Investor & Partner Visa in Dubai 2026 – Residency Through Company Ownership
An investor (partner) visa gives you UAE residency based on owning or holding a share in a licensed company — mainland or free zone. It is the natural residency route for business owners, is renewable, and opens a clear path toward the 10-year Golden Visa as your investment grows. Dubai Business Services arranges it alongside your company setup.
How It Works
Once your trade licence is issued and your shareholding is recorded, you become eligible for a residency visa as an investor or partner. The visa is typically valid for 2-3 years depending on the jurisdiction, is renewable, and lets you sponsor your family.
Requirements & Documents
- Valid trade licence
- Share certificate / Memorandum of Association showing your stake
- Establishment card and immigration file
- Passport, photo, medical fitness test and Emirates ID
Process & Timeline
- Company setup or confirmation of shareholding with DBS
- Establishment card and entry permit
- Status change, medical and Emirates ID biometrics
- Visa stamping and family sponsorship
For a new company, the licence and investor visa run as one workflow; the residency typically follows within days of the establishment card.
Cost — What Drives the Price
Your total combines the establishment card, the visa and its issuance fees, the medical and Emirates ID, plus DBS’s processing. Free-zone and mainland routes differ, as does the number of visas you run. DBS quotes the company and the investor visa together so the whole setup is transparent.
Why DBS
DBS issues your licence and your investor visa as one smooth workflow, records your shareholding correctly, and processes dependents — then advises when your investment qualifies you to upgrade to a Golden Visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the investor visa valid? Usually 2-3 years and renewable, depending on jurisdiction.
Can I sponsor my family? Yes — spouse and children, subject to the standard criteria.
Can it lead to a Golden Visa? Yes, once your investment meets the Golden Visa thresholds; DBS advises when to upgrade.
Mainland or free zone for the visa? Both work; DBS recommends based on your activity, market and visa needs.