Investor Visa
via Company Formation in the UAE
For company shareholders, entrepreneurs, and founders.
from AED 9 000
What Is an Investor Visa?
An investor visa is an ideal solution for entrepreneurs, business owners, and co-founders in the UAE who require long-term legal residency, the right to live in the country, simplified bank account opening, and hassle-free cross-border travel to and from the Emirates.
Key Requirements for the Applicant (Founder)
Company Incorporation
- Registration of incorporation documents and issuance of the trade license;
- Obtaining an Establishment Card containing the immigration sponsor code.
Shareholding in the Company’s Share Capital
Minimum capital contribution varies by jurisdiction
(from AED 1 to AED 50 000).
Valid Passport
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of application.
Medical Examination & Emirates ID
Standard procedure: chest X-ray and blood test → biometric submission at ICP.
Health Insurance: When It’s Mandatory
In northern free zones (such as RAKEZ, Umm Al Quwain FTZ, Fujairah Creative City, etc.), a valid health insurance policy is required before the change of status or visa stamping. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, insurance is typically verified after Emirates ID issuance. However, some business setup packages in free zones may include a basic insurance policy by default.
Step-by-Step Process
1 Choosing the Free Zone / License
Determination of business activity type, budget, and required number of visas.
2 Company Registration
Preparation of incorporation documents, payment, and license issuance.
3 E-Channel Registration & Establishment Card
Registration with the ICP system to enable further visa applications.
4 Entry Permit Application
Submitted either inside or outside the UAE, depending on the applicant’s location.
5 Medical Examination
Conducted at accredited medical centers.
6 Biometrics & Health Insurance
Completed at authorized centers.
7 Residence Visa Issuance
No physical passport stamp is required thanks to the e-Residence system. Visa validity: up to 2 years.
8 Emirates ID
The final document confirming UAE residency status.
Key Benefits of an Investor Visa:
- 100% foreign ownership of a company in UAE free zones;
- Exemption from personal income tax
Simplified access to banking services (local and international); - Family sponsorship (spouse, children, and domestic staff);
- Residency status retention while residing outside the UAE for up to one year;
- Remote visa processing including online document signing, power of attorney, and SmartPass digital signature;
- Legal residency, employment, and business operations in the UAE;
- Driving license eligibility and vehicle registration;
- Property rental and ownership;
- Visa-free travel to GCC countries and various other nations.
How Can Smart Advisors Group Help?
Selection of the optimal company structure for registration in a free zone or mainland — including comparison of visa quotas, office package costs, and insurance requirements.
Turnkey company registration within 24–48 hours (express free zones) or standard processing timelines.
Comprehensive visa support — registration via the e-channel platform, medical examination, Emirates ID issuance, and family sponsorship.
Post-visa services — tax registration (Corporate Tax, VAT), ESR reporting, WPS setup, and annual auditing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
A UAE investor visa is a type of residence visa granted to foreign nationals who invest in the country’s economy. It allows legal residence and business operations in the UAE during its validity. The main categories include:
- Partner/investor visa based on company shareholding;
- Investor visa based on real estate ownership.
All these visas are issued for a period of 2 years.
Validity period: for Green visa it’s 5 years, for Golden visa – 10 years, while for a regular investor visa – 2 years. Green and Golden visas don’t require a sponsor and offer longer grace periods after cancellation, and Golden visa holders can stay outside the UAE for more than 180 days without visa cancellation.
To obtain a 2-year partner/investor visa, one must hold more than 30% of a company’s shares or contribute a minimum capital of AED 50 000 when registering a new company.
A passport valid for at least 6 months, a photo, copy of Emirates ID (if available), company incorporation documents or proof of property ownership, and a letter from the Dubai Land Department (DLD) or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP).
1) Entry Permit issuance (7–10 working days) ➜ 2) Change of status within the UAE or entry using the permit ➜ 3) Medical examination and biometric data (1–3 days) ➜ 4) Visa stamping and Emirates ID issuance (3–5 days).
Average total processing timeline: 2–4 weeks.
All investor visa categories allow sponsorship of spouse and children. Sponsorship requirements may vary by emirate.
For regular investor visas — up to 180 consecutive days.
Yes, by increasing the investment to meet Golden visa requirements — e.g., purchasing additional property totaling at least AED 2 million or increasing company capital to the same amount.
Investor, Green, and Golden visa holders are granted a 180-day grace period to leave the country, change their visa status, or renew the visa without penalties.
We’re Here to Answer Your Questions
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