How to Get a Long-Term Business Visa in Dubai

A long-term visa in the UAE offers entrepreneurs unique opportunities to conduct business in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates. The country is renowned for its favourable business climate, high-quality infrastructure, and strategic location, attracting international companies and startups. This document allows legal residence and work in the country, facilitating more efficient business management, networking, and quick response to market changes in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

Obtaining a long-term visa in the Emirates is an essential step for entrepreneurs looking to broaden their business horizons. Businesspeople have access to a stable market, modern services, an extensive transport network, and comfortable office and commercial spaces.

The region offers various long-term residency programmes, including those for creators of innovative projects and startups. These permits allow individuals to reside in the country for several years, with the option to extend the stay if all requirements are met. They provide access to a comfortable business environment, an efficient banking sector, modern schools and universities for children, exclusive resorts, and world-class entertainment venues. Residents become part of a thriving economy and can take full advantage of life in this developed country.

Benefits of doing business in Dubai

Starting a business offers numerous advantages, encouraging people to move to the Emirates and contribute to the country’s economy and competitiveness.

A significant privilege is the right to UAE residency. It allows foreigners to:

• obtain an Emirates ID;
• access public medical services and health insurance at a reduced rate;
• enrol children in public and private schools;
• obtain a driving licence;
• set up a bank account;
• access extended financial services such as mortgages, car loans, personal loans, and more;
• enjoy visa-free travel to certain countries, which should be confirmed with the embassy.

Free zones

Free zones play a crucial role in attracting foreign investment and fostering business development in the UAE. Entrepreneurs from abroad can fully own companies in these zones, eliminating the need for a local partner. Free zones offer special business conditions, including exemption from customs duties, 100% capital and profit repatriation, simplified registration and licensing procedures, and access to modern infrastructure. They operate under independent laws and regulations.

Note: Free zones are often located in residential areas, allowing company owners to purchase apartments and villas in Dubai or other emirates near their workplace.

There are over 40 multidisciplinary free zones in the Emirates, specialising in finance, technology, logistics, media, design, education, healthcare, and other sectors. Here are some of the most popular locations:

• Dubai International Financial Centre: A leading financial centre in the region with an independent judicial system and its own laws. The real estate available comprises contemporary office buildings, commercial spaces, and luxury apartments, making it a popular place both to work and reside.
• Jebel Ali Free Zone: A large zone home to several thousand companies. Its popularity is due to its proximity to the seaport and Al Maktoum International Airport, providing excellent transport accessibility. The real estate includes warehouses, office buildings, and land plots.
• Dubai World Trade Centre: A key destination hosting international conferences and business events. This area features modern offices and exhibition pavilions, making it a suitable place for conducting business.
• Dubai Silicon Oasis Free Zone: A high-tech park focused on IT companies and startups. The zone has well-established infrastructure, and the real estate includes office buildings, commercial spaces, and apartments in Dubai.
• Masdar City Free Zone: A zone in Abu Dhabi specialising in sustainable technologies, renewable energy, and healthcare. The real estate includes apartments and offices.

Types of long-term business visas in Dubai

To legally run a business and gain state benefits, a company owner needs residency. This can be arranged independently or through a visa company in Dubai specialising in such services. The emirate offers 3 types of residence visas for entrepreneurs, detailed below.

Golden Visa

A business person can obtain a 5-year residency if they have an economic project of a technical or future nature, based on innovation and risk. Additionally, the entrepreneur must secure approval letters from the following authorities:

• An auditor confirming that the project is worth at least AED 500,000 (USD 136,000).
• The emirate’s authorities approving the technical or future nature of the development.
• An accredited business incubator in the country.

Advantages:

• Renewable residency.
• The right to live, work, and study in the UAE without a local sponsor.
• The ability to stay outside the Emirates for more than 6 months.
• Permission to sponsor a spouse and children regardless of age, as well as an unlimited number of domestic staff.
• The family can remain in the country until the document expires if the primary holder passes away.

Green Visa

This business visa in the UAE, one of the most popular types, grants a 5-year residency to investors involved in commercial activities or founding a business in the country. Requirements include:

• ICP approval.
• Proof of investments of AED 1 million (USD 272,500). If the investor or partner holds more than one licence, the total investment amount is calculated.
• Approval from local authorities.

Privileges:

• No need for a sponsor.
• Residency renewal for the same period.
• The right to sponsor family members, including unmarried daughters indefinitely and sons up to 25 years old.
• A 6-month period to renew the document after its cancellation/expiration.

Dubai’s virtual working programme

A long-term business visa for 1 year caters to foreign company owners, allowing them to move to Dubai and continue working. Applicants must:

• Provide a document confirming ownership of the company for 1 year or more.
• Verify an average monthly income of USD 5000 or its equivalent in another currency.
• Submit bank statements of the company for the last 3 months.
• Confirm that the work is conducted remotely and outside the UAE.

Advantages:

• The right to renew the residency.
• Permission to move to the emirate with family, including sponsorship rights.

Helpful Tip! If you wish to determine if the country is suitable for starting a business, consider a long-term single-entry visa to the UAE for exploring investment opportunities. It is available for 60, 90, or 120 days.

How to get a UAE visa

The stages of applying for residency include several key steps:

1. Gather Required Documents: The specific documents needed may differ based on the type of residency. Ensure they are up-to-date and meet the immigration authorities’ requirements.
2. Submit the Application Online: Use the ICP, eChannels, and GDRFA websites, as well as the ICP and Dubai Now apps. At this stage, fill out the relevant forms, attach the gathered documents, and pay the service fees.
3. Await Approval: Receive temporary entry permission to complete the procedure.
4. Arrive in the Country: Undergo a medical examination at accredited institutions.
5. Submit Biometrics: Do this at a government service centre.
6. Receive the Authorisation and Emirates ID: The ID card is mandatory for all residents and used in various administrative and legal procedures within the country.

Documents for application, fees, and processing time

The table below provides an overview of how much a visa costs in Dubai, key requirements, and processing times.

Additional documents include the requirements listed above for each type of long-term visit visa in the UAE.

Important to Know! If you are relocating to the UAE with your family, you will need passports, birth certificates, and a marriage certificate. These documents must be translated into Arabic and consular legalised.

Extending a residence visa

Extending a residency is crucial to those planning to continue living and doing business in the UAE. All 3 visas discussed in this article can be renewed if the holder meets the necessary conditions and reaffirms their eligibility as required during the initial application process.

Residents are given generous grace periods to renew expired visas, with some categories allowing up to 6 months.

If the holder misses the renewal deadline, they must pay a fine of AED 50 (USD 14) per day. If they need to be outside the UAE during the renewal period due to valid reasons, they can renew the document in advance by obtaining permission from ICP.

Cancelling a residence visa

Should an entrepreneur choose to depart the UAE permanently, they need to cancel their visa. It is recommended to complete this procedure because, if the foreigner later decides to move to the country and seek permanent residence, a previously unused document may be grounds for refusal. The cancellation can be done online or offline through certified typing centres.

Before cancelling the document, ensure all debts are settled, bank accounts closed, and rental agreements terminated. According to long-term visit visa rules in the UAE, one must first terminate the residency of their company’s employees and sponsored individuals, including spouses, children, and dependents.

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