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UAE investor visa at a glance
| Who gets it | A shareholder of a UAE mainland or free zone company |
|---|---|
| Validity | Usually 2 years, renewable (some zones offer 3) |
| Visa cost | About AED 3,000 to 7,500, on top of the license |
| Time | Usually 2 to 4 weeks after the license |
| Family | You can sponsor your spouse and children |
Investor, partner, employment or golden visa?
| Visa | Who it is for | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Investor visa | The owner or main shareholder of the company | Usually 2 years |
| Partner visa | Other shareholders in the same company | Usually 2 years |
| Employment visa | Staff the company hires | Usually 2 years |
| Golden visa | Investors with AED 2 million or more, and other categories | Usually 10 years |
"Investor visa" and "partner visa" are often used for the same thing. If you have AED 2 million to invest, read our golden visa guide first.
Investor visa requirements
- A valid UAE trade license with you named as a shareholder
- A visa quota on the license, which depends on your package and office
- An establishment card (immigration card) for the company
- Passport valid for at least 6 months, and a photo
- Medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics in the UAE
- Health insurance
Free zones usually issue the investor visa to any shareholder named on the license. On the mainland, the shareholding must be shown on the license.
How much does a UAE investor visa cost?
The visa usually costs about AED 3,000 to 7,500 per person, on top of the license. It is made up of:
- Entry permit and change of status (if you are already in the UAE)
- Medical fitness test and Emirates ID
- Residence visa stamping
- Health insurance
Some zones sell the license and one visa as a package. For example, about AED 13,131 in Ajman Free Zone and about AED 13,185 in Shams. Compare every zone in our cheapest free zone guide.
How to get a UAE investor visa: 6 steps
- Set up your company with a visa quota.
- Get the establishment card.
- Apply for the entry permit, or a change of status if you are already in the UAE.
- Medical test at an approved center.
- Emirates ID biometrics.
- Residence visa issued, then open your business bank account.
Get your investor visa quote
Tell us where you want to set up and how many visas you need. We will send a full quote for the license and every visa.
Get My Free QuoteSponsoring your family on an investor visa
Once your residence is issued, you can sponsor your spouse and children, and in some cases your parents. The authority asks for proof of income and housing. We confirm the current requirements for your case and run the family files with our PRO team. Entityz has set up businesses for more than 500 entrepreneurs from over 50 nationalities, with a 95% client retention rate.
General information, not immigration advice. Visa rules, fees and processing times are set by the UAE authorities and the free zones and change from time to time; the figures above are market ranges gathered in September 2026. We confirm the current position before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a UAE investor visa?
Set up a UAE company with a visa quota, get the establishment card, then apply for the entry permit, do the medical test and Emirates ID, and the residence visa is issued.
How much does a UAE investor visa cost?
Usually about AED 3,000 to 7,500 per person on top of the license, covering the entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, stamping and insurance.
What is the difference between an investor visa and a partner visa?
An investor visa is for the owner or main shareholder, and a partner visa for other shareholders in the same company. The terms are often used for the same thing.
How long is a UAE investor visa valid?
Usually 2 years and renewable. Some free zones offer 3 years.
Can I sponsor my family on an investor visa?
Yes. You can sponsor your spouse and children, and in some cases your parents, with proof of income and housing.
Do I need to invest a minimum amount for an investor visa?
Not for the standard 2 year investor visa: owning a licensed company with a visa quota is enough. The 10 year golden visa needs AED 2 million or another qualifying category.
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