Are you considering taking your next investment venture to Dubai’s lucrative business destination? Dubai, one of the prominent Emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), offers many opportunities for both entrepreneurs and investors. However, you need planning and proper strategy to become a part of the growing Dubai economy by obtaining an investor visa.
In this investor visa guide, we will discuss getting an investor visa in Dubai, highlighting the steps, requirements, and visa options available. Let’s get started!
Understanding What is the Dubai Investor Visa
Investor visas in Dubai give you the legal right to stay, work, and invest in Dubai, opening a world of opportunities. Whether you want to invest in real estate, technology, hospitality, or any other sector, an investor visa gives you the privilege to start your next endeavour.
The Dubai Investor Visa, also known as the UAE Investor Visa, consists of multiple categories, such as the partner visa, investor visa, or long-term golden residency visa. This visa is designed to assist foreign nationals who want to invest in the lucrative UAE economy.
Individuals setting up a company in the UAE can choose a renewable two-year investor visa if they are the single shareholder of the company. In case of multiple shareholders, the foreign national can opt for a partner visa.
Foreigners who own a property or have a company with a net worth exceeding 2 million dirhams can get a 10-year long-term investor visa in the UAE, known as the “Golden Visa in Dubai”.
Various visa options provide flexibility and multiple opportunities for investors to contribute to Dubai’s and the UAE’s economic growth.
Key Benefits of an Investor Visa in Dubai
The Dubai investor visa offers many benefits, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs and investors. Some of the key benefits include:
- Residency Rights: Legal right to live in Dubai along with your family, providing stability and security
- Work Opportunities: Eligibility to search for jobs or establish your own business in the UAE
- Investment Freedom: Accessibility to invest in different growing sectors of Dubai’s economy, ranging from real estate to tech startups
- Tax Advantages: Little to no tax obligations due to Dubai’s favourable taxation system, with no personal income tax and low corporate taxes
- Family Sponsorship: Investor visa holders have the privilege of sponsoring their family members, including: Spouses, Children and Parents
- Road to Golden Visa: Holding an investor visa with a successful business venture in the UAE enhances your eligibility for the UAE Golden Visa. This 10-year residency visa is only issued to investors, entrepreneurs, and high-achieving professionals. It is offered to people who have significantly contributed to the country’s economic growth and development.
- Travel Convenience: Investor visa holders can travel hassle-free to GCC countries for business or leisure. Whether you want to scale or explore a new market, you can catch a flight and go anywhere within the region.
- Extended Stay Abroad: Employment or dependent visas do not allow individuals to stay outside the UAE for an extended period. However, the investor visa allows individuals to reside outside the UAE for up to one consecutive year. They don’t have to worry about losing their residency status. This provides much better flexibility and freedom to explore other destinations.
Steps to Obtain an Investor Visa in Dubai, UAE
Define Your Investment Plan
Before you apply for an investor visa, you must carefully consider your investment strategy and goals. Choose the sector where you want to invest and research the market thoroughly.
Choose the Right Business Structure
Next, you must choose the proper business structure, whether a mainland company, free zone entity, or offshore setup. Each of these options has its own advantages, regulations, and limitations.
Meet Financial Requirements
This step is crucial. You must meet the financial requirements set by the Dubai authorities, which require you to invest a certain amount of capital.
Submit Documentation
Prepare and submit the required documents, including passport copies, business plans, bank statements, and any other required documents.
Apply for the Visa
Submit your visa application to the relevant authority. For Mainland companies, it is the Department of Economic Development (DED); for Free Zone companies, it is the relevant Free Zone authority.
Undergo Medical Examination
Once your visa application gets approved, you are required to undergo a medical examination as per UAE immigration requirements.
Receive Visa Approval
After all the steps are completed and the visa application is approved, you will receive your investor visa, which will grant you entry into Dubai.
Options Available for Investors in Dubai
Mainland Company Setup
Establish your business in the Dubai Mainland. This allows you to operate all over the UAE without any business activities or geographic location restrictions.
