Setting up a UAE company usually comes with one of its biggest perks: residency. The investor (or partner) visa lets a business owner live in the UAE, sponsor family, and open the doors that residency unlocks — banking, schooling, and more. Here’s how it works in 2026, what it costs, and how to get it.
What is the investor visa?
An investor visa is a UAE residence permit granted to a person who owns (or is a partner in) a UAE company. Your trade license is the basis for it — set up the company, and you become eligible to apply for residency as its owner. It’s the standard route for entrepreneurs and is different from the longer golden visa (see golden visa for business owners).
Who qualifies
- You own or are a partner in a UAE company (free zone or mainland).
- Your company holds a valid trade license.
- You pass the standard medical, Emirates ID, and security steps.
There’s no degree or salary requirement — your company ownership is the qualifying factor.
The step-by-step process
- Set up your company and get your trade license.
- Obtain your establishment card (company immigration file).
- Entry permit issued for the investor.
- Medical fitness test and Emirates ID application.
- Visa stamping into your passport / digital visa issued.
For a clean application, the whole process typically takes a couple of weeks after the license is ready.
What it costs
Costs vary by free zone and visa duration, but as a guide each residence visa — including Emirates ID, medical, and stamping — typically runs around AED 3,500–4,750. Your license package usually includes a visa allocation; see how many visas a free zone gives.
Investor visa vs golden visa
- Investor visa: tied to your company, renewable, the standard entrepreneur route.
- Golden visa: a 10-year residence for those meeting higher thresholds (e.g. company value of AED 2 million) — covered in golden visa for business owners.
The big benefit: family and banking
Once you hold an investor visa, you can sponsor your family (see sponsoring your family) and complete steps that need residency — including opening a personal and corporate bank account. It’s often the real reason founders set up here. For the full journey, see how to start a business in the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
Who can get a UAE investor visa?
Any owner or partner of a UAE company with a valid trade license, after the standard medical, Emirates ID, and security steps. There’s no salary or degree requirement.
How much does a UAE investor visa cost?
As a guide, around AED 3,500–4,750 per visa including Emirates ID, medical, and stamping, though this varies by free zone and duration.
What’s the difference between an investor visa and a golden visa?
The investor visa is tied to your company and renewable; the golden visa is a 10-year residence for those meeting higher investment or value thresholds.
Get your investor visa with your company
We handle the company and the residency together, so you go from setup to Emirates ID smoothly. Chat with us on WhatsApp.
