Updated August 2026. Starting an immigration and visa consultancy — or PRO services firm — in the UAE is a regulated, high-demand business. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) governs PRO card issuance, and any entity that processes residency visas, family sponsorships, Golden Visa applications or Emirates ID transactions on behalf of clients must hold the correct ICP PRO card and, where applicable, a typing centre or business centre licence.
- ICP PRO card is mandatory for any person or firm providing visa-typing, status-change or residency-application services on behalf of third parties.
- Total setup costs for a UAE immigration/PRO consultancy typically range from AED 50,000 to AED 150,000 depending on emirate, free zone vs mainland, and number of PRO cards required.
- Amer centres (Dubai) and Tasheel centres (MoHRE) are the approved service channels — consultants must integrate with these platforms.
- The Golden Visa programme (10-year residency) requires consultants to be ICP-authorised agents for the new 5-year unified Golden Visa category introduced in 2022.
- MoHRE work permit processing for private-sector employees requires a separate Tasheel registration distinct from the ICP PRO card.
- Federal Decree-Law 29/2021 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners underpins all residency visa categories and governs consultant obligations.
What Is an ICP PRO Card and Who Needs One?
The ICP PRO card — full name Public Relations Officer card — is the official authorisation issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) to individuals who process government-related paperwork on behalf of companies or individuals. Under Federal Decree-Law 29/2021 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners and its implementing regulations, any consultant typing or submitting residency visa applications, Emirates ID renewals, family sponsorship files or status-change requests through official ICP channels must hold a valid PRO card.
PRO cards are tied to the individual and to the licensed entity sponsoring them. A sole-proprietorship immigration consultancy must have at least one PRO card holder. Corporate consultancies with multiple consultants require one card per operating officer. The ICP distinguishes between:
- Category A PRO card — company PRO handling in-house employee visas only.
- Category B PRO card — authorised to process third-party client visa files (the card needed by immigration consultancies).
Each card costs approximately AED 1,500–AED 2,500 per year in official fees, plus medical fitness test, Emirates ID issuance and knowledge/skills levy fees where applicable.
Licence Types: Mainland DED vs Free Zone
Immigration consultancies can be licensed either on the UAE mainland (via the relevant emirate’s Department of Economic Development) or through a free zone authority. The choice significantly affects client reach and cost.
| Factor | Mainland (DED) | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Client Base | UAE mainland + free zone clients | Primarily free zone; mainland work requires mainland branch |
| ICP PRO Card Eligibility | Direct application via Amer/ICP | Via free zone authority + ICP |
| Estimated Licence Fee | AED 15,000–AED 30,000 | AED 12,000–AED 25,000 |
| Office Requirement | Physical office mandatory (Ejari) | Flexi-desk options available |
| Visa Quota | Per square metre of office space | Package-based |
| Tasheel Integration | Full MoHRE Tasheel access | Requires mainland labour card linkage |
Amer Centres and Dubai’s Integrated Immigration Services
Amer centres are authorised service centres operated under the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai). They provide the interface between the public and the immigration system for Dubai-specific residency transactions. Any immigration consultancy that wants to process Dubai residency visas must work through an Amer-approved typing desk or integrate with the GDRFA-Dubai’s online services portal.
Consultants must register their business with GDRFA-Dubai and, for online submission, integrate with the GDRFA smart application. Service fees range from AED 220 to AED 600 per transaction at Amer centres, on top of the official ICP/GDRFA government fees.
Outside Dubai, the equivalent channels are:
- Abu Dhabi: ICP Abu Dhabi service centres and Tamm (Abu Dhabi Government Services Platform)
- Sharjah / Northern Emirates: ICP field offices and approved typing centres
- Free Zones: In-house GDRFA/ICP desks operated by the free zone authority (e.g., JAFZA, DMCC, Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone)
MoHRE Work Permits and Tasheel Integration
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) controls all private-sector employment entry permits through its Tasheel network of service centres. Immigration consultants who also handle work permit applications — the work permit first, then residency visa workflow — must be registered Tasheel agents.
