Dubai Investor Visa
Requirements, Cost & Process
Everything you need to know to secure long-term UAE residency through investment, with real costs, step-by-step guidance, and no surprises.
About the figures on this page. Amounts in AED are indicative ranges for planning, not quotes. Government and free zone fees differ by activity, emirate, number of visas and date, and they change. Confirm current fees with the relevant authority or get a written quote before you pay. Free zone and provider prices are market estimates rather than official tariffs. Timelines are indicative and depend on the authority, the activity and how complete your documents are.
What Is the Dubai Investor Visa?
The Dubai Investor Visa also known as the Partner Visa is issued to foreign investors who own shares in a UAE-registered company. It's one of the most straightforward pathways to long-term UAE residency, granting you full legal status to live, work, and build your life in Dubai.
- ✓ UAE Residency - valid for 2 or 5 years depending on your company structure
- ✓ Emirates ID - your official UAE identity document
- ✓ Family Sponsorship - sponsor your spouse, children, and domestic workers
- ✓ UAE Banking Access - open business and personal bank accounts
- ✓ UAE Driving Licence - convert or apply for a local licence
- ✓ Tax Residency Eligibility - qualify as a UAE tax resident
- ✓ Travel Freedom - enter and exit the UAE freely during validity
Who Qualifies for a Dubai Investor Visa?
You can apply for an Investor Visa if you meet any one of the following four pathways.
You Own a Dubai Company
Own a Mainland or Free Zone company with shares registered under your name on the trade licence. This is the most common route.
You're Investing in a New UAE Company
Investing capital into a newly registered UAE company? You can apply for your investor visa immediately after company registration is complete.
You Own Shares in an Existing Company
Already a shareholder in a UAE business? You must be listed on the Memorandum of Association (MoA) or the trade licence as a shareholder.
You Invest in UAE Real Estate
Purchasing property worth AED 750,000 or more qualifies you for a Real Estate Investor Visa, a separate but similar residency category.
Key Benefits of the Dubai Investor Visa
Beyond residency status, the investor visa gives a broad set of privileges that make living and doing business in Dubai significantly easier.
Renewable residency valid for 2–5 years depending on your capital structure and company type.
The UAE maintains one of the world's most investor-friendly tax environments, no income tax, no capital gains tax.
Bring your spouse, children (up to age 25), and parents to live with you in the UAE under your sponsorship.
Maintain full control and ownership of your UAE company with no mandatory local partners required.
Enter and exit the UAE without restrictions. Your visa remains valid as long as you visit the UAE at least once every 6 months.
Open personal and business bank accounts with ease. Most UAE banks require Emirates ID or an investor visa in process.
Dubai Investor Visa Cost (2025)
Costs vary slightly by jurisdiction and whether you're applying from inside or outside the UAE. Here's a full breakdown with no hidden fees.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Investor Visa
Here's the process from initial application to visa stamped in your passport.
Register or Confirm Shares in a UAE Company
Your name must appear as a shareholder on the trade licence and Memorandum of Association (MoA). The ownership percentage can affect your visa validity in some free zones.
If you don't have a company yet, we can set one up for you, Mainland or Free Zone, and apply for your investor visa simultaneously.
✓ Can be done before entering UAEApply for the Entry Permit
We submit your entry permit application online through GDRFA or ICP. This is the first official step in the immigration process.
⏱ 1–5 working daysChange of Status (If Inside UAE)
If you're already in the UAE on a visit visa or other status, we process a Status Change to allow you to legally remain in the country while your residency visa is being processed.
⏱ 2–3 working daysComplete Your Medical Test
Visit a government-approved medical centre for a routine blood test and chest X-ray. The appointment takes approximately 20 minutes. Results are typically available the next business day.
⏱ Often 1 to 2 daysEmirates ID Biometrics
Visit an ICP service centre for fingerprint scanning and a photo. This data is used to produce your Emirates ID card, your official UAE identity document.
⏱ 5–10 minutes appointmentVisa Stamping & Emirates ID Delivery
Your passport receives a UAE residency stamp, or you receive a digital residency card under the new UAE system. Your Emirates ID is printed and delivered, completing the process.
✓ Residency fully activeTotal Processing Time: 5–10 Working Days
From entry permit application to visa stamped in your passport. We handle all submissions, follow-ups, and government communication on your behalf.
