The UAE investor visa is a common search term for people who want to live in the UAE because they own or invest in a business. But the term can mean more than one residence route. The current rules include the Green Residence for investors and business partners. There are also Golden Residency routes for investors who meet higher investment rules. The right route depends on your business, investment, shareholding, emirate, and documents.
The official UAE Government guide says the Green visa is for investors who establish or take part in commercial activity in the UAE. Read the official UAE investor residence guide. This guide explains the main routes in simple words. It also covers the UAE investor visa requirements, investor visa cost in Dubai, documents, company setup, family sponsorship, and the main steps. Fees can change. So, use the official authority link for the final fee before you apply.
What Is a UAE Investor Visa?
A UAE investor visa is a residence route for a foreign national who invests in, owns, or takes part in a UAE business. In current official guidance, the investor or business partner route is linked to the Green Residence. Some investors can also qualify for Golden Residency. The key point is simple: opening a company does not mean that every investor gets the same visa. Your visa depends on the residence category, your company documents, your investment, and approval from the relevant authority. For Dubai, applications can involve the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). For federal routes and many other emirates, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) is the main authority.
UAE Investor Visa Routes in 2026
There are two main investor paths to understand.
| Route | Main idea | Typical duration |
| Green Residence | For investors and business partners in UAE commercial activity. | 5 years |
| Golden Residency | For investors who meet the higher Golden Residency rules. | 5 or 10 years, by category |
The Green Residence is the route many business owners mean when they search for an investor or partner visa. The official UAE Government says it is renewable for five years and does not need a sponsor inside the UAE.
See the official Green Residence information on UAE.gov.
Golden Residency is different. It has its own investment tests. Do not treat a normal investor residence and a Golden Visa as the same thing.
UAE Investor Visa Requirements
For the Green Residence investor route, the current ICP service information includes these core points:
- A passport that is valid for at least six months.
- Approval from the competent authority to carry out the business activity.
- An investor contribution to the company of at least AED 1,000,000 in cash or its foreign-currency equivalent.
- If the contribution is made through assets or other in-kind contributions, the Ministry of Economy may assess the value.
- The investor must keep meeting the required conditions to maintain and renew the residence.
These are not the same rules as the Golden Residency investment rules. The AED 1 million Green Residence contribution should not be presented as a universal Golden Visa threshold.
The current ICP residence service gives the investor conditions and document list. Check the ICP service card.
Green Residence for Investors and Partners
The Green Residence is a five-year renewable residence route. It is designed for investors and business partners who take part in commercial activity in the UAE. One useful feature is self-sponsorship. The official UAE Government says investors and business partners can hold the Green Residence without a sponsor. For a Dubai application, GDRFA also lists an investor or partner Green Residence service. Its document list includes a personal photo, passport copy, partnership or investment agreement, and trade licence.
See the GDRFA Dubai Green Residence investor/partner service for Dubai-specific requirements.
UAE Golden Visa for Investors
The UAE Golden Visa is a separate long-term residence route. Investor categories can cover public investments and real estate investments. For public investments, the official UAE Government lists routes that include a deposit of at least AED 2 million, or a UAE company with capital of at least AED 2 million, subject to the full rules. The government also lists a tax-based route in which the investor pays at least AED 250,000 in annual tax, subject to the stated conditions. For real estate investors, the official UAE Government lists a minimum property value of AED 2 million for the Golden Visa route, subject to the applicable rules and evidence. Read the official UAE Golden Visa rules before using any investment figure in an application.
Dubai GDRFA also has a Golden Residence service for investors. Its requirements include proof of the investment, company documents for business investors, and property ownership documents for real estate investors. You can also check the Dubai GDRFA investor Golden Residence service.
Investor Visa for Business Owners
If you are starting a company in the UAE, the first step is usually to set up the business. The visa comes after the business and immigration records are ready.
- Choose the business activity.
- Choose mainland or free zone.
- Choose the legal form and company structure.
- Apply for the trade or business licence.
- Prepare the partnership or investment documents.
- Set up the required immigration file or establishment record.
- Apply for the investor or partner residence route.
- Complete the medical and Emirates ID steps where required.
The exact order can change by emirate and authority. Some free zones also have their own application process. This is why the company setup and visa plan should be checked together.
If you are still choosing the company route, see our business setup in Dubai service guide.
Investor Visa for Free Zone Companies
A free zone company can support an investor or partner residence application when the company and applicant meet the rules of the relevant authority. The company licence, partnership or investment record, shareholding details, and immigration file may all matter. The free zone may also have its own office, establishment, and visa package rules. Do not choose a free zone only because an old website shows a low visa package price. Visa fees, company fees, office costs, medical fees, Emirates ID fees, and authority charges can be separate. If you need help with government paperwork after company setup, you can also review PRO Services in Dubai.
Investor Visa for Mainland Companies
Mainland company owners can also use an investor or partner residence route when they meet the immigration and company rules. The exact ownership setup depends on the activity and legal form. Many UAE mainland activities allow full foreign ownership, but some activities remain subject to special rules. For the wider business setup process, use the official UAE mainland business guide. If your activity is regulated, check the competent authority before you form the company. This can prevent a mismatch between the licence, ownership, and residence application.
UAE Investor Visa Documents
The exact document list depends on the visa route and emirate. Common documents can include:
- Passport copy with at least six months of validity.
- Recent personal photo.
- Trade licence.
- Partnership agreement, memorandum of association, or investment agreement.
- Proof of the investor’s share or contribution, where required.
