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UAE Residence Visa Through Your Own Company
Residence in the Emirates as the founder or an employee of your own company. You set up a business in a free zone or on the mainland, get a UAE residence visa and an Emirates ID, and sponsor visas for your family.
The most common route to a UAE residence visa is through your own company. You register a business in one of the free zones or on the mainland, the company receives a license and an establishment card, and then it sponsors your residence visa as a founder or an employee. How long the visa is valid depends on the basis. For people ready to make larger investments, there are also long-term options, up to the 10-year golden visa.
The visa itself takes several steps: an entry permit or change of status, a medical test, biometrics for the Emirates ID and the visa stamping. It pays to choose the right zone and license package from the start, with the number of visas you need: a cheap package often leaves out visas and required registrations. We help you plan everything in advance, prepare the documents, handle the filing and arrange visas for your family members.
You need to travel to the UAE for the medical test and biometrics, usually 3–4 days on site. We prepare the documents in advance remotely. Once you have your Emirates ID, you can open an account with a local bank.
Who it is for
- Entrepreneurs who are setting up or already have a company in the UAE
- Freelancers and consultants who need a company and residence
- Business owners who want to move their tax residence
- Families: a spouse, children and, if the conditions are met, parents
Requirements
- A UAE company with a valid license and establishment card
- A free visa slot in the company's package
- A passport with enough validity left
- A medical test at an accredited clinic
- Health insurance
- For family visas: proof of income, housing and family ties, with legalized documents
What we do
- Help you choose the zone and license package with the right number of visas
- Support the company registration and the establishment card
- Arrange the entry permit or change of status
- Book the medical test and the Emirates ID biometrics
- Obtain your residence visa and sponsor visas for your family
- Remind you when the visa, license and establishment card are due for renewal
Key documents
- Passport and photos
- Company documents: license, establishment card, articles of association
- Lease agreement or proof of address
- Health insurance
- Medical test results
- For family members: marriage and birth certificates, legalized and translated into Arabic
How it works
- Companychoosing the zone, license and visa package, then registration
- Establishment cardopening the company's immigration file
- Entry or change of statusan entry permit, or a change of status if you are already in the UAE
- Medical test and biometricsan accredited clinic and the Emirates ID center
- Visa and Emirates IDthe residence visa is usually issued within a few business days after the last step
- Familyvisas for your spouse, children and, if the conditions are met, parents
Timeline
Usually a few weeks in total, less if the company already exists; the visa itself is typically issued within a few business days after the medical test and biometrics. Timing depends on the authorities.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- A license package without a visa quota means paying extra or switching packages
- Errors in passport details or company documents lead to refusal
- Documents for family visas need to be legalized and translated into Arabic in advance
- Opening a corporate bank account can take time and require explanations
- Missing the renewal date for the visa, license or establishment card leads to fines
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $2,400 per visa, on top of the company package. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How do I get a UAE residence visa through my own company?
First the company is registered and its immigration file is opened. Then the company applies for your entry permit or change of status, you go through the medical test and biometrics, and you receive the visa and the Emirates ID. The whole process usually takes a few weeks, and less if the company already exists.
Free zone or mainland: which is better for a visa?
Free zones are usually simpler and cheaper to start with and suit businesses that work with clients abroad. The mainland gives you more freedom to work in the local market but requires an office and extra permits. The choice depends on your activity and how many visas you need.
Can I sponsor visas for my family?
Yes. A resident can sponsor a spouse and children, and with enough income and suitable housing, parents too. Marriage and birth certificates have to be legalized and translated into Arabic. We will explain how to do this in the country where your documents were issued.
Do I have to live in the UAE all the time?
A regular residence visa is canceled if you stay outside the UAE for more than 180 days in a row; some categories are exempt. UAE tax residence has its own criteria based on the number of days and your center of interests. We will look at what matters in your case.
What taxes does a UAE resident pay?
The UAE has no personal income tax. Companies pay 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000, and free zones have special rules. Taxes in your country of citizenship are a separate question that is worth checking in advance.
Is there an alternative to a visa through a company?
Yes: a golden visa for property investors, visas for professionals and freelancers, and the remote work visa. Each has its own conditions: for example, the property golden visa requires real estate worth at least AED 2 million, and the remote work visa requires income of at least $3,500 a month. If you do not need a company, we will find the right route.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
