Investor Visa in Dubai, UAE: A Complete Guide 2025

An Investor Visa in Dubai grants residency to foreign investors looking to establish or invest in businesses within the UAE. This visa allows long-term residency, business activities, and family sponsorship, making it ideal for entrepreneurs seeking to benefit from Dubai's tax-free environment and thriving economy.

1. Investor Visa in Dubai, UAE
A Complete Guide 2025

2. Key Takeaways:
Dubai investor visas provide residency for entrepreneurs
and business owners.
Options include 2-year, 5-year, and 10-year visas, each
with specific investment requirements.
Benefits include family sponsorship, ease of travel, and
long-term residency.
Application involves property investment, company
incorporation, or proof of existing investments.
Dubai is a global hotspot for living and working, offering
unmatched growth, technological advancement, and a
high standard of living. With its constant progress and
focus on economic growth, it’s easy to see why so many
want to call this vibrant city home. One of the most
straightforward ways to gain Dubai residency is through
an investor visa in Dubai.
The UAE, especially Dubai, is popular with foreign
investors and entrepreneurs eager to explore a thriving
market for their ventures. Dubai’s growth-centric policies
make it an attractive choice, with new laws and
regulations that favor economic and social development.
These rules translate directly into Dubai investor visa
policies that encourage entrepreneurs and investors.

3. What is an Investor
Visa in Dubai, UAE?
An investor visa in Dubai, also known as a business visa,
is a residency permit that allows foreign nationals to live in
the United Arab Emirates for the purpose of establishing
or owning a business. This visa is part of the UAE’s
initiative to attract international entrepreneurs and
investors, fostering economic growth through various
business activities.
The UAE offers multiple investor visa options, such as the
2-year, 5-year visa or 10-year visa, depending on the level
of investment. Investor visas come with a range of
benefits, including the ability to sponsor family members,
access to business-friendly resources, and the
opportunity to fully immerse in the UAE’s dynamic and
rapidly expanding economy.

4. Lifetime Investor
Visa in Dubai
Did you know? Dubai offers a long-term residency visa,
often referred to as a “Lifetime Investor Visa,” renewable
every 10 years. It’s ideal if you’re seeking stable residency
without frequent renewals, as long as you continue to meet
the investment requirements.

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Dubai offers several types of investor visas, each
with unique benefits and eligibility
requirements. Here’s a quick overview of the
available options:
Types of Investor
Visas in UAE
Investor Visa for 2 Years Investor Visa for 5 Years
10-Year Investor Visa for Long-Term Residency

6. The 2-Year Investor Visa in Dubai is a type of residency visa that offers foreign
nationals the opportunity to live and work in the UAE by investing in a local business.
With an investment of AED 12,500 to AED 25,500, individuals can secure a residency
visa for two years, allowing them to live, work, and manage their business operations
in Dubai. The investor can renew this visa every two years by maintaining their
investment, ensuring a stable pathway for long-term residency in the UAE.
1. Investor Visa for 2 Years

7. 2. Investor Visa for 5 Years
The 5-Year Investor Visa in Dubai caters
specifically to individuals who make substantial
investments in the UAE’s real estate sector. To
qualify, you must invest at least AED 2 million in
property. The investor must fully fund the
investment (without using a loan) and maintain it for
at least three years.

8. Dubai offers the 10-Year Investor Visa to individuals who commit to
significant financial investments in the UAE. To qualify for this “Golden
Visa,” investors need to allocate a minimum of AED 2 million towards public
sector investments or hold shares worth at least AED 10 million in an
existing UAE firm. The investor must not borrow these funds and must
maintain the investment for at least three years to meet eligibility
requirements.
3. 10-Year Investor Visa for Long-Term Residency

9. Requirements for
Investor Visa in UAE
Securing a UAE investor visa involves meeting
specific requirements, which vary slightly based
on the type of investment:
A property investment of AED 750,000 is
required.
Minimum Real Estate
Investment:
At least 50% of the property’s value or
AED 750,000 must be paid to the bank,
along with a no-objection letter.
Mortgaged Property:
If a couple jointly owns a property worth
AED 750,000, they can apply together.
Shared Property for Married
Couples:

10. No-Objection Letter from Father: If the mother is the sponsor, a no-objection letter from the father,
notarized by a notary, is necessary.
Unmarried Daughters Over 18: Proof of marital status must be provided through Dubai Courts.
Other Documentation:
Sponsor’s original passport and ID
Recent personal photo (as per General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs standards)
Health insurance
Certified marriage and birth certificates
IBAN number
Family Residency Permit Requirements:

11. Parents’ Residence
Permit (1-Year)
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Sponsor’s original passport and ID
02
Certified dependency certificate from the consulate
03
Recent photo
04
Health insurance
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Bank statement for the last three months
Certified birth certificate
IBAN number
Important Note: Only the applicant may attend in person to apply. Representatives and escorts are not allowed.
These requirements offer clear pathways to securing a Dubai investor visa and other residency options, providing flexibility for
investors and their families seeking to establish a long-term presence in the UAE

12. Documents Required for
Investor Visa in Dubai
To apply for an investor visa in Dubai, make sure
to gather these essential documents:
Having these documents ready will ensure a smooth application process.
Passport (original and valid)
E-Certificate of Title or Title Deed (property
ownership proof)
Personal Photo (as per UAE standards)
Health Insurance Coverage
Emirates ID (if issued previously)
Any current UAE visa (if applicable)
Certificate of Good Conduct (issued by Dubai Police)

13. Investor Visa:
Issued for sole proprietorships, where the entrepreneur is the single owner.
Partner Visa:
Issued for businesses with multiple shareholders, like an LLC.
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Investor Visa vs. Partner Visa in Dubai
People sometimes confuse the terms “investor visa” and “partner visa.” Here’s the difference:
Despite this distinction, both visas offer similar benefits regarding residency and business operations.

