If you are considering moving to Dubai to live, invest, or launch a business, the key to a successful relocation is identifying the appropriate residence visa in Dubai. With a countless Dubai visa options for businessmen, investors, and foreign professionals, it is the dream city to be. If you are looking forward to set up a business, or gain residency in the UAE, choosing the right Dubai visa solution has a direct impact on your business activities in the UAE.
At DXB VIP, we offer comprehensive business setup solutions in Dubai and across the UAE. To identify the best residence visa in Dubai for their business. Let’s get started!
What is a Residence Visa in Dubai?
A residence visa enables an individual to stay in the UAE for a specific period of time to engage in certain activities, including:
- Owning or managing a company
- Engaging in business under a valid business license
- Sponsoring family members
- Opening corporate and personal bank accounts
- Entering into long-term lease agreements
For businessmen, a Dubai residence visa is more than a requirement; it is an essential component for doing business in the UAE.
Why visa planning matters for business owners in Dubai?
For international entrepreneurs, Dubai is more than a location to establish a business. Dubai is also a location to establish long-term personal and business stability. Unlike temporary business visit visas, residency visas enable you to:
- legally establish and run your own business in the UAE
- establish and maintain business and personal bank accounts
- sponsor your family members and domestic staff
- sign long-term property leases or purchase property
- stay fully compliant with UAE immigration and labor laws
The UAE has various residency visas designed for different business profiles and investment levels. Selecting the wrong visa type can delay the establishment of your business, cause unnecessary visa renewals, or even affect your future eligibility for residency.
Investor Residence visa in Dubai
This is the most common residence visa in Dubai issues for company owners. If you establish or hold shares in a mainland or free zone company, you can apply for a Dubai residence visa also known as investor visa sponsored by your own company. This option is suitable for:
- Company founders
- Shareholders in UAE companies
- Partners in trading, consulting or service businesses
- Managing directors
This visa is typically issued for two or three years, depending on the licensing authority and company structure. For many entrepreneurs, this is the fastest and most practical Dubai visa when setting up a new business in the UAE.
Golden Visa for investors and entrepreneurs
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency scheme that was introduced to target high-profile investors, business owners, and entrepreneurs. For eligible business owners, this visa offers residency in the UAE for five or ten years without the need for a conventional sponsorship structure in a company. It is suitable for:
- Entrepreneurs who own or have successfully set up businesses
- Investors with business or capital investments that meet the criteria
- Founders of innovative or technology-based businesses
- People who make a significant contribution to the UAE economy
The key benefits of the golden visa include long-term security, ease of renewal, family sponsorship benefits, and freedom of movement within the UAE. For business owners who intend to establish a long-term presence in Dubai, it is the most optimal residency solution.
Green visa for self-employed professionals and partners
The Green Visa is a relatively new residency category designed for professionals, freelancers and certain business owners who wish to be self-sponsored. This visa allows qualified individuals to live and work in the UAE without being sponsored by an employer or a traditional company structure.
For entrepreneurs, it is particularly relevant for:
- Consultants operating under freelance or professional licences
- Partners in service-based businesses
- Independent professionals running small operations
Green Visa – Validity
The Green Visa is issued for five years and provides greater flexibility compared to standard employment visas. However, it is not suitable for all business models, particularly for trading, manufacturing or regulated activities that require a fully licensed commercial company.
Remote Work Visa
For international entrepreneurs who operate companies outside the UAE but wish to live in Dubai, the remote work visa offers a practical solution. This option allows business owners to reside in Dubai while continuing to manage overseas companies or global operations. It is especially popular among:
- Digital Entrepreneurs
- Technology Founders
- International Consultants
- E-commerce Business Owners
This visa does not allow you to conduct commercial activity within the UAE market unless you also establish a UAE business licence. It is therefore best suited for founders who want to live in Dubai while keeping their primary business operations abroad.
2 Years Residence Visa Dubai Cost
A very common question from investors is:
“2 years residence visa Dubai cost – how much should I expect to pay?”
It depends on several factors, including:
- whether your company is registered in a free zone or mainland
- the number of shareholders
- immigration authority fees
- medical test and Emirates ID charges
- establishment card and company sponsorship fees
It can only be accurately confirmed after reviewing your company structure and licensing authority. At DXB VIP, we provide a clear breakdown of the full 2 years residence visa in Dubai cost during our consultation, with no hidden charges.
Business exploration and short-term entrepreneur visas
For business owners who are still evaluating the market, Dubai also offers short-term visas designed specifically for business exploration. These visas allow entrepreneurs to:
- attend meetings and exhibitions
- meet potential partners and investors
- assess office locations and free zones
negotiate distribution or franchise agreements
They are suitable for early-stage planning but do not replace a full residency visa when commercial operations begin.
Who issues your Dubai residence visa?
In Dubai, all residency permits are issued and managed through official immigration authorities. For Dubai-based companies, residency approvals are processed by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai.
Federal identity and residency services are coordinated by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security. Every Dubai residence visa application includes:
- entry permit issuance
- medical fitness testing
- biometric registration and Emirates ID processing
- residency visa issuance
Why choosing the right Dubai visa matters for business owners?
Not all Dubai visas are suitable for entrepreneurs. Selecting the wrong Dubai visa type can result in:
- difficulties opening corporate bank accounts
- restrictions on company activities
- limitations on family sponsorship
Your Dubai residence visa must always align with your company licence, shareholder structure and long-term business plans.
How DXB VIP helps with your Dubai residence visa
At DXB VIP, we focus specifically on business-driven immigration solutions in Dubai and across the UAE. Our role is not only to arrange your Dubai visa, but to ensure that your residency strategy supports your business growth and long-term presence in the UAE.
Our services include:
- Visa eligibility assessment for each Dubai visa category
- Structuring your company setup to support your residence visa application
- Co-ordination with licensing authorities and immigration departments
- Document preparation and compliance review
- Medical test, Emirates ID and residency scheduling
- Dependent and family visa processing