UAE Free Zone Visa Quota Comparison 2026 — How Many Visas Can You Get?
One of the most important questions when choosing a UAE free zone is: how many UAE residence visas can I get for my company? Here is the 2026 comparison of visa quotas across all major UAE free zones.
In this guide:
How UAE Free Zone Visa Quotas Work
UAE free zones allocate a maximum number of employee/investor visas per company based on:
- Office space size (square footage)
- Type of office (flexi-desk vs. dedicated office vs. warehouse)
- Licence type and activity category
Visa Quota by Free Zone (2026)
| Free Zone | Flexi-Desk Visa Quota | Dedicated Office Visa Quota | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | 1-6 visas | 6-25+ (office size dependent) | Packages available: 1-visa, 3-visa, 6-visa |
| DMCC | 3 visas (Business Centre desk) | Up to 25 (per 100 sqft) | Premium flexi-desk at DMCC Business Centre |
| SPC Free Zone | 1 visa | 3-10 (office size dependent) | Additional visas: AED 3,260 each |
| SHAMS | 3 visas | 10+ (office size) | Includes investor + employee visas |
| RAKEZ | 3 visas (Smart Office) | 5-15+ | One of most visa-generous low-cost options |
| JAFZA | N/A (requires physical office) | Based on office size | Minimum physical office requirement |
| DIFC | 2 visas (hot desk) | Unlimited (based on headcount + DFSA approval) | Premium financial zone |
| ADGM | 2 visas (co-working) | Unlimited (headcount-based) | Abu Dhabi premium zone |
| DAFZA | 2 visas (Business Centre) | Based on space | Airport free zone |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | 3 visas (Smart Desk) | Based on space | Tech focus |
How to Get More Than 6 Visas in a UAE Free Zone
If you need more than 6 employee visas, your options are:
- Rent a dedicated physical office in the free zone (visa quota tied to office size)
- Set up a UAE mainland company (LLC) alongside your free zone company — mainland has no fixed visa quota limit, determined per application
- Use a PRO service to apply for additional exceptional visas (approved case by case)
Investor Visa vs Employee Visa in UAE Free Zones
- Investor/partner visa: For company owners. Duration 2-3 years. Cost: AED 5,000-8,000
- Employment visa: For hired staff. Duration 2-3 years. Cost: AED 3,000-6,000 per visa
- Dependent visa: For family members. Additional AED 2,000-4,000 each