UAE business setup
One investor visa
AED12,500
- Company license
- Flexi desk
- 2 year residency
- Bank account opening
- Accounting consultation
- Corporate tax registration
Visas and PRO · Dubai and the UAE
Investor and partner visa in Dubai
A company owner can hold a UAE residence visa through the company. The term and the conditions are set by the authority that issues it. This page shows what each authority publishes.
The short answer
An investor or partner visa is a UAE residence visa for a person who owns or co-owns a company. The term depends on the authority that issues it. GDRFA Dubai shows the partner and investor route as a 5 year green residence with a minimum paid share of AED 1 million. Free zones publish their own terms: DMCC states three years, and Meydan Free Zone states usually two to five. Checked in September 2026.
What is an investor or partner visa?
It is a residence visa held by a person who owns or co-owns a UAE company. Free zones such as DMCC and Meydan Free Zone call it the partner or investor visa.
The UAE Government portal describes the Green visa as a renewable residence visa valid for 5 years, for skilled workers, freelancers and self employed people, and investors and business partners.
GDRFA Dubai states that its green residence for a partner or investor in a commercial project allows residence for five years without a guarantor or employer, renewable on the same conditions.
Good to knowA UAE residence visa does not by itself end UK tax residence, which HMRC decides under the Statutory Residence Test. Rules in other countries differ. Ask your adviser there before you rely on it.
How long is an investor visa valid?
The term depends on the authority that issues it. There is no single figure for every company owner.
The UAE Government portal states that sponsored residence visas are valid for 1, 2 or 3 years, and self sponsored visas for up to 5 or 10 years.
We did not find a federal or GDRFA Dubai page that describes a standard 2 year investor visa for mainland company owners. We confirm the term with the issuing authority before you apply.
| Authority | Route | Term stated | Condition stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDRFA Dubai | Green residence, partner or investor | 5 years, renewable | Share of at least AED 1 million, paid. Company in one of the listed legal forms, which include the LLC |
| ICP | Green Residence | 5 years | Passport valid 6 months or more, and valid health insurance |
| DMCC | Partner or investor visa | 3 years | Share certificate showing at least 50 shares and total share capital of AED 50,000 |
| Meydan Free Zone | Investor or partner visa | Usually 2 to 5 years | None recorded |
| Dubai Land Department | Property investor residence (Taskeen) | 2 years | Property ownership in Dubai |
Good to knowThe DMCC and Meydan Free Zone figures apply to those free zones only. Other free zones publish their own terms.
Is there a minimum share capital or investment?
It depends on the authority. GDRFA Dubai states that the investor's or partner's share must be at least AED 1 million, paid, for its green residence.
DMCC asks for a share certificate showing at least 50 shares and total share capital of AED 50,000. It states that no immigration deposit is required. Both figures were checked in September 2026 and can change.
What is the process for an investor visa?
Meydan Free Zone states that its process includes the establishment card, the immigration file, the medical test and the Emirates ID.
GDRFA Dubai states that its entry visa for the investor or partner route lets the holder stay 60 days from entry while the residence is processed.
The UAE Government portal states that applicants aged 18 and above must take a medical test, pass a security check and apply for an Emirates ID. DMCC states that health insurance is mandatory for residence visa holders. The free zone pages were checked in September 2026.
How long can you stay outside the UAE?
The UAE Government portal states that a residence visa is nullified after 180 continuous days outside the UAE. It lists exemptions, and investors are among them.
A request for a re-entry permit after 180 days abroad costs AED 100 for every 30 days or less spent outside, and entry must take place within 30 days of approval. The rule and the fee are published on the portal. They were checked in September 2026 and can change.
GDRFA Dubai gives a grace period of 180 days to remain in the UAE after a green residence expires or is ended.
Can you get a residence visa through property in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai Land Department offers a 2 year investor residence linked to property ownership in Dubai, with the option to sponsor a spouse and children.
Dubai Land Department states that a sole owner may apply regardless of the property value, and that a co-owner's share must be at least AED 400,000.
What are the government fees for an investor visa?
Each authority publishes its own fees. The table shows them as published. They were checked in September 2026 and can change.
Links has two packages that include one visa allocation: UAE business setup at AED 12,500 and Dubai free zone at AED 19,900. The Dubai free zone price does not cover the visa cost. The packages page shows what each price covers and what it does not.
We prepare the application and book the appointments. We tell you the full cost in writing before you commit. The authority decides the application.
| Authority | Service | Published fees | Stated processing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDRFA Dubai | Green residence, partner or investor | Residence permit AED 200, Knowledge Dirham AED 10, Innovation Dirham AED 10, in country fee AED 500, delivery AED 20. The issuance fee rises AED 100 a year for residencies over two years | 48 hours |
| ICP | Residency permit | Application AED 100, annual issuance AED 100, smart service AED 100, status adjustment AED 500 | Not recorded |
| Dubai Land Department | Taskeen, 2 years | Investor AED 10,212.50, spouse AED 7,382.25, child under 18 AED 6,482.25 | 7 to 10 business days |
Good to knowStated processing times are for a single step. We found no official page that gives a time for the whole process.