Free Zone Establishment
You can set up your business in a Free Zone. Free Zones offer benefits, such as 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and simple business processes.
Obtaining an investor visa qualifies you to live in Dubai. You can start a business or invest in existing ones. The Dubai investor visa is a 2-in-1 visa with multiple benefits for investors or entrepreneurs.
Who Can Apply for an Investor Visa in Dubai?
The eligibility criteria for applying for an investor visa in Dubai are simple. Foreigners who start their own company in the UAE, invest in real estate projects within Dubai, or make a fixed deposit in a UAE bank are all eligible to apply for an investor visa. By allowing flexibility in terms of investment, Dubai attracts entrepreneurs, investors, and people with significant financial contributions to actively become a part of Dubai’s lucrative economy.
Whether you start a business, invest in real estate developments, or deposit funds in Dubai’s local banks, you contribute to Dubai’s growth and development. Therefore, these significant contributions make you an ideal candidate for the investor visa.
How to Get an Investor Visa in Dubai, UAE?
You must follow certain steps to obtain an investor visa in Dubai. Each step is strategically designed to ensure a smooth procedure and regulatory compliance.
There are three ways to obtain an investor visa in Dubai. You can choose the one according to your preference, circumstances, or convenience.
1. New Company Incorporation
Foreign nations can easily become eligible for an investor visa in Dubai by registering a new company in the Emirate. The thing that sets Dubai apart is its progressive approach. Dubai allows individuals to set up their own companies without involving a UAE national as a shareholder or director. Hence, foreigners can own 100% of their companies in the UAE and have complete control over their ventures. On top of that, Dubai doesn’t have a minimum capital requirement for company formation. This unique benefit attracts tons of aspiring entrepreneurs.
All you have to do is cover company incorporation costs, and you will become eligible for an investor visa. In addition, individuals can choose the jurisdiction where they want to set up their company. Both Dubai Mainland and Free Zones offer specific advantages and opportunities.
The company setup process usually involves the following steps: registering the company, obtaining the necessary licences, and submitting the required documents to the immigration department. With this simple procedure, foreigners can easily and confidently start their new venture in the ever-changing business world of Dubai.
2. Proof of Existing Investments
Besides registering a new company, you can also choose an alternate option to obtain an investor visa, often called the Golden Visa. This option is available to UAE companies with shareholders with a net worth of more than AED 2 million. They automatically become eligible for a 10-year Golden Visa in Dubai. To apply, you must gather essential documentation, such as passport copies, current visa details, Emirates ID, recent six-month bank statements (personal and company), audited financial statements, and a net worth certificate from UAE auditors. You must submit these documents to the relevant authorities through a consultant specialising in handling Golden Visa applications.
3. Fixed Deposit or Property Market Investment
The third option to secure an investor visa in Dubai is a fixed deposit of 2 million dirhams in a UAE bank for two years. However, you can also invest more than 2 million dirhams in the UAE property market as an alternate method to fulfil the criteria. For the fixed deposit method, applicants must open a bank account in a local bank. They must create a fixed deposit account and obtain a fixed deposit letter. They must submit it to the department handling visa applications.
As for property investments, you can purchase an apartment, land, villa, or commercial unit valued at more than 2 million dirhams. Once you own the property, you qualify for a 10-year Golden Investor visa. However, applicants must obtain the title deed and submit their visa application to the land department. These alternative methods of getting an investor visa offer flexibility and inclusivity to different types of investors who want to become a part of Dubai’s ever-growing economy.
Documents Required to Obtain an Investor Visa in Dubai, UAE
You must submit the following documents as a part of your investor visa application in Dubai:
- The sponsor’s IBAN bank account number
- Card of Establishment in terms of based on company
- Memorandum Papers (MOA) as evidence of the ownership stake
- A single image with a white backdrop
- A current UAE visa for the partner (if applicable)
- Copy of the partner’s passport
- The sponsor’s authentic Emirates ID
- Copy of Trade License
How Long Does it Take to Get an Investor Visa?
