Visas by zone See the free zone visa quota table for how many visas each zone allows.
Four different things people call “the visa”
| Item | What it is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company licence | Permission to operate a business activity | Issued by the free zone or economic department |
| Establishment / immigration card | Lets the company sponsor visas | Issued after the licence |
| Investor / partner residence | Residence for a shareholder or partner | Needs entry permit, medical, biometrics, Emirates ID |
| Employee residence | Residence for staff sponsored by the company | Subject to labour rules and quotas |
Typical residence-visa process
- Company licence and establishment cardThe company must exist and be registered for immigration.
- Entry permit or status changeApplicants outside the UAE receive an entry permit; those inside change status.
- Medical test and biometricsCompleted in the UAE; results and appointments affect timing.
- Emirates ID and visa stampingThe Emirates ID and residence visa are issued after approvals.
Visa quotas and cost
Quotas depend on the zone’s package or your office size; the allocation for each zone is on its page. Published one-visa packages we hold: IFZA about AED 21,450, Meydan about AED 20,670, Ajman Free Zone about AED 13,141, RAKEZ about AED 12,010, DMCC Jump Start about AED 43,780, DIFC about AED 108,579. Additional visas are commonly AED 3,500–6,000 each (indicative). Use the estimator.
What to check before you apply
- Whether the package includes visas or only the licence
- Your own eligibility and any prior UAE immigration history
- Whether you need to be in the UAE and for how long
- Health-insurance requirements for your emirate
- Whether your activity or nationality triggers extra security approvals
UAE company formation with visa: FAQs
Can I get a UAE visa when I set up a company?
A licence can lead to residence visas for owners and staff, but the licence and the visa are separate steps. Each applicant must meet eligibility, complete medical testing and biometrics in the UAE, and approval is never guaranteed.
What is an establishment card?
An establishment (immigration) card registers the company with immigration so it can sponsor visas. It is normally issued after the licence and is a prerequisite for visa applications.
How many visas can a free zone company have?
The allocation depends on the zone’s package or the size of your office. Some zones offer zero-visa licences; larger quotas need larger premises. Confirm the current quota with the authority.
Is an investor visa the same as an employee visa?
No. An investor/partner visa is for a shareholder or partner; an employee visa is for staff sponsored by the company under labour rules. Eligibility, documents and costs differ.
Can I set up a company from abroad and apply later?
Incorporation is often digital, but residence visas need you in the UAE for medical tests and biometrics. Plan the trip around the process.
Does a company give me a Golden Visa?
Not by itself. The Golden Visa has separate eligibility routes (for example qualifying investment, skilled employment or entrepreneurship). See the Golden Visa guide.
Get a written quote for UAE company formation with visa
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.