Dubai visa for entrepreneurs and investors: Guide to visas, costs and requirements

Dubai attracts thousands of entrepreneurs, investors and self-employed people from all over the world every year. Above all, the tax advantages, modern legal system, first-class infrastructure and strategically favorable location between Europe, Asia and Africa make the emirate one of the most attractive business locations in the world.

However, if you want to live or do business in Dubai permanently, you are faced with the question of which visa suits your business model. The choice ranges from investor visas, green visas and golden visas to freelancer and residence visas. The decisive factors here are the different requirements, terms, investment requirements and sponsor regulations.

Errors in the choice of visa can have serious consequences, such as rejected applications, problems with family reunification, difficulties in opening a bank account or fines for exceeding the duration of stay.

In this article, you will therefore find out which visa options are available for entrepreneurs in Dubai, what costs are incurred, how long the visas are valid and which visa suits your profile.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers various types of visas, which differ according to the purpose and duration of the stay.

The tourist visa (Visa on Arrival) allows German citizens to enter the country without a visa for up to 90 days at a time. It is only suitable for private stays or limited business visits, but not for work, study or business activities. An extension of the tourist visa is only possible once. After a maximum stay of 180 days, however, you must leave the country and can travel to Dubai again with a tourist visa after three months at the earliest.

The work visa is intended for employees of a company based in Dubai. It requires a sponsor, usually the employer, and is valid for 2 years. Entrepreneurs who are employers themselves only benefit from this option to a limited extent, as the visa is tied to an existing employment relationship.

The Green Visa, available since October 2022, is aimed at skilled workers, freelancers and the self-employed. It is valid for five years, does not require a sponsor and can be applied for independently. The prerequisite is qualified vocational training at Bachelor’s level.

Anyone purchasing real estate in the UAE can also obtain a visa. The only requirements are a property value of usually AED 2 million and a monthly income of at least AED 30,000. This is to show that you are able to finance your own living expenses.

The residence visa is the classic residence visa and can be obtained in various ways: an employer, starting a business or buying real estate. It is usually valid for 2 years, can be extended and allows you to sponsor family members and open a bank account in Dubai.

The Golden Visa is the UAE’s most prestigious visa, as it allows an uninterrupted stay of 5 to 10 years, whereby stays abroad do not lead to the loss of validity.

There are three visa options in particular for entrepreneurs, investors and the self-employed:

• Investor visa: For persons who wish to establish a company or acquire shares in an existing company.
• Green Visa: For freelancers and self-employed entrepreneurs who do not need a local sponsor and want to remain flexible.
• Golden Visa: Long-term visa for major investors and entrepreneurs who are active in Dubai on a long-term basis.

Setting up a company is one of the easiest ways to obtain a residence permit. The process takes place in several steps:

• Step 1: Registration of the company with a recognized free zone or the competent Mainland authority.
• Step 2: Apply for a business license to secure the legal basis for the business activity.
• Step 3: Apply for a residence visa and Emirates ID to fulfill the legal requirements for legal residence.
• Step 4: Completion of the medical examination.

After a successful start-up, entrepreneurs usually receive a residence visa (valid for 2 years, renewable). Family members can be sponsored as dependents so that a legally secure stay for the entire family is guaranteed.

In Dubai, it is possible for your own company to act as a sponsor for the residence visa. This applies to both free zone and mainland companies.

In concrete terms, this means An external employer or third party is not required. The company itself issues the visa, so that the founder sponsors himself, so to speak.

This mechanism is a key reason why many entrepreneurs choose company formation as their preferred option to secure permanent residency in Dubai.

The costs for a visa in Dubai are made up of several components that vary depending on the type of visa and the type of company. We have put together a rough overview of the total costs, although each situation must be considered individually:

Dubai offers entrepreneurs, investors and the self-employed a wide range of opportunities to live and do business in the country permanently. The choice of the right visa depends on the business model, level of investment and individual plans. Investor visas, green visas or golden visas – each type has specific requirements, terms and benefits.

Founding your own company is a particularly effective option, as the company also acts as a sponsor. In this way, founders not only secure their own stay, but can also provide for family members.

In order to make the application process legally secure and smooth, entrepreneurs should check costs, legal requirements and visa regulations at an early stage. The experienced lawyers at TME Legal will provide you with individual and practical support so that you can make the most of Dubai’s advantages.