If you seek an investor visa after registering a new company in the UAE, the process is usually 2 to 5 working days. Such a short time for the application process shows the efficiency of Dubai’s business environment. Entrepreneurs can set up businesses and move to Dubai instantly, obtaining residency status quickly.
However, the processing time is different for applicants seeking the Golden Residency route through company ownership or property investment. The processing time for such individuals may extend to 10 to 15 days. The timeline varies based on the proficiency and expertise of the consultant handling the application. If you engage experienced and knowledgeable consultants, you can expect a much smoother and faster visa issuance.
On the contrary, hiring a consultant who lacks professional experience or overlooks crucial details may result in a delay or rejection of your application. This unnecessarily extends your processing period, as you have to reapply or make corrections. Hence, engaging a skilled and experienced professional is recommended for a more efficient and successful outcome for your Golden Visa application.
Costs Involved in Getting Investor Visa in Dubai, UAE
To obtain an investor visa in Dubai, based on the company incorporation, you must understand that there are several costs other than your investments in the country. These include administrative fees, medical tests, and visa stamping charges.
The table below breaks down the fees associated with the investor visa application. The charges are different for people already in the UAE than for those still in the Emirates.
| Type of Charges | Applicant inside the UAE | Applicant not in the UAE |
| Entry Permit | 1250 | 650 |
| Change of Status | 750 | N/A |
| Medical Examinations VIP (30 mins) | 800 | 800 |
| Medical Examinations Regular (24 hrs) | 370 | 370 |
| Emirates ID | 420 | 420 |
| Visa Stamping | 850 | 850 |
*Note: These fees may differ based on multiple factors, such as the application channel used and the applicant’s circumstances. Hence, allocating a budget and planning for the associated costs is important.
Types of Investor Visas in Dubai
Dubai offers various types of investor visas to meet prospective applicants’ diverse needs and requirements. Some of the prominent investor visa categories include:
Property Investment Visa
The property investment visa is granted to individuals who have invested more than AED 2 million in residential or commercial real estate.
Company Investment Visa
This visa is suitable for entrepreneurs and investors looking to start a business or invest in an existing company in Dubai. To obtain this visa, you must have a minimum capital investment of AED 50,000 for new firms or own shares of an established business worth AED 50,000. However, capital must be mentioned in the MOA only, and it does not require paid-up capital of the company.
Retirement Visa
Designed for senior citizens who are aged 55 and above, the retirement visa offers a five-year residency plan. The retiree must meet specific financial criteria to become eligible, such as
- Property ownership more than AED 1 million
- Financial assets also more than AED 1 million
- Monthly income of AED 20,000/-
Golden Visa
The Golden Visa is mainly reserved for high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and investors. It grants a 10-year residence permit to qualified applicants. To qualify, you must showcase a significant contribution to the UAE’s economic development.
Investor Visa Validity
The validity of an investor visa depends on how you obtain it. Below, we have mentioned the validity of different types:
- Based on company incorporation: 2 years
- Golden Visa on all categories such as based on company net worth or property or fixed deposit or talented person: 10 years
- Retirement Visa: 5 years
Choose Avyanco for Your Investor Visa
Are you ready to start your venture and looking to secure an investor visa in Dubai? Look no further than Avyanco, your trusted partner in business setup and visa services in Dubai.
Our team of experienced professionals offers you multiple business setup and development solutions depending on your business goals and requirements. Our expert consultants and advisors are dedicated to providing personalized assistance and guidance throughout your investor visa application process.
By choosing Avyanco, you can expect:
- Expertise: Benefit from our extensive experience and industry knowledge in business setup and visa facilitation services
- Tailored Solutions: Receive customized solutions designed to address your unique requirements and preferences
- Efficiency: Streamline the visa application process with our efficient and streamlined procedures, ensuring timely and hassle-free results
- Support: Ongoing support and guidance from our dedicated team of experts, who are committed to your success and satisfaction
With Avyanco by your side, you can turn your dreams of business ownership and residency in Dubai into reality.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and prepare to move to the UAE to embark on a new business formation journey.
