Dubai mainland visa quotas in 2026 follow the 9 sqm-per-visa rule, modulated by your Ejari office classification and MOHRE establishment card limit. The Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) caps visas based on space; MOHRE sets salary thresholds (AED 4,000–5,000 for family sponsorship). Quota expansion requires dual approval from both bodies.
What Is the 9 sqm-Per-Visa Rule in Dubai 2026?
Every employment visa issued by a Dubai mainland company must be backed by a minimum of 9 square metres of registered office space on your Ejari lease. This baseline—set by the Department of Economy & Tourism (DET)—applies across all business setups. Your Dubai mainland company formation must include an Ejari-registered office that meets this threshold per sponsored visa. If you sponsor 5 visas, you need a minimum 45 sqm lease; 10 visas require 90 sqm.
Unsure if your current space qualifies? Contact DBS on WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 for a free Ejari-to-quota audit.
DED Office Classification & Visa Allocation Tiers
The Department of Economy & Tourism recognises three Ejari classifications, each with different visa entitlements:
| Ejari Office Type | Size Range | Typical Visa Quota | Renewal Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Centre / Flexi-Desk | < 45 sqm shared | 0–2 visas | AED 1,500–3,000/year |
| Executive / Dedicated Desk | 45–100 sqm | 3–8 visas | AED 8,000–15,000/year |
| Full Private Office | 100+ sqm | 8+ visas (MOHRE permit req’d) | AED 15,000–30,000+/year |
Each tier’s visa entitlement is strictly tied to the 9 sqm baseline. Upgrading your office classification on Ejari unlocks higher quotas, but you must also align MOHRE establishment card capacity—see below.
MOHRE Establishment Card & Visa Quota Cap
Your MOHRE establishment card sets an upper ceiling on employment visas independent of office space. Even if your 200 sqm Ejari allows 22 visas (200÷9), MOHRE may cap you at 8 visas based on your company’s establishment category and minimum capital reserves. The two systems work in parallel: your actual visa quota = the lower of (Ejari sqm ÷ 9) or (MOHRE establishment card limit). To raise MOHRE quota beyond the baseline, you must submit a written request to the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation with business-case justification, typically requiring additional paid-up capital (AED 50,000–250,000 range) or operational evidence.
Need help filing a MOHRE quota-increase request? DBS has secured approvals for 200+ clients—WhatsApp us today.
Family Visa Salary Thresholds & Sponsorship Rules
Employees earning AED 4,000 or above can sponsor one spouse and children under 21; those earning AED 5,000+ may sponsor additional family members. These thresholds are set by the General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and sit separate from your company’s employment visa quota. You do not need to expand your office or request extra MOHRE allocation to sponsor family visas—provided your employee meets the salary floor. However, if you wish to sponsor a dependent without a salary contract (e.g., a family member working unpaid), you’ll need written GDRFA approval and may face additional security-clearance delays.
How to Request Extra Visas Beyond Your Baseline Quota
To exceed your current 9 sqm-per-visa entitlement, follow this two-stage process:
Stage 1: Expand your Ejari – Upgrade your lease to a larger office space and re-register it with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). The new sqm ÷ 9 becomes your DET-approved quota.
Stage 2: Align MOHRE – Submit a formal request to MOHRE’s Immigration & Visa Department (part of the Establishment Card renewal) with your expanded Ejari, copies of your business licence, and a letter outlining operational need. Approval typically takes 5–15 working days; MOHRE may request proof of paid-up capital increase (AED 50k–200k range, depending on sector).
Rejection is rare if both conditions are met, but timeline and cost depend on your company’s history and sector. Dubai business setup advisors at DBS can guide the paperwork and timing.
Common Pitfalls: Business Centre Visas & Quota Misalignment
A frequent misconception is that a Business Centre (shared-desk) Ejari automatically unlocks visas. In reality, most Business Centre Ejaris are 0-visa tenancies—the operator may hold a master licence, but individual desk-holders cannot sponsor staff. If your lease explicitly states “for visa purposes” and allocates dedicated sqm (even 9–18), you may qualify for 1–2 visas; however, this requires MOHRE written confirmation. Never assume a flexi-desk Ejari permits visas without written confirmation from both DET and MOHRE. Many mainland startups discover this mid-setup, forcing costly relocations or visa-cancellations.
2026 Updates: Free Zones & Special Visa Concessions
Dubai’s free zones (Jebel Ali, DMCC, DAFZA, Dubai Silicon Oasis, etc.) operate under different visa rules set by their respective authorities, not DET or MOHRE. Free-zone companies typically enjoy relaxed sqm-to-visa ratios and faster quota approvals, though they carry higher annual licensing fees (AED 10,000–50,000+ range). Mainland companies remain bound by the 9 sqm rule. If you’re considering a free-zone shift for visa flexibility, factor in the licensing cost—often double or treble mainland setup fees. DBS’s free consultation includes a free-zone vs. mainland visa-cost breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
How many visas can a Dubai mainland LLC get in 2026?
Your baseline quota = (Ejari office sqm) ÷ 9, capped by your MOHRE establishment card. A 45 sqm executive office allows up to 5 visas; a 90 sqm full office allows up to 10, subject to MOHRE approval. To exceed your establishment card limit, file a quota-increase request with MOHRE and prove additional paid-up capital (AED 50k–200k+).
Does the 9 sqm-per-visa rule still apply in 2026?
Yes, the 9 sqm baseline remains DET’s standard in 2026. Every employment visa must be supported by a minimum 9 sqm registered office space on your Ejari lease. This applies to all mainland companies. Free-zone operators follow their zone’s own rules, which often permit lower sqm-to-visa ratios but charge higher licence fees.
Can a Business Centre or flexi-desk Ejari unlock visas?
Rarely. Most business-centre tenancies are zero-visa (‘visa not permitted’). A shared-desk Ejari must explicitly state allocated dedicated space and ‘for visa purposes’ to qualify. Even then, you typically get 0–2 visas max. Always request written confirmation from DET and MOHRE before signing a business-centre lease if visa sponsorship is critical.
What’s the difference between Ejari for visa quota vs MOHRE quota?
Ejari (registered by RERA) determines your DET-approved sqm-based ceiling. MOHRE establishes your card limit based on capital and sector. Your actual quota = whichever is lower. Example: 90 sqm Ejari = 10 visa entitlement, but MOHRE caps you at 5 visas—you can only sponsor 5 until MOHRE approves an increase.
How are extra-visa requests approved by DET and MOHRE?
Submit a letter to MOHRE’s Immigration & Visa Department with your expanded Ejari copy, business licence, and capital-increase proof (AED 50k–200k range). DET auto-approves based on updated Ejari sqm. MOHRE’s approval takes 5–15 working days and is rarely refused if Ejari and capital are proven. Rejection signals financial-viability concerns.
Can a Dubai mainland LLC sponsor family visas without office expansion?
Yes. Family visa sponsorship (spouse, children under 21) relies on your employee’s salary (AED 4,000+), not your office size or company quota. You do not need to request extra MOHRE visas or expand Ejari to sponsor a qualifying relative. However, non-wage-earning dependants may trigger GDRFA security checks.
What salary threshold do I need to sponsor family in Dubai 2026?
GDRFA requires AED 4,000 minimum monthly salary to sponsor one spouse and children; AED 5,000+ for additional dependents. The salary must be on your employee’s labour contract and evidenced in Emirates ID records. Family visa fees range AED 1,200–2,500 per person, plus processing (1–3 weeks typical).
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