The steps, in order
- 01
Company license and establishment card
GDRFA Dubai asks for the trade license. Meydan Free Zone lists the establishment card as part of its process.
- 02
Entry visa
GDRFA Dubai states that the holder can stay 60 days from entry while the residence is processed.
- 03
Medical test and security check
Required for applicants aged 18 and above.
- 04
Emirates ID
The applicant applies for an Emirates ID as part of the residence process.
- 05
Residence issued
The issuing authority sets the term.
Documents you need
- Photo
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Partnership contract, Memorandum of Association or investment contract
- Trade license
- Valid health insurance
- For DMCC: share certificate showing at least 50 shares and total share capital of AED 50,000 (checked September 2026)
Packages and prices
What it costs with Links.
Prices are published, with what each one covers and what it does not. We send the full cost in writing before you commit.
Dubai free zone
One visa package
AED19,900
- LLC license
- 100% business ownership
- One visa allocation
- Co-working space
- Bank account opening
- VAT consultation
- Dedicated account manager
What is not included
- Foreign trade name
- Accommodation fees
- SEWA deposit
- Visa cost
- Municipality fees
Terms and conditions apply. Prices are indicative. The license fee differs by business activity, and the final cost varies with the number of visas and government fees. See all packages.
Common questions
Investor visa: common questions.
Answered from the official sources listed below. If yours is not here, ask us directly.
If I own 100% of my Dubai company, how long is my visa valid for?
It depends on the authority that issues it. GDRFA Dubai shows the partner and investor route as a 5 year green residence. DMCC states three years for its partner or investor visa, and Meydan Free Zone states that the visa is usually issued for two to five years. These terms were checked in September 2026 and can change.
Is there a minimum share capital or investment to qualify for an investor visa?
It depends on the authority. GDRFA Dubai states a share of at least AED 1 million, paid, for its green residence for partners and investors. DMCC asks for a share certificate showing at least 50 shares and total share capital of AED 50,000. Both figures were checked in September 2026 and can change.
What is the difference between an investor visa, a partner visa and a Green visa?
The Green visa is the name on the UAE Government portal for a renewable 5 year residence visa, which covers investors and business partners among other categories. Partner visa and investor visa are the names free zones such as DMCC and Meydan Free Zone use for a shareholder's residence visa.
How long can I stay outside the UAE before my residence is ended?
The UAE Government portal states that a residence visa is nullified after 180 continuous days outside the UAE, and lists exemptions that include investors. A re-entry permit request costs AED 100 for every 30 days or less spent outside. The rule and the fee were checked in September 2026 and can change.
Do I need a medical test for an investor visa?
The UAE Government portal states that applicants aged 18 and above must take a medical test, pass a security check and apply for an Emirates ID. GDRFA Dubai's entry visa for the investor or partner route allows a stay of 60 days from entry while the residence is processed.
Is a lifetime investor visa a real visa category?
We found no official page that uses the term. The longest term on the official pages we checked is 10 years, renewable.
Can I get a Dubai residence visa by owning property?
Dubai Land Department offers a 2 year investor residence linked to property ownership in Dubai. It states that a sole owner may apply regardless of the property value, and that a co-owner's share must be at least AED 400,000.
What do the government fees for an investor visa add up to?
GDRFA Dubai publishes these fees for the partner or investor green residence: residence permit AED 200, Knowledge Dirham AED 10, Innovation Dirham AED 10, in country fee AED 500 and delivery AED 20. The issuance fee rises AED 100 a year for residencies over two years. Fees were checked in September 2026 and can change.
Sources
Where these facts come from
Every fact on this page was checked against the official source on 29 September 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm the current position before any application.
- UAE Government portal, Green visa (opens in a new tab)
- GDRFA Dubai, green residence for a partner or investor (opens in a new tab)
- GDRFA Dubai, entry visa for the investor or partner green route (opens in a new tab)
- UAE Government portal, general provisions for the residence visa (opens in a new tab)
- ICP, residency permit service (opens in a new tab)
- DMCC, free zone visa types (opens in a new tab)
- Meydan Free Zone, partner and investor visa guide (opens in a new tab)
- Dubai Land Department, request for investor visa (opens in a new tab)
Read next
Related pages
Get a quote · Investor visa
Tell us about the business. We will send the cost in writing.
Send a few details and an advisor will reply with the route we recommend and what it costs. There is no charge and no obligation to proceed.
- +971 55 944 5867Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 17:00 GST
- WhatsApp +971 55 621 3808Message us from any country
- contact@linksbusiness.aeFor documents and detailed questions
- Dubai National Insurance Building1st Floor, Office 15, Port Saeed, Deira, Dubai