Want to live in Dubai and run your own company? You can. UAE residency through business is a clear route as the recent stats show Dubai’s GDP increased by 4% to AED119.7 billion in Q1 2025. Ownership rules are friendly, processes are smoother, and most steps are predictable if you plan them well with the Momentum team.
What “Residency through Business” Means?
If you set up a company in Dubai and become a shareholder/partner, you can apply for a Dubai business residency visa as an investor. Your visa is tied to your active trade licence and your role in the company. Later, you can sponsor a family once you meet the basic criteria.
Dubai Residency Benefits
It is noteworthy that no more visa stickers are pasted in your passport since 2022 and your Emirates ID is the official proof of UAE residency.
- Live and work in the UAE.
- Open a bank account, sign a lease, get utilities and a UAE mobile plan.
- Access healthcare and schooling.
- Sponsor your spouse, children, and (in some cases) parents.
- Build in a global hub with strong transport links and business support.
Where to Set Up Business: Mainland, Free Zone or Offshore
Mainland (Dubai DET)
When you set up business in the mainland, you can operate across the UAE market, sell to any customer, and also bid for government work. Most activities now allow 100% foreign ownership. Office options range from flexi/desk to private offices, depending on your activity.
Free Zones
Fast setup, packages that include visa quotas, simplified customs for trade, and strong sector clusters. Free zone companies are ideal for international trade, services, and holding regional operations.
Offshore
It is useful for international activities, but no local visas and no onshore operations. If your goal is UAE residency through business, offshore is not the route.
Visa Options Linked to Business
Investor/Partner Visa
Your first option is Investor or Partner Visa and its validity is 2-3 years. You can also renew it before it expires. For shareholders/partners in a licensed UAE entity. With this visa, you can sponsor a family after meeting income and housing requirements.
Green Residence
Green Residence Visa is for 5 years and you can sponsor yourself. There are three possible tracks for it:
- Investor/Partner: proof you invest or partner in a UAE business.
- Skilled Employee: bachelor’s degree + minimum monthly salary (published thresholds apply).
- Freelancer/Self-Employed: income benchmarks or financial solvency + relevant permit.
Golden Visa
Your third option is Golden Visa with 10-years validity for qualifying investors and entrepreneurs. Golden Visa holders can stay outside the UAE for more than six months without cancelling residency.
Step-by-Step: Residency through Business Setup UAE
Step 1: Choose Your Business Activity
First, you will partner with Momentum. Your dedicated consultant will guide you on the business activity whether you want consultancy, trading, e-commerce, IT, manufacturing or any other. Your specific activity type decides licence type and approvals.
Step 2: Pick Your Jurisdiction
Mainland for selling across the UAE; free zone for international trade, services, and bundled visa packages. You should avoid offshore for residency purposes.
Step 3: Reserve Your Trade Name
Follow naming rules. Our consultant will explain the rules in detail. After name reservation, we will help you apply for the initial approval from the authority whether DET or the chosen free zone.
Step 4: Prepare Your Company Structure & Paperwork
We will assist you in creating the MOA/AOA or shareholder agreement and add shareholder details. Also, we will guide you on aligning the office model with your visa needs.
Step 5: Get Your Trade Licence
Once we submit your documents and everything is sorted out including payment, you receive a licence. At this stage, your company gets its legal identity.
Step 6: Immigration Registration
We also help you in getting your Establishment Card. This lets your company sponsor visas.
Step 7: Entry Permit
If you are outside the UAE, we will apply for an entry permit for you. It allows you to enter and complete the remaining steps with the support of the Momentum team. If you are already in the UAE, we can help you with a status change locally.
Step 8: Medical Fitness
Our team will also assist you with a medical fitness test. If you are aged 18+, you will complete tests at an approved centre.
Step 9: Emirates ID Biometrics & Application
We help you get through this step of fingerprints and photos smoothly. Then, you can track your ID online. When you receive it, your Emirates ID now carries your residency status.
Step 10: Health Insurance
Now you need to have an active policy when you process or renew your visa. Requirements vary by emirate, but Dubai expects valid cover.
Step 11: Residency Issued
After completing all steps through the Momentum team, your residency goes live in the ICP system and on your Emirates ID. Now you become an official resident of the UAE.
Documents Checklist
- Passport copy, passport-size photo (white background).
- Trade licence, MOA/AOA or shareholder agreement.
- Immigration Establishment Card.
- Office lease or flexi-desk agreement (as applicable).
- Entry permit (if applying from abroad) / status-change receipt (if inside UAE).
- Medical fitness result and health insurance certificate.
- Emirates ID application/biometrics receipts.
- For some roles: attested education certificates.
- For family sponsorship: tenancy contract and income/space proof as per GDRFA rules.
Banking & KYC: What to Expect
Opening a corporate account is a key milestone after licensing. You need to make sure that your licensed activity matches your actual operations. If there is a mismatch, approval can delay. Banks will usually ask for:
- In-person KYC with a relationship manager.
- Business plan or activity summary.
- Sample contracts, invoices, or a pipeline of clients.
- Minimum balance (often AED 10,000–100,000, varies by bank and account type).
Estimated Costs & Timelines
Actual costs depend on your activity, free zone vs mainland, office type, and number of visas. Use the ranges below as guidance, not a quote.
| Category | Estimated Cost / Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business Licence | AED 6,000 – 20,000+ | Depends on business activity and jurisdiction |
| Office Space | AED 8,000+ (virtual/flexi) to AED 50,000+ (private) | Cost varies by size and free zone/mainland location |
| Investor/Partner Visa Package (per person) | AED 3,000 – 6,000 | Includes medical, Emirates ID, and processing |
| Bank Account Setup | Setup fees vary; minimum balance AED 10,000 – 100,000 | Depends on the chosen bank |
| Timelines | 2 – 6 weeks after licence issuance | Covers visa steps: entry permit, status change, medical, ID, insurance, and approval |
Appointment availability and document quality are the main variables.
Partner with Momentum for Business Setup and UAE Residency
Momentum team not only supports you for business setup in Dubai but also helps you get your residency. We guide you on company formation documents and the requirements for Investor Visa.
Start Strong, Grow Fast with Momentum!
