Residency by Investment in Dubai
T&C Apply
Smartest investment and life plans in UAE
The UAE attracts investors from all over the world due to its environment that is favourable for businesses. Owing to this reason, UAE maintains a separate category of visas for investors and business owners. Dubai investor’s visa or partner visa is specially designed for individuals willing to settle in Dubai for the purpose of business or investment in UAE. Dubai, being a leading financial hub of the Middle East and the world, provides ample opportunities to global investors. Consequently, anyone can practice their business in Dubai mainland or the free zones.
However, to start an investment or business venture as an ex-pat in the UAE, you need to have a valid investor’s visa. The application process for investors' visas may differ as per the emirates. The article below provides details regarding the Dubai investors visa, its requirements, fee, and application processes.
Dubai Investor’s visa, popularly known as ‘Partner Visa’, is specifically designed for ex-pats who wish to invest in the UAE or perform a business in Dubai mainland or the free zones. With an investors visa, you have the advantage of living, working, and sponsoring your family members in the UAE.
It should be noted that while Dubai Investor’s visa is valid for a minimum period of 3 years, you can also apply for longer terms of up to 10 years. During the validity of your investor visa, you can stay within the UAE, or move in and out of the country whenever you want. Moreover, Dubai Investor visa holders need to pay taxes in the UAE and not in their home country, although this condition is subject to constraints in their home country.
As a Dubai Investors Visa holder, you can apply for an Emirates ID card, get a driver’s license, open a bank account, register for mobile services, and access various home packages.
Based on the kind of investment an individual makes, Dubai Investors Visa comes in the following types.
To opt for investors visa by investing in residential properties, you need to invest in residential properties worth AED 1 million or above, with a maximum of 50% property value under the mortgage. In the case of shared investment in properties, each individual needs to have a share of AED 1 million. Additionally, you need to invest in a single residential property and not in commercial properties. The validity of the visa varies between 3 to 5 years and can be held by the investor until they own the property.
The Department of Economic Development (DED) offers more than 2,100 types of business licenses to start a business in the UAE. You may start a business in any of the free zones or Dubai Mainland to opt for a Dubai investors visa by investing in a company. You will be required to invest a minimum of AED 72,000 or start a business with a capital investment of the same amount. Importantly, foreign investors starting a venture in the free zone don’t require a local sponsor, and the companies are also exempted from taxation. The application process for these visa types may vary depending on the nature of the business and its location.
You can opt for a long-term residence investor visa by investing a minimum of AED 10 million in a company or starting a business worth the same amount. However, the long term resident visas are only available to individuals also satisfying a set of other criteria as laid down by the Dubai Foreign Affairs authorities and General Directorate of Residency, Dubai. A 5-year validity investors visa is available to individuals who invest a minimum of AED 5 million or entrepreneurs having active projects worth AED 500,000 and fulfilling other criteria.
This type of visa, valid for a period of 5 years, is available to individuals above the age of 55 years and who wish to retire in the UAE. To avail of this visa, the applicant needs to invest at least AED 2 million, accumulate a wealth of AED 1 million, or have an active income of AED 20,000 or above.
Top 8 Ways to Invest Money in UAE |
If you are investing in or establishing a company in Dubai, these documents are required as part of the Dubai investor visa application.
Things To Know Before Investing in Mutual Funds 2022 |
If you wish to apply for a Dubai Investor Visa, you need to follow the steps mentioned below.
The following table details various charges associated with a Dubai Investors Visa.
Particulars |
Cost of Dubai Investor Visa |
---|---|
Charges for Entry permit |
AED 1,175 for an applicant in the UAE AED 525 for applicants outside the UAE |
Charges for Change of status |
AED 675 (not required for applicants entering from outside the UAE) |
Charges for Visa stamping |
AED 870 |
Charge for Emirates ID issuance |
AED 405 |
Charges for the Medical Tests |
AED 322 |
The above-mentioned fees are according to the charges of GDRFA. Please note that the trade license charges are not included (As charged by Dubai Economic Department). The establishment and companies can use the E-government Directorate of Naturalisation and Residency Department (eDNRD) website to submit their visa application.
Dubai Government has come up with long-term investors visas starting from a duration of 3-years that can go up to 10 years. However, there are separate eligibility criteria for different investors visas in the UAE. Following are the eligibility criteria for various Dubai investors visas.
To be eligible for a 10 years Investors Visa in the UAE, you need to satisfy the specific criteria mentioned below.
You need to meet the following criteria to be eligible for a 5-year Dubai Investors visa.
Following are the conditions you have to fulfil in order to qualify for a 3 years Dubai Investor Visa.