Glossary · Residence Visa
What Is Residence Visa in the UAE
A UAE residence visa lets a person live in the country long term, issued through an employer, a family member or your own company. Company owners take the investor/partner route: license, establishment card, entry permit, medical, Emirates ID.
Why it matters
Why it matters when opening a company
The investor visa comes from your own company: 2,047 license packages in the snapshot include the investor-visa step, and the market reference for the whole visa step is about AED 4,850*.
The visa is tied to the license through the establishment card — a lapsed license takes the visa down with it.
Process
How it works
-
License issued and establishment card activated
Step 1 -
Entry permit filed in e-Channel
Step 2 -
Status change (or entry) plus the medical fitness test
Step 3 -
Emirates ID biometrics and visa stamping
Step 4
Mini-FAQ
Common questions
How long is a residence visa valid?
Typically 2 years, with some zones issuing 2–3 years and Golden visas running 10 — and it renews together with the license behind it.
Can my family get visas through my company?
Yes — investor and employee visa holders meeting salary and housing conditions can sponsor a spouse, children and in some cases parents.