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Dubai investor visa

Investor Visa in UAE

Dubai has become synonymous with innovation, luxury, and a booming business environment that attracts investors from around the world. For those looking to establish a business or invest in property in Dubai, the Dubai Investor Visa is a valuable opportunity. This visa allows individuals to live and work in Dubai while pursuing their business ventures or managing their property investments.  Whether you want to invest in an existing company, setting up your own business, or exploring real estate opportunities with a booming property market (Dubai’s real estate market is expected to grow by over 6% between 2025 and 2027), the Investor Visa paves the way for residency and a bright future.  However, understanding the process and requirements for Dubai investor visa is essential. So, let’s explore the various types of investor visas available and how you can make the most of this opportunity in Dubai.  What is the Dubai Investor Visa?  The Dubai Investor Visa, also known as the Partner Visa, is a residence permit for those who want to invest and live in Dubai. It allows you to not only reside but also work and sponsor your family members. Generally, there are two main ways to qualify for the Investor Visa:  You can invest at least AED 10 million (around USD $2.7 million) in a new company or become a partner in an existing company with an investment of at least AED 10 million.  You can purchase a property with the required minimum value. However, the property must be off-plan (under construction) and completed at the time of purchase.  If you meet either of these requirements, you can obtain a visa that allows you to reside in Dubai for long term, typically renewable every three years. There’s also a new option called the Golden Visa, which offers a 10-year residency visa.  Dubai Golden Visa  The Dubai Golden Visa is a long-term residency program. It grants residence privileges to talented individuals and professionals for up to ten years. This visa offers several benefits, including the ability to live, work, and study in the UAE without needing a local company sponsor.  For investors, there are a few options. One way is to invest a minimum of AED 2 million in an approved UAE investment fund. Another option involves investing in property with a minimum value of AED 2 million, but this property must be off-plan (under construction) and you must retain ownership for at least three years.  Besides the extended residency period, the Dubai Golden Visa offers advantages like sponsoring family members for residency, greater freedom to move jobs within the UAE, and 100% foreign ownership of your business.  Eligibility Criteria for the Dubai Investor Visa  To apply for the Dubai investor visa, you must meet specific eligibility criteria. This generally includes:  Setting up a new company in Dubai with a capital of at least AED 10 million.  Becoming a partner in an existing company with a minimum shareholding worth AED 10 million.  Purchasing a freehold property in Dubai with a minimum value of AED 2 million.  Documents Required for Dubai Investor Visa  The documents you need to obtain a Dubai Investor Visa will depend on whether you choose the business or property investment route. However, here are the general requirements for obtaining an investor visa in Dubai:  A copy of your valid passport  Two recent passport-sized photographs  Medical fitness certificate  Proof of valid health insurance coverage  A copy of your company’s trade license issued by DED  Immigration establishment card (to confirm your company’s registration with the GDRFA)  Proof of share ownership  Bank statement  Property valuation certificate  Property ownership deed  How to get an Investor Visa in Dubai?  Obtaining an investor visa in Dubai involves several steps. Here’s a breakdown of the general process:  1. Define Your Investment Plan  Decide whether you’ll invest in starting a new business or become a partner in an existing one. Alternatively, consider the Golden Visa route if you have a minimum of 2 million for investment in real estate or an approved investment fund.  2. Fulfill Investment Requirements  For business investment, register your company with the Department of Economic Development (DED) and obtain a trade license. Contact experts at Shuraa Business Setup for all your company formation needs.  3. Apply for Entry Permit (if required)  If you’re outside the UAE, apply for an entry permit online through the GDRFA website.  4. Investor Visa Application (In-person or online)  Submit your application and documents for the Investor Visa to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) either in person or online through their designated channels.  5. Medical Examination  Undergo a medical examination at an authorized health center in Dubai. This typically includes tests for communicable diseases like HIV and tuberculosis.  6. Visa Approval and Issuance  Once your application is approved, you will receive an entry permit to enter the UAE. Upon arrival, you will need to complete the residency visa stamping process:  Enter the UAE using the entry permit issued.  Complete a medical test in Dubai.  Apply for an Emirates ID.  Get your residency visa stamped in your passport at the GDRFA.  7. Emirates ID Collection  Collect your Emirates ID once it is ready. This is an essential document for legal residency in the UAE.  8. Renewal  Ensure you renew your investor visa before it expires. The renewal process involves similar steps, including medical tests and paying the renewal fees.  Consult with our experts at Shuraa for personalized guidance throughout the process. They can help with any specific requirements or complexities based on your situation.  Cost for Investor Visa in Dubai  An Investor visa cost in Dubai for a UK Entrepreneur is AED 4000*, with a renewal fee of AED 1750*. A 2-year Investor visa cost in Dubai is AED 12,000* depending on several factors, including:  Type of investor visa (Golden Visa generally has higher costs)  Investment approach  Application method (Online or in-person)  Here are the estimated costs:  Visa Fees: AED 4,000 approx., the Golden Visa fees may differ  Medical Test: Around AED 350 to
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100% foreign ownership in Dubai