Documents Required for Your Investor Visa
Have these documents ready before starting your application. We verify everything upfront to avoid delays during processing.
Valid for at least 6 months. Clear, full-colour scan. All pages if there are existing visas.
White background, formal attire. Recent photo, passport-style specifications required.
Current, valid UAE company licence with your name listed as a shareholder or partner.
MoA showing your shareholding percentage. Required for Mainland companies.
Issued by the immigration authority, your company's immigration registration document.
Local UAE mobile number and a valid UAE residential address for ICP registration.
Investor Visa: Mainland vs Free Zone
The investor visa is available through both Mainland and Free Zone companies. The right choice depends on your business type, budget, and long-term goals.
DET Company
Best for businesses operating within the UAE market or requiring higher banking credibility.
- ✓ Stronger credibility with UAE banks
- ✓ Higher visa quotas for employees
- ✓ Trade directly with UAE market
- ✓ Government contracts eligible
- ✓ Access to full range of activities
- ✓ Preferred by investors in real estate, retail, F&B
Free Zone Company
Best for digital businesses, consultants, and international traders seeking fast and cost-effective setup.
- ✓ Lower startup cost overall
- ✓ Faster company registration
- ✓ Simpler documentation requirements
- ✓ 100% foreign ownership
- ✓ No minimum capital in most zones
- ✓ Ideal for remote/digital operations
5 Investor Visa Mistakes That Cause Delays
These are the most common errors from applicants who try to navigate the process alone and how to avoid every one of them.
Not Listed on the Trade Licence
Many investors set up a company but fail to ensure their name appears explicitly as a shareholder on the trade licence. Without this, your visa application will be rejected.
Expired Visit Visa During Application
If you're in the UAE on a visit visa and it expires mid-process, you'll incur overstay fines and need to exit and re-enter. This can add weeks of delay.
Wrong Passport Photo Format
Submitting photos that don't meet ICP specifications (wrong background, glasses, size) causes automatic rejection and restarts the Emirates ID process.
Delayed Medical Test Booking
Medical test centres get busy. Waiting too long to book can slow down your entire timeline especially if you're working against a visa expiry deadline.
Using an Expired Trade Licence
If your UAE company's licence has lapsed even by a few days, your visa application will be rejected. Immigration authorities verify licence validity in real time.
Misunderstanding Visa Validity Rules
Investor visas require you to enter the UAE at least once every 6 months to maintain residency. Many investors miss this and unknowingly void their visa status.
Investor Visa vs UAE Golden Visa
Both visas grant UAE residency, but they differ significantly in validity, requirements, and cost. Here's a direct comparison to help you choose.
| Feature | Investor Visa | Golden Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 2–5 years (renewable) | 10 years (renewable) |
| Minimum Investment | Company setup cost (from ~AED 10,000) | AED 2,000,000+ (property or fund) |
| Processing Time | 5–10 working days | 3–8 weeks |
| Total Visa Cost | AED 3,500 – 6,500 | AED 5,000 – 12,000+ |
| UAE Entry Requirement | Visit every 6 months minimum | Visit every 6 months minimum |
| Family Sponsorship | Yes, spouse & children | Yes, spouse, children & parents |
| Who Qualifies | Any UAE company shareholder | Investors, professionals, talented individuals |
| Best For | Business owners wanting residency fast | Long-term residents, high-net-worth investors |
Not Sure Which One to Go For?
Many first-time UAE business owners start with the Investor Visa because it is faster and more affordable. Once your business is established and you qualify financially, upgrading to a Golden Visa is straightforward. We advise both routes and will recommend the right one for your specific situation.
Questions to ask before you pay
- Which authority issues each approval, and what is its current published fee?
- Does the quote include the establishment card, visas and Emirates ID, or are they extra?
- What will renewal cost in year two, and when is it due?
- Which amounts are government fees and which are the provider's service fee?
- Is the quote in writing, with the date it was issued?
Related guides
Official sources
Requirements and fees change. Check them directly with the authority before you apply:
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security: Residence visas and Emirates ID
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation: Labour cards, establishment cards and work permits
- UAE Government Portal: Official guides to government services
Get Your Dubai Investor Visa in 5–10 Days
We handle every step, from entry permit application to Emirates ID delivery. No government office queues. No guesswork. Just a smooth, professional process.