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UAE residence visa through a free zone company

Your free-zone licence can support UAE residency. Compare published 0–3 visa company scenarios, then receive the final authority itemisation after your activity and requirements are reviewed.

Last Verified: 04 Jul 2026

The three visa types a free zone company unlocks

All three are standard UAE residence visas — same Emirates ID, same access to banking, tenancy and driving licences. The difference is who is sponsored and by whom.

Investor / partner visa

For shareholders of the free zone company. Issued against your own licence, so no employer is involved. Valid two years and renewable for as long as the licence stays active. This is the route most Formenzo founders take.

Employment visa

For staff your company sponsors. Requires an employment contract registered with the zone. Costs are the same components as the investor visa; the count is limited by your package's visa quota.

Dependant / family visa

Once you hold a residence visa, you can sponsor a spouse, children and in some cases parents. Sponsorship requires a minimum monthly income — AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation — and does not use your company's visa quota.

What can affect a free-zone visa scenario

Authorities can package immigration, medical, Emirates ID and service elements differently. The component ranges below are illustrative only; your final authority line items are confirmed in writing after review.

Component Typical range Notes
Establishment card AED 1,100–2,000 One-off per company; opens your immigration file
Entry permit (e-visa) AED 1,100–1,500 Per person; starts the residency process
Status change AED 750 Only if you are already inside the UAE; otherwise exit and re-enter on the permit
Medical fitness test AED 320–750 Higher figure is the same-day VIP track
Emirates ID (2 years) AED 370 Biometrics appointment required in person
Residency stamping / issuance AED 460–650 Digital residency in most emirates; no physical passport stamp needed

Do not add these illustrative components into a universal visa fee. Compare the published company scenarios below, then use the final written authority itemisation for your activity, entry status and requirements.

Timeline: licence to Emirates ID in 2–3 weeks

Six steps, in order. Only the medical test and biometrics require you in person; everything else can run remotely.

  1. 1

    Licence issued, establishment card opened

    Your company's immigration file opens with the zone. 1–3 working days after licence issue.

  2. 2

    Entry permit approved

    The e-visa that starts your residency. 2–5 working days.

  3. 3

    Enter the UAE or change status

    Enter on the permit, or pay AED 750 for an in-country status change if you are already here. 1–3 working days.

  4. 4

    Medical fitness test

    Blood test and chest X-ray at an approved centre. Results in 24–48 hours; same-day on the VIP track.

  5. 5

    Emirates ID biometrics

    Fingerprints and photo at an ICP centre. Usually the same day as the medical.

  6. 6

    Residency issued, Emirates ID delivered

    Digital residency confirmed in 3–5 working days; the physical Emirates ID card follows by courier. You can now open bank accounts, sign tenancy contracts and sponsor family.

Published 0→1 visa scenario difference by zone

The difference between published zero-visa and one-visa company scenarios. It is not a universal individual visa fee or an authority-fee schedule.

Last Verified: 04 Jul 2026
Free zone Emirate Published 0→1 scenario difference Validity Licence from
ANC Ajman NuVentures Centre Ajman AED 4,715 2 years AED 4,888
Creative City Fujairah AED 4,880 2 years AED 4,900
SPC Free Zone Sharjah AED 5,150 2 years AED 5,750
SRTIP Sharjah AED 5,290 2 years AED 5,500
RAKEZ Ras Al Khaimah AED 5,650 2 years AED 6,000
Masdar City Abu Dhabi AED 6,850 2 years AED 7,000
IFZA Dubai AED 7,320 2 years AED 12,900
Meydan Free Zone Dubai AED 8,140 2 years AED 12,500
DMCC Dubai AED 11,950 2 years AED 35,484

Published scenario differences vary by zone because authorities package licence, immigration and service elements differently. Use the comparison to rank options, then receive a written authority itemisation before payment.

Free zone visa questions, answered

Build your licence and visa scenario

Pick a zone, set your visa count and build an itemised estimate. After review, the secure portal shows the confirmed total, its validity date and invoice before payment.

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Published 0–3 visa scenarios · written authority itemisation before payment · no sales calls