Dubai residence visa cost for company owners (2026)

Residence visas are priced per person, and the company needs an establishment card before any can be issued. So the cost for a company with several owners or staff is a multiple, not a single fee. Whether you can have a visa at all depends on the structure: free zone and mainland companies can sponsor visas, while a plain offshore company cannot.

The typical ranges below are October 2026 market figures that package government fees with provider services. The official fee lines are shown separately so you can see how much of the total is a government charge and how much is service and processing cost. Rules and fees change, so confirm them with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai before you pay.

Typical visa costs for a company with several owners

Typical market ranges, October 2026. Each extra visa adds the same per-visa range.

Official government fee lines for a Dubai residence permit

GDRFA Dubai lists these fee lines for a private sector residence permit and for the investor or partner green residence permit: a residence permit fee of AED 200, a Knowledge Dirham of AED 10, an Innovation Dirham of AED 10, delivery of AED 20 and, if the applicant is already inside the UAE, an inside-country fee of AED 500. The issuance fee rises by AED 100 per year when the residency exceeds two years. For a person already in the UAE that is about AED 740 in these lines.

The Emirates ID is separate. The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) lists AED 100 per year of residence plus a AED 100 smart service fee for a new resident card. The typical AED 3,400–6,500 range is higher than these lines because it typically bundles other items, such as the medical test and provider service fees, so ask for it itemised.

Dubai investor visa cost and the green and golden routes

A standard private sector residence permit from GDRFA Dubai is valid for two years and can be renewed for similar periods. GDRFA also offers a green residence permit for an investor or partner in a commercial project, valid for up to five years without a guarantor or employer, and its visa-issuance page states that the investor's or partner's share cannot be less than AED 1,000,000 paid.

The UAE government's golden visa for investors lists a minimum capital of AED 2 million, with 10 years for public investments and 5 years for real estate. The entrepreneur golden visa is 5 years and requires an innovative project and a letter from an incubator or relevant authority. Eligibility and fees change, so confirm with the issuing authority.

What affects free zone visa cost

• Number of visas in your package or allocation, which varies by zone and package
• Whether the applicant is inside or outside the UAE when the visa is processed
• The medical test, which applicants aged 18 and over must pass
• Provider and PRO service fees on top of the government charges

Does the residence visa expire if I leave the UAE?

UAE government guidance says a resident who lives outside the UAE for more than 180 continuous days has the residence visa automatically cancelled. Investors holding a valid UAE residence visa are exempt from that rule. The Emirates ID expires when the residence visa does. After the business entry permit, the holder can stay 60 days from entry while residency processing is completed.

How a company owner's residence visa is processed

1. 1

   Company licence and establishment card

   The company holds a valid licence and an establishment card.

2. 2

   Entry permit or status change

   The applicant either enters on an entry permit or changes status inside the UAE.

3. 3

   Medical test and biometrics

   Applicants aged 18 and over must pass the medical test.

4. 4

   Emirates ID and visa

   The residence is issued and the Emirates ID is applied for through ICP.

Documents GDRFA lists for an investor or partner visa

• Personal photograph
• Passport copy valid for at least 6 months
• Partnership agreement, memorandum of association or investment contract
• Trade licence

Things to weigh up

• The typical per-visa range is a market figure, not the government fee schedule; the government lines are much smaller.
• Green and golden visa rules have investment thresholds and are separate from a standard company visa.
• Fees and requirements change; confirm with GDRFA Dubai or ICP before paying.
• A visa tied to a company needs that company's licence and establishment card to stay valid.