100% foreign ownership in Dubai

The 100% foreign ownership law for onshore companies has attracted a lot of eyeballs from all around the world. Business owners and budding investors can now enjoy complete business ownership in the mainland region as well. Therefore, you’re now freed from the hassle of finding a reliable local sponsor (UAE national) who’ll have legal participation in your company alongside 51% shareholding as well. The latest amendment in the Companies Law has empowered expats to enjoy 100% foreign ownership in Dubai mainland, much like the legal structure in free zones. All you need to do is check whether your business activities meet the required criteria to savor 100% ownership in the UAE and apply for the same by taking help from the business consultants at Shuraa UK. How to Open an Onshore Company with 100% Foreign Ownership? Setting up your venture in the mainland region with 100% ownership in the UAE is a big plus for investors looking to find a home for their business in the country. All you need to do is follow the steps mentioned below to launch your onshore company: 1. List your Business Activities It’s imperative for business owners to list down all the activities that they wish to carry out in the UAE once they establish their onshore company. The Department of Economic Development (DED) maintains an exhaustive list of around 2,000 permissible business activities. You can choose the ones that match your business model, and the same would reflect in your approved trading license. 2. Finalise the Company’s Legal Structure 100% foreign ownership in Dubai mainland has opened a new world of opportunities for onshore company formation. You can now form an LLC (limited liability company) without a local sponsor. This implies you no longer need a UAE national who’ll have 51% shareholding of your company. All you need is assistance from a local service agent (LSA) who’ll help you with the paperwork, legal procedures, and more to ensure you don’t face any trouble opening your dream venture in Dubai mainland. The best part is that the LSA doesn’t have any legal shareholding in your company, so you can enjoy 100% foreign ownership of your enterprise. 3. Trade Name Reservation The next step to launch your onshore company with 100% foreign ownership is to reserve a legal trading name for your business. The name you choose should be indicative of your business activities and shouldn’t be copied from an established brand in the marketplace. The UAE government requires you to submit a list of 3-4 preferred trading names, and you get the approval/rejection status of each name in quick time. Ensure that the names you select are unique, catchy, and devoid of any derogatory terms or words that hurt the sentiments of any religion or community. 4. Secure an Office Space An office space that gels well with your venture’s personality is a must-have. Therefore, explore as much as you can before finalising the office space for your onshore enterprise. It’s recommended to rent office space rather than investing in real estate for several reasons. It’s beneficial as you don’t need to invest hefty sums of money upfront and also facilitates hassle-free relocation. New-age investors and entrepreneurs can also secure virtual office space for their venture in the mainland region. You can launch your company virtually without investing in physical office space by getting in touch with our business experts. You need to sign a sustainability agreement with us, and we’ll take care of the rest. 5. Apply for a Business License 100% foreign ownership in Dubai opens the gate for several lucrative onshore business opportunities without the legal involvement of a mandatory local sponsor. Therefore, you’re your own master, and the keys to the kingdom of your corporate success rest in your hands. Applying for a business license in the UAE involves a lot of paperwork and approvals. This is done to ensure that unauthorised agencies don’t set up their firms in the Emirates and fake applications are also filtered through rigorous documentation. You must have the initial approval certificate, payment receipt of trade name reservation, identity proof documents, and more to apply for a business license. 6. Procure a Visa and Open a Corporate Bank Account The last steps involve the procurement of visas for yourself and your family. You can obtain a visa by sharing your investment plan, or by investing in more office space. Moreover, business owners can also secure visas for their domestic staff. Having a corporate bank account in a reliable bank is also vital during your stay in the UAE. Always choose a bank that offers long-term business benefits alongside robust banking facilities. You can connect with the legal advisors at Shuraa UK in case you face any issues in opening a bank account for your company. Benefits of Forming an Onshore Company in the UAE? 100% company ownership in the UAE is now legalised for onshore companies as per the UAE Federal Law No. 19 of 2018 on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Therefore, you now have complete control over the day-to-day business activities, finances, and everything related to your dream venture. Remember that you may still need an LSA for company establishment. However, they won’t intervene in any of your business activities. Mainland or onshore company formation is also beneficial because you’re presented with the opportunity to capture a larger audience segment. Business owners can trade freely within Dubai, the UAE and international trading is also seamless for mainland companies. Companies in the mainland region enjoy some exclusive privileges. Onshore companies also get a preference for government projects and other such legal tenders. Launch your Onshore Company in the UAE Investors shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to establish their companies in the mainland region and enjoy 100% company ownership in the UAE. The process to set up your onshore company has undergone changes due to the amendments in the Companies Law. You now need a local service agent instead of a local sponsor to
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