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A Dubai Investor Visa lets you live and work in the UAE on the strength of your own investment, without needing an employer to sponsor you. For Indian entrepreneurs and business owners, it’s usually the fastest route to long-term Dubai residency, and it comes with the right to sponsor your family too.
Therefore, here we will cover everything that has changed this year: the real 2-year investor visa in Dubai cost, updated eligibility rules, required documents, and how the property, company, Green Visa and Golden Visa routes compare. If you’re weighing your options through business setup, here’s exactly where things stand.
A Dubai Investor Visa, also called a partner visa, is a self-sponsored UAE residence permit issued to foreign nationals who invest in an existing company, start a new one, or purchase qualifying property in Dubai. Unlike an employment visa, it isn’t tied to a job – it’s tied to your capital. Holders can live and work in the Emirate, open personal and business bank accounts, and sponsor their spouse, children, and parents for residency.
There are several investor residency routes in the UAE, each with its own investment threshold and validity period. Here’s what applies today.
This is the most common Dubai Investor Visa category, and it can be obtained two ways. Through property, the Dubai Land Department’s Taskeen service now allows sole owners of a completed residential unit to qualify with no fixed minimum property value – a rule change from April 2026 that removed the earlier AED 750,000 threshold. Joint (non-spousal) owners must each hold a registered share worth at least AED 400,000. Off-plan units don’t qualify for this route.
Through company formation, this is the route most Indian entrepreneurs choose, since it’s bundled directly into free zone or mainland business setup. There’s no fixed federal minimum capital for a mainland company as it simply needs to be adequate for the licensed activity, while free zone share-capital requirements vary by authority, from a nominal amount in budget-friendly free zones up to AED 50,000 paid-up capital in premium ones like DMCC.
Most Investor Visa Dubai Business Setup packages issue a 2- to 3-year visa depending on the free zone chosen, renewable as long as the company and investment remain active.
Introduced under Cabinet Decision No. 65, the Green Visa is a self-sponsored, 5-year residency for investors and business partners. It requires a minimum investment of AED 1,000,000 in a UAE-registered business holding a valid commercial or industrial licence and doesn’t need employer or UAE national sponsorship.
The Golden Visa remains the UAE’s premier long-term residency programme, requiring a minimum of AED 2,000,000 through property, a qualifying business, a public investment fund, or a fixed bank deposit held for at least two years. A February 2026 update removed the earlier requirement of a 50% upfront payment (or a flat AED 1,000,000) for the property route – eligibility is now based purely on the total certified property value. A newer, less publicised route also lets angel investors qualify with AED 500,000 or more invested in UAE-licensed startups, a pathway confirmed by the ICP in 2026.
To meet the Dubai Investor Visa eligibility criteria, you generally need to fall into one of two groups: those investing in or starting a company with the minimum required capital for their chosen route, or those who own qualifying property in a Dubai Land Department–designated area. Company-route applicants typically need to hold at least 25% ownership of the venture to qualify as a partner/investor rather than an employee.
Beyond the investment itself, applicants must show proof of the qualifying investment, evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves in the UAE, a clean police clearance certificate, and a passing result on the mandatory medical fitness test (a standard requirement for all UAE residence visas, not specific to investors).
For most Indian entrepreneurs, an Investor Visa for Company Owners in Dubai is secured through company formation rather than property. This Dubai Investor Visa Through Company Formation route is attractive because the visa is bundled into the same process as registering your business so you’re not managing two separate applications.
You’ll first decide between a mainland company (which can trade directly across the UAE and take on government contracts) and a free zone company (which offers 100% foreign ownership and is generally faster and cheaper to set up). Both routes lead to a Dubai Company Investor Visa once your trade licence is issued, with your visa quota tied to your office or flexi-desk package.
This is why UAE Investor Visa Through Business Setup is usually the recommended path for first-time investors: the license, establishment card, and investor visa are processed together, and an experienced advisor can help you pick the jurisdiction and package that gives you the best Investor Visa Dubai Price for your business activity.
Here’s what you’ll typically need to submit, regardless of which route you choose:
The 2-year investor visa in Dubai cost depends heavily on which route you take, so it’s worth breaking down. Through the property route, the DLD’s Taskeen service charges an all-inclusive government fee of approximately AED 10,212.50 for the main applicant, covering DLD administration, GDRFA residence permit issuance, the medical fitness test, and Emirates ID processing.
Through the company route, costs are itemised across stages: the entry permit typically runs AED 1,000–1,100, the status change request (if you’re already in the UAE) costs around AED 670, and visa stamping adds roughly AED 900. On top of this, budget for the medical fitness test (AED 320–700), Emirates ID issuance (AED 370–1,200), and mandatory health insurance (AED 650–3,000).
