Types of Free Zone Visas

Free zone visas fall into three categories: (1) Investor/Partner Visa — for company owners/shareholders, (2) Employee Visa — for staff you sponsor, (3) Dependent/Family Visa — to bring family members. Each has different costs and requirements.

Investor Visa Cost Breakdown

A free zone investor visa typically costs AED 3,500–6,000 total. This includes: Medical fitness test (AED 320–700 depending on emirate), Emirates ID application (AED 350–370), visa stamping/entry permit (AED 1,000–2,500), and medical insurance (AED 500–3,000/year). Total: approximately AED 3,000–5,500 depending on zone and emirate.

Employee Visa Costs

Sponsoring an employee visa through a free zone costs AED 3,000–5,500 per employee, similar to the investor visa. Additionally, you must provide or contribute to their health insurance (mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi). Budget AED 1,500–5,000/year per employee for basic health coverage.

Family/Dependent Visa

Once you have your own UAE visa, you can sponsor dependents (spouse and children). Costs are similar to employee visas: AED 3,000–5,000 per dependent. There's no cap on dependent visas as long as you meet the income/accommodation requirements.

Visa Allocation by Zone

Standard single-desk packages at most zones come with 1–3 visa allocations. To get more visas, you'll need a larger office or workspace. For example, IFZA's base package includes 1 flexi-desk and up to 3 visas; upgrading to a physical office allows 6+ visas. JAFZA warehouse tenants can get 50+ visas.

Total 3-Year Visa Budget

For a solo founder: Year 1 cost ~AED 5,000 (setup), then ~AED 2,500 renewal every 2–3 years plus ongoing medical insurance. For a team of 5: budget AED 20,000–30,000 for initial visa setup plus AED 10,000–15,000 per renewal cycle.