Everyone knows that Dubai is one of the most popular destinations in the world to make investment visa due to its high living standards. Top entrepreneurs and investors worldwide are always on the lookout for the best investment opportunities there. Besides, investing in the region will always bring some kind of benefit for everyone involved.
When foreigners are looking to invest in the United Arab Emirates, they need to solicit an investor visa. Sometimes, the process of soliciting this type of visa can be lengthy. However, it is very necessary. When you have an investment visa, you can start investing in the region while also making a life here.
An investment visa is a legal document that allows foreigners to invest in Dubai and other Emirates. This type of visa is usually valid for three to ten years. The duration of the visa will depend on the eligibility of the applicant. Individuals investing or starting companies in the Free Zones or Mainland can apply for the visa.
The process to procure an investor visa can be quite difficult, especially for a foreigner. As a result, most of them opt to acquire investment visa services in Dubai. With their professional support, foreigners can break the language barrier and go through this process with no major inconveniences.
The United Arab Emirates does not provide a permanent residency visa. So, investors living in the region need to renew their visas frequently to keep living and running a business locally. This visa brings multiple benefits, such as tax exemptions, hassle-free residency, and more.
In summary, an investment visa is necessary for individuals from other countries who want to invest in the region, except for GCC National Citizens. It is essential for common things such as obtaining a driving license or opening a local bank account.
Obtaining an investment visa in the United Arab Emirates
There are four ways to obtain an investor visa in Dubai:
1. Investing in a Property
You can get an investment visa when you are looking to invest in a local property. In this vein, if you want to invest in Dubai, you should:
- Spend at least AED 1.000.000 and a maximum of 50% under a mortgage.
- Invest in a domestic property, not a commercial one.
- In case you have an investment partner, each one should invest at least AED 1.000.000.
- Invest in freehold property, not an off-plan one.
2. Investing in a Company
This method is for individuals who want to open a business in Dubai’s Free Zones or Mainland. It is also known as the three-year investor visa. Correspondingly, individuals wanting to start a company in the region need to invest a minimum of AED 72.000.
The process of obtaining an investment visa can change according to various factors. For example, the type of business or the location of the Free Zone. Moreover, those looking to invest in the Free Zones, do not need a local business partner and are free from taxes while having 100% ownership of their company.
3. Applying for a Retirement Visa
If you are above 55 years old and want to invest in Dubai, you are eligible for a retirement visa. This type of permit is also an investment visa. Individuals can obtain a retirement visa when they invest at least AED 2.000.000 in a residential property. Applying for this visa is easier when you live in the region under a working visa.
4. Applying for a Golden Visa
A golden visa can give investors the possibility to stay from five to ten years in Dubai if they are eligible. Acquiring golden visa services can be very beneficial as they take care of this overwhelming process. Additionally from their visa service, these agencies offer PRO services and other managerial solutions for your company.
To obtain a ten-year golden visa you need to meet the following requirements:
- Spend at least AED 10.000.000 in local property investments.
- Create a company with a capital investment of AED 10.000.000 minimum.
- Have a partnership in a current organization where your share capital reaches at least AED 10.000.000.
- Or have a total investment capital that extent to AED 10.000.000 in all the aforementioned areas.
On the other hand, to get a five-year golden visa, you need to invest in a property that is worth more than AED 5.000.000. Besides, you must follow these conditions if you are under any kind of golden visa:
- Keep your company for at least three years.
- Have complete ownership of your investment amount.
- Do not ask for loans when investing in real estate.
Finally, entrepreneurs can also obtain an investment visa if they have a current project with funds of at least AED 500.000.
Required Documents to Obtain an Investment Visa
Before starting your visa application process, there are some documents that you need to compile. However, they can vary depending on the category of the investment visa.
For a business investment visa you will need:
- A copy of your valid passport.
- Headshot picture against a white background.
- Notarized Trade License.
- A statement from the bank entity for at least three months prior.
- Contract of association between you and your local sponsor.
- Valid Immigration Establishment Card.
- Memorandum of Association stating that your company’s funds are over AED 72.000.
If you are looking to obtain a retirement visa you must have copies of your current United Arab Emirates Visa. In addition, you require copies of your Emirates ID, marriage certificate (if necessary), your title deed, and your valid passport.
Ultimately, for a golden visa you need:
- The title deed of your property.
- Copies of your valid passport and current visa status.
- Six passport pictures.
- Good conduct certificate, a statement from the bank, health insurance, and a utility bill.
