The short answer
If you own a UAE company, the company can sponsor your residence visa as an investor or partner, usually valid for 2 years and renewable. The steps are: company and establishment card, entry permit (or status change if you are already here), medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID, usually two to three weeks once the company is ready. You then need to avoid staying outside the UAE for more than 6 months in a row, and you can sponsor your family.
Ways to get a UAE residence visa
| Route | Sponsor | Usual length |
|---|---|---|
| Your own company (investor or partner) | Your company | 2 years, renewable |
| Employment | Your employer | Usually 2 years |
| Golden Visa | None (self-sponsored) | 5 or 10 years |
| Green Visa (freelancers, skilled employees) | None (self-sponsored) | 5 years |
| Freelance permit | The issuing authority | Usually 2 years |
| Family | A resident family member | Follows the sponsor's visa |
For founders, the company route is usually the fastest: the visa comes right after the licence, and you can upgrade to a Golden Visa later if you qualify.
Investor and partner visas
When your company sponsors you as a shareholder, the visa is usually called an investor visa or a partner visa. Some Free Zones use "investor" for a sole shareholder and "partner" when there are other shareholders, and some set a minimum share capital for the investor visa. For example, Meydan Free Zone gives an investor visa to a sole shareholder with share capital of AED 50,000 or more.
- Visa allocation: your licence or premises must allow the visa.
- Establishment card: registers your company with immigration, needed before any visa.
- Your work: the visa lets you work for your own company.
- Staff: the same company can sponsor employment visas for your team.
How to get your residence visa, step by step
- Company and licence. With a visa allocation in your package or premises. See business setup in Dubai.
- Establishment card. Registers the company with immigration.
- Entry permit, or a status change if you are already in the UAE on another visa.
- Medical test. We book it for you.
- Biometrics for your Emirates ID.
- Visa issued and Emirates ID delivered to you.
Documents you usually need
You
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Passport-format photo with a white background
- Current visa, if you are in the UAE
Your company
- Trade licence
- Establishment card
- Memorandum of association or share certificate
Sometimes
- Health insurance, depending on the emirate
- Previous visa cancellation, if you are changing sponsor
Starting from abroad
Most of our clients start the company before they move. The licence is issued while you are still at home; the company then issues your entry permit, you travel once for the medical test and biometrics, and your Emirates ID is delivered to your UAE address. After that you can open your personal bank account, rent a home and register your children for school.
Moving from your employer's visa to your own company
Many founders start their company while still employed in the UAE. The usual order is:
- Check your contract and, if your Free Zone asks for it, get a no-objection letter from your employer.
- Set up the company while still employed.
- Cancel the employment visa when you leave, or keep it if your employer allows you to own a company on the side.
- Status change to your company's investor or partner visa, without leaving the UAE.
- Move your family's visas to you as the new sponsor.
Timing matters: after an employment visa is cancelled there is a grace period to change status, so plan the steps before your last working day.
Renewing your residence visa
- Company documents up to date: valid licence and establishment card.
- Medical test, where required at renewal.
- Visa renewal application before the expiry date.
- New Emirates ID issued with the renewed visa.
We start 30 to 60 days before the expiry date so nothing lapses.
Keeping your visa valid
- Don't stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months in a row. A normal residence visa can be cancelled. Golden Visas are not subject to this limit.
- Keep the company valid. An expired licence or establishment card blocks visa renewals.
- Renew on time. Usually every 2 years, with a new medical test where required.
- Keep your passport valid. Renew it early: visa steps need at least 6 months of validity.
Our PRO team tracks these dates and reminds you in advance.
What a residence visa lets you do
- Live in any emirate and travel in and out freely
- Open a personal bank account
- Rent a home in your name and register utilities
- Get a UAE driving licence
- Sponsor your spouse and children
- Build towards a tax residency certificate
What decides the cost
Your Free Zone or mainland authority, the visa allocation in your package, whether you are already in the UAE (status change), the medical test and Emirates ID, and any express services. We don't publish a total that may be wrong for you: after a free call you get every line in writing.
Sources
Rules checked on 29 October 2026.