE for more than 180 days in a row unless one of the exceptions on u.ae applies to you. Owners with a larger stake can look at the green visa, where GDRFA sets a minimum share that we confirm with you before you apply.
How much does a Dubai investor visa cost?
Through our Standard 1 visa package it costs AED 23,136 with Meydan or AED 23,436 with IFZA, including the licence, one residence visa, the medical, the biometrics and the Emirates ID. The professional fee in those totals is promotional. Optional lines are AED 1,600 for an inside-country status change, AED 750 for VIP medical and AED 600 for earlier biometrics.
How long is a UAE investor visa valid?
It depends on the route. Meydan says its partner and investor visa is usually issued for two to five years. The green visa for investors runs five years and the golden visa ten years, both renewable. Property investor residence from the Dubai Land Department runs two years.
Do I need to live in Dubai to keep my residence visa?
You do not have to live there full time, but the UAE government portal says a residence visa is cancelled if you stay outside the UAE for more than 180 days in a row. The same page lists exceptions, including investors holding valid residence visas. Check your own case with ICP or GDRFA before a long absence.
Can I sponsor my family on an investor visa?
Usually, yes. A UAE resident can sponsor a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs. You will need attested marriage and birth certificates, a registered tenancy contract and a medical test for family members aged 18 and above. Family visas carry their own government fees.
Is there permanent residency in the UAE?
Not in the sense most countries use. The longest option is the golden visa, which ICP describes as ten years of residency with automatic renewal and no sponsor. It gives residence, not citizenship.
How do I apply for a Dubai residence visa from abroad?
Start with the company. The licence, establishment card and visa allocation can all be arranged remotely. You then receive an entry permit, travel to the UAE and complete the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics in person. Plan one trip of about one to two weeks; appointment availability decides the exact time.
Do I need a UAE bank account before I get the visa?
No. In most cases the visa comes first, because banks usually ask for your Emirates ID and visa. Our Premium package adds help opening a digital business account and one personal account. Bank account opening is subject to the bank's KYC, compliance review and final approval.
Official sources, checked on 8 October 2026
- u.ae: general provisions for the residence visa (opens in a new tab)
- u.ae: green visa for investors (opens in a new tab)
- u.ae: residence visa for family members (opens in a new tab)
- u.ae: taxation (opens in a new tab)
- GDRFA Dubai: green visa issuance (investor or partner) (opens in a new tab)
- GDRFA Dubai: green residence permit (partner or investor) (opens in a new tab)
- ICP: green residency guide (opens in a new tab)
- ICP: golden residency guide (opens in a new tab)
- ICP: Emirates ID replaces the residence sticker (opens in a new tab)
- Dubai Land Department: investor residence application (Taskeen) (opens in a new tab)
- Meydan Free Zone: partner and investor visa guide (opens in a new tab)
- UAE Ministry of Finance: corporate tax threshold (opens in a new tab)
- IRS: US citizens and resident aliens abroad (opens in a new tab)
- IRS: foreign earned income exclusion (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: RDR3 statutory residence test (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: foreign travel advice for the UAE (opens in a new tab)