UAE companies have a visa quota that determines how many employees they can sponsor. Here is a guide to how UAE visa quotas work and how to calculate yours.
UAE Visa Quota System
UAE visa quotas are determined by: the size of the company’s office or industrial space (for most free zones and mainland), the type of company licence, and historical visa issuance pattern (companies that consistently use their quota get it maintained). The quota system exists to prevent companies from sponsoring more employees than their physical presence can justify (a key anti-abuse mechanism).
Mainland UAE Visa Quota
For mainland Dubai companies: RERA office space formula (approximation): 1 visa per 9 sqm of rented office space. Example: 90 sqm office = up to 10 employee visas. This is a guideline. DED and MOHRE have discretion to approve or deny additional visas based on the company’s business type, financial status, and actual staffing needs. High-labour-intensity businesses (e.g., cleaning, construction, hospitality): can request higher visa allocations relative to office space, based on operational justification.
Free Zone Visa Quotas
Each free zone determines its own visa quota policy: Virtual office: typically 1-3 visas (you + 1-2 employees). Flexi-desk / hot desk: typically 3-6 visas. Dedicated office (50 sqm): typically 5-15 visas. Larger office or warehouse: proportionally more visas. IFZA: visa packages are explicitly priced. 1, 2, 3, 5, or more visas at escalating price points. DMCC: visa quota tied to the DMCC community card and office space registered. Adding more visas: most free zones allow additional visas beyond the initial package (at an additional fee per visa), up to the maximum for your space type.