UAE Investor Visa

A UAE investor visa allows eligible business owners, company partners and property investors to live in the UAE through a qualifying investment. Depending on the category, residence validity may be two, five or ten years, with different sponsorship and eligibility conditions.

Start Any Business helps investors choose the right route, prepare documents and coordinate the application with GDRFA Dubai, the Dubai Land Department (DLD), free zone authorities and ICP.

Investor and partner visas for mainland and free zone companies
Two-year property investor visa support
Green Visa and Golden Visa routes for investors
Family sponsorship after your investor visa is issued
Renewals, amendments and cancellations

Check Your Investor Visa Eligibility

What Is an Investor Visa in UAE?

An investor visa in the UAE is a residence permit available to eligible foreign nationals based on business ownership, property ownership or qualifying investments.

The main routes include:

Business investment: Residence linked to ownership or partnership in a licensed UAE company.
Property investment: Residency through eligible real estate ownership in Dubai.
Long-term investment: Green or Golden Residence for applicants who meet the relevant investment conditions.

The application authority depends on the visa category and the emirate.

Investor Visa vs Partner Visa

The two terms are often used interchangeably. “Investor visa” is commonly used for the sole owner of a company, while “partner visa” refers to a shareholder in a company with more than one owner, such as an LLC. Both can provide residence through company ownership, but the required documents and application procedures depend on the company’s structure and licensing authority.

UAE Investor Visa Benefits and Limitations

A UAE investor visa offers residence benefits for eligible investors and their families. However, the rights and permissions depend on the visa category, investment type and applicable UAE regulations.

Residence Through Investment: Eligible investors can obtain UAE residence through business ownership, property investment or qualifying self-sponsored categories.
Family Sponsorship: Sponsor your spouse, children and, in some cases, parents, subject to eligibility requirements.
Business Ownership: Manage and represent your own company, provided it holds the necessary licences and approvals.
Access to Resident Services: An Emirates ID helps with banking, tenancy agreements and other everyday services, subject to provider requirements.
Long-Term Residency: Qualifying investors may be eligible for five-year Green Residence or ten-year Golden Residence.
Tax Advantages: The UAE does not currently impose personal income tax on salaries, although applicable business income may be subject to Corporate Tax.
Financial Services: Access UAE banking and financial services, subject to eligibility and compliance checks.

Employment Restrictions: An investor visa does not automatically permit employment with another company. Additional work authorisation may be required.
Separate Business Licensing: Investor residence does not replace the trade licence or regulatory approvals needed to operate a business.
Property Visa Restrictions: Property-based residence does not independently authorise employment or commercial activities.
Continued Eligibility: Selling the qualifying property or leaving the business may affect residence status, depending on the visa category.

UAE Investor Visa Requirements: Who Can Apply?

UAE investor visa requirements depend on the type of investment, residence category and issuing authority. Applicants generally need a valid passport, proof of investment, health insurance and the applicable medical and Emirates ID formalities.

1. Company Investor or Partner Visa

Business owners and partners in licensed mainland companies may qualify for a residence visa, commonly valid for two years.

Key requirements:

Valid trade licence and proof of ownership or partnership
Company establishment card
Supporting company and immigration documents

2. Free Zone Investor Visa

Shareholders in eligible UAE free zone companies can apply through their free zone’s immigration process. Residence validity and visa eligibility depend on the authority, licence package and establishment arrangements.

3. Two-Year Property Investor Visa

Dubai property owners may qualify for a two-year residence permit through the Dubai Land Department (DLD), subject to eligibility.

Sole ownership: DLD’s current service conditions do not specify a minimum property value.
Joint ownership: The applicant’s share must be worth at least AED 400,000.
Property condition: The property must be completed, with the required ownership documentation.
Mortgaged property: Additional bank documents and approval may be required.

Off-plan properties should be assessed separately under the applicable residence category.

4. Green Visa for Investors and Partners

The five-year Green Residence allows eligible investors and business partners to live in the UAE without an employer sponsor.

Applicants generally need proof of investment or partnership, a valid trade licence and approval from the relevant authority.

5. Golden Visa for Investors

Eligible investors may obtain a ten-year Golden Residence through qualifying investments, including:

Property investment: Real estate worth at least AED 2 million.
Bank deposit: A qualifying deposit of at least AED 2 million.
Company investment: An eligible business ownership stake worth at least AED 2 million.
Tax contribution: A qualifying annual tax contribution of at least AED 250,000, confirmed by the Federal Tax Authority.

All applications remain subject to the relevant immigration authority’s approval and current eligibility conditions.

UAE Investor Visa Rules to Know Before You Apply

New Investor Visa Rules in UAE (2026)

Sole Ownership:
There is no longer a minimum property value for eligible sole owners.
Joint Ownership:
Each applicant must own a property share worth at least AED 400,000.
Application Requirements:
Applicants must still meet DLD’s ownership, documentation and immigration conditions.
Golden Residence Requirements:
These changes concern Dubai’s two-year property residence route. The separate AED 2 million property investment requirement for Golden Residence remains applicable.