Altogether, the visa-only cost through company formation usually lands between AED 3,500 and AED 7,000, separate from your trade licence and setup fees. A bundled free zone company package with one investor visa typically costs AED 15,000–25,000 in total, though this varies by jurisdiction and business activity.
The renewal cost for a 2-year Dubai Investor Visa is generally lower than the initial application, ranging from approximately AED 1,750 up to AED 5,000 depending on the route and any changes to your medical insurance or Emirates ID status.
| Visa Type | Investment Threshold | Approx. Government Fee* | Validity |
| 2-Year Property Investor Visa (DLD Taskeen) | Sole owner: no fixed minimum (since April 2026). Joint owners: minimum AED 400,000 per owner. | AED 10,212.50 (all-inclusive) | 2 years |
| 2–3 Year Company/Partner Investor Visa | No fixed federal minimum for mainland (capital must suit the activity). Free zone share value varies by authority. | AED 3,500–7,000 (visa portion only) | 2–3 years |
| 5-Year Green Visa | AED 1,000,000 investment in a UAE-registered business | Approx. AED 4,695 | 5 years |
| 10-Year Golden Visa | AED 2,000,000 (property, business, public investment fund, or fixed bank deposit) | Approx. AED 9,884.75 | 10 years |
*Figures are approximate government and processing fees and exclude company setup, licence, or property transaction costs. Confirm exact figures with Shuraa India advisor before applying, as fees are revised periodically.
The exact process varies depending on your company and visa category, but a typical UAE Investor Visa Through Business Setup follows these steps:
Determine what you want to do in the UAE and whether the activity requires additional approvals.
Your preferred market, office requirements, ownership structure, budget and business activity can influence this decision.
Complete trade name, initial approval, incorporation and licensing procedures.
Your trade licence establishes the legal basis of the business.
The company may need an immigration establishment card and other relevant registrations before applying for the investor/partner residence.
Submit the required documents through the applicable Dubai immigration channels, GDRFA or authorised service centre.
Applicants aged 18 and above generally need the required medical examination for UAE residence. Emirates ID procedures are completed as part of the residence process.
Once the application and required checks are completed, the residence permit is issued electronically under the applicable system.
Your Dubai Investor Visa must be renewed before it expires to maintain uninterrupted UAE residency. For the company route, this means keeping your trade licence active and your investment intact; for the property route, your ownership of the qualifying unit must continue.
Renewal typically involves a fresh medical test, Emirates ID renewal, and updated health insurance, with total costs generally ranging from AED 1,750 to AED 5,000. Renewing early rather than waiting until the visa lapses avoids fines and keeps your Emirates ID and bank accounts active without disruption.
A Dubai Investor Visa can provide several practical benefits for entrepreneurs establishing a UAE business.
The primary benefit is establishing legal residence in the UAE through an eligible investment or business ownership route.
An investor or partner residence is designed for eligible individuals participating in UAE commercial activities, subject to the conditions of their business licence and residence category.
Eligible UAE residents can generally sponsor family members subject to the applicable immigration requirements. Green Residence also provides the ability to sponsor family members, including spouses and children, under the approved conditions.
Green Residence for investors and business partners does not require a UAE employer or sponsor.
Having valid UAE residence and an Emirates ID can make it easier to access various UAE services, subject to each institution’s requirements.
Business owners who later meet the requirements of another residence category, such as Golden Residency, may be able to apply through that separate route.
The Dubai Investor Visa remains one of the most practical ways for Indian entrepreneurs to secure long-term UAE residency while building a business in one of the world’s most investor-friendly markets. With eligibility rules and fees updated as recently as this year, it’s worth confirming the current numbers before you apply.
At Shuraa India, our advisors handle company formation, licensing, and investor visa processing end-to-end – from choosing the right jurisdiction to visa stamping. Get in touch for a free eligibility check and a clear, upfront breakdown of your Dubai Investor Visa cost.
Through the property route, the DLD Taskeen government fee is approximately AED 10,212.50, all-inclusive. Through company formation, the visa-only cost typically ranges from AED 3,500 to AED 7,000, separate from trade licence and setup fees.
Anyone investing at least the required threshold in a UAE company (typically holding 25% or more ownership) or owning qualifying property in a DLD-designated area is eligible, subject to medical fitness and police clearance checks.
Yes. The company or partner investor visa route requires no property purchase at all. It’s issued directly through mainland or free zone company formation, making it the most common path for Indian entrepreneurs.
The Golden Visa requires a minimum of AED 2,000,000, whether through property, a qualifying business, a public investment fund, or a two-year fixed bank deposit.
About the author
Ritish SharmaRitish Sharma is a professional writer and UAE business advisor with expertise in corporate regulations and company setup. He helps Indian entrepreneurs understand and navigate the UAE’s dynamic business landscape, simplifying complex legal and business concepts. With actionable insights and practical guidance, Ritish empowers Indian businesses to establish, grow, and succeed in the UAE market confidently.
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