UAE residency for shareholders, owners and partners of Mainland and Free Zone companies — 2-year validity, multi-entry, sponsorship rights for family.
Investor visa basics
If you’re a shareholder, owner or partner in a UAE company, the investor (also called partner) visa is the fastest path to UAE residency. Unlike an employment visa, you sponsor yourself through the company you own — no employer needed. Validity is typically 2 years (Mainland) or 2–3 years (Free Zone), and renewals are straightforward as long as you remain a shareholder.
Most of our clients use the investor visa as their day-one residency vehicle while they build the business, then upgrade to a Golden Visa once they meet investment or income thresholds.
What an investor visa gives you
UAE residency2-year (Mainland) or 2–3 year (Free Zone) renewable residency.
Multi-entryTravel in and out of the UAE freely; no need to apply for entry permits.
Sponsor your familySpouse, children, and (income-permitting) parents on dependent visas.
Bank account accessOpen personal and corporate UAE bank accounts.
Property ownershipBuy freehold property in designated areas as a UAE resident.
Emirates IDFull UAE national ID for utilities, telecoms, schools, healthcare.
Eligibility
Mainland LLC partner visa — any registered shareholder of a DET-licensed company
Free Zone investor visa — any registered shareholder of an FZ-LLC, FZE or FZ-Co.
Minimum shareholding: in most jurisdictions, none — even a 1% shareholder qualifies. Some free zones impose a minimum capital threshold (typically AED 50,000–100,000 paid-up capital).
Office space: a registered Ejari address (flexi-desk acceptable) is required — visa quota is tied to office category.
Establishment card and immigration-file activation
Entry permit and status change (if you’re already in the UAE)
Medical fitness test scheduling
Emirates ID application and biometrics
Residence visa stamping in passport
Family-sponsorship setup if needed
Renewal management — we track expiry and process renewals 30 days early
Timeline & cost
From document submission to fully-stamped residence visa: 7–14 working days for in-country applicants, 14–21 days for those arriving from overseas. Total cost ranges AED 4,000–6,500 per investor visa, depending on jurisdiction and visa validity (2 vs. 3 years).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
In practice, almost none — both are sponsored by the company in which you hold shares. "Partner visa" is the term DED uses for Mainland LLC shareholders; "investor visa" is what most Free Zones call it. Same residency rights, similar process.
For some Free Zones, yes — initial documentation can be done remotely, then you fly in for the medical and biometrics (typically a 3–5 day visit). For Mainland, in-person presence is required for the medical and Emirates ID stages. We schedule everything to your travel dates.
Investor visa: 2–3 years, sponsored by your company, must remain a shareholder. Golden Visa: 10 years, self-sponsored, requires AED 2M+ investment OR specialised criteria. Most clients start with an investor visa, then upgrade to Golden once they qualify.
Not automatically, but renewal will fail. UAE visas are tied to active sponsorship; if you exit the company, plan a new sponsor (another company, family, Golden Visa) before your visa expires.
Get UAE residency
Become a UAE resident — through your business.
Free 30-minute consultation. We confirm eligibility, scope timeline, and quote the full process.
