Investor Visas
Investor and Partner Visas: Residence Through Your Own Company
Owning a UAE company does not give you residence by itself. The company has to sponsor you, and the licence has to show you as an owner. There are also longer routes worth comparing first.
- The right residence route compared before applying
- Licence and memorandum checked for your shareholding
- Establishment card opened or renewed first
- Family sponsorship planned at the same time
Dubai PRO, payroll and tax support for UAE companies, handled by one team.
Last reviewed against current MOHRE, ICP and GDRFA guidance.
Quick Answer
An investor or partner visa is a UAE residence visa for a shareholder, sponsored by their own company. The trade licence and memorandum must show the applicant as an owner, and the company needs a valid establishment card. It is processed by ICP, or GDRFA in Dubai. Shareholders who meet the thresholds can instead apply for the 10-year golden visa, and some business partners qualify for the five-year green residence, which needs no sponsor.
Who It Is For
The investor or partner visa is for people who own part of a UAE company and want residence through it. The licence has to name them and show their share.
Owning a share through a holding company or a nominee arrangement is different. The person on the visa has to be the person on the licence.
- Shareholders named on the trade licence
- Mainland and free zone companies, with different routes
- Shareholding shown in the memorandum
- The company sponsors the visa
Compare the Longer Routes First
For some owners the investor visa is not the best option. The golden visa gives 10 years and does not depend on renewing a company sponsorship. The green residence gives five years to certain business partners without a sponsor.
Thresholds and criteria differ for each and change, so we check them against your case on the day. Our golden visa guide covers the current routes.
- Investor or partner visa through the company
- Golden visa: 10 years for qualifying investors
- Green residence: five years for some partners
- Each has its own evidence requirements
The Steps
The company side has to be in order before the personal application. That means a valid licence, an active establishment card, and the owner's details matching on all of them.
- 1Licence and memorandum confirm the shareholding
- 2Establishment card active
- 3Entry permit or change of status
- 4Medical fitness test
- 5Emirates ID biometrics
- 6Residence visa issued
After the Visa
An investor visa holder can usually sponsor their family once the visa is issued. Plan it in the same pass so the family's documents are attested and ready.
Remember the visa depends on the company. If the licence lapses or the shares are sold, the residence goes with it.
- Family sponsorship once the visa is issued
- Marriage and birth certificates attested in advance
- Visa renewal tied to the licence
- Selling the shares ends the sponsorship
How Exiloz Helps
We compare the routes against your situation first, then handle the company and personal steps. Because we also keep the company's accounts and tax filings, the licence renewal that the visa depends on does not get missed.
- Residence routes compared
- Licence, memorandum and card checked
- Investor visa application handled
- Family sponsorship prepared
Related Exiloz Services & Guides
What is an investor visa in the UAE?
A residence visa for a company shareholder, sponsored by their own company. It is sometimes called a partner visa.
Do I need a minimum shareholding?
Requirements differ between mainland and free zones and between emirates, so we check the current rule for your licence before applying.
Can I sponsor my family on an investor visa?
Usually yes, once your own visa is issued. Their marriage and birth certificates will need attestation.
Is the golden visa better?
For qualifying investors it gives 10 years and does not depend on the company sponsoring you. Whether it is better depends on whether you meet its criteria.
What happens to my visa if I sell my shares?
The sponsorship ends with the shareholding, so the visa has to be cancelled or moved to another route.
Does the company need an establishment card?
Yes. Without an active establishment card the company cannot sponsor any visa, including the owner's.
The rest of what we do
Licence, visas, bank account, books and the first tax return — handled by the same team, so the structure has to survive its first year.
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Own a UAE Company?
Tell us your shareholding and where the company is licensed. We will compare the residence routes open to you.
