Overview
A UAE trade licence enables a company to sponsor residency visas for its shareholders, directors, and employees. UAE residency status provides the right to live in the UAE, open personal bank accounts, hold an Emirates ID, access government services, and sponsor family members.
Understanding which visa category applies to you — and what the process involves — saves time and avoids unnecessary delays.
Investor / Partner Visa
An Investor Visa (also called a Partner Visa) is issued to shareholders in a UAE company. It is the standard route for founders and business owners.
Key facts:
- Typically valid for 2–3 years, renewable
- Sponsored by the company — your UAE entity is the sponsor
- Requires share certificate, MOA, and trade licence
- Entitles the holder to UAE residency and the right to sponsor dependants
- Does not require an employment contract (you are an investor, not an employee)
Process:
- Obtain entry permit (issued against the trade licence)
- Travel to UAE (if not already there on a valid visit visa)
- Complete medical fitness test
- Submit Emirates ID biometrics
- Receive visa stamp and Emirates ID
Employment Visa
An Employment Visa is sponsored by a UAE company for its employees. The company must have an active trade licence and be registered with MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation).
Key facts:
- Valid for 2–3 years, tied to the employer
- Requires a signed labour contract filed and attested with MOHRE
- Employee must not have labour bans or adverse immigration records
- The employer is responsible for medical insurance, repatriation flights, and end-of-service gratuity
Salary thresholds for dependant sponsorship: an employee must earn a minimum of AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 + accommodation) to sponsor a spouse; higher thresholds apply for children and parents.
The Golden Visa
The UAE Golden Visa grants 10-year renewable residency without requiring company sponsorship. It is self-sponsored and does not expire if you change employment or dissolve your company.
Categories and eligibility:
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Property investor | UAE property valued at AED 2 million+ (completed, not mortgaged beyond 50%) |
| Investor / entrepreneur | AED 2 million+ invested in a UAE enterprise |
| Senior executives | Monthly salary of AED 30,000+ in a qualifying role |
| Specialised talent | Scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, athletes as recognised by relevant authorities |
| Outstanding students | GPA 3.75+ from UAE or top-ranked foreign universities |
Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse, children (any age), household staff, and parents.
Dependant / Family Visa
Anyone holding a valid UAE residency visa can sponsor dependants:
- Spouse — requires marriage certificate (attested)
- Children under 18 — birth certificate (attested). Sons up to age 25 if enrolled in full-time education; daughters of any age if unmarried
- Parents — subject to income thresholds and health insurance requirements
Attestation of foreign documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates) requires UAE embassy legalisation and Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation. Amara coordinates this process.
Freelance / Self-Employment Permit
Individuals without a UAE company can obtain a Freelance Permit through select freezones (TECOM, IFZA, Dubai Media City) or directly from MOHRE. This permits independent work in designated disciplines without forming a company.
Freelance permits are less flexible than investor visas — they are activity-restricted, and some banks prefer company-backed accounts for business banking.
The Step-by-Step Visa Process
Step 1 — Entry Permit
For individuals outside the UAE, an entry permit is obtained from ICP (federal) or GDRFA (Dubai) / ADGEDI (Abu Dhabi). This allows the applicant to enter the UAE and complete the residency process.
Step 2 — Status Change (if applicable)
Applicants already in the UAE on a visit visa must either leave and re-enter, or complete a status change to residency without exiting. Status changes are processed through ICP.
Step 3 — Medical Fitness Test
A mandatory medical examination at an approved government health centre. Includes a blood test (for communicable diseases) and chest X-ray (TB screening). Results typically return within 1–3 business days. Certain results may trigger additional review.
Step 4 — Emirates ID Biometrics
After medical clearance, the applicant attends an ICP service centre (or an approved typing centre) to register fingerprints and a photograph. The Emirates ID is produced centrally and delivered to your registered address within 5–10 working days.
Step 5 — Visa Stamping
The UAE residency visa is stamped into the passport at an ICA/GDRFA/ADGEDI service centre. Some visa types support online stamping via the ICP smart portal.
Health Insurance
UAE law requires all residency visa holders to hold valid health insurance. In Dubai, employers are legally obligated to provide health insurance to employees and their sponsored dependants under the DHA mandatory insurance scheme. In Abu Dhabi, a similar requirement applies under HAAD.
Amara coordinates health insurance setup as part of the onboarding process.
Renewing a UAE Residency Visa
Residency visas must be renewed before expiry. Grace periods (typically 30 days after expiry) exist but overstaying beyond the grace period incurs daily fines. Amara tracks all visa expiry dates and initiates renewal at 60 days before expiry.