Visas for business in the UAE
Smart Value provides visa services for entrepreneurs who wish to conduct business in the UAE.
To register one’s own business in the UAE, it is of utmost importance to obtain a suitable visa. It is thanks to it that a businessperson gets access not only to entering the country, but also to various public services provided, such as the medical care, system of education, etc.
Types of visas in the UAE
For persons who aim to conduct business in the Emirates, the following visa types are the most applicable:
Investor visas
This is the type of visa that is used by business owners that are UAE-based. It retains its validity for 2 years.
Documents necessary:
- One passport-size photo on the white background
- Passport valid for at least 6 months after the day of application
- One copy of your business licence (registration certificate)
Partner visas
This visa type is used for partners of the companies that are based in the UAE. It is valid for 2 years.
Documents necessary:
- One passport-size photo on the white background
- Passport valid for at least 6 months after the day of application
- One copy of your business licence (registration certificate)
The Golden Visa Program
To certain categories of foreign citizens, the UAE offers a special program called the Golden Visa, which gives experts from other countries an opportunity to remain in the United Arab Emirates for a prolonged period of time in order to work, attend educational facilities, or do business.
An important advantage granted by visas obtained within this program is the absence of the need to have a sponsor.
Who can apply for a Golden Visa
A Golden Visa can be obtained by the following categories of foreign specialists:
1. Public fund investors
The program makes provisions for large-scale public sector investors. To be approved for the visa, they require:
- A letter of confirmation that they’ve invested no less than 2 million AED at the minimum into an officially accredited UAE-based investment fund - for investors;
- A valid commercial or industrial licence and the company’s founding documents that state the nominal capital is equal to at least 2 million AED - for business owners;
- A letter from the Federal Tax Authority that confirms the fact of no less than 250000 AED having been paid in annual taxes into the UAE budget;
- Medical insurance for themselves and their family members (if applicable).
There is one additional condition that must be fulfilled: the applicant must own the capital (that is to say, it cannot be wholly or partially gotten as a loan).
Public investors can get a visa valid for up to 10 years.
2. Real estate investors
In order to obtain a Golden Visa for investing into real estate, one needs:
- A letter from the land department of the respective Emirate they have acquired property in with the confirmation that the total value of this property amounts to no less than 2 million AED.
The property in question can be bought using a loan granted by a local bank (the list of eligible banks must be composed by the local authorities).
The visa is valid for 5 years.
3. Entrepreneurs
This category applies to businessmen who have a project:
- The cost of which is at least 500000 AED according to an auditor accredited in the UAE;
- Is of the technical nature (which must be confirmed by the authorities of the emirate where the project is planned to be launched);
- Is approved by a UAE accredited business incubator.
The visa is valid for 5 years.
4. Outstanding professionals
The Golden Visa is also granted to outstanding specialists in various fields of science, art, medicine, sports, etc.
The requirements for foreign citizens belonging to this category are as follows:
- For scientists - a letter of recommendation from the Emirates Council of Scientists or a letter confirming that the recipient has a medal for outstanding scientific research.
- For medical personnel - a letter confirming the recipient’s right to engage in medical activities in the UAE from the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
- For inventors - a letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Economy, confirming that the recipient's patent is valuable for the economic development of the UAE.
- For artists - a letter of approval from the Department of Culture and Arts of the emirate in which the applicant plans to reside.
- For executives:
- A copy of a university diploma certified by the Ministry of Education with a degree not less than bachelor's;
- Certificate of work experience of at least 5 years in the same position;
- Certificate of salary of at least 50000 AED;
- A valid employment contract.
- For athletes - a letter of recommendation from the General Sports Department or the sports council of the respective emirate.
- For engineers - a copy of a bachelor's or master's diploma certified by the Ministry of Education and a valid employment contract.
- For outstanding high school students - a letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Education.
- For UAE class A or B university (Ministry of Education assigned) students - a letter of recommendation from the university (or a certified diploma, or a certificate of academic achievement with an accumulated GPA of at least 3.5 for class A universities and 3.8 for class B universities) - provided that they graduated no more than 2 years ago.
- For students of foreign universities that are among the top 100 in the world according to the ranking recognized by the Ministry of Education - a diploma certified by the Ministry of Education, provided that they graduated no more than 2 years ago with an accumulated grade point average of at least 3.5.
- For pioneers of humanitarian work who have worked for at least 5 years in international and regional organisations, civil associations and public institutions, as well as those awarded by local, regional, or international humanitarian organisations - confirmation from the founders of the humanitarian organisation that the amount of support remains at the level of 2 million AED.
- For frontline heroes (medical personnel who have shown outstanding heroism during the crisis (COVID-19, etc.)) - a letter of recommendation from an authorised body.
Still have questions?
Just contact us and our specialists will provide you with first-class assistance in all things related to obtaining visas in the UAE!
Still have questions?
Just contact us, and our experts will provide you with first-class help on every aspect of obtaining a UAE visa!
+971 4 547 6005
WhatsAppOther services
PRO Services
A wide range of assistance to businesses with the preparation of necessary documents
Read more