Rules as of 29 October 2026. Checked against the UAE government portal (u.ae), ICP, and the Meydan and RAKEZ Free Zone pages.
The short answer: a Free Zone company can sponsor three kinds of residence visa: an investor visa (sole shareholder) or partner visa (one of several shareholders) for the owners, employment visas for staff, and, through those visa holders, family visas. How many visas you get depends on your licence's visa allocation, which is usually linked to your workspace. Each visa needs an entry permit or status change, a medical test, biometrics and an Emirates ID.
The Free Zone visa types
| Visa | For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Investor visa | The sole shareholder of the company | Some zones link it to share capital: Meydan gives an investor visa to a sole shareholder with share capital of AED 50,000 or more |
| Partner visa | A shareholder when the company has more than one | Meydan and RAKEZ both use the partner visa when there are several shareholders |
| Employment visa | Staff hired by the company | Counts against the visa allocation; the labour file is handled through the Free Zone |
| Family visa | Spouse and children of a visa holder | Sponsored by the resident, not by the company. Salary of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation |
Beyond these, owners who qualify can switch to a long-term Golden Visa (5 or 10 years) or a 5-year Green Visa, which don't depend on the company.
Visa allocation: how many visas you can have
Each licence comes with a visa allocation, the number of visas it can sponsor. It is usually tied to your workspace: a flexi-desk allows a small number, an office more. For example, Meydan offers 0 to 6 visa allocations on its standard licence and more with a bigger workspace. Only take the visas you need now; most zones let you add allocations later. Before any visa, the company needs its establishment card.
How a Free Zone visa is issued
- Entry permit if you are outside the UAE, or status change if you are already inside.
- Medical fitness test, for everyone aged 18 and over.
- Biometrics for the Emirates ID.
- Residence visa stamped or issued electronically, and the Emirates ID delivered.
Residence visas through a company usually run for 2 years and are renewable. Health insurance is needed before a residence permit is issued or renewed for employees.
Rules to remember
- More than 180 days in a row outside the UAE cancels a normal residence visa. Golden and Green Visas are not affected.
- A Free Zone visa lets you live anywhere in the UAE. A RAKEZ visa holder can live in Dubai, for example.
- Your visa follows your company. If the licence lapses or the company closes, visas must be cancelled. Plan your next visa first. See company closure.
- Renew the licence and establishment card on time, or new visas and renewals are blocked.
Free Zone visa or mainland visa?
The visa itself is a UAE residence visa either way. The difference is the sponsor: a Free Zone company sponsors through its zone, a mainland company through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the immigration authority. Choose the company type for your business, not for the visa. See UAE residence visas and Free Zone company setup.
Questions
What visas can a Free Zone company sponsor?
Investor or partner visas for the owners and employment visas for staff, up to the licence's visa allocation. Visa holders can then sponsor their families.
What is the difference between an investor visa and a partner visa?
An investor visa is for the sole shareholder; a partner visa is for a shareholder in a company with more than one shareholder. Meydan and RAKEZ both follow this rule.
How long is a Free Zone visa valid?
Usually 2 years, renewable, as long as the company's licence and establishment card stay valid.
How many visas can I get with a flexi-desk?
It depends on the zone. Meydan, for example, offers 0 to 6 visa allocations on its standard licence; more visas usually need a bigger workspace.
Can I live in Dubai with a visa from another emirate's Free Zone?
Yes. A UAE residence visa lets you live anywhere in the UAE.
Sources
- Meydan Free Zone: FAQs on investor and partner visas
- RAKEZ: FAQs
- UAE government portal: family residence visas
- UAE government portal: general provisions for the residence visa
- MoHRE: health insurance scheme
Next step: Compare Free Zones