14. Benefits of an
Investor Visa in UAE
Starting your own business in Dubai as an investor has
numerous perks:
Residency: Qualifies you for a 3-year residency visa.
Family Sponsorship: You can sponsor your immediate family
members as residents of the UAE.
Ease of Travel: Traveling to GCC countries for business or
leisure is easier with an investor visa.
Outside Country Visa Validity: You can live outside the UAE for
up to a year without risking visa cancellation.
Long-Term Visa Opportunities: Successfully building your
business in Dubai could qualify you for the UAE Golden Visa.

15. How to Get an
Investor Visa in
Dubai
To get a Dubai investor visa or anywhere else in the
UAE, there are two primary ways:

16. 1.New Company Incorporation
Company registration on the mainland of
Dubai is the easiest way to get an investor
visa in Dubai. When you form your company
in Dubai, you become either the owner or
shareholder of the company, depending on
the legal structure of your business.
To apply for your investor visa, you must
first form your company and then submit the
following documents to the Dubai
immigration department:
Trade license copy
Copy of legally attested company Memorandum of
Association (for partnership) or Local Service
Agent Agreement (for sole proprietorship)
Company establishment card copy
Cancellation document of existing visa (if you
have an existing employment or Dubai residence
visa, you must cancel it)
If you have a visit or tourist visa, a copy of it

17. Applying For Dubai Investor Visa
Those who want to apply for an investor visa in Dubai must follow these steps:
Registering your company with the Dubai Economic Department (DED)
Applying for your company’s establishment card
Applying for your entry permit to the UAE (if you are outside the
country), entering the UAE, and undergoing in-country status change for
your visa
If you are already in the UAE, undergoing in-country visa status change
Performing your medical test
Applying for your Emirates ID
Getting suitable health insurance coverage
Investor visa stamping in your passport

18. The time required to process your UAE investor visa is
between 15-20 working days, including time for
company registration, licensing, visa application, and
visa stamping.
Dubai Investor Visa Processing Time

19. 2. Proof of Existing Investments
The other means of acquiring an investor visa in Dubai is
separate from incorporating a new company. It only requires
you to present proof of your investments in Dubai to the Dubai
Municipality.
If your request meets the eligibility criteria set by the UAE
Government, the Dubai Municipality will create your file with
the Economic Department. The Economic Department will then
issue you a reference file number based on which you will
receive an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the Dubai
Municipality. You must present this NOC to the immigration
department to apply for your Dubai investor visa.
However, you must remember that the approval or rejection of
your request is at the discretion of the government agencies
screening your eligibility.

20. Duration an Investor Visa Holder
Can Stay Outside the UAE
Investor visa holders in the UAE enjoy flexibility for
extended stays abroad. Unlike other visa types, a 10-year
investor visa allows holders to remain outside the UAE
for more than six months without risking visa
cancellation. This benefit makes it easier for investors to
manage their international commitments while
maintaining active residency in the UAE.
Additionally, Dubai provides a safe and secure
environment for investors, making it a trusted base for
long-term residency and investment.

21. Cost of Investor Visa in Dubai
The Dubai Investor visa cost starts at AED 4,000*,
with a renewal fee of AED 1,750*. The cost of a 2-
year investor visa Dubai can vary depending on the
chosen documentation and procedures. For
example, a property investor visa starts from AED
12,000*.

22. Cheapest Residence
Visa in UAE
UAE residence visa cost depends on the duration of your
visa. The cheapest option starts at approximately AED
3,990*, making a one-year residence visa the most
affordable. For a 2-year residence visa in Dubai cost is
around AED 3,500* without medical insurance and AED
4,200 with insurance. These competitive prices make the
UAE an attractive destination for residency seekers.

23. The process to apply for a
Dubai investor visa consists of
the following steps:
Apply for an entry permit online
Register for an investment visa either in
person or online through the General
Directorate of Residency and Foreigners
Affairs (GDRFA)
Provide a good conduct certificate issued
by the Dubai Police
Secure health insurance as part of your
visa application
To get a medical fitness test, go to the
government health centre
Get a no-objection letter from your bank
Submit a bank statement as required
Dubai Investor
Visa Application
Steps

24. Requirements for Sponsoring
Family Members
As an investor, you can sponsor your family members to become residents of the
UAE. Once your UAE investor visa 2025 gets stamped in your passport, you can
approach the immigration department to apply for your family’s Dubai residence
visa.
House tenancy contract. The minimum house requirement is a 2BHK
Attested marriage certificate if sponsoring spouse
Attested birth certificate(s) if sponsoring child/children
AED 1,500* refundable deposit for each family member being sponsored (to
help entrepreneurs during the pandemic, the original deposit amount of AED
3,000 has been reduced to AED 1,500)

25. Shuraa Business Setup
[phone], [phone]
[email protected]
www.shuraa.com
Office 501, 5th Floor, Aspin Commercial
Tower, Near Financial Center Metro, Sheikh
Zayed Road.
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