How do I apply for an investor visa in Dubai?

An investor (or partner) visa in Dubai is a residence permit granted to people who own or hold a share in a UAE company, allowing self-sponsorship. The general process starts with establishing or holding a stake in a licensed business — either on the mainland (licensed through the Department of Economy and Tourism) or in a free zone. With a valid trade licence and proof of ownership/shareholding, you apply for an entry permit or status change, complete the medical fitness test, obtain your Emirates ID, and have the residence visa stamped. Applications in Dubai are processed through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and the federal ICP smart services. Required documents typically include the trade licence, memorandum of association or share certificate, passport, photos, and health insurance. Investment thresholds, validity periods and fees are set by the authorities and differ for standard investor visas versus longer-term routes such as the Golden Visa, and they are updated periodically — so confirm current criteria on gdrfad.gov.ae or u.ae. For company structuring and the right visa route, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI.