Dubai business visa guide: How to apply, requirements & fees
Dubai business visa guide: How to apply, requirements & fees
Dubai’s role as a hub for trade and investment makes it one of the most attractive places in the region to establish a company. For entrepreneurs and investors, the first step towards building a presence is securing the appropriate visa. A Dubai business visa provides the right to reside in the UAE, manage operations, and meet legal requirements tied to company ownership. This guide outlines the main visa categories, eligibility criteria, application procedures, and costs.
Overview of Dubai business visas
People often use “business visa” as a general label. In practice it refers to several residence and entry permits for investors, shareholders and entrepreneurs, each with its own criteria, steps and validity. In all cases, the visa allows a foreign national to reside in Dubai for the purpose of owning or operating a company, and it is linked to a specific legal entity registered in the UAE under whose sponsorship it is issued.
The categories relevant to business owners and investors are:
• Investor / Partner visa – for shareholders in a mainland or free zone company.
• Business entry visa – short-term permit to visit, meet partners and assess opportunities. • Golden Visa (10 years) – for investors and entrepreneurs who meet set ownership or investment thresholds and want longer residence.
• Specialist entrepreneur visas – for founders in named priority sectors, usually with endorsement from an approved incubator or government body.
The best route turns on your activity, shareholding and how long you intend to base yourself in the UAE.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for a Dubai business visa, the applicant should generally:
• Hold shares in a UAE-licensed company or be the sole proprietor.
• Have a valid commercial licence issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or the relevant free zone authority.
• Provide proof of capital investment, if the category requires it. • Pass the UAE medical fitness test and maintain valid health insurance.
• Hold a clean criminal record.
Golden Visa categories set a higher bar, such as larger investment amounts, evidence of ongoing operations and, in some cases, minimum revenue or staffing levels.
Application process
The process starts with establishing the business in Dubai. Mainland companies register with the DET and obtain a commercial licence. Free zone companies register directly with the relevant free zone authority.
Once the company licence is issued, the visa steps are:
1. Entry permit – The company applies for an electronic entry permit for the applicant through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the free zone immigration portal.
2. Status change – If the applicant is already in the UAE on another visa, a status change is processed. If applying from outside the UAE, entry is made on the permit.
3. Medical and biometrics – A medical examination is carried out at an authorised clinic, and biometric data is captured for Emirates ID issuance.
4. Visa stamping – The residence visa is endorsed in the passport, completing the process.
Most applications take around five to ten working days once all documents are in order.
Documentation checklist
Applicants should prepare:
• Copy of passport (with at least six months’ validity).
• Passport-sized photographs. • Company trade licence.
• Memorandum of Association (MOA) or share certificate showing ownership.
• Establishment card. • Bank statements or proof of investment (for certain categories).
• Entry permit (if applying from within the UAE, a status change form is required).
• Medical fitness certificate.
• Emirates ID application form.
Free zone authorities may request additional documents specific to their jurisdiction.
Fees and validity
Government fees for a standard investor or partner visa range from AED3,000 to AED5,000 for a two-year validity in most free zones, and up to three years for some mainland visas.
Golden Visa fees are generally higher than other residence categories and depend on the type of qualifying investment or activity, with validity of up to ten years. Applicants should also allow for the cost of medical tests, Emirates ID processing, and any document attestations that may be needed. Renewal charges are usually in the same range as the first issuance, and it is advisable to renew before the expiry date to avoid penalties.
Maintaining your visa
Holders must keep their trade licence valid and follow UAE immigration and labour requirements. This means renewing the licence each year, updating company details when they change, and maintaining health insurance. A visa may be cancelled if the related trade licence is suspended or revoked, or if the holder spends more than six consecutive months outside the UAE, unless exempt under Golden Visa rules.
How Sovereign PPG can help
The steps to obtain a Dubai business visa are relatively efficient, but each stage needs to be completed correctly. Choosing the right visa type, ensuring it matches your company’s legal structure, and meeting all submission requirements can shorten processing times and reduce the risk of setbacks. This is particularly relevant for companies with foreign ownership or those operating in regulated sectors.
If you would like to discuss your application or explore company and visa options across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman or Qatar, contact Sovereign PPG at sovppg@SovereignGroup.com, call +971 (0)4 456 1761 (Dubai) or +971 (0)2 448 5120 (Abu Dhabi), or complete the enquiry form below.
