UAE Investor Visa — 2 to 10-year residency
A UAE investor visa gives you residency through your business or investment — letting you live in the country, sponsor your family and bank as a resident. Here is how the two, five and ten-year options work, who qualifies, what it costs in 2026 and how we handle the whole process.
What this guide covers
Quick summary
- Who it suits: founders, shareholders and property investors who want UAE residency.
- Residency: 2 years (company or property), 5 years (AED 2m+), or 10 years via the Golden Visa.
- Cost: roughly AED 4,000–7,000 per person for a company-linked visa, plus your licence.
- Family: sponsor your spouse, children and often parents once your visa is active.
- Timeline: typically completed within 1–3 weeks alongside company setup.
What the UAE investor visa is
The UAE investor visa is a residence visa granted to people who own a business or hold a qualifying investment in the country. It lets you live in the UAE, sponsor your family, open personal and corporate bank accounts, and run your company as a resident rather than a visitor. Depending on how you invest, the residency runs for two, five or ten years and is renewable.
In practice, most founders get their residency through the company they set up — the partner or investor route — while property owners and larger investors can access the longer five and ten-year options. The right path depends on what you are investing in and how long you want to stay, and that is the first thing we help you work out.
The main investor visa options
There is no single investor visa — there are a few routes, and the differences matter for cost and length of stay.
| Route | Typical basis | Residency | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partner / investor visa | Shareholder in a UAE company | 2 years, renewable | Founders who set up a mainland or free zone company |
| Property investor visa | Property worth AED 750,000+ | 2 years, renewable | Real-estate buyers wanting residency |
| 5-year investor visa | Property or investment of AED 2,000,000+ | 5 years | Larger property or business investors |
| 10-year Golden Visa | Investment of AED 2,000,000+ or qualifying business | 10 years | Serious investors seeking long-term security |
If the ten-year route fits you, read our dedicated Golden Visa guide — it covers the full list of categories and conditions. Not sure which you qualify for? Our free eligibility checker gives you an answer in about two minutes.
Who qualifies
Eligibility is straightforward for most founders and investors. The common requirements are:
- A qualifying investment. Ownership in a UAE company, or property/financial investment at the threshold for the visa you want.
- A clean record. A clear criminal background and a valid passport.
- A medical fitness test. A standard test done inside the UAE.
- Proof of investment. A trade licence and share certificate for a company, or a title deed for property.
You do not need to be resident in the UAE before you apply — most clients start the process alongside their company formation and complete the medical and Emirates ID steps on a short visit.
Investor visa cost in 2026
The visa itself is only part of the picture. For a company-linked investor visa, budget for the establishment card, the entry permit, the medical test, the Emirates ID and the visa stamping. Altogether these usually land in the region of AED 4,000 to AED 7,000 per person, on top of your trade licence. Property and Golden Visa routes carry their own government fees and, for property, a valuation. We give you an itemised quote up front so there are no surprises — you can also model your full setup with our cost calculator.
How the investor visa process works
For a company-linked visa, the residency runs alongside your business setup. Aurum handles every step end to end.
Set up or confirm your investment
We form your company or confirm your qualifying property, and prepare the share certificate or title deed.
Establishment card & entry permit
We register your company with immigration and issue your entry permit so you can begin the residency.
Medical & Emirates ID
You complete a quick medical fitness test and biometrics for your Emirates ID inside the UAE.
Visa stamping
Your residence visa is issued and linked to your Emirates ID — you are now a UAE resident.
Sponsor your family
With your residency active, we sponsor your spouse, children and, where eligible, parents.
Sponsoring your family
Once your own residency is active, you can sponsor your immediate family — spouse and children, and often parents — subject to the usual salary or investment conditions. Each dependant goes through the same entry permit, medical and Emirates ID steps. If your team also needs residency, our employment and family visa guide covers staff work permits and dependant sponsorship in full.
Official sources
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)
- UAE Government portal — residence visas
Investor visa FAQs
How much investment do I need for a UAE investor visa?
It depends on the route. A company-linked partner visa is based on owning a UAE business rather than a fixed sum. A property investor visa needs property worth around AED 750,000, the 5-year visa needs roughly AED 2,000,000, and the 10-year Golden Visa needs a qualifying investment of about AED 2,000,000.
How long is an investor visa valid?
Company and standard property investor visas are usually valid for 2 years and are renewable. Larger investments can qualify for 5-year or 10-year residency.
Can I sponsor my family on an investor visa?
Yes. Once your residency is active you can sponsor your spouse and children, and often your parents, subject to the standard conditions.
Do I need to live in the UAE to keep the visa?
You must not stay outside the UAE for more than six continuous months on a standard residence visa, or your residency can lapse. The Golden Visa is more flexible and is not cancelled by long absences.
Can I get residency by buying property?
Yes. Property worth around AED 750,000 can qualify you for a renewable investor visa, and AED 2,000,000 or more can qualify you for longer-term residency including the Golden Visa.
How long does the process take?
For a company-linked visa, most clients complete the entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping within one to three weeks of the company being formed.
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