- Company documents or free zone certificates, where required.
- Medical fitness documents where required.
- Health insurance where required for the selected residence category.
- Emirates ID application information.
- Property or investment proof for a Golden Residency application, if applicable.
Do not prepare a fixed document pack from an old blog. The authority can ask for different evidence based on the category. Use the current service page for the final list.
UAE Investor Visa Cost
There is no single UAE investor visa cost for every applicant. The total depends on the residence route, emirate, company, entry status, and services used.
For the federal residence permit service, ICP currently lists these base items for a Green Residence:
- Application fee: AED 100.
- Residence issuance fee: AED 100 per year.
- Smart service fee: AED 100.
- Status adjustment inside the UAE: AED 500 when applicable.
For a five-year Green Residence, the residence issuance part is therefore AED 500 based on the AED 100 yearly charge, before other applicable items. This is not the full cost of company setup or the full cost of moving to the UAE. You may also need to pay for company licensing, office or workspace, establishment or immigration services, medical testing, Emirates ID, health insurance, translation or attestation, and other authority charges.
For this reason, BSE recommends treating visa pricing as a total setup budget rather than a single visa fee.
How to Apply for a UAE Investor Visa
A simple application path looks like this:
- Confirm which investor residence route fits your case.
- Set up the UAE company or confirm your existing investment.
- Make sure the licence and activity are valid.
- Prepare the partnership, investment, and identity documents.
- Apply through the correct government or authorised channel.
- Complete medical checks if required.
- Complete the Emirates ID process.
- Receive the residence permit and keep the company and immigration records active.
ICP says its general residence permit service can be applied for through its smart services website or app. For Dubai, GDRFA and approved service centres may handle the relevant route.
For federal services, visit ICP Smart Services. For Dubai cases, check GDRFA Dubai.
Can an Investor Sponsor Family Members?
Yes, eligible UAE residence holders can sponsor family members under the applicable family residence rules. The exact family members, documents, income or housing conditions, and permit duration depend on the sponsor’s residence category and current rules. The official UAE Government states that Green Residence holders can sponsor family members, including spouses and children. Golden Visa holders also have family sponsorship benefits under the Golden Residency rules. For business owners who also need help with residence paperwork, see Golden Visa Services for the separate Golden Residency route.
Investor Visa and Emirates ID
The residence permit and Emirates ID process are linked. ICP states that the residence permit service is linked to an Emirates ID application. After the application is approved, the applicant may need to complete the required medical and identity steps before the residence and Emirates ID process is finished. Keep your passport, company documents, and residence records consistent. Small differences in names, dates, or company details can cause delays.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Calling every business residence route a Golden Visa.
- Using an old blog that shows outdated investment or visa rules.
- Choosing a business activity without checking if it needs special approval.
- Ignoring the difference between mainland and free zone rules.
- Budgeting only for the visa and forgetting company and immigration costs.
- Using the wrong partnership or investment document.
- Letting the trade licence or company records expire.
- Assuming a company licence automatically guarantees residence approval.
- Using an unofficial source for the final government fee.
- Applying under the wrong investor category.
Simple Investor Visa Checklist
Before you apply, check these points:
- Your passport is valid for at least six months.
- Your company licence is active.
- Your ownership or investment record is clear.
- Your partnership or investment agreement is ready.
- The activity is approved by the correct authority.
- You know which residence route you are using.
- You have budgeted for company, visa, medical, Emirates ID, and related fees.
- You have the right government application channel.
- You have checked the latest official rules before payment.
FAQs
Q1. What is the UAE investor visa?
It is a residence route for foreign investors or business partners. The current Green Residence route can give qualifying investors a five-year renewable residence without a sponsor. Some investors may also qualify for Golden Residency.
Q2. How much investment is needed for a UAE investor visa?
For the Green Residence investor route, current ICP guidance states that the investor’s contribution to the company must be at least AED 1 million, subject to the full conditions. Golden Residency has different investment rules, including AED 2 million routes for qualifying investors.
Q3. Can I get an investor visa by opening a company in Dubai?
A company can support an investor or partner residence application, but company formation alone does not guarantee residence approval. You must meet the residence rules and submit the required documents.
Q4. Can an investor sponsor family in the UAE?
Eligible residence holders can sponsor family members under the applicable rules. The exact requirements depend on the residence category and current family sponsorship rules.
Q5. Is the investor visa the same as the UAE Golden Visa?
No. The normal investor or partner Green Residence route and Golden Residency are different categories. They have different eligibility tests, documents, and durations.
Conclusion
The UAE investor visa can give business owners a clear way to live and run a business in the country. But the first step is not to search for one fixed visa price. The first step is to identify the right residence route. For many company owners and business partners, the five-year Green Residence is the key route to study. For investors with a larger qualifying investment, Golden Residency may be another option. The rules are not the same for every applicant. Your company type, shareholding, business activity, emirate, investment value, and documents can all matter. That is why an investor should plan the company setup and residence process together. It can help avoid wrong applications, extra fees, and delays. Before you apply, check the latest rules from ICP or the relevant emirate authority. Government fees and service steps can change. Do not rely on an old visa package or a fixed figure shown on a third-party website. Use the official service page for the final requirement.
If you are planning to start a company and need help with the full process, our team at Business Setup Experts can help you review the business setup, licence, investor residence, and document plan. You can also use our business setup in Dubai service if Dubai is your target market.
If you are ready to discuss your case, WhatsApp. We can help you understand which documents and approvals may apply to your investor residence plan.
