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Investor Visa
United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates•Asia
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Investor Visa

Investment Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–3 weeks

Estimated Cost

From AED 200

Other charges may apply

Stay Duration

3 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information
United Arab Emirates flag

Living in United Arab Emirates

Cost of Living
20% cheaper than United States
Avg SalaryAED 126,000
Quality of Life
169/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Three-year UAE residence visa for shareholders or partners in a licensed UAE company, with work rights and family sponsorship.

The UAE Investor (Partner) Residence Visa is a renewable three-year permit for foreign nationals who own or partner in a UAE-licensed company on the mainland or in a free zone. It grants the right to live and work in the UAE and sponsor immediate family for the life of the visa.

qualification is tied to active company ownership, not a fixed federal capital floor. Applicants submit the trade licence, Memorandum of Association naming them as shareholder, passport, medical fitness certificate, UAE health insurance, and police clearance. Federal ICP fees start at about AED 300; total costs typically run AED 3,000-7,000 with medical and Emirates ID.

This visa is ideal for entrepreneurs and business partners who want a renewable UAE residence tied to a real operating company, without the AED 2M+ thresholds of Golden or Blue Residency.

Cost Breakdown

Application feeAED 100
Residence permit issuance (per year)AED 100
recurring
Smart service feeAED 100
TotalAED 200

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant3 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Golden Visa (5/10 Year)
United Arab Emirates flagUnited Arab Emirates

Golden Visa (5/10 Year)

Validity10 years
Processing2–5 days
View Visa Details
Employment Visa
United Arab Emirates flagUnited Arab Emirates

Employment Visa

Validity2 years
Processing2 days
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Ownership or partnership stake in a UAE-licensed company (mainland or free zone) with an active trade license.

Memorandum of Association (MoA) or equivalent partnership agreement listing the applicant as a shareholder/partner.

Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity.

Medical fitness certificate from a UAE-approved health centre.

Valid health insurance covering the UAE.

Good Conduct (police clearance) certificate from country of residence or origin.

Emirates ID application (issued during the residency process).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (6+ months validity)

Passport-size photographs

Trade licence of the UAE company

Memorandum of Association (MoA) or partnership agreement showing shareholding

Medical fitness certificate

Health insurance valid in the UAE

Good conduct / police clearance certificate

Emirates ID application receipt

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Three-year renewable residence for as long as the company licence and shareholding stay active.
  • Self-sponsored - no UAE employer needed; the company is the basis of the visa.
  • Full work authorisation within the company you own or partner in.
  • Sponsor spouse, children and (subject to conditions) parents on dependent visas.
  • No minimum salary, education or language requirement at the federal level.
  • Available in both mainland and free-zone company structures.

Worth Knowing

  • Tied to the company: if the trade licence lapses or shareholding ends, the visa is cancelled.
  • Total cost varies widely by emirate and free zone once licence, medical and Emirates ID fees are added.
  • Does not lead to UAE citizenship and is not a direct path to permanent residency.
  • Dependent (spouse) work rights require a separate work permit from MoHRE.
  • Higher-threshold options (Golden, Blue Residency) offer longer 10-year terms for larger investors.
  • No ownership stake in a UAE-licensed company - this visa requires active shareholding or partnership.
  • Inability to pass UAE medical fitness or security/police clearance checks.

Application Process

1

Establish or join a UAE company

register a mainland or free-zone company and obtain the trade licence listing you as shareholder/partner.

2

Apply for an entry permit for residency

submit through the ICP Smart Services portal or the relevant GDRFA/free-zone authority.

3

Enter the UAE on the entry permit

if applying from abroad, use the entry permit to travel and begin residency processing.

4

Complete medical fitness test at an approved UAE health centre.

5

Apply for Emirates ID and submit biometrics.

6

Receive the investor/partner residence visa stamped into the passport and the Emirates ID card.

7

Sponsor dependents (optional)

apply separately for spouse and children once the primary residence visa is issued.

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