These changes concern Dubai’s two-year property residence route. They do not remove the separate AED 2 million property investment requirement for Golden Residence.

Ongoing Rules

Maintain the Qualifying Investment:
Your residence category may require continued ownership of the company, property or financial investment. For property-based Golden Residence, GDRFA specifies restrictions designed to maintain qualifying ownership.
The Six-Month Absence Rule:
Standard investor visas usually lapse if you stay outside the UAE for more than six months in a row. Golden Visa holders are exempt.
Health Insurance Is Mandatory:
GDRFA Dubai requires valid health insurance for all residence permit applications.
Names Must Match:
Your name must be identical across your passport, title deed, licence and other documents.
Company Formation and Residence:
Registering a company does not automatically grant a UAE residence visa. These are separate approval processes.
Keep the Establishment Card Valid:
Company investor visas depend on an active establishment card, which is renewed separately from the trade licence.

How to Get an Investor Visa in UAE: 5 Steps

The exact steps vary by route, but most investor visa applications follow this order:

Confirm Your Route

Choose between a company, free zone, property, Green or Golden investor visa based on your investment.

Set Up the Investment

Complete your company formation and establishment card, or register your property title deed.

Apply for the Entry Permit or Residence

Submit the application through GDRFA Dubai, the DLD, the free zone or ICP, or change status if you are already in the UAE.

Medical Test and Emirates ID

Complete the medical fitness test at an approved centre and the Emirates ID biometrics.

Receive Your Residence Approval

Once approved, your UAE residence details are issued electronically, and your Emirates ID application is completed through the applicable process.

Documents Required for a UAE Investor Visa

The documents depend on your route. Common requirements include:

For all applicants

Passport copy with at least six months’ validity
Personal photo that meets ICP specifications
Current visa or entry stamp, if already in the UAE
Health insurance valid in the UAE
Medical fitness certificate and Emirates ID application

For company investors and partners

Trade licence and Memorandum of Association showing your shareholding
Establishment card
Tenancy contract (Ejari) or free zone lease
Company bank statement, where requested

For property investors

Dubai title deed
Bank NOC or developer statement, where applicable
Good conduct certificate from Dubai Police
National ID card for applicants from certain countries

UAE Investor Visa Fees and Cost

UAE investor visa costs vary depending on the visa type, validity, application location and additional services.

Golden Visa Fees

GDRFA Dubai lists the following government fee components:

Residence permit: AED 1,100
Knowledge Dirham: AED 10
Innovation Dirham: AED 10
Inside-UAE application: AED 500
Delivery fee: AED 20

The residence issuance fee increases by AED 100 for each additional year beyond two years. Medical tests, Emirates ID, insurance and other applicable charges may increase the total cost.

Two-Year Property Investor Visa Cost

Dubai Land Department’s DLD Cube lists:

New visa: AED 10,545
Visa renewal: AED 8,215

These are published service prices and may vary by application channel.

Company and Free Zone Investor Visa Costs

Costs depend on the licensing authority, visa validity, medical tests, Emirates ID, health insurance and service fees. Company formation and family sponsorship are charged separately where applicable.

Note: Confirm the latest UAE investor visa fees with the relevant authority and request an itemised quotation before applying.

Why Choose SAB for UAE Investor Visa Services

Investor visa applications may involve business licensing, property documentation and immigration approvals. Start Any Business brings these services together under one team:

Route-first guidance: We compare company, property, Green and Golden routes against your investment before you spend.
A coordinated application: Work with a team that helps organise the relevant company, property and immigration documents.
Paperwork checks: We review licences, MOAs, title deeds and name matches before submission.
Family support: We help with spouse, children and parent sponsorship once your visa is issued.
Clear fee breakdowns: Understand government charges, third-party expenses and SAB service fees before proceeding.
Honest scope: Visas are approved by UAE authorities. We prepare and coordinate your file; we do not promise outcomes.

Support Beyond the Visa

Your investor visa is usually one step in a bigger move. We also help with:

Company formation on the Dubai mainland or in a free zone
Corporate bank account opening
PRO services for licence renewals and government paperwork
VAT and Corporate Tax registration

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You can begin preparing your investor visa application while outside the UAE. However, the entry and residence procedures depend on the visa category, and some stages may require you to be physically present in the country.

Potentially, yes. You may qualify through a registered shareholding in an existing UAE business, provided the company and your ownership meet the applicable immigration and licensing requirements.

You generally cannot maintain two separate active UAE residence permits at once. If you change your residence category, the existing visa may need to be cancelled or updated. Separate work authorisation may also be required.

The relevant authority may reject an application because of missing documents, eligibility issues or other immigration requirements. You should confirm the reason, resolve the issue where possible and check whether a new application can be submitted.

Yes. You can check your application status through GDRFA Dubai or ICP, depending on the issuing authority. If you applied through a free zone or authorised service centre, you can also request updates through that channel.

Yes, a change may be possible if you qualify for the new residence category. The existing visa and sponsorship arrangements must be handled correctly before the new residence permit is issued.