UAE Residence Visas & the Golden Visa: A Founder's Guide

One of the biggest draws of a UAE company is residency — for you and your family. Here's how the main routes work, and how your company unlocks them.

Investor / partner visa

Issued to company shareholders on the basis of their ownership. Typically 2 years and renewable; the company's visa quota depends on office or desk size. It grants the holder the ability to sponsor family.

Employment (work) visa

Sponsored by the company for staff. It involves a labour contract (mainland uses MOHRE; free zones use their own labour system), an entry permit, the medical, Emirates ID and residence stamping. Standard residence visas are commonly 2 years.

The Golden Visa (10-year, renewable)

A long-term, self-sponsored residence visa (not tied to an employer) that lets the holder sponsor spouse, children and parents. Main eligibility routes include:

• Real estate investors: own UAE property worth ≥ AED 2 million (ready or off-plan from approved developers; properties can be combined; mortgaged property qualifies if paid equity reaches AED 2m).
• Entrepreneurs: own or found a project (commonly cited threshold ≥ AED 500,000) with approval from an accredited UAE incubator or authority.
• Skilled professionals: basic monthly salary ≥ AED 30,000, a bachelor's degree or above, and an eligible occupation.
• Specialised talents, scientists, researchers, outstanding students and other designated categories.

Golden Visa categories and thresholds have been expanded repeatedly and partly moved to nomination-based routes. Always confirm the current category and figures with the ICP or the relevant emirate authority before relying on them.

Family sponsorship

A resident (or Golden Visa holder) can sponsor spouse, children and — subject to salary and housing conditions — parents. Each dependent goes through the medical and Emirates ID process.

The medical and Emirates ID process

Every residence visa applicant over 18 completes:

1. A medical fitness test at an approved centre (blood test plus chest X-ray)
2. Biometrics / Emirates ID registration (fingerprints and photo)
3. Residence visa stamping, after which the Emirates ID — the core UAE identity document needed for banking, telecoms and tenancy — is produced and delivered.

Indicative costs

A residence visa (entry permit, stamping and processing) is roughly AED 3,000–7,000 per person, plus the medical (~AED 300–750) and Emirates ID (~AED 300–600). Multi-year visas cost more. These are indicative — confirm current government fees.

Want your family's residency mapped alongside your company setup? Speak to our team and we'll plan the visas from day one.