UAE Investor Visa
How the UAE investor or partner visa works: eligibility through a trade licence or property, required documents, government cost bands, timelines and Golden Visa comparison.
Business Setup AE editorial review Last reviewed 2026-09-09
Quick answer
A UAE investor (partner) visa is a two-year renewable residence permit issued to a shareholder of a UAE company, sponsored by that company rather than an employer. Government costs typically run AED 4,000–7,000 per applicant including entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping, on top of the licence and establishment card.
- Validity
- 2 years, renewable
- Sponsor
- Your own UAE company
- Basis
- Shareholding in a licensed entity
- Government cost
- AED 4,000 – 7,000 per applicant
- Timeline
- 2 – 4 weeks after licence
- Family
- Sponsorable subject to standard rules
The investor visa — often called a partner or shareholder visa — is the standard residence route for founders who set up a UAE company. It is sponsored by the company you own, runs for two years, and renews as long as the licence stays active and your shareholding remains on the register.
It is not the same as a Golden Visa. The investor visa depends entirely on the licence: close or fail to renew the company and the visa loses its basis. A Golden Visa is self-sponsored for five or ten years and survives a company closure.
This page sets out how eligibility works, what the process costs, the sequence after licence issuance, and when it makes sense to move to a longer-term route instead.
| Component | Cost (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry permit | 1,100 – 1,800 | Inside or outside country |
| Status change | 700 – 1,300 | Only if already in the UAE |
| Medical fitness | 320 – 750 | Standard or express |
| Emirates ID (2 years) | 370 | ICP fee |
| Visa stamping | 500 – 1,200 | Emirate dependent |
| Health insurance | 800 – 6,000 / yr | Mandatory, age dependent |
How you qualify
- Hold shares in a UAE mainland or free zone company with an active trade licence
- The company has an open immigration file and an establishment card
- The company has visa quota available under its facility
- You pass medical fitness and hold compliant UAE health insurance
- Security and background clearance is completed by the residency directorate
- Property route: an alternative two-year investor visa exists for qualifying property ownership
Investor visa vs Golden Visa vs employment visa
| Factor | Investor / partner visa | Golden Visa | Employment visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | 2 years | 5 or 10 years | 2 years |
| Sponsor | Your company | Self | Employer |
| Ends if the licence closes | Yes | No | N/A |
| Six-month absence rule | Applies | Does not apply | Applies |
| Cost per cycle | AED 4,000 – 7,000 | AED 2,800 – 4,800 per 10 years | Employer paid |
| Entry requirement | Shareholding | Category criteria | Job offer |
The process after your licence is issued
The visa cannot start before the company has an immigration file. The sequence is establishment card, then entry permit or status change, then medical fitness and biometrics, then Emirates ID and visa stamping. Most delays come from status change timing for applicants already inside the UAE on a visit visa.
Who this option suits best
- Founders who have just formed a UAE company
- Shareholders needing residency to open personal banking
- Partners relocating families to the UAE
- Business owners not yet meeting Golden Visa criteria
Step-by-step process
- 1
Issue the trade licence3 – 15 days
The visa depends on an active licence and your name on the shareholder register.
- 2
Open the immigration file3 – 10 days
Establishment card from the residency directorate or free zone.
- 3
Apply for the entry permit3 – 7 days
Issued electronically; status change if you are already in the UAE.
- 4
Complete medical fitness and biometrics1 – 5 days
Blood test, chest X-ray and Emirates ID capture.
- 5
Take out health insurance1 – 3 days
Compliant cover is required before stamping.
- 6
Stamp the visa and collect the Emirates ID3 – 10 days
Residence issued for two years.
Documents required
- Passport valid for at least six months
- Passport-size photo with white background
- Trade licence and MOA showing your shareholding
- Establishment card
- Entry permit or current UAE visa copy
- Medical fitness certificate and health insurance policy
Realistic timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Establishment card | 3 – 10 working days |
| Entry permit / status change | 3 – 7 working days |
| Medical and biometrics | 1 – 5 working days |
| Stamping and Emirates ID | 3 – 10 working days |
Budget per applicant, not per company: every dependant repeats the medical, Emirates ID and insurance costs. Provider PRO service fees are separate and should be itemised.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Assuming the visa is included in the licence price
Fix: Confirm what the package covers — licence, establishment card and visa are three separate costs.
Ignoring visa quota
Fix: Flexi-desk facilities cap the number of visas; check before promising family residency.
Overstaying a visit visa during status change
Fix: Plan the status change date; fines accrue daily.
Letting the licence lapse
Fix: The visa loses its basis if the licence is not renewed.
Buying non-compliant insurance
Fix: Cover must meet the emirate's minimum benefits to pass stamping.
Myth vs reality
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| An investor visa gives permanent residency | It is a two-year renewable permit tied to an active licence and shareholding. |
| You must invest a minimum amount | For the company route, eligibility follows shareholding in a licensed entity, not a fixed capital threshold in most free zones. |
| An investor visa makes you a UAE tax resident automatically | Tax residency is determined separately by day-count and centre-of-interest tests. |
Compliance after licensing
- Corporate tax registration with the FTA — 9% applies on taxable profit above AED 375,000; 0% below it. Small Business Relief may apply to revenue under AED 3m.
- VAT registration is mandatory once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 in 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500.
- Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) notifications for relevant activities such as holding, IP, headquarters and distribution.
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register kept with the licensing authority and updated within 15 days of any change.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) registration on the goAML portal for designated non-financial businesses and professions.
- Annual licence and establishment-card renewal, plus audited financials where the free zone or activity requires them.
Regulators referenced: Ministry of Economy (UAE) · Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) · Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) · Federal Tax Authority (FTA) · General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) · Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
Frequently asked questions
How much does a UAE investor visa cost?
How long is an investor visa valid?
Can I sponsor my family on an investor visa?
Is an investor visa better than a Golden Visa?
How long does it take?
People also ask
Can I get an investor visa by buying property?
Yes — a separate property-based investor visa exists for qualifying property values, and higher values can qualify for the Golden Visa instead.
Do I need to live in the UAE?
You must not remain outside the UAE for more than six consecutive months, or the residence lapses.
Can I work for another company on an investor visa?
Not without the correct work permit; the visa authorises residence through your own company.
Founder checklist
- Confirm your facility's visa quota before applying
- Budget per applicant including every dependant
- Arrange compliant health insurance before stamping
- Plan the status change date to avoid overstay fines
- Diarise licence renewal — the visa depends on it
Why you can trust this guide
- Independent marketplace — Business Setup AE does not form companies and takes no commission on provider pricing
- Every listed provider holds a valid UAE trade licence and publishes fixed prices
- Costs reviewed against 2026 published government schedules
- Written and reviewed by advisers who have processed UAE licences and residence visas
Editorial ownership: Business Setup AE Editorial Team. See our editorial and corrections policy and package verification method.
Related guides and services
Official government sources
Fees, thresholds and licensing rules on this page are checked against these official UAE government and regulator sources.
- GDRFA Dubai — residency servicesEntry permits, status change and residence visa procedures
- Ministry of Economy — UAEFederal commercial registration, trade names and company law
- Federal Tax Authority — corporate tax and VATSource for the 9% corporate tax threshold and VAT registration limits
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