Investor Visa UAE

An investor visa is a UAE residence visa granted to individuals based on their ownership stake in a UAE-registered company. It allows company shareholders and partners to live and work in the UAE for the duration of the visa, which is typically two to three years.

This visa is tied to your company - your trade license, share certificate, and MOA serve as the basis for the application. The process is handled through GDRFA and follows the standard residence visa process: entry permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, and visa stamping.

It is important to distinguish the investor visa from the Golden Visa. The investor visa is the standard residence visa for company owners. The Golden Visa is a separate long-term programme with its own eligibility categories and expanded benefits.

The investor visa is relevant to anyone who owns or co-owns a UAE company:

• Sole owners of a free zone or mainland company who need a residence visa through their business
• LLC partners and shareholders who hold a qualifying ownership stake
• Company founders who have incorporated in the UAE and want to establish legal residence
• Investors who have set up a company but do not qualify for the Golden Visa
• Business partners who each need their own visa through the same company

If you qualify for the Golden Visa through property investment, salary level, or another category, that may be a better option due to its longer duration and self-sponsored status.

Step 1: Verify company ownership. Confirm that your share certificate and MOA reflect the ownership stake required by the relevant authority.

Step 2: Prepare your documents. Gather your share certificate, MOA, trade license, passport, photos, and any additional documents required by GDRFA or the free zone authority.

Step 3: Apply through GDRFA. If you are outside the UAE, apply for an entry permit. If inside the UAE on another visa type, a status change may be possible.

Step 4: Complete medical fitness test, Emirates ID, and visa stamping. Once approved, complete the medical fitness test, register for Emirates ID with biometrics, and have the visa stamped in your passport.

Requirements vary slightly by jurisdiction, but common elements include:

• Valid trade license for the company
• Share certificate showing the applicant's ownership percentage
• Memorandum of Association confirming the ownership structure
• Passport copy with at least six months validity
• Passport-sized photographs meeting UAE specifications
• Minimum ownership percentage as required by the licensing authority
• Medical fitness test at an approved health center
• Health insurance valid in the UAE
• Office lease or Ejari certificate (may be verified)

Note: Minimum share percentage requirements vary by free zone and by mainland authority. Confirm the applicable threshold for your specific company before applying.

Minimum ownership varies by jurisdiction. There is no single universal ownership threshold for investor visa eligibility. Always confirm the applicable threshold with the relevant authority.

Investor visa vs Golden Visa. The investor visa is a standard two to three-year residence visa. The Golden Visa is a long-term five or ten-year programme with self-sponsored status, no minimum stay, and expanded family sponsorship.

Family sponsorship follows standard rules. Investor visa holders can sponsor family members under the standard family visa rules - including salary or income documentation requirements.

Visa is tied to the company. If the company is closed, sold, or your ownership changes, the visa status is directly affected.

When a company has multiple owners, each partner may need their own investor visa through the same entity.

How multiple partner visas work: Each partner applies individually based on their ownership stake. The minimum share percentage required per partner varies by authority.

Visa allocation limits: Companies have a visa quota. Investor/partner visas count toward this quota alongside any employee visas. Verify that the company's total allocation is sufficient.

Adding a new partner's visa: If a new partner joins after formation, the MOA and share certificate must be updated first before the visa application can be submitted.

Silent partners: Whether a non-active partner qualifies depends on the jurisdiction's rules regarding minimum ownership and the requirement for the visa holder to hold a management role.