The partner / investor visa is the original UAE residence route for entrepreneurs who own a stake in a UAE company. It predates the Golden Visa and remains the default option for founders and shareholders who do not yet meet the AED 2 million Golden investor threshold but still want a multi-year residence linked to their business.
What the partner / investor visa is
This is a residence visa issued in the name of the shareholder of a UAE-licensed company. It can be valid for one, two, or three years depending on the issuing authority and the type of license. The holder can sponsor family members, manage the company's operations, sign as the licensed manager or partner, and open all the usual UAE banking and personal accounts. There is no requirement for a UAE national sponsor in most activities, since 100 percent foreign ownership is now permitted across most mainland and free-zone activities.
Who qualifies
- You must own at least the minimum shareholding required by the issuing authority — typically AED 50,000 to AED 72,000 in paid-up capital, depending on the emirate and free zone.
- You must be named on the company's Memorandum of Association (MOA) or, for sole establishments, on the trade license itself.
- The trade license must be active and the company must hold a valid establishment card with the immigration authority.
- You must pass the standard medical fitness test and meet visa health requirements.
- The activity on the trade license must not be one of the few restricted "strategic" sectors where additional approvals are required.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Establishment card (immigration) | 2,000 – 2,500 |
| Entry permit (investor) | 1,200 – 1,500 |
| Status change (if applying inside UAE) | 640 |
| Medical fitness test | 320 – 750 |
| Emirates ID (2 years) | 270 |
| Visa stamping (2 years) | 500 – 700 |
| Service / typing / processing | 500 – 1,500 |
End-to-end you should budget AED 5,500 to AED 8,500 for a fresh 2-year investor visa, separate from the trade-license costs.
Step-by-step process
- Confirm your trade license is active and the MOA correctly names you as a shareholder with the required minimum stake.
- Apply for an establishment card with the immigration authority of the licensing emirate or free zone.
- Submit the entry-permit application as an investor / partner.
- If you are inside the UAE on another visa, apply for a status change. Otherwise enter the country on the entry permit.
- Complete the medical fitness test and biometrics.
- Apply for or renew your Emirates ID.
- The visa is stamped electronically and the digital residence file is activated.
- Sponsor family members and any required staff once the principal investor visa is active.
Documents required
- Passport valid 6+ months.
- Two passport-size photos.
- Active trade license.
- Memorandum of Association (mainland) or share certificate (free zone).
- Establishment card.
- Tenancy contract / Ejari for the office or flexi-desk.
- Bank reference letter or proof of paid-up capital.
- Health insurance meeting DHA / DoH minimums.
- Medical fitness certificate.
MOA and shareholding rules
The Memorandum of Association is the constitutional document of an LLC. For a partner visa it must clearly state the shareholder's name, nationality, passport number, and the percentage and value of shares held. Free-zone entities issue an equivalent share certificate. Three points cause most rejections:
- Minimum capital not met. Most authorities expect at least AED 50,000 in paid-up capital allocated to the partner seeking residence. Some free zones require AED 72,000 or more.
- MOA not notarised. Mainland MOAs must be notarised at a Dubai Courts notary or a private notary office; free-zone share certificates are issued under the free-zone authority's seal.
- Outdated MOA after a transfer. If shareholding changes, the MOA must be updated and re-notarised before applying for or renewing a partner visa under the new structure.
How this differs from the Golden Visa investor route
Both are investor-based residence visas, but they sit at very different scales.
| Aspect | Partner / Investor Visa | Golden Visa Investor |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 1 to 3 years, renewable | 10 years, renewable |
| Minimum capital | AED 50,000 – 72,000 in paid-up shares | AED 2 million in real estate, deposit, or licensed business capital |
| Sponsorship | Trade license sponsors the holder | Self-sponsored, no UAE entity needed |
| Family | Spouse, children, domestic staff (within sponsorship rules) | Spouse, children of any age, in-laws, domestic staff |
| Absence rule | Cancelled after 6 months outside UAE | No cancellation regardless of absence |
| Best for | Active founders and SME shareholders | HNW investors, large-property owners, fund investors |
Common mistakes
- Applying with a trade license that has lapsed or has unpaid renewal dues.
- Using an old MOA after a recent share transfer instead of the freshly notarised version.
- Forgetting to renew the establishment card before each visa cycle, which can cause the entry permit to be rejected automatically.
- Confusing the partner visa with the Golden investor route — and being surprised by the more frequent renewal cycle.
- Relying on a passive shareholding (silent partner) without being named in the MOA. Silent partners cannot generally claim a partner visa.
Frequently asked questions
Can multiple shareholders each get a partner visa?
Yes. Each named shareholder meeting the minimum capital can apply for their own partner visa. There is no firm cap, but each visa requires its own quota allocation under the establishment card.
What if my company is loss-making this year?
Profitability is not a renewal criterion. The license must be active and the establishment card valid; trading performance is not reviewed.
Can a free-zone partner visa let me work outside the free zone?
The visa allows residence anywhere in the UAE, but the company can only invoice mainland clients via a local distributor or the dual-licensing pathway available in some free zones. The visa itself is valid nationwide.
Do I still need a local Emirati sponsor?
For most commercial and industrial activities, no. 100 percent foreign ownership has been the default since 2021. A handful of strategic activities still require Emirati participation.
Can I move from a partner visa to a Golden Visa later?
Yes. If your business or personal investments grow to meet the AED 2 million threshold you can apply for a Golden Visa. Many founders use the partner visa as a stepping stone and graduate to the Golden Visa once revenue or property equity supports it.
Can my spouse also be a shareholder and have her own partner visa?
Yes. Spouses are frequently named as joint shareholders, each holding a partner visa under the same trade license.
What happens if I sell my shares?
Once the share transfer is reflected in the MOA, the outgoing partner's visa must be cancelled. The buyer can then apply under the new MOA for their own partner visa.
How we help
Visa Simplified handles the entire investor / partner visa lifecycle, from MOA notarisation through establishment card setup, entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, family sponsorship, and Golden Visa upgrades when the time comes. See our freelance and business visa services or compare against our Golden Visa eligibility guide if you are weighing both options.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.