When it comes to business-friendly cities, Dubai is at the top of the list. Entrepreneurs from around the world are interested in investing in the city’s growing sectors. If you’re ready to get your business started in Dubai, there are several steps and procedures that you have to go through to get things moving. But first, you’ll have to get your investor or partner visa. What exactly doesn’t this mean? Keep reading, and we will walk you through where to start.
What Exactly is a Dubai Investor Visa or Partner Visa?
If you are a foreign national who wants to start your own business in Dubai or invest in an existing business, then you’ll need to apply for this visa. You may hear this visa called both an investor visa and a partner visa, but it’s the same thing.
The Investor visa is issued to an expat investor. The reason it’s also referred to as a partner visa is because you will need a partnership with a local in order to do business on the Mainland.
Once this visa is issued, you’ll be able to live and work in the UAE and sponsor family members for three years.
What Documents are Required for Investor Visa in Dubai for Mainland Companies?
There are several requirements that have to be met to obtain a sponsor visa in Dubai. First of all, you must have shares in an existing company with a minimum of AED 72,000 or be an establishing company with a capital investment of the same amount. There are also several documents that are required:
- Copy of passport
- Entry permit form
- A photograph on a white background
- Copy of Service Agent Contract and Partnership Contract if applying for a Professional License
- List of partners if you will have an LLC
- Memorandum of Association
- Copy of Immigration Establishment Card
- Copy of trade license
- Partnership contract between local sponsor and partner
- Bank statement showing the last six months
Where Do I Go to Apply for the Dubai Investor Visa?
Ready to start applying for your Investor Visa in Dubai? You can start the process by going to one of the Amer Centers across the city. These centers are set up throughout the area to offer different services to UAE nationals and residents. There are trained staff and self-service kiosks that will help make the process quick and easy.
You can find these centers in these areas:
- Al Jafiliya
- Al Twar
- Dubai Festival City
- Al Quoz
- And more
While applying for this license at one of these centers, you’ll want to be prepared for the fees you’ll have to pay for your partner visa in Dubai:
Entry permit:
- AED 1,035 to AED 1,070 for individuals in the UAE
- AED 365 for individuals outside the UAE
Change of status:
- AED 580
- Keep in mind, this fee is not required if you’re entering from outside the UAE
Visa stamping:
- This is usually between AED 600 to AED 800
Other possible charges:
- Medical testing
- Emirates ID
- Immigration establishment card
What About a Dubai Investor Visa for Free Zone Companies?
One of the greatest benefits to a business in Dubai is the option to setup in the Free Zone. These Free Zones offer tremendous benefits like 100% ownership of the company, 100% exemption from import and export duties, full repatriation of capital and profits, and so much more.
There are currently more than 30 Free Zones operating in Dubai. These Free Zones are dedicated to different sectors like media, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, finance, and more, which make them a great location for networking and making the most out of the resources in the area.
Here are some of the most popular Free Zones in Dubai:
- Dubai Multi Commodities Center
- Dubai Internet City
- Dubai Media City
- Dubai Production City
- Dubai Silicon Oasis
- And more
You can still apply for a sponsor visa in Dubai while setting up business in a Free Zone, but the process is just a little different. It’s hard to tell you the exact procedures and costs that are involved in this process. That’s because the procedures vary depending on the business you are setting up and the Free Zone that you plan on doing business in.
If you are thinking about business in a Free Zone, you’ll want to reach out to the one that you want to set your business up in to find out what the application process is and the fees that are associated with it.
Different Types of Visa Available in Dubai
Like we mentioned earlier, your partner visa in Dubai is good for three years, but there are some other options available for types of visas that can last for up to ten years.
Recently a 10-year visa for investors and a 5-year visa for real estate investors was introduced. You may also hear these visas referred to as the golden visa. These visas are very sought after and aren’t available to everyone.
Those that are available for a golden visa are:
- UAE based doctors and physicians.
- Some students
- Graduates with a 3.8 or higher GPA from a UAE university
- UAE PhD holders
- Certain UAE based specialists
- Artificial intelligence
- Big data
- Epidemiology
- Virology
- UAE based biotechnology, computer science, programming, electronics, and electricity engineers
- Some investors
If you qualify for a 5- or 10-year visa, you may be surprised to find out that the costs for these visas are pretty affordable:
Five-year visa costs:
- Visa cost is AED 650
- Application is AED 150
- Issuance is AED 500
Ten-year visa costs:
- Visa cost is AED 1,150
- Application is AED 150
- Issuance is AED 100
As we said, there’s a huge demand for these longer visas in the UAE. While these golden visas don’t apply to everyone, they do help provide a better feeling of permanence and security for those who have invested in the UAE.
If you think you’re eligible and you want to apply, the government has put together a website to help you get answers. Just visit https://business.goldenvisa.ae/ to start the process for your golden visa.
Get Your Partner Visa in Dubai with MSZ Consultancy
If you’re ready to invest in an already flourishing economy, then you need to apply for your investor visa or partner visa in Dubai today! The UAE is known for having a business-friendly government, so they make it easy to setup your company in Dubai and get your partner visa. However, there are several steps and requirements that have to be met in order to get your visa issued. Don’t chance any mistakes. MSZ Consultancy are expert business consultants with over 12-years of experience in helping entrepreneurs get their company up and running in the UAE. If you have any questions about the investor visa process, we are here to help! Give us a call at +971 52 544 1248 today for your FREE consultation.
At MSZ Consultancy, we strive to be your one-stop business solution provider. You can always visit our office for any type of business consultation - 2204, Exchange Tower - Business Bay - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. You can also visit https://g.page/mszcsp to get the road map to reach us.
Zubair Sultan Mohammed
CEO - MSZ Corporate Services
Zubair Sultan Mohammed is a seasoned business consultant specializing in company formation and regulatory compliance in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. With over 15 years of experience, he has guided entrepreneurs, SMEs, and multinational firms through the complexities of regional business laws and market entry strategies. His deep understanding of local licensing, taxation, and free zone structures ensures clients make informed, strategic decisions. Zubair Sultan Mohammed regularly contributes insights on corporate setup, investment trends, and regional economic developments.