The final cost of an investment visa in the region can vary depending on the agency you work with to complete this process. These prices range around AED 5.000 to pay for fines and other services.
Steps to Apply for a Dubai Investment Visa
The process of application for a Dubai Investment Visa can be a bit difficult for newcomers or individuals who are outside of the region at the moment of procuring it. However, this is where immigration agencies come in handy as they can streamline this process in no time.
These agencies act as a bridge between you and the United Arab Emirates authorities. In the same way, they help break any language barriers there can be for foreigners entering this new region.
Firstly, apply. With the support of an agency, you need to fill out a visa application with your data to the required authorities. Secondly, after you complete your visa application, you will have to change the status request. To do this, the immigration agency will wait for the consent of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs of Dubai and process the change of status.
Thirdly, the applicant needs to take a medical examination as a part of the visa requiring process. This examination needs to be undertaken in an authorized medical center. These results are confirmed quickly so you can keep going with your visa process without a problem.
Fourthly, you must acquire an Emirates ID along with your fingerprint authorization. Lastly, you will be able to obtain your investor visa stamp in your passport. To obtain this stamp you will be required to go to an authorized official location.
The required time to finish the process of your investor visa is relatively short. Especially under the supervision of an immigration agency. The whole process can take between 15 to 20 working days, from beginning to end. Once the whole process is over you can start your investment journey in Dubai.
Advantages of an Investment Visa in Dubai
There are many advantages to having an investment visa in the United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates as a whole, and Dubai in specific, provides lots of benefits. Hence, according to the reasons why you are moving into the country, you may be looking for certain things.
Nevertheless, the main welfares of living in the region are the same for investors, entrepreneurs, residents, and workers. When looking for options to move, foreigners typically select the United Arab Emirates due to its favorable conditions for conducting business, the high income from work, the chance to access good real estate opportunities, and the perk of living in a safe, multi-cultural region.
In Dubai, individuals who receive an investment visa and residency, have unlimited prospects for the company and personal growth. With an investor visa, individuals can reside within the region for at least three years, with access to renewability. In the same way, having a Dubai investor visa allows you to travel to any region within the Gulf Cooperation Council.
When you have an investor visa in the United Arab Emirates, you can live outside of the region for no more than one year. If you extend this period your visa will be canceled. This is an advantage over other types of visas, as dependent or employment visas only allow individuals to stay out of the region for up to six months.
Once you obtain an investor visa and establish your business successfully in the United Arab Emirates you will be leveraging your prospects of obtaining a Golden Visa. With this visa, individuals can stay in Dubai for ten years without having to go through a renewal process. This is a reward to entrepreneurs and investors for their important contributions to the region’s economic growth.
Why Invest in the United Arab Emirates
Individuals who decide to invest in the region can enjoy great financial advantages. As a matter of fact, with the right attitude for business, entrepreneurs can expect big profits due to the living standards and the numerous tourists that come to the UAE every year.
Furthermore, due to its tax policies, foreigners can find big advantages when starting a company in the United Arab Emirates. Plus, the region also has a very developed banking sector. Due to these financial benefits, individuals have a good reason to acquire investment visa services in Dubai to obtain their visas.
Another pro to obtaining this certificate is that residents can enjoy a developed healthcare system in the United Arab Emirates. During the last decade, the government has been working hard to build an excellent healthcare system with various medical centers and pharmacies. They have managed to procure the finest specialist in the region and the best equipment to suffice every necessity.
Even when certain prices can be quite expensive in the United Arab Emirates, others can be really low. For example, you can find leather goods, cars, clothes, and all kinds of technology at lower rates than in other regions. Besides, Dubai is one of the safest zones in the whole world, so you do not have to worry about feeling unsafe.
When investors acquire visa solutions from an agency, they do not have to worry about being alone in a new area. These agents will support you in every step. Helping you with any difficulty you may have.
Cancelation of the Investor Visa
If an individual desire to cancel their investor visa, they have to gather the following documents:
- An original valid passport and Emirates ID card.
- Partner List and Trade License Copy (only required for LLCs).
- Copy of your Immigration Establishment Card.
License Cancellation Certificate provided by the Department of Economic Development (in case of company termination).
Subsequently, you have to fill de the cancel application form and pay the necessary fees. Then, you will need to submit these documents to the Immigration Counter. In the end, you will receive the cancellation by post or at the moment if the application is urgent.
If your visa expires, you will have a 30-days grace period to renew it. But, if you decide to not go through a renewal process, you will have to leave the region within that period so you will not get fined.
