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Dubai Business visa

With a goal to position Dubai as a global business and commercial center, the UAE government issued many visa types. The Dubai business visa is offered to experienced business people and outstanding achievers, who are looking to work, invest, or start-up a business in Dubai.

The business visa in Dubai aims to attract highly experienced and skilled foreign nationals wishing to engage in and promote local business activities in Dubai. To that end, holders of the Dubai business visa will have the right to enter Dubai multiple times for long-term stays, giving them ample time to set up, develop, and run their business in Dubai. Business visa holders will also be able to sponsor their family members, as well as nominate 3 business associates for residency.

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Eligibility

Foreign nationals from any country – with entrepreneurial experience in setting up a business, and who wish to set up a business in Dubai – are eligible to apply for a Dubai business visa. Applicants for the business visas are eligible if they can prove the following:

  • Have entrepreneurial experience during their career
  • Have been a majority shareholder or held a senior leadership position in a start-up
  • Be willing to relocate to the UAE and set up a business in the UAE
  • Have a business plan to be implemented in the UAE
 

Satisfying the above conditions does not guarantee approval of the UAE business visa. Each application is reviewed on an individual basis, and, if approved, eligible foreign nationals will also need to pass the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security requirements, which includes a health evaluation and background check.

 

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A one-month or six-month temporary visa is granted, depending on whether you are applying from within or outside the UAE. This one-month or six-month temporary visa must then be converted into a residency permit before the temporary visa’s expiration. 

The UAE government incubator that will approve the applicant’s nomination for the Dubai business visa will depend on whether applicant intends to set up a business in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Requirements

If you are eligible to apply for a Dubai business visa, you should first be nominated by a UAE government incubator. If your nomination is approved, then you will be invited to apply on the Dubai golden visa platform, via the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship & Ports Authority portal. There, you will be asked to complete a visa application form and upload a set of required documents.

It is important to note that meeting the requirements for the Dubai business visa does not guarantee that your business visa will be approved.

Application steps

Dubai business visa applicants should apply in the following manner:

Get nominated

Get nominated by a UAE government incubator. If nomination approved, you will be sent a link to the Dubai golden visa platform.

Apply online

Apply online Fill out and submit Dubai visa application form and upload the required documents on the Dubai golden visa platform, via the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship & Ports Authority portal.

Await the decision

Receive an email detailing on how you should proceed to retrieve your business visa.

If approved, you will be issued a temporary visit visa – 6 months if you are living outside of Dubai, or 1 month if you live in Dubai – which you will need to change into a Dubai residency permit before the temporary visa’s expiration date.

Processing time

All Dubai e-Visas take between 4 to 5 business days to be fully processed and issued. It is always recommended that you apply early, in case of delays or unforeseen circumstances.

Visa extension

The one-month or six-month temporary visa cannot be extended, since this provisional time is given in order for applicants to convert the temporary visa into a Dubai residency permit. Dubai residency permits can then be renewed, as long as the Dubai business visa holder meets the eligibility requirements.

Validity​

Initially, Dubai business visa holders will be given a multiple-entry temporary visa, in order to enter Dubai and explore business opportunities and living arrangements. Once the temporary visa has been issued, it will be valid for 60 days, during which the foreign national can enter Dubai. The temporary visa must then be converted into a Dubai residency permit before the business visa’s expiration date. For those residing within the UAE, a one-month temporary visa is given, while a 6-month temporary visa is given to those living outside the UAE. Accordingly, those residing within the UAE have one month to convert their temporary visa into a residency permit; those residing outside of the UAE have 6 months.

Dubai visa FAQ

Yes, the Dubai business visa can be rejected if applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements. And, even if applicant meets the eligibility requirements, they must then meet the requirements of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security requirements, including a health evaluation and background check.

For those residing within the UAE, a one-month temporary visa is given, while a 6-month temporary visa is given to those living outside the UAE, after which the one-month or six-month temporary visa must then be converted into a residency permit. The residency permit can then be renewed, as long as the Dubai business visa holder meets the necessary requirements. It’s also important to consider the Dubai business visa price, as it can vary based on factors like visa type and duration.

If you meet the requirements – including having entrepreneurial experience, being a majority shareholder or having held a senior leadership position in a start-up, being willing to relocate to the UAE and establish a business there, and having a business plan to implement in the UAE – you may be eligible for a business visa in Dubai. Many international professionals choose to work in Dubai’s free zones, benefiting from the advantages of a freezone visa Dubai offers, which allows them to work in a tax-free environment with simplified business procedures. This visa option is especially advantageous if you’re considering setting up in one of Dubai’s free zones. These designated areas offer benefits such as tax exemptions and simplified company setup procedures. Once a business visa has been granted, Dubai affords its residents exceptional infrastructure and services for efficiently starting and operating a business in a dynamic environment.

Entrepreneurs looking to establish their presence in Dubai often explore the advantages of obtaining a visa tailored for their company. This Dubai company visa allows them to legally operate and conduct business activities in the city while enjoying the benefits of the dynamic economic landscape.