Updated August 2026. The UAE Investor and Partner Visa is a 3-year renewable residence visa issued to individuals who hold an ownership stake in a UAE-registered company — whether a mainland entity registered with the Department of Economic Development (DED) or a free zone limited liability company (FZ-LLC). Unlike the Golden Visa (which requires AED 2,000,000 in investment), the standard investor visa is accessible at a much lower capital threshold: a minimum paid-up share capital of AED 10,000 in a valid UAE trade licence is typically sufficient. This makes it the most widely used business ownership visa in the UAE, with hundreds of thousands of active holders across mainland and free zone entities. This guide covers eligibility, costs in AED, the difference between mainland and free zone investor visas, and a comparison with the Golden Visa investor pathway.
- 3-year investor/partner visa: minimum AED 10,000 share capital contribution (some free zones require AED 50,000 or more for FZ-LLC setups).
- Both mainland (DED) and free zone (JAFZA, DMCC, IFZA, SHAMS, etc.) companies support investor visa issuance.
- Government fees (entry permit / status change + medical + ID + stamping): approx. AED 8,000–12,000 total, which is higher than employment visas because of the self-sponsorship premium.
- Renewal every 3 years: requires the company to remain active and in good standing with its issuing authority and MOHRE.
- Investor visa holders can sponsor family members subject to the same AED 4,000 salary threshold — or if the business income is documented at that level through audited accounts or a bank statement.
What Is the Investor/Partner Visa?
The UAE investor visa (formally known as the Investor Residence Visa or Partner Residence Visa) is issued to individuals who own shares in a UAE commercial entity. It is not the same as the Golden Visa investor category (which requires AED 2M). The standard investor visa reflects a business ownership relationship — if your name appears in the trade licence or memorandum of association as a shareholder or partner, you are eligible to hold this visa type. It is a 3-year visa for mainland company shareholders and typically 2 or 3 years for free zone company shareholders depending on the free zone’s rules.
Eligibility: Mainland vs Free Zone Company
Mainland (DED) Company
To hold an investor visa through a DED-registered mainland company, you must appear as a shareholder or partner in the company’s memorandum of association (MOA) with a capital contribution of at least AED 10,000. Since the Companies Law amendments of 2021, foreigners can own 100% of mainland companies in most activities without a UAE national partner (previously a 51% Emirati sponsor was required for many activities). This has made mainland investor visas far more accessible to foreign entrepreneurs. The share allocation must be formally documented in the MOA and notarised by the DED or the relevant emirate’s notary public.
Free Zone (FZ-LLC) Company
Free zone authorities (JAFZA, DMCC, DIFC, ADGM, IFZA, SHAMS, RAK ICC, SAIF Zone etc.) issue investor visas to shareholders of free zone companies. Minimum share capital requirements vary significantly: IFZA and SHAMS allow share capital as low as AED 1,000 for a freelancer/FZ establishment, while DMCC requires AED 50,000 for a standard DMCC Company and JAFZA requires an initial capital deposit confirmed by a bank for most activities. The free zone authority issues a shareholder certificate or MOA extract which is the primary document for the investor visa application.
Application Process Step by Step
- Establish or verify company ownership: Ensure your name appears as a partner/shareholder in the company’s current trade licence and MOA. If the company is newly formed, both DED and free zones issue the licence within 3–10 working days of application.
- Obtain NOC or investor letter: For mainland companies, a service agent or PRO obtains a clearance letter from the DED confirming the company is active and you are a registered partner. For free zones, the free zone authority issues an investor approval letter or NOC for residency purposes.
- Apply for entry permit or status change: Submit through ICP Smart Services (or GDRFA Amer Centre for Dubai). Select “Investor Visa” category. Upload: passport, licence copy, MOA extract, investor letter from authority. Fee: AED 1,100–1,200 entry permit or AED 1,040 status change.
- Medical fitness test: Attend an ICP-approved clinic. Cost: AED 300–500. Results sent directly to ICP within 24–48 hours.
- Emirates ID biometrics: Attend ICP centre for fingerprints and photo. Fee: AED 370 (3-year ID).
- Visa stamping: 3-year investor visa stamp issued in passport at ICP service centre. Fee: AED 1,200–1,600.
- MOHRE registration (mainland companies): If hiring additional employees, register the company with MOHRE and obtain a labour quota. The investor visa holder as owner is exempt from labour quota counting.
Costs in AED (2026)
| Option | Cost | Timeline | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland DED Investor Visa (full process) | AED 8,000–12,000 | 3–5 weeks | DED licence + MOA + AED 10,000 share capital |
| Free Zone Investor Visa (e.g. IFZA) | AED 3,200–5,000 (visa fees only) | 2–3 weeks | FZ licence + shareholder certificate |
| Entry Permit | AED 1,100–1,200 | 3–5 working days | ICP Smart Services |
| Medical Fitness Test | AED 300–500 | 1–2 days | ICP-approved clinic |
| Emirates ID (3-year) | AED 370 | 5–10 working days | ICP biometrics centre |
| Visa Stamping | AED 1,200–1,600 | Same / next day | ICP service centre |
| PRO/Typing Services | AED 500–2,000 | Ongoing | DED or FZ authority liaison |
Free Zone vs Mainland Investor Visa: Key Differences
A mainland investor visa allows the holder’s company to trade freely across all of the UAE — with local government entities, UAE corporates and retail customers — without a distribution agent. A free zone investor visa restricts the company to operations within the free zone or international trade; to transact with UAE mainland clients directly, a mainland presence or a mainland distributor is required (though this requirement has become more flexible in many free zones following the 2021 law amendments).
For visa purposes, both types of investor visa carry identical rights: 3-year self-sponsored residency, family sponsorship, bank account access and travel freedom. The primary financial difference is setup cost — free zone setups start from AED 5,750–15,000 per year versus AED 15,000–30,000 for mainland companies depending on activity and premises.
Investor Visa vs Golden Visa: Which Is Right?
The standard investor visa (3-year, AED 10,000 minimum share capital) is the entry-level business ownership visa. The Golden Visa investor category (10-year, AED 2,000,000 minimum) requires substantially more capital but offers: longer term, no renewal pressure, ability to sponsor parents, no ISCO classification or salary check, and the prestige of the Golden Visa status. For a typical small business owner or free zone company holder, the standard 3-year investor visa is sufficient and vastly more affordable. If you plan to make a significant AED 2M+ investment in property or a fund, the Golden Visa is clearly superior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hold an investor visa if I own only a 1% share in a company?
There is no minimum percentage ownership requirement — only a minimum AED capital contribution. If your 1% share equals or exceeds AED 10,000 in absolute terms (i.e., the total company share capital is AED 1,000,000 or more), you qualify. However, some DED activities and some free zones have their own minimum share capital requirements that exceed AED 10,000. Check with the relevant authority.
Can I have investor visas from two different companies simultaneously?
No. UAE residence visas are single-record documents — you can only hold one active residence visa at a time. However, you can hold ownership stakes in multiple companies. One company will be designated as the visa-sponsoring entity. When renewing, you can switch the sponsoring entity if necessary.
What happens to my investor visa if the company closes?
If the company is deregistered or has its licence cancelled, the investor visa lapses. You have a 30-day grace period to transfer your visa to a new company or activate a different visa type before the visa is cancelled by the ICP. Outstanding fines or overstay fees apply if the grace period is exceeded. Plan company renewals to avoid licence gaps.
Does the investor visa allow me to work for a different employer?
An investor visa does not authorise employment with a third-party company. You are self-sponsored as a company owner. To work for another employer simultaneously, you would need a no-objection certificate from your company and a separate labour contract entry under your company’s MOHRE registration. In practice, many small business owners work through their own company for all commercial activities.
Can a husband and wife both hold investor visas in the same company?
Yes. Both spouses can appear in the MOA as partners and each hold their own investor visa. This is a common structure for family businesses. The company only needs to meet the share capital requirement once; the individual ownership allocation of each spouse must each be documented in the MOA.