Thousands bring their companies to the UAE every year to take advantage of the low taxes, unique location, business-friendly regulations, and easy access to investors. Before you move to the UAE or any of its cities, you’ll need to get a business visa for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or other emirates if you expect to run or work at a business in the country. There are multiple paths to getting a UAE or Dubai business visa and we’re ready to help you find the one that works best for you. If you’re ready to experience life on the other side and bring your business to the most exciting cities on earth, RelocateUAE is ready to help you achieve that dream.
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Business visas in the UAE come in two general types, and you should choose one that suits the needs of you or your business.
A UAE Green Visa is the best option for investors that want to live in the UAE to invest in business ventures or as a self-employed individual. It allows you to live in the country for up to five years before renewal and is specifically designed for freelancers, skilled employees, and investors. To qualify for an investor visa as a freelancer, you need to have at least a bachelor's degree and proof of your self-employment income that should not be less than AED 360,000 ($98,000). If you’re coming to the UAE to work for another company, you will need a minimum salary of AED 15,000 ($4,000) per month and have a valid UAE employment contract. You will also need to qualify as either a first, second, or third level professional as detailed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). Finally, for investors or partners of existing companies in the UAE, you must have already invested AED 1 million.
Golden Visas in the UAE are designed for business people who are interested in starting or moving a business to the UAE, investing in an existing venture, or if your profession qualifies as ‘outstanding specialised talent.’ This visa allows you to invest, grants you tax benefits, gives you a path to residency, allows you to bring your family to the UAE, and comes in either five year or ten year residency limits. While Golden Visas are ideal for investors in public investments, real estate, and entrepreneurs, you can also qualify if you work as one of the outstanding specialised talents. This includes doctors, scientists, creative people of culture and art, executives, humanitarian workers, real estate investors, entrepreneurs, investors, athletes, engineers, AI engineers, students, or data scientists. Each of these professions have their own requirements that are detailed on the UAE government portal.
Entrepreneurs can get a Golden Visa if they meet certain requirements and can be granted either a five year or ten year residency. The five year UAE business visa requirements for entrepreneurs are that you own or plan to start an economic-focused project that deals with technical excellence or innovation. You need to obtain approval letters from an auditor in the UAE that can show your project is worth at least AED 500,000 ($136,000), UAE authorities that can make an assessment on the technical or innovative nature of your business, and a UAE-accredited business incubator. You will also need a valid passport, health insurance, and proof of housing in the UAE. For the ten year type, you need to also show that you are the owner or a partner of a business project that has approval from a UAE-based business incubator, ICP, or the local Ministry of Economy.
Getting a business visa in Dubai is similar to getting a business visa in any other emirate. You need to have a completed UAE visa application, a copy of your passport with more than six months to expiry, two copies of recent passport sized photographs on a white background, an invitation letter from a UAE-based sponsor (unless you meet certain criteria waiving this requirement), and a letter from an employer in the UAE that proves your start date and salary (if you’re seeking work instead of bringing your own business or investment). RelocateUAE started out by helping people move themselves and their businesses specifically to Dubai. We understand the allure of the city, and how its business landscape compares to other established metropolises in Western Europe, North America, and Asia. Taxes, regulations, and business legislation are all more business-forward in the UAE, making it an attractive destination for new business owners and senior partners alike. If you’re ready to see what your business can do free of over-regulation, contact RelocateUAE today for a free consultation.
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