10yearsUAE Partner Visa Dubai, UAE
10yearsUAE Partner Visa Dubai, UAE
Gain full residency by becoming a business partner with company ownership, giving you complete sponsorship privileges.
What is a UAE Partner Visa?
The UAE partner visa is a residence permit for individuals holding a significant ownership stake, typically 25%+ shares or AED 1 million+ capital, in a UAE-registered company. It is designed for business partners, shareholders, or investors actively managing operations, enabling legal residency.
Issued by the GDRFA, the visa requires a valid trade license, partnership agreement, and Emirates ID registration. Valid for 2–3 years, it is renewable as long as the company remains operational. The partner acts as a self-sponsored resident, while the company serves as the sponsoring entity to ensure regulatory compliance.
Partner Visa Benefits
Business Ownership
Full legal authority to own, manage, operate UAE company; residency tied directly to business shareholding.
Self-Sponsorship
Act as self-sponsored resident; no employer dependency; manage business independently without external sponsor.
Family Sponsorship
Sponsor spouse, children, parents with minimum income; family receives residency matching partner visa validity.
Residency Stability
2–3 year validity renewable indefinitely; continuous legal residency provided business remains operational.
Tax-Free Income
No personal income tax; partners enjoy tax-free salaries, profits, dividends; significant financial advantage.
Business Expansion
Establish multiple ventures, expand operations, open branches; residency supports entrepreneurial growth.
Partner Visa Pathways in UAE
UAE partner visa accommodates various business partnership scenarios. Below are six primary pathways with specific requirements and characteristics.
1. New Company Establishment
Establish a new company in the UAE, register a trade license, and obtain a partner visa as a founding shareholder. Begin operations immediately from inception.
Requirements
- •Company Registration: Register new company through DED (mainland) or free zone authority; obtain valid trade license.
- •Founding Shareholder: Partner visa issued to founding shareholders meeting minimum investment and shareholding thresholds.
- •Capital Investment: AED 1 million+ paid-up capital (mainland) or zone-specific amount for free zones.
- •Partnership Agreement: Attested partnership agreement specifying roles, responsibilities, profit-sharing, shareholding percentages.
2. Existing Company Partnership
Purchase shares in an existing company meeting the required threshold, register as a partner, and apply for a residency visa after acquiring your shares.
Requirements
- •Share Purchase: Acquire minimum 25% shareholding or AED 1 million+ stake in existing operational company.
- •Partnership Agreement: Updated Memorandum of Association reflecting new partner; attested by relevant authorities.
- •Company Performance: Company must demonstrate operational status with financial statements, bank transactions, business activities.
- •Transfer Documentation: Share transfer certificates, purchase agreements, payment proof confirming ownership transfer.
3. Free Zone Partner
Register a company in a UAE free zone with lower investment thresholds, full 100% ownership, and obtain a partner visa through a simplified process.
Requirements
- •Free Zone Registration: Company registered in designated free zone (DMCC, JAFZA, DAFZA, others).
- •Investment Threshold: Varies by zone (AED 72,000–1 million); lower than mainland requirements typically.
- •100% Ownership: Foreign nationals can own 100% shares; no UAE national sponsor required.
- •Zone-Specific Rules: Comply with individual free zone regulations regarding business activities and licensing.
4. Mainland Partner
Partner with a UAE national holding 51% ownership, retain a 49% stake, invest AED 1M, and obtain a mainland residency visa with a local sponsor.
Requirements
- •Local Sponsor: UAE national must hold minimum 51% ownership stake as required by mainland regulations.
- •Foreign Stake: Foreign partner owns up to 49% shares meeting AED 1 million minimum investment threshold.
- •DED Registration: Company registered with Department of Economic Development; valid trade license obtained.
- •Partnership Terms: Clear agreement with local sponsor defining roles, profit distribution, operational control.
5. Multi-Company Partnership
Hold shares in multiple companies, combine your ownership, choose a primary sponsor, and maintain a single UAE residency visa.
Requirements
- •Multiple Shareholdings: Ownership stakes in two or more UAE companies simultaneously maintained.
- •Primary Sponsor: Select one company as primary sponsor for residency visa application and renewal.
- •NOC from Others: Other companies provide No Objection Certificates acknowledging partner's multiple business interests.
- •Combined Activities: Partner visa allows business activities across all companies; operations managed simultaneously.
6. Foreign Investor Partnership
Purchase shares in a UAE company, meet the required investment threshold, and manage operations either remotely or on-site as needed.
Requirements
- •International Investment: Foreign investor purchasing shares from home country; remote investment permitted.
- •Minimum Threshold: AED 1 million+ investment or 25%+ shareholding regardless of investor location.
- •Management Options: Can manage operations remotely or relocate to UAE; residency supports both approaches.
- •Investment Proof: Bank transfers, share certificates, investment agreements proving capital contribution documented.
| Business Type | Minimum Investment | Shareholding | Local Sponsor | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland Company | AED 1M+ paid-up capital | Significant stake (25%+) | Required (51% UAE national) | 2–3 years |
| Free Zone Company | Varies by zone (AED 72k–1M) | 25%+ shareholding | Not required | 2–3 years |
| Professional Services | AED 1M+ paid-up capital | Partner/director status | Required (mainland) | 2–3 years |
| Trading Company | AED 1M+ paid-up capital | 25%+ ownership | Required (mainland) | 2–3 years |
Common Required Documents for UAE Partner Visa
Passport Copy
Valid passport with minimum 6 months remaining validity; spare visa pages available for stamping.
Trade License
Valid company trade license issued by DED (mainland) or free zone authority showing company operational status.
Partnership Agreement
Attested partnership agreement specifying roles, responsibilities, profit-sharing, shareholding percentages clearly defined.
Investment Proof
Bank statements (6 months), share certificates, paid-up capital evidence demonstrating investment contribution.
Medical Fitness
Medical fitness certificate from approved UAE health center including chest X-ray and blood tests.
Health Insurance
Health insurance policy covering minimum emirate requirements; mandatory for visa processing approval.
Partner Visa Renewal Process
Step 1: Prepare Early
Start the renewal process at least 30 days before expiry. Renew the company trade license first and gather updated documents, including financial statements.
Step 2: Medical Re-screening
Schedule a medical fitness test and obtain an updated health certificate. Renew the health insurance policy before it expires.
Step 3: Submit Renewal
File the renewal application via GDRFA, uploading the updated trade license, passport, medical report, insurance proof, and bank statements.
Step 4: Pay Renewal Fees
Pay the renewal fees (AED 1,000–2,000), track the application through the portal, and respond promptly to any queries from authorities.
Step 5: Collect Renewed Visa
Receive the renewed partner visa valid for 2–3 years, collect the updated Emirates ID, and confirm continuous residency status.
UAE Partner Visa Services
Rizmona facilitates partner visa sponsorships managing company registration, documentation preparation, GDRFA coordination, and visa processing seamlessly. Expert team handles trade license registration, partnership agreements, investment verification, medical coordination, visa submissions—ensuring smooth approval. Accurate guidance on partner visa regulations. Specialists experienced in mainland partnerships, free zone setups, shareholding requirements, renewal procedures.
UAE Partner Visa Services
Rizmona facilitates partner visa sponsorships managing company registration, documentation preparation, GDRFA coordination, and visa processing seamlessly. Expert team handles trade license registration, partnership agreements, investment verification, medical coordination, visa submissions—ensuring smooth approval. Accurate guidance on partner visa regulations. Specialists experienced in mainland partnerships, free zone setups, shareholding requirements, renewal procedures.
