Residency in the Emirates — from entry permit to Emirates ID.
The visa is the basis for everything else: Emirates ID, bank account, tenancy contract, school. We plan it together with the company, not afterwards.
A UAE residence visa runs through establishment card, entry permit, medical, biometrics and Emirates ID and typically takes two to six weeks per person. Company-linked visas run two years, Golden Visas ten. A residence visa generally lapses after 180 days of absence. As of 09/2026.
A UAE residence visa is a time-limited residency permit tied to a company, a property or a sponsor and issued together with the Emirates ID — it confers no citizenship.
Updated: 01/09/2026
Visa types compared
| Visa type | Validity | Requirement | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment visa via your own company | 2 years | licence and establishment card, visa quota | shareholders and staff |
| Investor / partner visa | 2 years | shareholding, minimum stake depending on zone | shareholders with a stake |
| Dependant visa (partner, child) | 2 years | sponsor with valid visa, minimum salary, proof of housing | family |
| Golden Visa — property | 10 years | property investment from AED 2m | owners |
| Golden Visa — talent / founder | 10 years | nomination, proof of qualification or company | specialists, founders |
| Freelancer / green visa | 5 years | freelance permit, proof of income | self-employed without a company |
| Remote work visa | 1 year | employment abroad, proof of income | employees abroad |
As of 09/2026. Health insurance is mandatory for every residence visa. You get the cost range for your case through the first estimate.
The process in five steps
Establishment card
The company immigration card. No visa can be applied for without it — it follows immediately after the licence.
Entry permit
The electronic entry approval, usually within a few working days. If you are already in the country you change status in-country; otherwise you enter on the permit.
Medical fitness test
Blood test and chest X-ray at an approved centre. Results usually within two to four working days, same-day express possible.
Emirates ID — biometrics
Fingerprints and photo at ICP. The Emirates ID is the document that matters day to day: bank, authorities, mobile contract, doctor.
Visa stamping and insurance
The residence visa is recorded electronically; health insurance is mandatory. After that, bank account and tenancy contract become possible.
What applicants regularly overlook
The 180-day rule
Leaving the UAE for more than 180 consecutive days generally voids a residence visa. Some Golden Visa categories are exempt — have it checked beforehand if in doubt.
Residency is not a passport
The UAE has no citizenship by investment. A Golden Visa is a ten-year residency right, not a passport and not naturalisation.
Tax residency is something else
A visa alone does not make you tax resident. A tax residency certificate depends on days present, housing and centre of life — and your home country assesses this independently.
Dependants need documents
For partners and children the authorities require certified marriage and birth certificates, often with apostille and Arabic translation. That takes longer than the visa process itself — start early.
First estimate: what will your structure cost?
A cost range in 60 seconds, based on our current price list. Not an offer — a starting point for the conversation.
- 1Choose an activity — from 55 options or describe your own
- 2Free zone, mainland or "not sure yet"
- 3Visas yes or no, and how many
- 4Estimate with breakdown — instantly and by email
What will your company do?
Choose the main activity. Yours missing? Choose "Other".
Frequently asked questions
How long does a UAE visa take?
From entry permit to Emirates ID typically two to six weeks. Medical and biometrics are on-site appointments; the authority processing time is the bottleneck, not the paperwork.
What does a visa cost?
That depends on the visa type, the number of people and the free zone. The first estimate calculates the range for your case in 60 seconds; the quote states the binding price.
How long is a residence visa valid?
Company-linked visas usually run two years, Golden Visas ten years, green visas five years. Renewals are routine as long as licence and insurance are valid.
Do I lose my visa if I am away for a long time?
Generally yes: after more than 180 consecutive days of absence a residence visa lapses. Individual Golden Visa categories are exempt.
Can I bring my family?
Yes. As a sponsor you need a valid visa, a sufficient salary per your employment contract and proof of housing (Ejari). Each family member incurs visa and insurance costs.
Do I need a visa to set up a company?
No. A licence without visas is possible and common for pure holdings. For a bank account, tenancy contract and residence you do need a residence visa.
Does the Golden Visa give me citizenship?
No. The UAE does not grant citizenship by investment. The Golden Visa is a ten-year, renewable residency status.
What is the Emirates ID?
The electronic identity card of the UAE. Almost nothing works without it: bank accounts, mobile contracts, medical appointments, government services and tenancy contracts all depend on it.
How many visas do you actually need — and in what order?
We plan licence, visas and bank account as one sequence so nothing waits on anything else. 15 minutes, free of charge.