What is the UAE Investor (Partner) Visa?
The Investor/Partner Visa gives shareholders and business owners the right to live, work and sponsor family in the UAE. You can obtain it via a Dubai mainland licence (DET/DED) or any UAE free zone licence, based on your shareholding. Visa validity is typically 2-3 years (depending on the issuing authority), with renewal available if your licence remains active.
If you meet enhanced criteria, Dubai also offers longer residency options:
- Green Visa (Investor/Partner) - 5 years for qualifying investors/partners; processed via GDRFA Dubai.
- Golden Visa - 10 years for eligible investors, entrepreneurs, and other categories; criteria set on the official UAE government portal.
Who can apply?
You’re generally eligible if you are a shareholder/partner in a UAE company (mainland or free zone) and can show the licence and partnership/investment documents in your name. Green Visa investor/partner applications require the trade licence and partnership/investment contract, among other standard documents.
Required documents (typical)
- Passport (valid 6+ months) and personal photo
- Company trade licence (mainland/free zone)
- Partnership or investment contract / MOA / share certificate
- Establishment card & immigration file (company)
- Entry permit (if applying from outside the UAE)
- Medical test result & Emirates ID biometrics (after entry/status change)
(Exact lists vary by jurisdiction; GDRFA lists passport, photo, partnership/investment contract, and trade licence for Green Visa investor/partner issuance.)
Process with Consultycs
- Qualification check We confirm whether a standard Partner Visa (2–3 yrs), Green Visa (5 yrs), or Golden Visa (10 yrs) best fits your profile
- Company groundwork Ensure your licence and shareholding proofs are aligned with immigration requirements.
- Entry permit & status change Apply from abroad or convert in-country.
- Medical & biometrics Arrange medical fitness test and Emirates ID.
- Visa stamping Complete issuance on passport/eVisa; open/update banking and proceed to family sponsorship if needed.
Timelines & grace periods (what to expect)
A. Processing time: After documents are in order, the sequence (permit → status change → medical → Emirates ID → stamping) generally completes within several working days , depending on the authority and workload.
B. Grace period on cancellation/expiry The post-cancellation/expiry grace period varies by visa (approx. 30–180 days); always check the period shown in your ICP/GDRFA record, as overstay fines apply after that.
Family sponsorship (after your investor visa)
As a resident sponsor, you can bring spouse and children (and in some cases parents) if you meet income and other conditions. The official UAE portal states a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 + accommodation for family sponsorship, plus medical fitness for dependents 18+.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Dubai’s Green Visa (Investor/Partner) offers 5-year residency for qualifying investors, processed via GDRFA with core documents like trade licence and partnership/investment contract.
Golden Visa provides 10-year residency for eligible investors, entrepreneurs, and other categories with specific criteria defined on the UAE’s official portal.
Grace periods differ by visa type and are shown on your ICP record; overstay fines of AED 50/day apply after the grace period.
Yes, if you meet salary and other requirements, AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 + accommodation is the official minimum.
Validity is typically 2-3 years, depending on the issuing authority; Green (5 yrs) and Golden (10 yrs) are separate pathways with additional criteria.
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