Business Setup in Dubai: Visa Options for Entrepreneurs & Employees

Amelia Harper

September 15, 2025

Business Setup in Dubai: Visa Options for Entrepreneurs & Employees

It is the dream of many people to start a company in Dubai. It is currently one of the leading business centres in the world. Thousands of companies are started here each year, large and small. However, one should know about visas before establishing a business. The correct visa can assist you in living, working, and expanding your business without any hassle.

In this paper, we shall describe it all regarding Business Setup in Dubai and the visa that is granted to entrepreneurs, partners, employees, and families.

Why Dubai for Business Setup?

Dubai is favourable to entrepreneurs due to:

  • Zero personal income tax
  • By being between East and West
  • Advanced infrastructure
  • World-class lifestyle
  • Investor-friendly laws

It renders Business Setup in Dubai one of the most preferred options by entrepreneurs. But to remain and work here, you must have the right type of visa.

Types of Visas for Business Owners

To start a business in Dubai, you require the correct visa. Owners and employees can make other choices. Some visas give short stays. Others allow long-term plans. All types of visas have advantages for business development and family.

1. Dubai Investor Visa

The partner visa as well.

  • Distributed when you invest in a business or hold shares.
  • Available between 2 and 3 years (in rare cases, 10 years with the Golden Visa).
  • Allows you to live, work, and sponsor family members.

It is the ideal choice in the case of entrepreneurs aiming for long-term residence. Dubai Investor Visa also offers credibility during business in the UAE.

2. Partner Visa UAE

  • Nearly similar to an investor visa.
  • Offered to people who are shareholders in a firm.
  • Necessary in case you are a partner of a mainland or free zone company.
  • Easy renewal process.

Two partners who are partners in one company can apply as individuals for a Partner Visa UAE.

3. Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs

  • UAE special visa.
  • Valid for 5 or 10 years.
  • Offered to investors, entrepreneurs, and talented professionals.
  • These are advantages such as stability, freedom to spend more time outside the UAE, and the ability to sponsor family to spend the same time.

The Golden Visa has become the favourite of many entrepreneurs due to its business advantages and long-term security.

Visas for Employees

When establishing a company, you may be interested in recruiting employees. The employees should also require the correct visa.

1. Employee Sponsorship Dubai

  • The firm is the sponsor.
  • A visa is valid for 2 to 3 years.
  • Employer offers a contract, work permit, and Emirates ID.
  • The employees are allowed to invite family members once they have fulfilled salary expectations.

It is the most prevalent type of visa among the workers in Dubai.

2. Freelance Visa Option

  • In the case of independent workers.
  • No need for one employer.
  • Applicable to IT, marketing, designers, and media experts.

There is also the option of upgrading freelancers to an investor or partner visa when they open a company.

Family Residency with Business

Dubai will give you a chance to bring your family, provided you have a company or a valid visa.

  • Under the Dubai Investor Visa or Partner Visa UAE, you may sponsor your spouse, children, and even parents.
  • Their families can also be sponsored by employees who have a specified salary (the average is AED 4,000 to AED 5,000 a month).
  • Your visa validity is connected to the family residence.

It makes Dubai a good place to settle as an entrepreneur who would like to be with the family.

Step-by-Step: Getting a Visa with Business Setup

Obtaining a visa under a business setup is an understandable process. You should select the appropriate company type, make the proper registration, and consider the visa application steps attentively.

Step 1: Choose Business Structure

Choose whether you would like a mainland, free zone, or offshore company. Both of the options provide various rules, ownership rights, and activities. It is one of the aspects to be considered carefully since it impacts business control and benefits.

Step 2: Register the Company

Register to begin with a trade license. Write up the Memorandum of Association (MOA) with your associates. Registration makes your company lawful, and it can commence business activities in the UAE.

Step 3: Application for an Establishment Card.

A visa needs an establishment card. It connects immigration and your company. You cannot issue company visas without it. Submit your application in time so that no time is lost in future processes.

Step 4: Submit Visa Application

First, obtain your entry permit. Upon arrival, do medical tests and Emirates ID. Then, have your passport visa stamped to establish your official status of residency.

Step 5: Sponsors, Family, and Employees.

Business owners can sponsor family or workers. Produce documents such as salary slips or business files. The dependent visas have income requirements. It gives relatives or employees the right to remain.

Advantages of selecting the appropriate Visa.

With the right visa, things would be pretty good:

  • Legal stay in Dubai
  • The capability of opening a bank account.
  • Sponsor dependents easily
  • Apply for a driver’s license and utilities.
  • Access government services
  • Golden Visa long-term security.

In the absence of the appropriate visa, your business trip may be delayed, and you may be fined.

Costs of Visas in Dubai

The costs of a visa can differ according to type:

  • Investor / Partner Visa UAE: approximately 4000-7000 AED.
  • Employee Visa: AED 3,000- AED 6,000 (per head)
  • Golden Visa: More expensive and longer.
  • Family Residency: AED 2,500 – AED 4,000

Note: Prices vary depending on medical test, insurance, and service costs.

Golden Visa Business Benefits

One of the most appealing opportunities of the present day is the UAE Golden Visa. Some benefits include:

  • No need for local sponsor
  • 5 or 10-year validity
  • Same-duration family residency.
  • Several authorised business operations.
  • Easy global travel
  • Increased investor credibility.

The Golden Visa offers peace and long-term stability to serious entrepreneurs.

Free Zone vs Mainland Visa Options

With the establishment of a business in the UAE, you will have to select a free zone or the mainland. Both have various advantages and provisions. The decision you make will have an impact on ownership, visa privileges, and business opportunities within the country.

Free Zone Companies

  • 100% foreign ownership
  • Easyly available investor visa and partner visa.
  • Most zones have no corporate tax.
  • Restricted to operations within the free zone unless otherwise stated.

Mainland Companies

  • Can work anywhere in the UAE
  • Can employ unlimited employees (based on the size of the office)
  • Greater access to types of visas.
  • At times, it needs a local service agent.

The correct selection of setup will be based on the target market and objectives.

Final Thoughts

The city of Dubai is a business haven. However, the journey begins with the appropriate visa. Regardless of the option of Dubai Investor Visa, Partner Visa UAE, and employee sponsorship, each one has its own advantages. In the case of long-term plans, the Golden Visa is most suitable due to the benefits and stability of the business.

The process of visa facilitation eases your Business Setup in Dubai. When you have the right visa, then you can concentrate on what is most important, and that is the expansion of your business.