The Tasheel registration process requires:
- Valid trade licence with “immigration consulting” or “PRO services” activity
- MoHRE establishment card (if processing work permits for client companies)
- Tasheel agent agreement and system access credentials
- Payment of Tasheel service fees (AED 130–AED 320 per transaction)
Common work permit types handled include: Initial entry work permit (validity 60 days), Mission work permit for project workers, and Domestic worker entry permits via TADBEER centres.
Golden Visa Application Assistance: ICP Authorised Agents
The UAE’s Golden Visa (10-year renewable residency) was expanded significantly in 2022 under Cabinet Resolution 65/2022. New categories include property investors (AED 2 million property value threshold), skilled professionals (salary-based tier at AED 30,000/month), entrepreneurs, scientists and specialised talent.
To assist clients with Golden Visa applications, consultants must:
- Be ICP-authorised agents (Category B PRO card)
- Have the sponsoring company or the applicant’s own company as the visa sponsor (Golden Visa holders self-sponsor after first issuance)
- Submit via ICP’s UAEICP smart application or approved service centres
ICP government fees for Golden Visa issuance: AED 2,230–AED 4,560 per application (including Emirates ID, medical, and entry permit). Consultancy service charges range from AED 2,000 to AED 8,000 depending on category complexity.
Cost Breakdown: Setting Up a UAE Immigration Consultancy
Total setup costs typically fall between AED 50,000 and AED 150,000 for a new immigration and PRO services firm. Key cost components:
- Trade licence (DED/free zone): AED 12,000–AED 30,000
- Office rent (Ejari, first year): AED 20,000–AED 60,000 (mainland); AED 8,000–AED 18,000 (free zone flexi-desk)
- ICP PRO card per officer: AED 2,000–AED 3,500 (including medical and biometrics)
- GDRFA Amer registration: AED 1,500–AED 5,000
- Tasheel agent registration: AED 2,000–AED 5,000
- Immigration software/CRM: AED 3,000–AED 12,000/year
- Visa quota allocation (mainland): Tied to Ejari; no separate fee but limited by office space
Family Visa and Dependent Sponsorship Services
A large portion of immigration consultancy revenue comes from family visa and dependent sponsorship processing. Under Federal Decree-Law 29/2021, UAE residents earning at least AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 + accommodation) may sponsor family members. Higher income thresholds apply to sponsor parents.
Sponsorship files require: Sponsor’s valid residence visa and Emirates ID, marriage certificate (attested), birth certificates for children (attested), tenancy contract meeting minimum area requirements, and salary certificate from employer. The full attestation chain — local country → UAE embassy → UAE MoFA — can take 2–8 weeks and costs AED 800–AED 3,000 per document in attestation fees alone.
Consultancies that offer end-to-end family visa services including document attestation coordination typically charge AED 2,500–AED 6,000 per family file, generating strong recurring revenue from expatriate clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ICP PRO card to start an immigration consultancy in the UAE?
Yes. Any person typing or submitting residency visa, Emirates ID or status-change applications on behalf of third-party clients must hold a valid ICP Category B PRO card. Operating without one exposes the business and individual to fines and potential prosecution under Federal Decree-Law 29/2021.
Can a free zone company process mainland residency visas?
A free zone entity can process residency visas for its own employees and for clients who are also free zone entities. To serve mainland clients, the free zone company typically needs to set up a mainland branch licensed by the relevant DED and obtain a separate ICP PRO card under that mainland licence.
What is the difference between an Amer centre and a typing centre?
Amer centres are GDRFA-Dubai authorised facilities that handle the full range of Dubai residency transactions (entry permits, status changes, residency issuance). A “typing centre” is the more generic term used across all emirates for government-approved document-preparation counters. All Amer centres function as typing centres but not all typing centres are Amer-authorised.
How long does it take to get an ICP PRO card?
After the business licence is issued and the trade licence activity includes PRO services, the ICP PRO card application typically takes 5–15 working days, assuming the applicant passes the required medical fitness test and has no immigration violations. Rush processing through authorised typing centres can reduce this to 3–5 working days.
What are the penalties for operating as an immigration consultant without a licence?
Under UAE law, unauthorised immigration consultancy is a criminal offence. Penalties include fines starting from AED 20,000, business closure, and potential deportation for non-citizen violators. The UAE Cybercrime Law also covers fraudulent online visa services, carrying additional penalties.